Free Contemporary Romance Ebook - Saving Susie by Alexandra Marell

Saving Susie

by Alexandra Marell

Summary

It should have been simple, a wonderful investment opportunity. Big house, three apartments. Live in one, rent out the other two. But when are things ever? The batty tenant on the ground floor, who thought he was her husband, had come with the house. And the charity case with the kid and the psychotic ex husband on the next floor? Susie had arrived with glowing references and a young daughter with eyes that wouldn’t have disgraced an ASPCA advertisement.

It had happened slowly, without him noticing. He couldn't pinpoint the moment when they'd become family rather than tenants. He wasn't just the landlord anymore. He was the one who looked after them all - the buffer between them and the outside world. Somewhere along the line they'd all crept under his wing and he'd become St. George fighting off their dragons. But with Susie, he wanted to be so much more…

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genre: contemporary romance

length: 26000 / novella

rating: simmering

publisher: Alinar Publishing

released: February 2007

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EXCERPT

WARNING

Some of the books on this site contain material of a sexual nature or graphic violence and are only suitable for adults. By reading the excerpt below you release me as the author of any responsibility.

It was bound to have happened. This explosion had been a long time on the cards. Between them they'd built a time-bomb filled with pure UST, just primed to go off the minute she said so.

And hadn't she just said so?

But the storm had passed. For now, just hands touching in the quiet aftermath as they swayed together.

"Well, there was this one." Her fingers making swirly patterns on his chest left him in no doubt as to what she was talking about.

"Yeah, think I got that one." He squirmed as she hit a ticklish spot. "Does that mean everything's okay?"

"Doctor said I was fine. That's good news, isn't it?"

"Sure is."

He leaned a little closer and breathed her in. "You smell nice. Remind me, what else was there?"

"The first part. Did you get that?"

He was so close that he could see the fine hairs on her skin. He liked being this close. "Umm. Maybe you could tell me again?"

"Okay, but you gotta keep still. I'm doing the talking right now."

He stood obediently for her as her hands framed his face. Holding him in place for a light rain of kisses. His nose, his eyelids, his mouth, his cheek. Every part of his face got the same loving treatment. Her hands followed her lips.

Loving? Is that what he was hearing? He already knew he loved her. Had done for a long time. But she hadn't said it yet. Is that what she was trying to say?

She pulled back. Looked at him expectantly. He nodded and so did she.

It would do. She'd say it eventually, he had no doubt of that. But this would do nicely, for now.

He looked at his watch. Three o' clock. Gemma wouldn't be asleep for much longer. And Susie needed to get her home.

"Are you working tonight?" The imprints of her kisses still tingled, calling for more. His whole body wanted more. This wasn't something he could easily walk away from. Not when she made such promises.

"No, I'm cooking dinner for us. I’ve been shopping."

"Me too."

They were still holding on. Bodies close, flush against each other. Voices pitched low. He could feel her breath on his neck. Strangely intimate for this time of day.

"Anything interesting?"

"It's for you, actually."

Her face lit up.

That was good. She was so damned difficult to buy presents for. Too proud to accept what she needed. Maybe a little too suspicious of his motives at first. It was probably going to make her mad though. Spoil this lovely mood they'd built since she came home. He took a deep breath and figured he just ought to say it. He'd done it now and heck, she could only kill him once.

"Bought you a laptop yesterday. Well, part of one anyway. It's on layaway at the Computer Warehouse in town. All you've got to do is make the rest of the payments, and it's yours."

He waited. Tilted his chin to make it easier for her.

She frowned. "What are you doing, Michael?"

"Making it easy for you. Go on, you know you want to."

"Want to what?" She frowned and stepped back.

"Plant one on me. Right hook, just there." He pointed to his chin. "You've gotta be mad, right?"

She held up her hands, palms forward as he moved towards her again.

"I am. A little." She sucked in a deep breath and looked him squarely in the eye. "I'm hardly earning big bucks. It's just a lousy bar job, mostly tips anyway. How am I going to make the payments?"

"You're not going to hit me then?"

"Of course I'm not going to hit you. Michael, I can't afford a new computer."

"I'll help you then." He got his fingers to her lips before she could protest. "Let me do it. I want to, and it doesn't take anything away from you. It's not because I want anything from you. I'm not trying to buy you. Say you'll accept it."

She left him hanging for a good few moments while his heart crawled its way up to his mouth. Left him wondering if he was ever going to get her to trust him completely.

Then she smiled.

"Thank you. It's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me."

His heart slid back to its proper place, and made an attempt at beating normally again.

"No, it's not. That'd be tonight."

She smiled at that too. Slow and sexy this time.

Michael’s heart took off again. Not going to live till tonight at this rate, he thought. Die of frustration right here in front of her, he would, if they didn’t stop teasing each other like this.

"Yeah. That'd be tonight, Michael. Come over about seven and I'll get us something to eat. Then I'll show you my shopping."

"Sounds good. Going to give me a clue?"

"D'you like steak?"

"Red blooded male here, so yeah."

"Strawberries?"

"Love 'em."

"Sexy underwear?"

"On the right person, definitely."

"Good."

Yes, definitely going to die of frustration right here, right now. He rubbed at the front of his jeans, trying to get comfortable. Susie skipped past him and headed for the bedroom to fetch Gemma.

She reappeared after a few moments with a drowsy bundle draped over her shoulder.

"You know she's never going to sleep tonight. Not after a daytime nap."

"Heck, didn't think of that."

Gemma lifted her head. "Hi, Uncle Mikey."

"Hey, Gem." He ruffled her hair and inspiration struck. "Want to go to the park with me? We could run around a lot. Get really tired."

Gemma was already wriggling. "Can I go, mommy?"

"Sure you can sweetie. Only don't tire Uncle Mikey out too much."

Then Susie lifted her head and looked straight at him, even though she was still talking to Gemma.

"Going to need him wide awake tonight. Really wide awake."