A Long Time Coming...: A Sweet & Spicy Romance Collection, page 1
Imani Jay
A LONG TIME COMING...
A Steamy Romance Collection
Copyright © 2023 by Imani Jay
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
Imani Jay asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
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MATURE CONTENT. NOT SUITED FOR READERS UNDER 18.
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Contents
Hey Awesome Reader!
THE DAY HE RETURNED
OWNED BY THE HOT DAD
OWNED BY MY CRUSH
Before You Go!
Hey Awesome Reader!
If you like bite-sized, diverse, steamy romances, you’ve found the right gal for your needs!
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THE DAY HE RETURNED
DESCRIPTION:
He was the bad boy I fell for years ago. Now, he’s all man, and he’s returned to claim his bride…
Alima
I was sixteen when I first met Luca Grazzi. He was the cocky, older kid who made me smile, gained my trust, then stole my heart… But when he turned eighteen, Luca left me behind to follow in his family’s mob ties. Except, he made me promise one thing. And now he’s back to hold me to my word.
Luca
Alima Kane is my fate. I fell in love at seventeen and left my heart behind because I needed to prove myself and become a man worthy of my sweet Alima’s love. Now, I’m back and ready to claim what’s mine. I know Alima is scared I might leave again, scared of my past. But this time, I’m playing for keeps.
This is friends-to-lovers, marriage pact, bite-sized steamy romance, with no cheating, no cliffhanger, and a guaranteed HEA!
* * *
Alima
FIVE YEARS AGO
“Do you Alima Rose Kane, take Luca Alessandro Grazzi, to be your lawful wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish as long as you both shall live?”
“I Do”.
***
NOW
I pull at the panes of my evening gown in a futile attempt to cover the wide expanse of mocha skin revealed by the long slit running from my upper thigh to the hem of the extraordinary silk dress. My best friend Marie slaps my hand away.
“You look gorgeous, babe. Don’t ruin it.”
My grumble of ‘I hate you’ makes Marie giggle.
“No, you don’t, silly. You love me. Just remember it’s for the kids, and go parade on that stage.”
I repeat after her: “it’s for the kids,” and take a deep breath before stepping onto the stage.
The vast ballroom of the Five-star luxury hotel where we’re holding our event, decorated to perfection. A couple hundred VIPs fill the brightly lit, wide room. Soft jazz music coming from a live band set in one corner. An impeccable staff walks through the crowd with trays of appetizers and drinks. Marie truly outdid herself with the organization.
A small stage sits in the back of the ballroom, currently occupied by myself, two other of my closest girlfriends, just as lavishly dressed as I am, and my three guy best friends in impeccable tuxedos. We exchange amused glances and warm smiles. We’re in this together. Just like we were years ago. Foster siblings, growing up in the same household. And we’re here tonight to give back.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Marie addresses the crowd, microphone in hand. “I give you the fabulous five.”
She extends her hand to our small group and her gesture is met with thunderous applause and a few catcalls from some of our close friends and family.
“The five bachelorettes and bachelors who volunteered to spend an all expenses paid evening with the winners of tonight’s auction.”
More applause.
“The auction starts at one thousand dollars for each single lady or gentleman. And remember, all funds will go to our foundation, ‘Mama Nelly’s Home’, named after our loving and beloved foster mother, Miss Nelly Jackson.”
All gazes turn to Mama Nelly and she graciously nods, waves and blows kisses around, making the room grow even more excited. Her big brown eyes shimmer with emotion. She looks amazing in an elegant ivory evening gown, her curly hair pulled up in a sophisticated bun, a soft smile pulling at her lips. She looks so happy, so proud of us.
“The first candidate for tonight… ladies,” Marie wags her eyebrows, triggering laughter all around, “is our very own Fire Chief, Mister Antonio Dacosta.”
She introduces Tony with a wide gesture and he advances to the front of the podium in his signature calm and composed manner. More clapping and yelling ensue when Tony bends at the waist to salute the crowd.
“Do I hear one thousand and one dollars?” Marie inquires.
“Two thousand dollars,” comes loud and clear from a gorgeous woman who watches Tony as if her plans for their date are anything but an act of charity. The crowd gasps and Marie entertains the drama.
The auction goes on and one after the other, my foster siblings get swept away by generous donors. Most of whom they seem well acquainted with… When it’s finally my turn to be offered as tribute, Marie has barely announced the opening price that one of the staff comes from backstage handing her a folded piece of paper.
I watch Marie’s eyes grow wide before she clears her throat and announces in the mic: “well, it seems an anonymous bidder has snatched away Miss Alima Kane. Unless I can get ten thousand and one dollars for a date with our lovely Miss Kane?”
My eyebrows fly up to my forehead. Ten thousand dollars! Who would pay such an exorbitant amount? The largest amount of money we’ve ever made from our Bachelorettes & Bachelors Auction was maybe five thousand dollars for a single bid. The entry ticket to the event only is two thousand dollars, that is already a very generous donation to our foundation.
“Ten thousand going once,” Marie marks a pause. “Twice…” The party guests exchange excited looks and watch me with renewed interest. “A date with Miss Alima Kane for ten thousand dollars, to our very generous anonymous donor. Thank you, whoever you are!”
I smile broadly, beyond thrilled at the idea of the great use this money will be put to. And I might be just a bit tickled to meet my mysterious bidder.
***
Dressed in a stylish little black dress, I walk to my door, an evening clutch under my arm, all dolled up and maybe slightly eager to meet our eccentric benefactor. His assistant contacted me a week after the foundation’s auction gala to plan our date. So here I am, about to answer the doorbell and finally discover who I’m having a romantic dinner with…
When my eyes meet the man standing at my door, I take a step back in absolute shock. Because none other than Luca Grazzi stands on my front step. Luca Alessandro Grazzi, the boy I loved more than life itself. My husband.
Luca has turned into a tall, broad, bearded man. He’s all muscles and masculinity. Gone is the lanky kid. But it’s him alright, with the same crooked smirk and the playful twinkle in his moss green eyes.
“Hello sweetheart, long time no see.”
* * *
Luca
Five years. Five fucking years I haven’t seen my wife. When Alima opens the door to her place, my heart jumps in my chest. She’s fucking beautiful. Gorgeous beyond words. I’ve refrained from all contact for a goddamn five years. Forced myself to stay focused on my goal: make something of my life, become a man worthy of her love, of being her companion. And I missed so much, so fucking much. Alima is no longer a girl. She’s all curves, now. The thin fabric of her dress molds her generous hips, hugs her full breasts, and stops mid-thigh, revealing her long, shapely legs. All I want to do is throw her over my shoulder and stomp into her apartment. Slam the door shut behind us and finally bury myself deep into her warmth, her sweetness. Everything I’ve imagined she’d be. My dick twitches at the mental image. Alima and I finally reunited, locked away from the world. I can’t fucking wait. Patience, the only active brain cell I have left, whispers. Right, I don’t want to scare her off. We have to start on a good foot. I shake myself out of my lust filled thoughts and try making my grin as appeasing as possible. Alima watches me with widened eyes. I’ve always loved her big brown eyes. These past years, when I allowed myself to think of her, they would be the first thing to come to mind. My girl isn’t very talkative
I want to raise my hand and run my fingers through the soft curls of her deep mahogany hair. She wears it shoulder length now. Still in its natural curls. Gone are the waist-long braids of her teen years. I want to feel the softness of her skin. Brush my knuckles along her delicate jaw. Wrap my big hand at the back of her slender neck and pull her in for a kiss.
“W… what are you doing here, Luca?” Alima interrupts my reverie.
“I’m here for our date,” I reply with a smile.
But Alima’s not smiling. It takes her a few beats to recover from the shock of my surprise reappearance, but her defenses quickly build up. Her face closes off in a mask of cold indifference, the rigidity of her shoulders clearly letting me know I’m not welcome here. Fuck, here we go.
“You mean you’re the mystery benefactor who bid ten thousand dollars at the charity auction for a date with me?” She asks in a biting tone.
“I wanted to see you,” is all I can think of. The carefully planned speech I’ve repeated so many times, erased from my brain.
“What do you want, Luca?” Alima enunciates, her voice glacial.
I raise my hands in a placating gesture. “I just wanna talk, babe.”
“Talk about what exactly, Luca Grazzi? I don’t see you or hear from you for five years, and suddenly you reappear with… grand gestures? Fuck you, Luca!”
On that note, she pulls the door close, but I’m faster. I slide the tip of one Oxford Ferragamo through the opening and wrap my fingers around the wooden panel.
“Allie, hear me out, please. For old time’s sake,” I plead.
The fury I read in her eyes simultaneously makes my dick grow harder and my heart squeeze in my chest. It’s all or nothing from this point on.
“I will hear you out for the sake of the boy I knew, but that’s it. I mean it, Luca.”
“Thank you,” is all I say.
Alima comes out, closes the door behind herself and locks it, throwing me a look full of anger and suspicion. I try making my facial expression as affable as I can, and splay my hand on the small of her back to guide her to my town car. Our driver comes out and gets the door for us, greeting Alima. She replies with a kind smile and sides into the plush leather of the backseat. I climb in and settle into my side, stretching my long legs in front of me.
Alima is quasi plastered to the door, sitting as far away from me as possible. Her crossed legs reveal a generous patch of brown skin I yearn to run my fingers over, push the hem of her tiny dress up, feel her softness, climb even higher…
“I want to be clear, Luca. I did not want you in my home. That’s the only reason I followed you. You might as well save us both time and say what you have to say. I have no desire to go on a date with you,” Alima deadpans, making both my heart and my cock deflate.
I drag my gaze away from her full lips, painted danger red, and so fucking enticing I feel slightly dizzy. How did I stay away for so long? Where the hell did that restraint come from? Seeing Alima here and now, there’s no fucking way I’m walking out of her life ever again.
“Okay,” I let out in a soft tone. “I understand, sweetheart…”
“Don’t!” She interrupts me. “Don’t you dare, Luca Grazzi. I’m not your sweetheart. You and I were close a long time ago. Now, we are strangers and that is your doing.” She points a red-painted, manicured finger at me.
“I’m sorry. That’s how I always think of you,” I respond gently. Filling my voice with warmth to counter her frostiness. And I think it works. I think I make a tiny dent in her walls. Because if my eyes aren’t tricking me, it’s a flickering light of pain I see in her gaze.
* * *
Alima
What is happening in my life right now?! First the insane amount bid on me at the auction and now I discover it was Luca. My Luca… and he’s here. But I can’t lose grip on my resolve. If I give in one inch, I know I’m going to cave in. Surrender. Give him any and everything he wants. Lose myself again. And I can’t do that. I’ve suffered too much, too long. Fought too hard to build a life in which I could still be happy, although I’ve been living with a permanent hole in my heart… If I breathe too deep, if I sit too close, or watch him too carefully, I will give in.
The space in the back of the town car is filled with Luca’s spicy cologne. It’s subtle and woodsy, with a hint of sandalwood. Perfect for him. I remember when he smelled of nothing else than clean soap, freshly washed clothes, and deodorant. I can catch the hint of scent that’s all him. As unbelievable as it sounds, I remember Luca’s smell. I’ve wondered over the years if it was just my imagination or if everything would come back if I ever got to see him again. And there it is. The strangest feeling. A mix of old and new. My heart knows this man. I could trace his features with my eyes blindfolded, but there’s also so much that’s new and an entire world to discover. A scar next to the small birthmark above his right eyebrow, a new bump on the bridge of his nose, the full, lustrous beard covering half of his face. How much bigger and taller he is, filling his impeccably cut tuxedo to perfection. The aura of money and power emanating from him.
Luca was always a leader, an alpha among his peers. But this man? This man is king of the fucking pack.
“I understand, sw… Alima. But I’m also asking you to be patient with me. I’ve been thinking of you as my sweetheart for a long time.”
Fuck! This asshole is killing me!
“I’m back, Alima.”
The chauffeur is driving smoothly, the black glass panel between the front and our side of the car is lifted, soft classical music plays low over the sound system and the space is dimly lit. Just enough that I can see the flecks of gold in Luca’s green eyes. I can also see the intense emotions he could mask to anyone but the girl who spent hours, days, weeks, years observing him. Then an entire five years reminiscing over those precious moments.
“Allie,” he says softly, calling me by the nickname he christened me with, piercing my poor, battered heart with another painful arrow.
“What do you want from me?” I push.
“I know about the end of the lease on Mama’s house. I know you guys have been negotiating with the city and getting nowhere. And I’m here to help.” He lays a hand on the back of mine. “There’s a way to save Mama’s house.”
I know my face must display my confusion. “How are you planning on helping? What more can you do? We’ve been talking to the city for years now. And they don’t want to hear anything. They keep saying we have to find a new home for the kids. That the current building needs to be demolished and rebuilt to current safety standards. We’ve tried fixing up things, but it’s never enough. I don’t understand what else you could do.”
“I don’t want to ask them for a lease extension. I want to buy the building,” Luca states calmly, looking me straight in the eye. He’s all business and I can tell he has the means to back his words.
“You… you wanna buy the building?” I stammer out.
He nods, then rearranges himself to face me on the leather bench.
“Luca, where would you get the money to purchase a three-story building?” The icy fingers of doubt wrap themselves around my heart. No, no, no…
I know Luca reads my expression correctly when I see his features harden. His gorgeous, masculine face gaining an air of danger.
“Have a bit of faith, Alima. I’m not planning to use dirty money.” I let out an involuntary exhale of relief and Luca shakes his head. “Would never do that, Allie. You know me.”
I smile sadly. “I don’t, Luca. I don’t know you. I knew an eighteen-year-old boy, but I can’t say anything about the man you’ve become.”
