A Reservation for One (Untamed Love Series Book 1) Read online

  Dylan’s face tightened at the mention of Ms. McKenna’s name, but he tried to hide it. “Then, I suppose I should be grateful to her.”

  “She’s like a mother to me.”

  “You have a mother. I think her name is Katrina Shaw, not Bertha McKenna.”

  “I know my mother’s name.” Haven snapped. “I love her, but you and I both know, she’s not the nurturing kind. She couldn’t even be bothered to leave her boyfriend of six months after I lost the baby to be with me.” Haven took another drink of her wine.

  There was a lull in the conversation before she asked another question. “So, you’re saying you cheated on me because I didn’t give you enough attention? I can’t . . . I won’t take responsibility for your actions.”

  “You don’t think making that McKenna woman a priority in your life was like cheating on me?”

  Was he serious? The warm and fuzzy feelings she’d hoped would come were now a complete impossibility and was replaced with the anger and pain of his betrayal. “There is no comparison, Dylan!”

  He realized their conversation was going left pretty quickly and switched gears. “No. There isn’t. Look, I’m sorry. My hope was not to make you angry. The bottom line is we should have worked through our problems together. Outside influences should never have come between us. If you give me another chance, I promise to hold up my end of the bargain.”

  Fortunately, hot bread and salad were served, saving Haven from having to respond.

  *****

  Dylan and Haven spent the rest of dinner trying to keep their conversations light. An hour into it, she started to relax. No, there weren’t any fireworks, but she was having a good enough time. She could only assume it was because she hadn’t truly forgiven Dylan, but Haven planned to work on it.

  “Excuse me.” They turned at the sound of a familiar voice. “I thought it was you.” If Haven thought Dylan was sexy as hell, then Ellis McKenna standing there in his all black, custom-tailored dinner attire completely took her breath away. She found the fireworks she’d been looking for the moment Haven laid eyes on Ellis. The blonde glamazon hanging off of his arm subtly cleared her throat. Haven tore her eyes away from Ellis and focused on the woman. She hated that he brought her here to their restaurant. Technically, it wasn’t their place, but still.

  Haven plastered on a fake smile. “Ellis.”

  Dylan knew Haven. He hadn’t missed her initial reaction to seeing Ellis with the busty blonde.

  She turned to him. “Dylan, this is Ellis McKenna, my boss’s grandson. Ellis this is . . .” Haven stumbled on how to introduce him. “This is Dylan Cooper.” Haven didn’t know the woman’s name to offer an introduction but remembered she was the one in the guesthouse with Ellis when his grandmother had the coughing attack.

  Ellis stuck out his hand, and Dylan was slow to shake it. Ever the gentleman Ellis turned to the blonde. “This is Layla Stevens.” Layla seemed equally as pleased as Dylan with the introduction. Ellis flashed a grin. “We were just leaving, and I thought I saw you. Figured we’d come over and say hello.”

  “I’m glad you did.” Haven lied.

  Ellis turned to Dylan. He wasn’t the least bit intimidated by him but still hated to see him with Haven. Ellis wasn’t going to examine it. He knew why. Even though he’d decided they were only going to be friends, Ellis couldn’t get her out of his mind, and that was the reason for his date with Layla.

  Smoothly, as if nothing in the world bothered him, Ellis said his goodbyes. “I hope you two enjoy the rest of your evening, and Haven . . . I’ll see you on Monday.”

  Haven kept Ellis in her line of sight until he and his date disappeared out of the restaurant.

  Dylan was pissed. Was Haven gawking at that dude in front of him? He picked up his glass and signaled for the waitress to bring him another drink. When he dropped it back down on the table, it made a loud noise, and that’s when Haven’s head snapped back towards him.

  “He’s gone with a hot model, so you can stop ogling the man.”

  “I-I wasn’t ogling anybody. Plus, I told you, Ellis is my boss’s grandson. He’s not interested in me that way, and I’m not interested in him either. We’re friends. That’s all.”

  Dylan didn’t believe that for a minute. His plans to take his time and woo Haven would have to be adjusted. If she had a billionaire sniffing around her, he was going to have to stake his claim sooner rather than later.

  Maybe even get her pregnant again. Desperate times desperate measures.

  Chapter 19

  “You should really stop staring, darling, and just go over and ask him out on another date.”

  “What? I wasn’t staring, Ms. McKenna.”

  “Really? It’s been your move for the last three minutes, Haven. You can’t even chalk it up to deciding on what move you were going to make. Your eyes haven’t been on this checkerboard since Ellis walked in the room.”

  Haven moved the red checker across the board. “You’re seeing things that just aren’t there.”

  “I see and know more than you think I do.” Bertha jumped two of Haven’s men. “Crown me.”

  Haven could only shake her head. “You got me on this one.”

  “Ellis! Ellis!” Bertha waved him over.

  He put up the one finger. “Hold on. Let me finish this call.”

  Haven whispered, “Why are you calling him over here?”

  “Because I’m tired of both of you pussyfooting around. He’s interested in you, and you’re interested in him. I’ve done all I can do to push you two together. The rest is up to the both of you. Stop being scared.”

  Haven mumbled, “I’m not scared. I just got out of a long-term relationship. I’m not looking for anything serious, and Ellis . . . I don’t think he’s the serious kind.”

  “That’s silly. Ellis just has to meet the right woman, and that’s you. I understand you being a little gun-shy because of Dylan. What I don’t understand is why you hang on to him? Is it out of habit or fear of falling in love again?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve made so many mistakes. I realized I have a lot of my mother in me, and I just want to get it right the next time.”

  “Understandable. However, sometimes what you need and want can be right in front of you. The timing may not always be perfect, but it is what it is.”

  Ellis finished his call and walked over. “I’ve been summoned so that can’t be good.” He turned to Haven. “What’s my grandmother cooking up now?”

  Her response was high pitched and sing-songy. “Nothing that I know of other than kicking my butt in checkers.”

  “Ellis, didn’t you say you needed a partner this weekend for that Valentine’s Day weekend golfing event?”

  “Well . . . I—”

  He didn’t get to finish his statement.

  “Why don’t you ask Haven?”

  Haven blushed to her roots. “Oh no. Um. I don’t play. I’m not even sure if I could drive the little cart. And, Ellis has made it perfectly clear, unless he’s taking you out, he doesn’t fraternize with other women on that day.”

  Bertha dismissed her protest. “The golfing tournament is Saturday, Valentine’s Day is Friday. He and I will have our special time. But, the fundraiser for Autistic children is important. Your excuse about not being able to golf, well, there’s really nothing to it. You just need a little hip action. If you can move those hips, then you can golf.

  Ellis coughed as he remembered that night. He knew for a fact neither of them had any problems with her hips.

  Haven’s blush deepened. She knew exactly what he was thinking.

  Bertha continued to talk oblivious to their discomfort. “You have a few days to get your swing down. Get up. Ellis show her how.”

  Ellis rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

  “Why?”

  “She hasn’t even said she wanted to go.”

  “Why wouldn’t she?” Bertha turned to Haven questioningly. “You don’t ha
ve any other plans do you?”

  Quietly, she responded. “No.”

  “Then, there shouldn’t be a problem. Two friends hanging out for a good cause.”

  Haven and Ellis stared at one another not willing to admit anything to Bertha or each other. He shrugged nonchalantly. “I guess if you’re up for it.”

  Vanessa entered the sitting room. “Ms. McKenna, it’s time for your medicine.” She always appeared out of nowhere like magic.

  “Damn. I was just getting ready to watch the fireworks.” Bertha suppressed a smile and giggled. She pressed the button and wheeled herself over to the door. She turned around and smiled. “Tell me how it turns out. You know what, never mind, in my heart, I already know.” Moments later, she left the room.

  Haven hesitated then stood and walked over toward him. Nervously, she laughed while running her damp palms down the front of her army green camouflage skirt. “Your grandmother is something else.”

  They stood face-to-face, alone for the first time in a while.

  “You know my grandmother. She has ulterior motives and crazy ideas about us. I will understand if you don’t want to do this.”

  “Yeah. She does.” Haven exhaled. “It’s fine. But, if you really need a partner, I don’t mind going.” Haven didn’t know what to do with her hands, so she swung them back and forth. “I’ve always wanted to learn how to play. I guess now would be a good a time as any. I doubt I’ll be any good by this weekend, though.”

  “You don’t have to be. It’s not a serious game.” Ellis reached out for Haven then turned her around. Déjà vu. A current of electricity went through him. It took more focus and energy than he possessed to keep his body calm.

  Haven’s mouth went completely dry, but certain parts started to get very moist. She could only take short little breaths. When Ellis caged her body into his and placed his hands on her hips, she stopped breathing altogether.

  His spicy scent and taut body had her senses going crazy. His lips hovered just above her ear. “Golf is all about the stance and the stroke.” His voice was husky. “The stroke is mostly about the movement of the hips.”

  This was dangerous.

  The heat from his breath tickled her skin and caused Haven to shiver. Briefly, she closed her eyes.

  “Spread your legs like this.” Ellis used his foot and thigh to part her legs shoulder width apart. The movement placed her body in direct contact with the lower part of him that was now semi-erect. The sensuousness in his tone and the feel of his body forced Haven to bite her bottom lip to keep from moaning.

  Ellis had no idea; Haven was ready to implode.

  She had no idea he felt the same.

  His own voice sounded strange. “Your left arm should be perfectly straight, and your right arm should be hinged at the elbow like this. Now, pretend you had a long iron-like club in your hands.”

  His breathing was uneven. “You would swing like so.” Ellis mimicked the movement of a golf swing, not once but twice.

  Ellis had grown so hard he figured he could hit a few golf balls without the need of a club. At this point, there was no disguising it.

  As if happening in slow motion, Haven turned into his arms at the same time his lips came crashing down on hers.

  Ellis gripped the back of her head and held his lips to hers unable to control himself. He thrust his tongue inside the hot cavern of her mouth. The kiss was about as intense as he’d ever had.

  Haven’s arms went up around his neck as she pressed her body into his. She couldn’t get close enough. The ache between her thighs had her losing her mind. Ellis’ touch had her unable to think straight. If she were honest, she didn’t want to. She just wanted to feel him inside of her; for him to satisfy her powerful need for him.

  Ellis dragged his lips from hers. He used his tongue to leave a wet trail down the side of her neck.

  Haven burned. She grabbed a handful of his hair as she pressed him into her heated flesh. She was breathless. “I want you so bad. I swear if you stop, I’ll kill you.”

  Ellis managed to back Haven up against the wall. “There’s absolutely no chance in that. I’m going to make you cum so hard you won’t be able to breathe.”

  She raised her knees and Ellis did the rest. He lifted her so that she could wrap her legs around him. Her sex was aligned perfectly with his. He grabbed handfuls of her ass pressing her into his hardness.

  She moaned. “Aaaahhhh . . .”

  He pumped his hips into her. “I’m going to spend the next few hours pounding, teasing, sucking, and tasting you.” Ellis recaptured her lips in a soul-stirring kiss.

  Haven was so wet she thought she might drown him.

  He needed to get her naked. They had on way too many clothes between them. Ellis was about to fix that problem when, in the fog of kissing, he vaguely heard someone calling his name. He ignored it until the sound became louder and more urgent.

  Breathing heavy, he broke the kiss, just before the housekeeper burst into the room. Haven was out of breath too but still managed to unlink her shaky legs. She slid them down until they touched the floor. Ellis continued to hold her in a tight embrace.

  “Ellis! Vanessa sent me to get you. It’s your grandmother . . . she stopped breathing!”

  Chapter 20

  The funeral services for Roberta Ann McKenna were held three days later. Both Ellis and Haven were shocked and heartbroken.

  From the moment his grandmother made her transition, Ellis walked around on autopilot. He was numb. He wasn’t eating or sleeping. All he could manage was what he’d been trained to do from birth . . . work.

  Haven attempted to reach out to him, but he wouldn’t let her get close. He wouldn’t let anyone get close.

  There were lots of people in and out of the house throughout the week to pay their respects, but she knew this day would be the hardest for Ellis. It was Valentine’s Day—the day he saved just for his grandmother.

  Haven walked past the door to his office and overheard him talking to someone on the phone. She gently cracked it open until she saw him. His head hung low as he leaned over his desk. His hair was a tousled mess. Briefly, he lifted it up enough for Haven to see his face. It seemed as if Ellis hadn’t shaved since the day of the funeral. He squeezed his tired eyes shut and rubbed them with his fingers. To hear him speak on the phone, one would never know that he was utterly and completely devastated. “I need to make a reservation for one. Yes, it was for two, but it will just be me tonight.”

  She felt his agony to the depths of her soul. Instead of intruding on his private moment, Haven walked away. She passed Angela in the hallway. She’d worked for the McKenna’s as their housekeeper for years and was equally as heartbroken as everyone else.

  “Angela?”

  Her eyes lifted to Haven’s. “Yes, do you need anything?”

  “How are you?”

  “Coping. Trying to get through the day.”

  Haven nodded. “That’s a tall order for all of us. I thought Ellis gave everyone the rest of this week off?”

  “He did. But, I’ve worked for the McKenna’s for the past twenty years. I was here when his parent’s died, when his grandfather died, and now his grandmother. Ellis might seem like he’s not about to fall apart, but I’ve known that young man since he was sixteen. I won’t leave him alone.”

  Haven’s eyes watered. “Right.” Her throat was thick. “Can you do me a favor?”

  “Sure.”

  “I’m going back to my apartment for a couple of hours. Can you call me if anything changes with him before I get back?”

  “Of course.”

  “Thank you.”

  She started to walk away, but Angela called out to her. “Haven?”

  She turned. “Yes?”

  “Bertha loved you very much. She knew she could leave Ellis in your care and that he would be just fine.”

  Her smile was shaky. “Thank you for that.” Angela returned her smile with a sad one of her own and then she continued to
go about her usual daily activities.

  Haven could only hope to have people in her life that loyal and love her the way they did Bertha McKenna.

  Several hours later, she returned, but Ellis had already left. Haven didn’t make it back in time.

  *****

  Ellis was freshly shaven and had put on one of his grandmother’s favorite suit. He dressed as if she were still alive. The maître d sat him at their usual table at her favorite restaurant, Sonny’s.

  The opposite chair was reserved for her, and it sat empty. This was the first time he’d dined on Valentine’s Day without his grandmother in the past ten years. Even last year, he spent the evening on the phone with her.

  He wasn’t sure if he would make it past the waitress taking his drink order. The pain in his chest was so big, Ellis thought he would drown in it.

  A soft hand touched his shoulder. He looked up to stare into a pair of soft brown eyes. They were glassy like his. “I know your rule about taking anyone but your grandmother out for Valentine’s Day. So, I figured I’d make a reservation for myself. My table is right behind yours. I’ll sit right there behind you. I won’t say a word, and I won’t leave you here alone.”

  Slowly, he nodded, and Haven took her seat. Then after a few moments, Ellis stood and took a couple of steps to stand directly in front of her. He stretched out his hand, she placed hers in it and stood.

  Without saying a word, Ellis pulled Haven along. They walked out into the lobby where Ellis went up to the front desk. “I’d like one of your VIP suites.” He passed the front desk clerk a unique card reserved for special clients like him, and after a few clicks on the computer, Ellis was given a keycard.

  He turned to Haven. His gaze was intense. “I need you.”

  Haven’s breath was caught in her throat. She couldn’t speak, so she just nodded. She was willing to give Ellis everything.

  This was one of the most turbulent times in her life, and in this moment she realized, she was falling in love with him.

  Haven let him guide her to the elevator.