STAY THE NIGHT (The Phillips Family Book 1)
Read STAY THE NIGHT (The Phillips Family Book 1) Online
Authors: Vicki Keener
Tags: #Romance, #Love, #Contemporary
Copyright
©
2014 by Vicki Keener. All rights reserved worldwide. No part of this publication may be replicated, redistributed, or given away in any form without the prior written consent of the author/publisher or the terms relayed to you herein.
Vicki Keener
Mint Hill, NC 28227
Table of Contents
Author's Note
This is the first book in The Phillips Family and I hope you enjoy it.
In the book is a poem by Robert Small called
“
Angel Above Me
”
and I used the poem in its entirety without the author's permission. I found an email address for Mr. Small and wrote to him to ask for his permission and blessing to use the beautiful poem. Unfortunately, the email came back as undeliverable and I can't find a more current email address.
His wonderful poem fit my story so perfectly that I couldn't resist using it. I have given him credit within the content of the book for his authorship of it.
If any reader knows of a way to contact him, I would appreciate it if you would drop me an email:
[email protected]
and I will try to make amends after the fact.
Vicki Keener
Chapter 1
Cray Phillips walked through the lobby of the Plaza Hotel in New York City with his sister Mona on his arm. She said,
“
I can't believe you invited me to be your date tonight when you have a little black book, or should I say your cell phone, loaded with the names of gorgeous women waiting for your call.
”
“
It gets old, Mona. I'm sick of pretending I care.
”
“
So at the age of thirty-six you've given up on love? Is that what I have to look forward to in a few years? It's so cynical.
”
He grinned at her and said,
“
Don't make me sorry I invited you.
”
“
I had my invitation, smart ass. I'm doing you a favor.
”
“
I'm eternally grateful,
”
he said, with sarcasm.
“
You do realize that I'll ditch you if I find someone who strikes my fancy?
”
“
Another hook-up, Mona? When does it end?
”
“
When I reach the ancient age of thirty-six. That gives me another seven years to
get my fill.
”
“
Woman's liberation didn't give the female population any cause to celebrate.
”
“
It made it easier for the male species. No more waiting for months to convince a girl to drop her bloomers. First date, first fuck. Why are you bitching?
”
He threw back his head and laughed.
“
Bloomers? Did you really say bloomers? Woman's lib doesn't go back that far.
”
“
I'm making a point. What would you rather be doing tonight?
”
“
December sixteenth and I've been to twelve holiday parties already this month and there's more to go.
”
“
Poor baby. Tell your little sister how tough it is being a handsome, wealthy, eligible bachelor in the Big Apple. I'll shed some tears for you.
”
They entered the teeming ballroom before he could answer. People stood in select groups, holding drinks, balancing canapes and chatting with their circle of friends. Someone hailed Cray and he raised his hand in greeting and kept moving.
Mona tugged at his arm.
“
I'm going to mingle. How long are you staying so that I can meet you back here?
”
“
An hour tops. If you're not here, I'll assume you found a victim and go home without you. It's a mob in here, and I'll never find you if I must start searching for you. That meet with your approval?
”
“
Yeah, I'm good. Have fun, I intend to do that.
”
Mona ambled away from him; her hips swaying.
Cray watched and shook his head. His sister had looks and a body that made a man's head turn. Unless by her choice, she wouldn't be accompanying him home tonight. She took lovers like people took showers, and they lasted about as long. She didn't have the market cornered as a man-eater, but she sure as hell figured in the top ten, much to their mother's horror. Mona didn't care. She worked hard and played hard, and she did it with her rules.
At six foot three Cray had the advantage of being able to stare over the heads of most of the people in the room. He heard a burst of male laughter and then the trill of a lyrical, loud, and bawdy female voice join the men. He stood on tiptoe and zeroed in on the corner where the hysterical group stood. In the center of a covey of men, he located the owner of the feminine laugh.
His feet began to move as he crossed the room toward her; his eyes locked on the palest long blond hair he'd ever seen. As he got closer, her porcelain complexion with a hint of pink on her cheekbones captured his attention next. Tall, elegant and as the men parted he noted her gold dress shimmering on a body made for love. He stepped in front of her and said, extending his hand.
“
Hi, I'm Cray Phillips. Will you marry me?
”
She placed her delicate hand with the palest of pink manicured nails in his and said,
“
You want to marry me? Why?
”
“
I want to spend the rest of my life listening to your hearty, infectious laugh.
”
“
That's the only reason you want to marry me?
”
“
I am a man, and you are not without other attributes, but, no, it's the laugh that got me.
”
“
You don't know what makes me laugh that hard.
”
“
Tell me.
”
“
Dirty jokes,
”
she shrugged.
“
I can't help it; I love dirty jokes. If I marry you, will you tell me dirty jokes?
”
“
I'll make it my life's work to scour the earth for the raunchiest jokes known to mankind.
”
His smile gleamed at her.
She slipped her hand in his, turned to face the other men in the group and said,
“
Sorry, fellows, I'm going with this one in pursuit of getting to know the man who wants to marry me.
”
“
I'll marry you, Angelica,
”
one of the men said.
“
Too late, Graham. You always blush when you tell me a dirty joke. This one won't.
”
She squeezed Cray's hand.
“
You are angelic,
”
Cray said, moving her through the crowd toward the entrance.
“
Do you have a bit of the devil in you, Angel?
”
“
I do. She's my alter-ego, and I love her. I never suppress her when she rises to the surface. Are we leaving?
”
“
Yes, we'll stop for your coat on the way.
”
She giggled and said,
“
I checked my wings and pitchfork, too.
”
“
I'll be sure to ask for them. What about your halo and horns?
”
Her laugh burst forth, and it charmed him. She leaned close to him and said,
“
I store them in my nightstand at home.
”
“
Which item gets the most use?
”
he asked as she gave him her coat-check tag, and he edged close to the woman behind the counter. He handed the woman the two tags and dropped a large tip in the basket when she handed him their coats.
“
I thought we'd go to the lounge downstairs for a drink before we leave. I'll carry your coat.
”
“
Will you dance with me? They have a tiny dance floor. I love to dance up close and personal.
”
“
Of course we'll dance. Do you have any special requests for the combo?
”
He lead her to the lounge, his hand in the middle of her warm bare back. Her dress rose high on the front but exposed her beautiful back. Her skin, silky against his hand caused him to harden a bit. He hadn't reacted to a woman at the mere touch for longer than he could remember. He held her chair as they sat at a low round table.
“
Our meeting calls for a bottle of champagne,
”
he said,
“
if you like it.
”
“
A heavenly choir of angels sing when I drink champagne and the devil in me does a happy dance because I don't hold my liquor well. Yes, please order champagne.
”
They waited until the server brought their champagne and poured them each half a glass. Cray raised his and said,
“
Angel, to you since I consider this a propitious meeting.
”
She clinked her glass against his, and they drank. She said with a devilish grin,
“
This better be propitious since I'm going to marry you.
”
He thought he'd lost his mind when the mention of marriage to her thrilled him. He'd avoided marriage like the Ebola virus. Now it seemed like the finest idea in the world.
“
Do you want to request a song?
”
“
Yes, ask them if they're familiar with the Monster Mash.
”
She started to laugh, and the hearty outburst echoed in the room.
He pulled her to her feet, laughed and said,
“
Did the devil make you do that?
”
In his arms with her heels on, the top of her head rested against his cheekbone. As they moved to the slow, sensuous song the combo played, she said,
“
It depends on my mood.
”