All This Love (Infinity Book 1) Read online

  Preface

  What the summer shines in let no man bring asunder……

  Katerina ‘Kat’ Patton has been in a self-imposed exile from men, taking a summer vacation is exactly what she needed; a fun get-away within the safe confines of the people who truly loved her most.

  Max Wellington Kincaid wanted desperately to spend time with his son Graham…if only his ex-wife Victoria would just comply. Max had no desire to be in any woman’s company.

  After a tense meeting Kate and Max start on a friendship and love affair filled with seductive adventure. Can Kate open her heart again and trust what fate has brought to her? Will Max allow old loyalties to destroy what he can build with Kate? Will questioning the past stop both of the lovers from looking toward a future with each other…?

  All This Love

  Written by KC King

  All This Love Copyright © KC King October 2014

  All Rights reserved

  Editing: Melissa Flowers

  Cover Art: TariaReed,www.tariareed.net

  First Edition Electronic October 2014

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, businesses, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All trademarks, service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only.

  All rights reserved under the Copyright. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from KC King.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in Federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Dedication

  Special Thanks

  To those people who took the time to read my many rough drafts of this novel. I am grateful to you all Lee, Kim, Kortni, Marguerite, Keisha, Melissa and Sheena. Thank you all for believing in me and encouraging my dream. Kortni my writing conspirator, I see incredible things for both of us. Thank you to the reader. Writing this book and the others I have dreamed up has been an amazing journey. Thank you for choosing this story. I do so love falling in love with a good book. I hope that for the briefest of moments you get to be a part of that special experience. Enjoy. KC King.

  Table of Contents

  Preface

  All This Love

  Dedication

  Glossary of characters

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty One

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Glossary of characters

  Katerina Patton, Kate, Kat…Female Lead character

  Benjamin (BJ) Miller…Kate’s son

  Harold Patton…Kate’s Father

  Ellen Patton…Kate’s Mother

  Louise Harris…Kate’s grandmother, Ellen’s mother

  Joe Miles…Ellen’s Father, Louise’s ex-husband

  Daniella Matos…Kate’s younger sister

  Jaime Matos…Daniella’s husband

  Kiowa Matos…Jaime and Daniella’s son

  Julia Patton…Kate and Daniella’s youngest sister

  Diondre (Dion) Jefferson…Kate’s cousin

  Derrick Jefferson…Diondre’s husband

  Otis James II…Kate’s uncle

  Regine James…Kate’s aunt and Ellen’s sister

  Otis James III, Trey…Otis and Regine’s son

  Tina Miles…Diondre’s mother and Ellen’s sister

  Phillip Miller…Kate’s ex and Benjamin’s father

  Carmilla Miller…Phillip’s wife

  Max Wellington Kincaid…Kate’s love interest

  Graham Kincaid…Max’s son

  Edward Wellington (E.W) Kincaid…Max’s Father

  Justine Kincaid…Max’s mother

  Thomas Edward Kincaid…Max’s brother

  Victoria Kincaid…Max’s ex-wife

  Fenton Newcastle…Max’s friend and co-worker

  Michelle Newcastle…Fenton’s wife

  Jamal’s Wesley…Max’s friend and co-worker

  Richard Reed (Rick)…Max’s deceased friend

  Petra Reed…Rick’s Widow

  Emily Braddock…Thomas’ ex-girlfriend

  Harley Braddock…Emily’s father

  Mr. Burns…neighbors vacationing near the Pattons

  Shane Burns…Mr. Burns’ son

  Stanley…Older gentleman on vacation

  Chapter One

  Saturday/Sunday

  You might not like where you are but it sure is better than where you were.

  Kate smiled to herself while she watched her son in the rearview mirror laughing in the back seat. She drove the last few miles to their vacation getaway. Kate would be so happy to see her family and enjoy ten days of fun, sun and foolishness with her kin-folk. This was one of two vacations planned with her family each year.

  Twice a year Kate’s family would rent a large home at a seaside resort to fellowship with one another. It was always a fun time for them. Kate not only loved her family but enjoyed them as well. A thirty three year old mother of one, she’d been looking forward to these visits more often lately. Kate found herself listlessly stranded in the rut that her life had become.

  Kate once read some survey that said the lowest paid women in Corporate America were single mothers, who were overweight and black. At one point, she’d fallen into every one of those categories. That was a very low moment in her life. Now, at least she wasn’t fat. She was still single, still black, thankfully still a mother. As for being underpaid well that part of the statistic was incorrect at least in her situation.

  Kate maneuvered through the streets of Myrtle Beach to the vacation rental. It was a lovely eight bedroom three-story dwelling that was nestled in a community alcove of similarly large beach rentals. This rental community was situated between two large hotel chains. The family would have access to the beach and use of one of the chains guest amenities. The hotel owned and rented the property adjacent to their main hotel. They would have the best of both worlds; the feeling of being at home and the use of the hotel’s amenities.

  Parking the car in front of the grand white house she heard her son’s excited squeal, “There’s Grandma and Grandpa.” No sooner had she parked and turned off the ignition, BJ leapt out of the car into the waiting arms of his grandparents. Kate got out and greeted her parents warmly. She was happy to see them even though she saw them every other month.

  Smiling, Kate watched as her sisters, cousins, aunts; uncle, nieces and nephew filtered out on the front porch to greet them. Everyone looked pleased to see them as Kate and BJ were the last to arrive.

  “We knew we could count on you to bring in the rear. You look good girl, I almost didn’t recognize you.” Aunt Tina smiled as she opened her arms wide for a hug commenting on her new and improved physical appearance.

  “I Love you too, Auntie Tina,” giving the older woman a hug.

  “We are all going to go out tonight and eat at the restaurant.” Kate’s Dad said as he began to remove their luggage from the rear of her SUV. Her brother-in-law Jaime assisted him as they all entered the house. Kate and BJ were given a room on the third floor. It was comfortable with a small balcony overlooking the ocean and part of the hotel.

  The room held two full beds and they shared a bathroom with her sister Julia who in the connecting bedroom. Kate forced her son Benjamin to take a bathroom break. After she freshened up, they all drove to a local seafood restaurant. It was within walking distance but her grand-parents were getting on in age and they didn’t want them to do any unnecessary walking.

  They blessed their food, talked, laughed and ate the most delicious meal. She looked around at all the faces of her family noticing a few faces missing this trip due to minor illness and scheduling errors. Everyone arrived back at their rental house replete. The children retreated to the family game room and its’ big screen television. The men went into the living room which also had a large hi definition flat screen television. Most of the women talked until the wee hours in the kitchen catching up on life events.

  The next morning Kate was able to drag her tired body out of bed early so she could work out in the Hotel’s exercise facility. She found both her mother Ellen and Grandma Louise in the kitchen starting breakfast for the family. When she enter
ed the kitchen, Kate couldn’t resist hugging her mother and kissing her on the cheek.

  “Where are you off to so early this morning, we just got to bed a few hours ago?”

  “I’m going to work out this morning before it gets hot. I’m also going to snag us a great spot at the hotel’s pool and lazy river. BJ loves that pool.” Kate helped herself to a cup of coffee and a piece of toast. “Mom can you check on BJ in a few minutes and get him dressed for the pool?” she asked. “I have his clothes laid out on my bed.”

  “Sure honey, that boy is growing so fast. He’s so handsome and smart.” Grimacing, Ellen eyed Kate nibbling on her on piece of toast. “You got to eat more than that to keep up your strength. I’m really proud of you Kate. You look wonderful, fit and happy. It’s good to see you smiling again.” Ellen beamed at her and then said seriously. “You are happy aren’t you, Baby?”

  “Yes, I am happier than I’ve been in years.” Kate replied in earnest and sat down at the counter and nudged Grandma Louise with her shoulder. Louise pinched Kate’s arm playfully and handed her half of a grapefruit.

  “You do look good. Now you go out and find you a good looking man, a nice man that will be good to you. Find someone better than that last thang you had.” Gran said the latter with absolute irritation in her voice.

  Kate’s mother snickered and agreed quietly with the older woman. She was used to this sentiment from her family. It seemed the only people who liked her ex-boyfriend Phillip was her son and herself. She liked him better now that he was married to someone else and out of her life. She ate quickly, grabbed a bottle of water and headed toward the door. Her younger sister Daniella called out to her from the staircase as she reached for the door knob. “Where are you going?”

  “I am going to the hotel to work out. Then I’m going to grab a table and chairs for us by the pool and lazy river before the crowd hits. Can you bring BJ over to the pool in a couple of hours?”

  “Perfect, I sure will. Will you confirm our spa appointments for Wednesday after your work-out?”

  “I sure will.” Kate smiled mimicking Daniella’s earlier comment.

  Kate left the house walking briskly through neighborhood and down the wooden ramp until she reached the sandy beach. She walked toward the large hotel entering their back entrance and went to the front desk for a card key into the workout room. Kate found the workout area all but abandoned except for two men diligently working out. One appeared to be in his mid-fifties, mostly gray and in pretty good physical condition as he was doing a decent jog on one of the treadmills.

  The other man gave her reason to pause. In the words of her long ago thirteen year old self, he was drop dead gorgeous. She counseled herself not to gawk and stare at him. Sneaking peaks in his direction Kate gleaned that he was about six feet four or taller. He was muscled from the neck down, but not in a muscle man beefy type of way. His arms were large, long and bulging with lean muscles. His legs were solidly well-formed and from the little she could discern from his sweat stained tee shirt, he did indeed have a viable six pack.

  Kate positioned herself directly across from both men on a stationary bicycle. She stole another glance in his direction for a good look at his face. She noticed his wide developed shoulders and neck muscles straining as he physically attacked an elliptical climber. Kate chanced another peek above his chin and he was simply masculine beauty at its best.

  There was nothing soft about his features yet they did not appear to be harsh. He had generous lips a perfect strong nose and the most penetrating blue eyes that were taking her in with cold calculation. She looked away but not before he dismissed Kate with his eyes and that ticked her off.

  At five feet six, she now had curves in all the right places. Her body was strong and lean. Kate did have a Brazilian butt that most women would die to have and she knew it. For the past eighteen months she worked out with a personal trainer three times a week and she followed the Brazilian butt lift regimen tapes six days a week. Kate had an ample perky bosom even after childbirth and she wasn’t so bad to look at in the face.

  He reminded Kate of her ex, who consistently dismissed her feelings and everything else about her whenever he felt like it. That’s one of the reasons she worked so hard on her personal appearance. The last man in her life made Kate feel unwanted and irrelevant.

  Refusing to let this man’s dismissal of her taint her pleasant mood, she focused on her workout and cycled for thirty minutes. The other man left as she changed to the stair climber which for some reason was not working properly. She changed to the next one and it didn’t want to work for her either. Frustrated Kate checked to see if it was plugged in and it was plugged in. Irritated, she turned to find Mr. Dismissal standing in front of her glowering down into her face. Kate looked up startled and confused as he pointed toward a keypad and punched in some numbers.

  “You have to put your height and weight in before it will work.”

  He waited for her to give him this information. She just looked at him for a few seconds longer than he would’ve liked. He breathed a hiss of impatience and punched in what he thought her height and weight was then stalked off over to the free weights. She got on the machine thinking, ‘he hissed at me. He glowered at me. He needs Jesus’. Kate prayed for her mood to lighten as she began to climb a small mountain.

  Lost in the routine of exercise she was thrust out of her reverie by giggling and laughter. Three young girls in their twenties had joined their workout dressed in bikinis no less. They were young, bold, beautiful, brainless…buffies as she liked to call them. They were thoroughly interested in Mr. Glowerman.

  Well brainless may be a little harsh since she too was interested in Mr. Sourpuss initially. Kate watched events unfold as the buffies all but did a striptease pole dance in their efforts to interest Mr. Tall, sculpted and irritated. She was actually enjoying the show they were providing.

  Kate was playing an internal game trying to come up with a different adjective that described Mr. Bad Attitude. Those buffies were determined. Kate caught herself from laughing out a couple of times as one after another they attempted to make conversation with Mr. Ill Tempered. He was having none of it. She felt sorry for them as they each realized he was not succumbing to their feminine wiles. Finally they gave up on the frowning man and their work out and left.

  Kate finished her workout grabbing a hand towel provided for guests and decided to do the unthinkable. She was going to spread some of her own personal sunshine and good cheer. Drinking from her water bottle she eyed the object of her scheme, said a quick prayer and walked over to Mr. I’m pissed off so leave me alone. Kate stood next to the workout bench that he was currently using, waited for him to notice her and complete his repetition. He stopped and looked up at her his expression saying ‘what now?’

  “Thanks, for the help you gave me earlier.” She said earnestly and received a curt nod. Kate chanced another exchange. “I don’t mean to get in your personal business but why are you all frowned up?” She kept on going as he became perfectly still looking at her with intense silence. “You’re a nice looking guy, you got buffies, I mean young girls, pretty girls, trying to get your attention. You appear to be in good health. You’re on vacation in a really nice place and ultimately it’s a choice if you allow something or someone to ruin your mood.” Okay, the silence coming from him was deafening and his eyes were measuring her up with cold calculation.

  She sighed and in a very placating manner said, “My bad, I wasn’t trying to interfere in your private business. I’ll take my leave now.” Kate stepped back and with absolute sincerity added, “I genuinely hope your day along with your mood improves and I hope you find your smile.” She turned and walked out of the exercise room muttering a quick prayer in his direction and headed toward the hotel’s spa.

  >>>>>>>

  Max watched the audacious woman walk out of the facility. Irritated by her comments and surprised to find his attention focused on the slight jiggle of her backside. This momentary indiscretion angered him even more. A woman was the reason he was so ill tempered and if he was honest with himself ill-mannered as well. He was beyond irritated with his ex-wife Victoria.