Friday 25 July 2014

Blog Tour/Review/Excerpt.Giveaway: Fear Me Not (The EVE Chronicles, #1) By Sara Wolf

Title: Fear Me Not
Author: Sara Wolf
Hosted By: Romance Addict Book Blog - http://www.romanceaddictbookblog.com/



Synopsis:
The aliens crash-landed on Earth eleven years ago. And now, sixteen-year-old Victoria Hale feeds them. With her emotions.

Victoria is an EVE - an Emotion Vesicle Engraft - and one of few humans who are genetically capable of producing emotions for the Gutters to feed on. She's doing it for the money - her sister Alisa needs a good doctor, and fast. But what she didn't count on was being sent to the world's first desegregated high school for Gutters and humans. She didn't count on the paparazzi, the protestors, or the insane Gutter politics and government secrets. She didn't count on the crimson-eyed Gutter prince with an intriguing heart of cold iron, either.

She especially didn't count on murder.

But it's counting on her.


Buy Links:
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1u1qsL2

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Excerpt:

“I’m sorry,” Shadus’ voice says.

My eyes slide over – Shadus is standing right next to me, leaning on the bookshelf. I close my eyes and sigh.

“Don’t be. It’s me. Something’s wrong with me. I don’t know how to react like a normal person. Jeers, whispers, sneers, those are fine. I ignore them, punch something to make them hurt less. Compliments? I don’t know what to do with those.”

“You’re different. That’s not necessarily bad,” He offers. His long fingers skim over a row of books and he picks one out, flipping through the pages. “More literature in which the protagonist kisses his interest. Is it all your human writers are interested in? It hardly seems worthy enough to devote entire books to.”

 “It’s not so bad,” I defend. “Kissing.”

“You speak from experience?” He asks.

“Second grade during the school play. Arnold Grady. We were backstage, behind the curtain. I thought it was a good time to go for it.”

“It was enjoyable, then?”

“Too wet.” I laugh, the memory burning like an old tattoo of embarrassment. “He was shorter than me - all the boys were. They’ve only started catching up this year, really.”

“I’m jealous.”

I raise an eyebrow. “What? Of the short boys?”

“Of your kiss. You speak of it fondly. Even if it was lacking technique, you still remember it. It must have been an important experience. I assume I will never know that sort of feeling - ”

I step into him. He jolts back, hitting the bookshelf. It shakes, and settles. I point up at him.

“Be thankful. You guys have the ceremony of flame. You don’t waste time with petty shit and he-likes-her-she-likes-him crap. Your future is arranged by your family. But us? Humans? We fish around blindly in a pool of seven billion people, hoping one of them isn’t too crazy or too incompatible with us, and we get so desperate that when we find someone we can stand for two minutes we decide to marry them for life, when in reality they’re all wrong for us. But we keep pretending they’re right, until we can’t anymore, and then we divorce them or break up and we get up and try again, and again, and it chips away at our tiny human hearts.”

He stares at me intently, as if I’m lecturing him and he’s trying his hardest to learn something from it. I snort.

“You’re lucky, Creeps. All you Gutters are lucky.”

“What you call ‘lucky’, I call ‘boring’,” Shadus says. “The human way of things may be more painful, but it sounds much more fun.”

I stride up to him, get in his face. His chest is rising and falling, his fists balled up. His ruby eyes stare down at me.

“Don’t do it,” He murmurs.

“Do what?”  I singsong.

He struggles with something inside himself, a pained look coming over his expression.

“Victoria -”

I press my head into the cradle where his neck meets his shoulder.

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My Review


4.5 I-love-Aliens Stars!!

Okay I have read a few alien books and loved them so I totally went in ready for this one.I absolutely loved the lovely vicious series by Sara Wolf (Book 3 I am waiting for you!) and I will be reading everything this awesome woman writes. I was captivated by just the synopsis and was super excited when I got an arc.

'But they’re more than just mates. They’re extra limbs, extensions of each other and at the same time, mirror reflections. Two faces of one coin and all that. Even when they’re far away, they’re always with each other. That is how deep their bond is.'


Aliens aka Gutters have landed on earth.They have been living here for 11 years now and the government have now decided to create a school where Gutters and Humans can live and take the same classes.You are each set up with a partner who will be your mentor of sorts. This school is set up help gutters and humans with understanding that they should live together in peace and not violence.To give humans a better understanding of Gutters and vice versa. There is also the part where those who sign up become an EVE(Emotion Vesicle Engraft) these are people- and one of few humans who are genetically capable of producing emotions for the Gutters to feed on.Those who volunteer get a largo sum of money and thats the only reason Vic is there.

Victoria Hale aka Vic has just signed up to become and EVE. She doesn't care for the Gutters, not even a little bit.She is here for the money and not to make friends.After her mother was killed during a protest against Gutters she hates them, she blames them. All she needs to do is go to school and live with them peacefully to make sure she gets the money she needs. Simple right?

Wrong!

She is partnered up with Shadus.He is just a ray of sunshine! LOL



Brown eyes. I do a double take.


They aren’t quite brown, more like rust. The irises streak with red, like the color of blood. They belong to a male Gutter. His eyes are shadowed by thick lashes and long bangs, his hair unkempt and messy. He’s slouched, elbows on the table behind him. His body is lean, like he doesn’t eat properly. His cheekbones are razor sharp and his shoulders are broad, his expression completely bored on his olive skin.


Oh Shadus.I love you! I need an alien.Anyone out there? Get in contact asap ;)


I loved Shadus and Vic's banter, they were hilarious! I really wanted more scenes with just them too, I NEED more Shadus and Vic scenes! Both of them are stubborn and feel something for the another they just don't want to accept it, oh there were funny awkward moments and then everything got crazy.

“It sounds like Creeps. Crepes. Creeps,” He tries experimentally.

There’s a silence.

“That was my attempt at human humor.”


That ending! Sara Wolf why you gotto torture me like that? why! Every book of yours I read you have to kill me with the cliffhanger endings.I can't wait much longer woman! :P Can't wait to find out what will happen next and how Shadus and Vic's relationship develops..please please be more Shadus and Vic scenes!The writing had me hooked from the start and I didn't want this book to end.


*ARC provided by author for an honest review*
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Author Bio: 

Sara Wolf:
Sara Wolf is the author of the LOVELY VICIOUS series and FEAR ME NOT, the first book in The EVE Chronicles, a YA/Sci-Fi series. She’s currently working on the final book in the LOVELY VICIOUS series. She’s addicted to the Vampire Diaries, The Walking Dead, True Detective, pink Starbursts, pizza, and damaged heroes. For additional books, news, teasers, and giveaways, visit her at sarawolfbooks.blogspot.com orfacebook.com/sara.wolf.3304.

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Giveaway:


Release Day Blitz/Excerpt: For Fallon by Soraya Naomi







SYNOPSIS
One night was all it took. One night to fall for him.
When twenty-four year old Fallon Michaels meets Luca DeMiliano, she’s infatuated by this man. Love cannot be contained and she falls for him. But as time progresses doubt creeps into her mind as to what kind of man he is. Her first mistake was she chose to believe him, over and over again.
One night to fall for her.
Twenty-nine year old Luca DeMiliano is taken by surprise for the first time in years when he meets Fallon. Being with her forces him to hide a huge part of himself.
He could’ve stayed away.
He should’ve stayed away.

Now she’s in. And once in, you’ll never be completely safe. Life will forever change when associated to Luca DeMiliano.



EXCERPT
His gaze is piercing through me. He tilts his head and arcs one brow in silent question, Need any help?
I almost imperceptibly nod my head.
Mystery man speaks to his company, who’s leaning with his back against the bar. The other guy whips his head around to look at me and is obviously not agreeing with his friend’s intention to intervene. He disregards his friend’s comment and comes over to Nick and me. He walks right up to us to place a secure arm around my waist, tucking me gently into his side and turning slightly, so I’m immersed in his one-arm embrace. His breath strokes over my temple while he speaks. “I’m taking her for a dance.” His deep, throaty voice which exudes sensuality fits him perfectly in his tailored suit. The guy glowers at Nick, daring Nick to defy him. His intimidating stance has Nick backing off instantly, and he leads us both away with his arm firmly holding my middle.
I don’t even look back. My eyes are glued to this man. My mouth quirks up in a smile as he shows me an enthralling sidelong grin.
Just as I’m about to ask his name, he halts. “You’re welcome,” he whispers the words against my ear. And again, he strolls away.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Soraya Naomi resides in Europe with her entrepreneur fiancé. She attended university in The Netherlands.

Although she reads many genres, she favors intense, dark, seductive, and provocative novels where the male character loves fiercely without remorse or boundaries. 

She has a passionate obsession for the written word and indulges in chocolate pastries much too often. 


There are books full of great writing that don't have very good stories. Read sometimes for the story... don't be like the book-snobs who won't do that. 

Read sometimes for the words--the language. Don't be like the play-it-safers who won't do that. But when you find a book that has both a good story and good words, treasure that book. 

― Stephen King 





Review: Rare and Precious Things (The Blackstone Affair #4) by Raine Miller


Synopsis
The fourth part in the New York Times bestselling series, The Blackstone Affair: A bright beginning for two damaged souls fighting for their hard-won love, and the promise of a new hope to secure their happily ever after.


Fresh from an idyllic honeymoon along the Italian coast, the Blackstones prepare for the birth of their precious baby and the challenges of settling into a new home. But things get complicated when specters from the past reappear to threaten the very foundation of their relationship. Ethan and Brynne will have to fight harder than ever for each other. Rare and Precious Things is the story of two people who both need the other in order to be complete, but learn just how "rare" their brand of love is when they have to risk everything in order to hold onto it.

Naked (The Blackstone Affair, #1) by Raine Miller Book 1: AMAZON / My Review
   All In (The Blackstone Affair, #2) by Raine Miller Book 2: AMAZON / My Review      
 Eyes Wide Open (The Blackstone Affair, #3) by Raine MillerBook 3:  AMAZON / My Review     
 Rare and Precious Things (The Blackstone Affair, #4) by Raine MillerBook 4: AMAZON / Review below


My Review

3 Stars!

This is the final installment to the Blackstone Affair series and finally everything is out in the open.If you haven't read the rest of the books in this series there will be spoilers below!

“Brynne was my life. The last piece of my puzzle that had finally completed me. I just need a way to tell her somehow. I wanted her to know how happy I was because I had been blessed with the rare and precious gift of loving her.”

Ahhh I really wanted to love this one but it just didn't do it for me :( I guess its been a while since I read the rest of the series and maybe I expected too much? It was too slow for my liking and it pains me to say this but I was fairly bored.


Ethan and Brynne have come a long way with the things they have faced and the struggles they overcome.now they have are getting married and have a baby on the way what could possibly go wrong? The past comes back to haunt them they have to work together to overcome the struggle. Ethan has to learn to stop always protecting Brynne from his past and let her in.

I really enjoyed the series, I absolutely adore Ethan. Sexy, possessive,funny and all round amazing man what more can you ask for? I loved the parts when Ethan was all excited about the baby aww some really cute parts but other than that and Ethan's amazing self i just wasn't as into it as i was with the rest of the books in the series.

*ARC provided for an honest review*

Wednesday 23 July 2014

Blog Tour/Review: Command Me By Geneva Lee






BOOK SUMMARY: 
When he kissed me, I was shocked. He was a stranger and still so familiar. It wasn't until I woke up to my picture splashed on the cover of tabloids that I realized I knew who he was.

Prince Alexander of Cambridge.

Royal bad boy.

Exiled heir to the throne.

He isn't Prince Charming. He's controlling. He's demanding. He's dangerous. And I can't say no to him.

We both have secrets—secrets that could tear us apart or drive us closer together—and as the paparazzi exposes each one, I have to decide just how far I'm willing to go for King and Country.

For readers 18 and up due to mature, erotic scenarios.

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My Review

3.5-4 Stars!


Okay first of all I have so many arcs to get through so when I realised this needed reviewing in a few days I got straight to it. I don't know why (maybe it was the cover) but I thought this was a fantasy/paranormal romance..I obviously didn't read the synopsis and dove straight in! It's something I have been doing a lot of lately and well I was surprised. I really wasn't expecting a story like this one.

What happens when a regular girl kisses a Prince without knowing she is kissing a Prince? What happens when this one moment is captured by an onlooker and leaked to the press? what happens when her life is turned upside down and the Prince comes to her rescue?


Alexander is a Prince but not a normal one he has been out of the country for years and on return has created a reputation of being a royal bad boy and player, well that's what all the magazines show. But Alexander is far from normal and he isn't prince charming. He has a past that haunts him and his present isn't any better.He likes control and he always gets what he wants.When he meets Clara he is drawn to her and he wants her.But will she take what he is willing to give? It's not a lot but he feels like its all he has to offer.

“I’ll never take you further than you can handle, but I will take you to the edge. I will give you more pleasure than you ever thought possible.”

Clara isn't a royal and she hasn't spent any time in the public eye.Everything changes when she is thrust into the limelight when she is spotted with the Prince.With a past she struggles with what will happen when all her secrets are thrown out into the open for the world to see? He tells her he doesn't do relationships, he tells her she should run and never look back.She wants him and can't stay away. She knows she should stay away, she knows he will break her but somehow she seems to be drawn back to him.

Clara was really strong and well I don't know how she did it I don't think I could have put up with all the nastiness. The royals are so bitchy and mean..ahh the many times I have wanted to jump into the book and slap them silly! I feel sorry for Alexander for having grown up around such judgmental people who only know how to bring people down.


"What will you tell me?"

He flashed me a humorless smile before he turned back to stare out over London.

"Nothing.I'll tell you nothing you want to know.I'll crack a joke or distract you with a kiss."

Alexander was hot and cold and sometimes I wanted to shake him and scream at him because I didn't know what he was thinking or feeling and he wasn't open. I felt so sorry for him, for what he went through and wanted to give him a big hug aww! I loved him in parts and in others not so much.I hated how he was cold with Clara when his family were around and then how much he wanted her.I want more I want to know how things change because they better change.He needs to wake up and claim what is his and stand up and stop letting his family take control of him. I thought it was a good thing what Clara did at the end I think it was totally needed and I can't wait to see how the story will continue.

“Alexander intoxicated me. Without his touch, I forgot how to breathe. He had become the center of gravity I returned to after being stretched past my limits.”

This does end in a cliffhanger, I went in knowing it would be a cliffhanger and oh well! I think I am getting used to all the cliffhangers as it seems like everyone is adding them in their books..Lets hope the next book is out soon.


**ARC provided by the author for an honest review**

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BUY LINKS: 
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1oV068j
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/U8QWdp
Kobo:  http://bit.ly/1tFTwYs

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Author Bio

Geneva Lee prefers fantasy to reality, especially fantasies involving powerful, dangerous, and sexy men. You can find her devouring a good romance while avoiding the laundry and the children. She lives in Seattle with her family.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Release Day Blitz: Jaded By Michelle Bellon

jaded RD PBT banner

New Release!

Jaded_high

To what lengths will a man go for the woman he loves? Reed Dartmouth will learn the answer to those questions time and time again throughout his relationship with Jade Montgomery. When he first meets her as a young, gentle boy the heartache from losing his mother only a year before is still fresh and painful. Jade is different from anyone else he’s ever met; tough, sassy, and even a bit cruel. But she’s also the same as he is: she knows what it’s like to lose a parent. Their friendship begins and a bond like no other is formed. Time passes and Reed learns that not only are Jade’s parents dead, they were murdered and she’s made an oath to one day bring them justice. No matter the price. As they grow older their love evolves but for Jade, old habits die hard and she can’t stop hurting those she loves the most. Even in the midst of searching for her parents’ killers, passion ignites and jealousy burns as Jade tests Reed’s devotion for her. Will she push him too far?

Buy on Amazon

Jaded_final

 

Michelle Bellon

About the author:

Michelle Bellon lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their four children. She drinks ungodly amounts of coffee and has an addiction to chapstick. She works at a surgery center as a registered nurse and in her spare time writes novels. She writes in the genres of romance suspense, young adult, women’s fiction, and literary fiction. She has won three literary awards.

Website | Facebook | Facebook Author Page | LinkedIn

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Check out Michelle's Other Books

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Tuesday 22 July 2014

Paperback Release Blast/Excerpt: Light in the shadows By A.Meredith Walters






In the bestselling sequel to Find You in the Dark, A. Meredith Walters continues the emotional story of Maggie, Clay, and the power of unconditional love.


How do you keep going when you feel like your life is over?


Maggie never thought she’d see Clay again. So, she attempts to put her life back together after her heart has been shattered to pieces. Moving on and moving forward, just as Clay wanted her to. Clay never stopped thinking of Maggie. Even after ripping their lives apart and leaving her behind to get the help he so desperately needed. He is healing...slowly. But his heart still belongs to the girl who tried to save him.

When a sudden tragedy brings Maggie and Clay face-to-face again, nothing is the same. Yet some things never change. Can the darkness that threatened to consume them be transformed into something else and finally give them what they always wanted? And can two people who fought so hard to be together, finally find their happiness? Or will their demons and fear drive them apart for good?

The thing about love is that even when it destroys you, it has a way of mending what is broken. And in the shadows, you can still see the light.




EXCERPT


"I was very close to running out the side door and never looking back. Drive straight to the airport and jump on the first available flight out of fucking Virginia.

I had almost talked myself into it when I felt a stirring in the air. It was an intense humming that took my body completely by surprise. The hairs rose up on the back of my neck and I just knew. 

She was here.

Maggie.

And just like that, the fuzzy black faded and way and everything clicked into place. My heart thudded into overdrive and my palms started to sweat, so I shoved them into the pockets of my slacks.

Of course she came. I knew she'd be here. And though I tried not to allow myself the hope of seeing her, I couldn't deny that I had longed for it all the same.

And here she was, looking the same, only better. Her dark hair looked shorter and was pulled back in a low ponytail. She wore a black wool coat over a dark green dress. She looked beautiful and perfect and the embodiment of everything I had always craved.

She walked into the church, flanked by her parents. I barely noticed them or the fact that Rachel and Daniel followed close behind. My eyes were only for her. I knew I should go to Ruby. But I couldn't make myself move. I stood there, rooted to the spot, not sure if I wanted Maggie to see me or not, even as I screamed at her in my head to look at me.

Please.

As much as I missed her and dreamed of this moment, I was scared of it. Too much had changed.  Yet after I saw her, my heart and body reacted the same as they always had.  She had been my crutch and now she was something else entirely, a painful reminder of all the ways I had screwed up. But watching my gorgeous girl move through the crowd of people, I only saw the person I had pinned my future on. And that was both exhilarating and terrifying.






The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Contemporary and Paranormal romance including The Find You in the Dark and Bad Rep series as well as the upcoming stand alone romance, Reclaiming the Sand, and a dark new adult series for Gallery Books.

A. Meredith spent ten years as a counselor for at risk teens and children. First working at a Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault program and then later a program for children with severe emotional and mental health issues. Her former clients and their stories continue to influence every aspect of her writing.

When not writing (or being tortured with all manner of beauty products at the hand of her very imaginative and extremely girly daughter), she is eating chocolate, watching reality television that could rot your brain and reading a smutty novel or two.

A. Meredith is represented by Michelle Johnson with the Inklings Literary Agency.

Review: Eyes Wide Open (The Blackstone Affair #3) by Raine Miller



Synopsis
The third part in The Blackstone Affair series: A love on the brink of being destroyed. The fight of a lifetime to keep it alive.
Big surprises are on the horizon for Ethan and Brynne as they struggle to adjust to what life has thrown at them. Demons from the past are threatening to destroy the passionate bond they’ve forged despite their vow that nothing will ever keep them apart. A truly devastating loss coupled with the promise of a new hope opens their eyes to what is most important, but is it possible for the lovers to move on from the painful histories that continue to haunt them? A stalker is still lurking in the shadows, plotting evil amidst the distraction of the 2012 Olympic games in London. Brynne and Ethan are on the cusp of losing everything as the stakes rise. Will they yield to circumstances beyond their control or will they give every ounce of fight they have left to save each other and win the ultimate prize of a life together?


Eyes Wide Open is a passion-wrought story that shows us what pure love can achieve when tested and what the heart can accomplish despite danger and adversity

Naked (The Blackstone Affair, #1) by Raine Miller Book 1: AMAZON / My Review
   All In (The Blackstone Affair, #2) by Raine Miller Book 2: AMAZON / My Review     
  Eyes Wide Open (The Blackstone Affair, #3) by Raine MillerBook 3:  AMAZON / Review Below 
 Rare and Precious Things (The Blackstone Affair, #4) by Raine MillerBook 4: AMAZON / My Review

My Review



4 Fabulous heart racing stars!

Book three of The Blackstone Affair series did not let me down! It was a fast paced captivating book which took you on a journey. It never got boring or dragged on a certain situation , it was all on point and kept you hooked!

“I know I'm a bit rough around the edges and I know I've trampled my way through your life, but I do love you with all of my heart. Never doubt that. You're my girl, and I want you and I need you with me forever.”

Book 1 was in Brynne's POV and Book 2 was in Ethan's POV..well in book three you have both Ethan and Brynne's POV. I thought it helped make you understand the situations better from both their points of view, so it gives us a better overall insight.

“My position was simple, really. I didn't care about her past. It changed nothing in my feelings for her. She was the one-the one person I needed to be with. Now it was just a matter of convincing her of this fact. And I will... because I love her.”

It starts off where All In finishes. In this book you see Ethan's nightmares getting worse and how Brynne tries to help him get better. Their relationships ends up moving forward faster than both of them had anticipated. Ethan tries to understand Brynne better especially her need to model and have nude pictures taken. And Ethan..well bless his heart he tries to open up more

“Are you real?" He whispered, brushing up my face with the back of his fingers in a cherishing caress. "Because I'll want you forever.”

As we get to see from Ethans POV we find out more about his dreams and what he went through


We also meet new characters..aww little Zara you are adorable!



“My eyes have really only been opened since you came into my world. You gave me everything. You made me really want to see what was around me, for the first time in my adult life. You made me want you. You made me want... a life. You were my greatest give of all, Ethan James Blackstone." She reached up to touch my face and held her palm there, her eyes showing me so much of what she felt.

I covered her palm on my cheek with my hand. "As you were for me, my beautiful American girl.”


The danger is still there..someone is still after Brynne and they will do anything to get her. I loved the suspense even though i had a feeling I knew who it would be andd.. I was right! I really enjoyed this series..and wait a minute..there is more??!!

Wednesday 9 July 2014

Cover Reveal/Prologue & Chapter 1: Assumption (Underground Kings #1) By Aurora Rose Reynolds

Assumption (Underground Kings #1)
Cover Artist: Melissa Gil
Photographer:  Scott Hoover
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assumption cover.jpg
RELEASE DATE: September 5th, 2014
Blurb
as·sump·tion:
a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof

They say when you assume that you make an ass out of you and me. Kenton Mayson learned this lesson firsthand when he made assumptions about Autumn Freeman and the kind of woman she is based on what little information he had. What he finds out is she’s not only beautiful, but also smart, funny, a fighter, and exactly the kind of woman he wants to share his life with. Autumn made assumptions of her own about Kenton, and now he needs to prove her wrong in order to protect her and their future.




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Prologue & Chapter 1

Prologue

I see you judging me. I know what you’re thinking. She has to be a slut; she works at a strip club and takes off her clothes for money. Yes! I work at a strip club, and you may think I’m a whore for showing off my body, but this is a talent that has been forced down my throat since I was a young child. Look pretty and smile. I put on a show for those who choose to watch. However long I’m on stage, I’m not even me. It’s what I imagine an out of body experience would be like—a performance, nothing more, nothing less. The people watching make assumptions about who they think I am, or cook up a story in their heads of whom they want me to be. I’m just another beautiful face. 

Beautiful. I hate that fucking word. Who gives a crap if someone is attractive on the outside if they are dying inside? My whole life has been about what I look like. I swear, the only reason my mother kept me was to have a real-life, living, breathing doll she could dress up and control, which is the exact reason why as soon as I became eighteen, I got as far away from her special brand of crazy as I could. That’s also why I don’t date. The first thing guys do is look at me and see a pretty face, a nice body, and an empty space where my brain’s supposed to be. They have no interest in getting to know the person I am on the inside. They don’t care I volunteer my spare time, and they couldn’t care less I’m going to school to be an RN. They don’t ask about my hopes, my dreams, or about where I see my life in twenty years. They don’t care about me at all. 

They just want someone pretty to follow them around and tell them how handsome they are, how special they are, while agreeing with everything they say. Fuck that! I did that for too many years. That’s why I live inside books. At least there I can choose where I want to be—from the highlands of Scotland, to a king’s bed in a faraway land—and even if it’s pretend, sometimes that’s a lot better than reality. 


Chapter 1


I look out the plane window, my finger going to the glass, feeling the cold on my fingertips as I look out at the land moving quickly below me. It’s funny how from up here, everything looks so small. I never traveled in a plane before today; just the idea of being trapped inside a tin can while flying at six hundred miles an hour never appealed to me. I take a breath and look at the TV monitor that’s in the seat in front of me. The small, animated plane on the screen shows we’re over halfway to Tennessee. 

“Are you traveling for business or pleasure?” 

I turn my head and look at the guy sitting next to me. He’s slightly overweight and balding, but he also has wrinkles around his eyes, giving him the appearance of someone who smiles often. I debate with myself on whether or not to answer before replying, “Business.”

His eyes drop to my mouth, then to my chest as I fight the urge to punch him in the throat. I hate when men go from nice to creepy. I shake my head, turning away from him. I don’t know why I even try. I feel a hand on my bare leg and my head swings around quickly. “Touch me again and I will rip off your balls and feed them to you,” I tell him in a soft tone, trying not to bring attention to us. He quickly removes his hand before swallowing hard.

“I…I’m sorry.”

I shake my head before turning my body away from his. I feel tears sting my nose, but I fight them back. No way am I going to cry now—not when just six hours ago, my whole world exploded and I didn’t shed one single tear. I lay my forehead to the glass, closing my eyes. I still can’t believe how fast my life changed…



Yesterday

I got up that morning and went to the hospital like I always do. I work at one of the busiest ERs in Vegas. I’ve been working there since I finished school, and was required to get my clinical hours for my RN certification. As soon as I walked into the building, I was loaded down with work. Weekends are always crazy in Sin City, but yesterday seemed worse than normal—two drug overdoses, three stomach pumps, and one gun shot victim. Later, I was leaving the hospital exhausted, only to head to my real job—well, the one that pays me the money I need to live. 

“Hey, Angel.” 

“Hey, Sid.” I gave him a half-smile as I walked into The Lions Den, the gentlemen’s club I worked at. Do I like to strip? No. Does it pay my bills? Yes. The second I get on stage, I’m no longer me; my brain shuts off and my body takes over, the same way it used to when I was growing up and my mom forced me into pageants. I’m accustomed to being on display and used for my appearance. I wish life was different, but it is what it is. Some people complain about being overweight or having acne; for me, I hate being beautiful. I know it sounds stupid; I mean, why would anyone complain about being attractive, right? Here’s why: men see me as an object, and women see me as competition. No one is ever willing to give me a chance; they all judge me by what’s on the outside, never taking a second to find out even the smallest detail about who I am. I know I’m a walking cliché; I hate being beautiful, yet I work in a business where I put myself front and center to be viewed and judged. 

The difference? For the first time in my life, when I get on stage, it’s my choice; no one is forcing me to do it. I get up there to earn the money so I can change my life in a way that will make it where I never have to be objectified again. 

“Tired?” Sid questioned, following me. I had worked for Sid for the last three years. He was a friend of sorts; he’s also my boss. 

“Yeah, I can’t wait until my clinical hours are over and I can start working at the hospital full-time, instead of having two jobs.”

“I don’t like that I won’t see your face all the time, but I know you need to move on,” he conceded. 

“Some other girl will come in and you will forget all about me.” 

“Never, Angel.” His eyes move over my face and he shakes his head. “You’re working VIP tonight.” He followed me down the hall towards the dressing rooms. 

“Sure,” I agreed, already exhausted. I needed a shower and a bed, but knew I was going to be there for at least eight hours, so I might as well suck it up. 

“The guys coming in are important, so you need to make sure they’re happy the whole time they’re here.”

“I have done this before,” I reminded him, stopping outside the dressing room door to frown at him. 

“Normally, I wouldn’t say anything—you know that—but I gotta go get on a plane, so I won’t be here to check on them.”

“I’ll make sure they’re taken care of,” I assured him. 

“Thanks, Angel.” He kissed my forehead like he often did before walking away. I watched him go for a second before pulling myself together.

“Oh! Look who’s here,” Tessa said as soon as I entered the dressing room. I ignored her and tossed my bag into my locker before pulling my scrubs off. Tessa is a bitch; she is just like the girls I used to compete against in pageants. To her, life is a competition, and she is determine to come out the winner, even if she has to throw everyone else under the bus on her way to the top. “Mick said I could work VIP tonight,” she said to one of the other girls in the room. I ignored her, knowing better than to tell her it wasn’t happening. I was sure Mick did tell her that…after she took him in the backroom and gave him something to convince him. “Pixie said the guys coming in are some big-time land developers, so you know the tips are going to be outrageous. Thank God, because I need to have my tits redone, and that shit is not cheap.” I rolled my eyes and headed for the shower room. I had met a couple nice girls during my time here, but most were just like Tessa—a whole lot of hair, tits, ass, and not much else. 

I stood in front of the mirror and put on a coat of red lipstick before standing back, looking myself over. The VIP dress code is different than the rest of the club. The required outfit consists of a sheer, black overlay bra, black silk panties, a black garter belt with sheer hose, and black heels. My long, naturally red hair was pulled back on one side by a large flower; the rest was loose and wavy, flowing down my back and one shoulder. My creamy white skin, red lips, and smoky eyes made me look almost like a sexy vamp. 

“You ready, Angel?” Sid asked, pounding on the door. 

“Showtime,” I whispered before opening the door. 

“You look beautiful; I’m going to take you in there and introduce you before heading out.”

“Sure.” I followed him down the hall to the club. The Lion’s Den is well-known in the area for its exclusivity. The walls are painted a dark brown, and the booths are designed into the walls, making the space feel intimate. The stage is in the center of the room, with a single spotlight shining down on it. Every booth has a girl assigned to it, and VIP has two girls. We aren’t allowed to interact with the customers without being asked directly to do so. 

The club is less of a strip club, and more of a place for men to hangout and drink while having beautiful women tend to them. If they choose to, they can watch the girl in the center of the room put on a show. I had been on stage several times in the three years I’ve worked here. I never told Sid I didn’t like it up there, but he normally put me in VIP, or assigned me to a booth for the night. 

“Why are you so worried about these guys?”

“They’re thinking about opening up a Lion’s Den in one of the new casinos they’re building.”

“That’s huge! Congrats, honey.” I squeezed his bicep and gave him a smile. 

“One day, Angel, I’m gonna take you away from this place and show you happiness. I wanna see that smile everyday.” My heart did a little thud. Sid is a very attractive man, but he’s not for me. I don’t want or need a man; they get you all discombobulated, filling your head with a bunch of lies then expect you to follow them around. I did that once. I thought a man was going to save me from the hell I was living in. I gave him my virginity and my heart, and he gave me a child I wasn’t allowed to keep and a heart so broken nothing or no one would ever put it back together again. 

I looked through the two-way mirror at the men around the table in the VIP room. 

“All right,” Sid says from beside me, “the man in the center at the table is John Barbato; he is the owner of three of the largest clubs in the city. The guy there on his left is Steven Creo; he’s some big wig on Wall Street and has backed more than half the new clubs and casinos opening on The Strip. The guy to the right of John has a location they’re interested in purchasing.”

“Got it. Who’s working with me?” I asked him.

“Tessa, Mick said she would be the best out of the girls we’ve got on the schedule tonight.”

“I’m sure he did,” I mumbled, looking back into the room. “What other bouncers are on tonight?” I hated when Mick and Craig worked together; they were both more concerned about hooking up with the girls than what was going on out on the floor. 

“Link’s here now.” 

“Good.” Link was a good guy and a close friend. He also took his job seriously. 

“All right, let me introduce you quickly before I head out.”

“Sure.” I followed him into the room; the men’s heads turned in our direction smiling.

“Guys, I want you to meet Angel. She’s gonna be your girl for the night. You need anything, you ask her, and she will make sure you’re taken care of,” Sid tells them, gesturing to me.

“Nice to meet you,” one of the men said, smiling while the others nodded.

“Nice to meet you.” I smiled back.

“Angel will be right back; give me a minute guys.” 

“Sure,” the one that spoke before said. As Sid and I stepped away, I heard from behind me, “Do you think the curtains match the drapes?” and they all laughed. I hated that saying, and I swore once I was free of this lifestyle, I would kick the next man in the nuts who said it. 

“Okay, I gotta head out. I won’t be back for two weeks,” Sid said once we were standing in the hall. 

“Have a safe trip.” 

His eyes searched my face. His mouth opened and closed like he was going to say something, but instead, he shook his head, kissed my cheek, and walked off down the hall muttering something under his breath. 

Tessa came around the corner a couple seconds later with a smug smile on her face. I hate to admit it, but she is beautiful. Her skin has a natural glow that makes her look healthy and youthful. Her hair is black and thick, reaching the top of her ass. Her eyes curve out at the corners, showing off her Asian-American heritage. “You ready?” she asked, looking at me from head to toe. I avoided rolling my eyes at her before stepping into the room behind her. 

After we took the first orders, we stood back while the men talked. I learned a long time ago to zone myself out. We were there as eye candy and nothing else. There was a knock on the door, and I knew the drinks had arrived. Tessa answered it, opening the door wide, and the man who brought the tray in was someone I had never seen before. He looked to be mid-thirties, had long, shaggy black hair, and brown eyes. When he set the tray down on the table in the corner, he turned and did something odd that had me watching him more closely. His hand went to his back as he looked over at the men who were still busy talking. When his eyes came to me, he smiled before walking out of the room. I looked at Tessa to see if she had noticed anything strange, but she was busy handing out the drinks and flirting with the men at the table. 

We stood to the side again once the men had their drinks; every once in a while, they would ask me a question about the club, and I told them what I knew. About thirty minutes after they had their first drinks, I called and had more ordered. This time, when the guy came in, he did the same thing—hand at his back, looking at the table. I had no idea who he was, but planned to find out as soon as the men left. One of the men received a phone call and stepped out of the room, and when he returned, he had another man with him. They all sat down, and this time when they called me over, they wanted a bottle of Chives Regal Royal Salute Scotch. One glass of the stuff cost close to six hundred dollars, making it over ten thousand dollars for a bottle. I placed the order and waited for it to be delivered. When the knock sounded on the door, I opened it up, and the same man from earlier came in and set the tray down. I watched to see if he would do the same thing he had done the previous times. 

Sure enough, his head turned towards the table and his hand lifted behind his back, but this time, he lifted his jacket, pulling out something black. It took a second for me to realize what it was, and by that time, it was too late. He let off four rounds in rapid succession, then turned and fired a round, hitting Tessa. I screamed as he turned the gun on me, and before I could think, I ducked down and ran as fast as I could out of the room. I felt a bullet whiz past me as I turned the corner, and another as I entered the main part of the club. I spotted Mick; right away his eyes got wide and I yelled at the top of my lungs, “HE HAS A GUN!”

Everyone started screaming and running in every direction. I ran into a solid wall, and when I looked up to see it was Link, he wrapped an arm around my waist, turned, and pushed me behind the bar. I stumbled in my heels, falling to my knees and hitting the ground hard. I crawled under the counter and curled myself into a ball, shaking out of fear for my life. I listened as people screamed, but didn’t hear anymore gunshots. I don’t know how long I stayed like that, but it felt like forever until I heard police sirens.

“Autumn,” Link called my real name, snapping me out of my terrified huddle. I peeked out from behind my hands as he crouched down in front of me. 

“Did you get him?” He shook his head, putting out his hand for me to take. I shook my head no—I was safe; I didn’t want to move from that spot. 

“Come on, Angel, he’s gone.” I shook my head again. “Nothing is going to happen to you. I promise you’re safe.” I swallowed against the lump in my throat, squeezing my eyes closed. 

“Tessa?” I asked him. His eyes closed and his head dropped forward. “No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “No.”

“Sorry, Angel,” he said quietly. 

“Why?”

“Not sure, but the cops are here. I need you to come out of there so you can talk to them,” he told me gently, holding out his hand again. I nodded, reluctantly taking it. Even though I didn’t like Tessa, she didn’t deserve what happened to her. None of the people in the room deserved what happened to them. 

“I should have tried to help her.” 

“Nothing you could have done,” Link said, and my eyes went from to the floor to his. He shook his head, wrapped his beefy arm around my shoulders, and walked me over to a barstool. I sat there until the cops came up a few minutes later and told me they needed to talk to me at the station. 

“Can she get some clothes on?” Link—who had given me the shirt off his back and hadn’t left my side—asked one of the detectives. 

“Sure,” the guy mumbled. 

I slid off the barstool and dazedly walked to the dressing room. When I walked in, all the girls were there, huddled together and crying. I didn’t know what to say to them; most of them had been friends with Tessa. I felt horrible they had lost their friend, but was unsure if they would want me to express my condolences. I walked to my locker and started to pull off my stockings when one of the girls came up to me, wrapping her arms around me. Shocked, I hugged her back, and more of the girls gathered around me. We all stood there silently for a few minutes; most of the girls were crying while a couple mumbled about how everything would be okay. I wasn’t sure anything would ever be okay again; I just watched five people die and was lucky to still be alive. 

“I have to go with the police,” I told the girls when it didn’t seem like they were going to let me go. After a second, they all started breaking away from me one-by-one, giving me reassuring hugs. 

“Call me if you want to talk,” one of the girls, Elsa, said, handing me a business card with her personal information on it. I looked at it for a long second before nodding. I had never really been friends with any of them. Maybe that needed to change. I went to my locker, pulling off my clothes before slipping on a pair of jean shorts, a black tank top, a large, oversized grey sweater, and a pair of black flip-flops. I grabbed my bag, shoved everything into it from my locker, and left the room without a backwards glance. 

Link was waiting for me outside the dressing room door, his back against the wall, his head tilted back, looking at the ceiling. I had known Link since I started working at The Lion’s Den. He was a nice guy, blonde hair cut low to his head, tan skin, blue eyes, and a southern drawl that made women fall to their knees. He used to flirt with me when I first started, but when I didn’t return any of the banter, he laid off and became a friend. He’s one of the only people who knows about my past and the things I’ve gone through. “You didn’t have to wait for me,” I told him, pulling my bag across my body.

“I’m not letting you go through this alone.” He pulled me into his side. I could feel tears sting my eyes, and I fought them back. I wasn’t going to cry until this was all over, when I could do it alone, hiding under my covers with my face stuffed into a pillow…like I always did.

“Thank you.” 

He gave me a squeeze, and I felt his lips at the top of my head.



*~*~*

“I don’t understand why I have to leave the state,” I told Link, putting another pair of shoes in my bag. I had no idea how long I would be gone, and Link made it sound like I wouldn’t be able to come back to Vegas for a long while. 

“Angel, I hate to remind you, but you’re the only witness, and from what the cops said, the guy is a killer paid by the mob to do hits on people.”

I sighed, looking around my house. I hated I was leaving, but knew it was for the best. I was at the police station for over eight hours going over what happened then sitting with a sketch artist. Somehow, the guy who had shot Tessa and those men had avoided every camera in the club. The cops informed me I needed to be extra cautious. I was the only witness, and they were concerned he would come after me. When Link found out what they said, he made a call to one of his friends from back home in Tennessee and asked if he would be willing to let me stay with him until the police caught the guy. The man, Kenton, agreed, telling Link I would be safe. I hated I was leaving my home, but if my only options were either death or moving, the choice was begrudgingly clear.

“I hope they get the guy fast,” I mumbled. 

“Me too, but until then, you will be far away from here where your safe.”

“Are you sure it’s a good idea to have me stay with this guy? I mean, how well do you really know him?”

“We were best friends growing up. He’s a good guy; you’ll be safe with him.”

I bit the inside of my cheek and nodded before going into the closet to get another suitcase. Might as well pack enough stuff to last me. Once I was all packed and ready to go, we got into Link’s SUV and headed for the airport. I was nervous the whole way, feeling like something crazy was about to happen… 



Today

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we’re about twenty minutes out from our arrival destination. The weather in Nashville is mostly clear and sunny; the temperature is eighty-five degrees. The pilot has now turned on the fasten seatbelt sign. Flight crew, please prepare for landing,” I hear through my sleep-ridden state and lift my head from the wall where I had rested it. I wipe my mouth with the sleeve of my sweater before looking around to see everyone is putting their belongings away. I make sure my seatbelt is secure before sitting back. My leg starts bouncing up and down quickly, and I rub the tattoo behind my ear, trying to think about something other than the plane landing.

Once we are on the ground, I wait until everyone is off the plane to make my way out into the terminal. I go to baggage claim and look around, but I have no clue what this guy looks like. All I know is that his name is Kenton, and he is supposed to be picking me up. 

I don’t see anyone who looks like they’re searching for someone, so I go to the conveyer belt and spot one of my bags as soon as I get there. I pull it off, stumbling back slightly from the weight, as every guy here just watches me without offering to help. I look around again, wondering if I’m supposed to call someone to tell them I landed. I pull my phone out, click it off airplane mode, and send a text to Link letting him know I had arrived. He sends me a message back letting me know Kenton had called and told him he couldn’t make it to pick me up, and I should just catch a cab to his house; the door would be unlocked. 

I shake my head, cursing under my breath, and almost miss one of my other bags going around the belt. Luckily, I catch it at the last second. I carry it over to my other bag, and turn around just in time to see my last bag about to go through the tunnel. I run as fast as I can in my flip flops, and land half-on the conveyor belt, my bottom-half being dragged along the floor as I grab the handle of my bag, pulling it back so hard it flies over my head, causing me to land on my back with my hands over my head. 

“You must be Autumn,” I hear rumbled from above me. I tilt my head back and look up at the man standing over me. He’s upside-down, but even from my awkward position, he is good looking. His chuckle makes me grit my teeth though, and I stand up, putting my bag on its wheels before turning back to face him. 

“You are?”

He raises a brow to me, shaking his head, looking me over from head to toe. My body heats immediately under his gaze. I take my sweater off, wrapping it around my waist and clearing my throat. “You are?” I ask him again, getting annoyed that he’s obviously finding this so funny if the smirk on his face is anything to go by. 

“Kenton.” He smiles. “Those bags yours?” He nods towards my other two bags.

“Yes.” I blow some hair out of my face, looking into his blue eyes and wondering why the hell I feel so hot all of a sudden. He looks away, going over to my bags while I take the time to look him over. 

He’s tall—much taller than my five-five. His hair touches the edge of the black t-shirt he has on. He needed a cut a while ago, but judging by the dark scruff along his jaw, I can tell he doesn’t care much about grooming. His shoulders are broad, tapering down to a lean waist; his thighs are thick, incased in a pair of dark jeans that have shredded around the bottom by his heels, and his wallet is imprinted in the back pocket like he wears them often. I look at his ass as he leans over. I can’t believe I’m checking a man out; I’m not one to be the slightest bit sexually interested in anyone. My eyes travel lower, looking at his feet, which are enclosed in a very large pair of black boots. I wonder absently if what they say is true about shoe size. I shake my head at my thoughts, dragging my bag with me towards him. “I thought you couldn’t make it,” I tell him when I reach his side. My head tilts back to look up into his eyes. 

“Yeah, change of plans,” he mutters, looking at me. I wait to see if he’s going to say anything else. Apparently, he isn’t going to, so I shake my head again and lower my face towards the ground. “You tired?” His voice is dark and rich, and does something crazy to my insides. I nod, lifting my head. “Let’s roll; you can sleep when we reach the house.”

I don’t say anything else. Something is wrong with me; maybe I’m getting sick. I follow him out of the terminal into the car park. When we reach the parking lot, he stops and pulls a set of keys from his pocket. I hear the beep and look around, expecting him to be driving a large truck, a Hummer, or maybe even a tank. I never expected him to be driving a Dodge Viper, the black-on-black of the car only making it look hotter. I look at my bags, wondering how we will get them in the car. 

“It’ll be tight, but they’ll fit,” he mumbles, pulling my other two bags with him. I can’t help noticing the flex of his muscles as he gets my bags into the car, or the fact even his fingers are attractive. It takes some maneuvering, but he does get my bags to fit. I sigh, sitting down on the warm leather once we’re done. “I’m just gonna drop you off at the house. I gotta head out for a bit, but you have free rein. Just make yourself at home; there’s food in the fridge, and fresh sheets on the bed in the guest room.”

“Thank you for doing this,” I tell him, looking at his profile. He is seriously good looking, and the butterflies in my stomach are making me feel anxious about staying with him. 

“Don’t mention it. So…you and Link?” It took a second to decipher his words between the thickness of his accent, his smell, and the nervous energy I was feeling. Being in his presence, my brain seemed to have shut down.

“He’s a friend.” Shit, maybe I should have said he was my boyfriend. I looked over at him again; he didn’t seem to be as on edge as I was. He was probably used to women swooning over him. My gut tightened with something, and it took a second to realize what it was. My body froze. Jealousy, really? I must be going into shock or something—I don’t get jealous. 

“How’d you two meet?” 

“We work at the same club,” I murmured, squirming in my seat.

“Oh yeah,” he mumbled, his knuckles turning white from his grip on the steering wheel. I didn’t know what that meant, but the energy in the car changed, making me want to get away from him. 

We drove in silence for the next half-hour, the car winding its way through one small town after another until we went up what seemed like the side of a mountain. The area was surrounded by forest on either side of the road. We drove for about five minutes more before turning onto a dirt road that took us deeper into the forest. I wanted to ask if he lived out here and about where he worked, and a million other questions, but my mouth had gone dry, and the energy in his car hadn’t gotten any better, so I decided to keep my mouth shut. 

I was going to be stuck with him for a while, so I figured there would be time for all of that later. I looked ahead of us, and squinted as the image of a large house came into view. It was a very large brick house; the front had two porches, one on the first floor, one on the second, and both wrapped around the front of the house. It was beautiful and expansive. I looked over at Kenton again, gaging if I should ask him if this was his house. His jaw was ticking, and the vein in his neck was pulsing wildly. I had no idea what had set him off, but figured my best bet was to sit there quietly until he calmed down. 

We parked in front of the house, where there was no real designated parking place. He unfolded himself out of the car without saying anything, and I took that as my cue to follow him. By the time I made it to the back of the car, he had both of my bags out and was back on the driver’s side, sliding his seat forward so he could get to the bag in the backseat. Without a word, he carried two of my bags up the front porch and right into the house. I dragged my last bag with me, following close behind him. 

He set my bags down at the bottom of the staircase, then turned to look at me. “Your room is at the top of the stairs to the right. There’s a bathroom across the hall you can use; I have my own.” He ran a hand through his hair and looked me over again, anger apparent on his face. “I don’t want random men in my house, so if you need to get off, take care of yourself.” I blinked at him as he continued. “The code for the alarm is 4593; don’t forget to set it when you’re in the house. I don’t know when I’ll be back, but you’ll be safe here.” Before I even had a chance to form a complete thought, he was closing the door behind him, shouting, “Set the alarm.”

I stood there for a few minutes, just looking at the door, then I looked around for an alarm, but didn’t see one. Tears stung my nose again as I recalled the look of disgust on his face when he told me to get myself off. I said a silent, “Fuck you,” and looked at my bags then the stairs, shaking my head—I could cry once I got settled in the room. I carried my bags up the stairs one at a time, and by the time I was done, I was so exhausted that I laid face first on the bed, put my head under the pillow, and cried until I fell asleep.



There was a pounding on the door, and I rolled, falling off the bed and onto the floor. “You didn’t set the alarm,” I heard growled. I stood up, pushing my hair out of my face, glaring at Kenton, who stood in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest. 

“I looked and didn’t see the alarm to set it.” I copied his posture, crossing my arms over my chest.

“You should have called and asked me where it was.” 

I scoffed. “With what magic? I don’t have your number.”

“You could have asked Link for it.” He shook his head. 

“I’m sorry, but if you wanted me to have your number, I figured you would have given it to me,” I retorted. 

“Did you eat?” he asked, changing the subject suddenly and throwing me off-guard.

“Pardon?”

“Did you eat something?”

“No, and I’m not hungry; I’m just really tired,” I told him, rubbing my face. All I wanted to do was go to sleep and forget about the last forty-eight hours. 

“You need to eat something,” he chided, uncrossing his arms and placing his hands on his hips.

“Okay, don’t get me wrong; I’m really thankful for you looking out for me, but I have been taking care of myself for a very long time. I don’t want nor need a babysitter.”

“Suit yourself.” He shrugged then looked me over again, his eyes lingering on my chest. I glanced down and groaned. Seriously? My boobs were in my bra, hanging over the top of my tank-top. I quickly adjusted my shirt before narrowing my eyes on him. He smirked, looking up into my face. “Make sure you set the alarm from now on. The panel is inside the room off the entry, first door to the right.” 

“Got it.” My body was doing that hot thing again, and I wondered why it kept happening when he was around.“All right, doll, get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He let his eyes linger on me for a few moments more, and then shook his head, stepping out of the room. I went to the side of the bed and turned on the light before walking to the door and shutting it. I leaned my head back, closing my eyes and breathing in deeply. I ran a finger across my tattoo behind my ear before opening my eyes and looking around. I could do this; I had lived through much worse and came out on top. I just needed to get a plan in place.


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Additional Books by Aurora Rose Reynolds
Until Series

Until November (Book 1)
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1k2XK31

Until Trevor (Book 2)
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1iWBUQK

Until Lily (Book 3)
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1pzOdYk

Until Nico (Book 4)



About the Author:

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Aurora Rose Reynolds is a navy brat who's husband served in the United States Navy. She has lived all over the country but now resides in New York City with her Husband and pet fish. She's married to an alpha male that loves her as much as the men in her books love their women. He gives her over the top inspiration everyday. In her free time she reads, writes and enjoys going to the movies with her husband and cookie. She also enjoys taking mini weekend vacations to nowhere, or spends time at home with friends and family. Last but not least she appreciates everyday and admires it's beauty.