Category: New Release

New Release ~ Rage ~ by ~ Ker Dukey

Title: Rage

Series: Royal Bastards MC AR Chapter 2
Author: Ker Dukey
Genre: MC Romance
Release Date: September 8, 2020
Gabe “The Raging Beast” Cohen.
Death. Blood. Pain.
In all wars, there are casualties. I just didn’t think they would be ours.
The memory, guilt of everything that’s gone down over the last few months, has rooted itself deep inside me, tearing open old wounds.
I’ve spent my life in a constant state between agony and rage since I lost my wife.
And now, I’m seeing her ghost everywhere I look.
But what if she isn’t a ghost?
What if it was all a lie?
I’ve been lost to the darkness before, and my brothers pulled me out.
I don’t think there’s an out this time.
I’m becoming the darkness.
To seek out the truth, I must first uncover the lie.
Death leaves an echo.
Blood. A scent.
Pain.
Pain has left an insatiable RAGE.

 

Prologue
Willa

I can’t even remember the first time my brother used me as a tool to make money. Being traded for favors to make rent was such a regular part of my teen-hood. I didn’t realize how abnormal I was until I met the man who saved my life.
Gabe Cohen crashed into my world, obliterating the foundations to rubble. He built me a new life. A safe one. A protected one. The kind fairytales are made of. But fairytales don’t last, and like a cruel, twisted villain creeping out of the shadows, the old life found me and set fire to my happily ever after.
I was left dying in the embers.
My prince couldn’t find me amongst the ashes. His Willa died that day…but my heart kept beating.
Stories don’t always end once the final page is turned. There’s so much more left to be written. Sometimes the final page is just the start, and it’s up to us to determine whether it remains a fairytale or a tragedy.
The essence of the true love stories, the big ones, the beautiful, bright, epic loves, are always grown from the darkness of a fucked up beginning.

Ker Dukey is an International bestselling author based in the United Kingdom. 
 
Genres include: 
Dark Romance, Psychological Thriller, New Adult Romance, Romantic Suspense, and Erotic Romance. Ker, is an international bestselling author, with over thirty titles published. Her titles have held multiple #1 bestseller banners and have had rights sold to numerous countries. 
 
In addition to being an author, Ker is an annoying wife and a mother of three children + one dog (who thinks he’s human.) She has a passion for reading and binge-watching crime documentaries.
 
Find her on social media, where she loves interacting with her readers.
 

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New Release ~ Must Love Dogs… And Hockey ~ by ~ Kelly Jamieson

Must Love Dogs…And Hockey by Kelly Jamieson is now live!
Enter the Release Giveaway!
http://eepurl.com/hbWWYT

Can an idealistic dog lover teach a jaded hockey player new tricks?

“Kelly Jamieson is an auto-buy for me.”—Carly Phillips

Lilly: My life is like the love child of a train wreck and a dumpster fire right now. I’ve been canned, my professional reputation is shredded, and now I’m walking dogs to make ends meet.
But I still believe everything will work out. Somehow.
Then a dog at the park attacks my friend’s dog. At first, I’m ready to give the owner hell—but it turns out he’s in desperate need of doggie daycare. I figure, why not? I love dogs and I need the cash.
Too bad his cocky bad boy attitude annoys me. He’s too damn cute for his own good. And I’m not talking about the dog.

Easton: My coach is riding my ass and I’m not handling it well. When I’m saddled with an abandoned pooch, my teammate thinks a dog will keep my temper in check. I think I have enough problems already.
But when my new dog gets into a tussle that leads me to meet a smoking hot chick who knows how to handle the rascal, I start to think pet ownership isn’t all bad. At least it gives me an excuse to see Lilly again. . . .
Neither of us are interested in a relationship. First they steal your bed, then they steal your heart. And I’m not talking about the dog.

About Kelly Jamieson

Kelly Jamieson is a USA Today bestselling author of over 40 romance novels and novellas.

Her writing has been described as “emotionally complex”, “sweet and satisfying” and “blisteringly sexy”. She likes black coffee, white wine and high heels…and of course cheering on her Winnipeg Jets during hockey season!

Connect with Kelly

New Release ~ Doc ~ by ~ KD Robichaux

Title: Doc
A Club Alias Standalone
Author: KD Robichaux
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: September 4, 2020

 

Blurb
Dr. Neil
Walker, M.D., M.F.T, Ph. D.
I’m not
your average therapist. As the founder of Imperium Security—the cover for my
mercenary team—I’ve dedicated my entire life to helping heal those who’ve had
their power unwillingly taken from them and avenging the ones who didn’t
survive.
A decade after
creating the perfect team, I’ve now watched as every one of my brothers-in-arms
has met and married their perfect match, the special women who were meant for
them—because not just any woman is cut out to be the wife of a mercenary. And
it was through one of these matches I finally met The One, the woman of
my dreams, the one I’ve sworn to help heal and protect above all others.
Astrid
Quill, Makeup Artist
It was only
supposed to be for the weekend, but then all hell broke loose, and I went from
just staying with Doc so my sister could have a worry-free romantic getaway
with her honey, to living with him for an entire year.
Oh,
boo-hoo, poor me, trapped in this amazing, state-of-the-art mansion with a dog
who loves the hell out of me. And not trapped because Neil won’t let me go.
Heavens, no. Neil is dreamy and a real-life hero, and he tries everything to
help me step foot back into the world. It’s a self-imposed prison, because
nothing good ever came of me being out in the wild.
I made a
promise nearly a decade ago that I’d never let myself fall in love again. Love
brought pain, both emotional and physical, and the last time I was in love, I
barely escaped with my life. But I’m finding it harder to resist this magnetism
between us, especially when he makes it perfectly clear he wants me and only
me.
No, Doc
isn’t your average therapist.
So is he
the one man who can not only save me from my past, but also heal my heart?

 

Purchase Links
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Only on the following retailers
TODAY!
B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS
Excerpt
“Wanna play a game, Doc?” I ask in a creepy voice, mimicking
the scary little fucker on the trike in the Saw movies.
“I never realized how much like Seth you are until today,”
he replies instead, and a lazy smile pulls at my lips.
“My sister said since the day she met him that he’s like me
but with a penis. I chose to ignore the fact that she then proceeded to have
sex with that penis. I have enough psychologic damage to wonder why my sister
fell in love with a man who reminds her of me,” I joke, and he shakes his head
at that.
“Then I’ll choose to ignore the fact that I fell in love
with a woman who reminds me of him with a vagina,” he replies, and I wrinkle my
nose.
“Ew.”
“Right?”
“No, I mean the vagina part. Don’t call it that.” I stick
out my tongue.
“Are you twelve, goddess? I’m a medical professional,” he
points out.
“You’re a head doctor. Not a vagina doctor,” I argue,
sneering the word.
He lifts a brow. “You’d be amazed how much the mind is
affected by what’s between one’s legs, Ms. Quill.”
Author Bio
KD Robichaux wanted to be a romance author since the first time she
picked up her mom’s Sandra Brown books at the ripe old age of twelve. She went
to college to become a writer, but then married her very own alpha and had
babies. Putting her dream job on hold to raise her family as a stay at home mom
who read entirely too much, she created a blog where she could keep her family
and friends up-to-date on all the hottest reads. From there, by word of mouth,
her blog took off and she began using her hard-earned degree as a full-time
editor. When her kids started school, and with the encouragement from her many
author friends, she finally sat down and started working on her first series,
The Blogger Diaries, her own real-life romance. She’s now published more than
fifteen stories in many different genres of romance.

 

Author Links

 

New Release ~ The Wish ~ by ~ Eva LeNoir


Title: The Wish
Author: Eva LeNoir
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 3, 2020

My life was complicated enough, I didn’t need an added distraction. 
 
My father’s stubborn decision to organize a world tour, landed me toe to toe with Marlon Brooks—Los Angeles’ most eligible millionaire bachelor. 
 
It was easy to figure him out.
 
He was rich. 
 
He was gorgeous.
 
Confidence dripping from every word he spoke. 
 
But nothing is ever as it seems. 
 
Beneath his veneer hid a man of many layers—ones I would peel back slowly and savor at every turn. 
 
Until all his secrets were revealed. 
Secrets that could shatter my entire world.

 

 

“He’s (Marlon) definitely in my Top Five Book Hunks for the year!” USA Today Bestselling author Angel Payne

” Heart, passion, emotion—The Wish has all this in spades.” USA Today bestselling author, E.S. Carter

” The Wish by Eva LeNoir is one of those books that leaves you completely breathless.” Darlene at the Book Nook

 

“Lastly, Ms. Hughes,” he said, leaning forward on his forearms, his cufflinks tapping the wooden desk, and pinning me with a look of pure sexual dominance that rocked me straight to my core, “my name is on every contract that we implement.” His stare never wavered, not until his words hit home. He was the owner of this shindig.
“Oh.” I blinked, shaking my head, feeling the heat returning to my cheeks and looking at my dad hoping he hadn’t witnessed his daughter’s arousal live and in high definition. He seemed too young to have such a successful business and too full of himself for it to be a non-profit. As though he’d been reading my erotic thoughts from the moment we’d met, he raised a single brow, focused the intensity of his gaze solely on me, and asked with his panty disintegrating timber of voice:
“Now, how about you tell me how I can be of service to you?”
Well, damn, that was a loaded question and I had a list-full of answers.

Eva LeNoir lives in France with her husband, two sons and the entire food chain in pets: From gerbils to cats and a dog. With a full-time job that pays the bills, she reserves all of her free time to doing what she loves most: Writing. 
 
Eva likes teasing her husband that she should have married a billionaire so she could stay home and write all day. But then he makes her laugh at his silly antics and all dreams of lavish lifestyles evaporate from her mind. A softie at heart, Eva can be seen crying whenever anything emotional is on TV or the radio. Yes, even commercials. So, if ever you meet her, make sure to bring a box of tissues and a good episode of Grey’s Anatomy to witness the epic tear fest. 
 
There are three things she believes unconditionally: Love really does conquer all, Humans are still inherently good and Wine and Cheese will solve all the problems of the world.

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New Release & Review ~ Behind the Plate ~ by ~ J. Sterling

 

The most anticipated J. Sterling release of the year is finally here! You’ve waited years to meet Jack Carter’s son and the wait is over! Strap in and enjoy the ride.

 

Chance Carter is the son of local baseball legend, Jack Carter. Now in his junior year at Fullton State, Chance is facing challenges he never saw coming. Failing a class will stop his draft season short, making him ineligible to play and pushing his goal of professional baseball even further away. In steps Danika, a mouthy tutor from New York, who only wants to help him pass his class… NOT get in his pants. But try telling that to Chance. He doesn’t trust girls and he definitely doesn’t trust his new tutor. A lifetime growing up as a Carter taught him that. But Danika has issues of her own. After an incident that happened last year, she doesn’t trust athletes and wants nothing to do with them. And Chance is no exception. The fireworks explode as the two try to deny the chemistry between them and family secrets are revealed. Chance doesn’t know how to give up on something he wants and he’s decided he wants Danika. There’s just one problem… she has a boyfriend she has no intention of breaking up with. How can he have her when she belongs to someone else?    
 

Download your copy today!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2YYPCxQ

Amazon WW: http://mybook.to/btpjsterling

Apple: https://apple.co/3gaRBWh

Nook: https://bit.ly/2P4pR9R

Kobo: https://bit.ly/307YMcq

Google Play: https://bit.ly/2P3vRzO

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3h24ty1

 
 

Every J Sterling book I’ve read, I have loved and Chance Carter’s story is one of the best! I read book 1 in the Boys of Baseball and oh how I loved Chance. And in reading his story, I need to re-read Jack and Cassie’s story, The Perfect Game. It’s a great story and a great setup to Chance’s story.

Anyway, Chance needs some help with math, which is of course where Danika comes in. Am I the only one who was immediately thinking Danica Patrick…. Oh well, so Danika is the tutor. But SO much more. Danika is not interested in Chance, she has a boyfriend and she doesn’t do the baseball player route. She’s not a cleat chaser.

You can see how this might go but you have no idea. Read the book. Yes, they will end up together – we all want an HEA right? But how they get there. Jessica Sterling is one of my favorite and most sought out authors. So if I see a sale, new release, promo, I’m ON IT!

I can’t wait for Mac’s story. I have soooooo many thoughts but who knows if I am right? 😉

5 stars!

 

Meet J.

I’m a New York Times and USA Today best selling author of over 18 books! My goal is to write stories that you can get lost in, that will leave a smile on your face and a full heart. If you can forget about the real world while you’re reading and fall in love with my characters, then I’ve done my job. A lot of what I write has real life aspects in it, but that’s what makes the stories so relateable- the fact that they could happen to anyone… and have!

I live in California with my only son, Blake. If you can’t find me sitting behind a computer screen, then there’s a good chance I’m sitting in the bleachers of a baseball stadium watching him play. I love traveling to new places, meeting my readers and living life with the Real Jack Carter. ♡ I know you have a million books to choose from and I am humbled, grateful and thankful each time you choose to read one of mine, or tell someone else to read them. Thank you.

Connect with J.

Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook |

Facebook Group | Instagram | Twitter |

Bookbub | Pinterest | Newsletter

Text JACK to 77948

New Release & Review ~ Just Roommates ~ by ~ Allie York

Crazy Sara embraces her reputation, it doesn’t bother her, because she’s living her best life until her best friend’s brother moves in. New to NYC, Zack needs a place to crash and quickly realizes that his new roomie isn’t as crazy as everyone thinks. Can these two play for keeps or are they just roommates? Readers will fall in love with this roommates romance from Allie York. The 425 Madison series is back with season three and JUST ROOMMATES is live!

 

 

Sara

I’m known around 425 Madison, and to my friends, as Crazy Sara. While they never use the nickname to my face, I know my reputation precedes me. That’s just fine with me, after all I’ve got everything I ever wanted. I have an apartment in the swankiest building in NYC, a different date every night, and the future is mine for the taking.

Okay so maybe only one thing is missing – the perfect roommate to keep me company.

Unfortunately, the roommate who wants me is not what I had in mind. And my best friend gave me one rule: Don’t sleep with her brother.

Zack

With an art degree in hand it only makes sense for me to move to NYC. Both of my sisters live here and my new niece. New York has an endless supply of muses for my art and models to entertain.

Things were just fine in my new life, until my sister gets tired of me crashing in her guest room and decides I’ll be the perfect roommate for her friend Crazy Sara. I’m on board with a change of scenery as long as the scenery is my sister’s gorgeous friend. But turns our Crazy Sara isn’t really as crazy as they all claim and she’s not really interested in me – or at least that’s what she claims.

That’s fine, two can play this game.

After all, 425 Madison is the perfect place to fall in love!

Read Just Roommates Now!

Add to Goodreads!

Excerpt

Copyright @ Allie York 2020

“Well?” I jump, brush hovering over the canvas to put the last stroke on my painting. Sara’s voice cuts through all the noise in my head and the acoustic crap coming from my phone. I forgot I turned it on. I drop the brush into the cup of turpentine and look up at her. Sara has her arms to the side, palms up, and spins when I look at her. In true Sara date attire, she’s in a tight dress. The red against her pale skin draws the eye to the short hemline and low neckline. The back dips to the middle of her back, and her hair is piled up on her head to show off her slender neck. Diamond studs, black heels, and red lips solidify the look. Before I met Sara, I never would have looked at a woman dressed like a trophy wife, but suddenly I can’t take my eyes off her.

Sara looks at me for feedback. “You look amazing,” I say it with zero irony. I’ve seen her get dressed and leave for seven dates now, but she’s never asked for my opinion, and I’ve never really noticed how gorgeous she is. Of course, I know she’s pretty, but maybe after seeing her with her face natural, hair wet, and the prettiest I’ve ever seen her, I can appreciate the made up Sara.

“Thanks!” she chirps in her high voice she uses when on the phone, face turning pink.

“Welcome,” I mumble.

“Where is your shirt?” Sara’s eyes rake over me appreciatively.

“Over there.” I point at the table. “Don’t want to get paint on it.” I gesture at the specks of black on my freckled chest.

“Oh, well, don’t wait up, I think this one is a winner.” Sara winks her long lashes and grabs her black wallet from the table next to the door. My stomach twists into a knot, and I take a breath. Why do I suddenly care what she does?

“Good luck. Be safe.” I force a smile. My voice sounds like gravel when I force the words out.

Sara pauses and blinks at me. “I will. Thanks.” I take the four strides to where she’s hovering near the door and put my hand on the knob, putting me only inches from her. Her eyes go wide.

“I’ll lock the door behind you.” I twist the handle, watching the rise and fall of her chest when her breathing picks up. She swallows, big blue eyes staring up at me.

“Thank you.” She clears her throat and shifts uncomfortably.

“Anytime,” I answer after a long pause. I can smell her all around me, feel the tension crackling between us, and lean forward only an inch. Her eyes flutter closed, the gold dusting on them shimmers in the light. I lean in closer, able to feel her breath on my lips, and close my eyes.

The knock on the door makes me jump back, eyes flying open. Sara squeals, stumbling back on her high heels. Her hip bumps the table by the door, and my keys hit the floor with a dull thud. Sara’s chest rises and falls like she just ran a marathon, and my heart might come free of my ribcage. She looks up at me like a deer in headlights, and I must look the same.

 

Read Just Roommates Now!

 

First, I love the 425 Madison series! Second, Crazy Sara is totally one of my favorite characters! I love when a character is so “out there” that the vanilla friends in their life call them crazy. But that’s neither here or there.

Zack is new to NYC and new to rooming with Sara. He was living with his sister until she’s decided he needs to be a roomie with Sara. And so off we go. Sara is all about the good things in life, except she isn’t allowed to sleep with her friend’s hot brother. Of course.

Zack is the first to get through to Sara it seems and gets to the heart of why Sara gives off the good time girl persona.

A great story I will be re-reading when I need a funny, hot story!

5 stars!

About Allie York

Allie is a mom and dog groomer by day. At night she is posted at her laptop writing or reading in a cozy corner. She has a soft spot for gooey romance, over-creamed coffee, and anything cute and furry.

Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

About the 425 Madison Series

Welcome to 425 Madison Ave the perfect place to fall in love. Rounding out the summer with some hot city nights and coasting into fall with more cool characters at this famous high-rise, 425 Madison is returning for a third season!

With some familiar faces and some brand new residents – you’ll be sure to find an author you love and a trope to ignite your taste buds after all 425 Madison IS the perfect place to fall in love!

We’ve got an amazing line of up must-read romance authors including, Lauren Helms, Allie York

J Marie, Kay Gordon, Marcie Shumway, Aubree Valentine, S.L. Sterling, and Fiona Tulle

Prepare for pages packed with new romances, characters, and tropes all from the same well-loved high-rise apartment building in NYC.

Season One and Two feature stories from some of your favorite romance authors: Leigh Lennon, MK Moore, Allie York, Aubree Valentine, Kay Gordon, Lauren Helms, Sylvia Kane, Katy Ames, KC Enders, Marci Shumway, and C. Lesbirel. All these authors came together, each with a standalone romance for you to enjoy. Covering all of your favorite tropes each tale offers you something new, something different.

Make sure to follow the 425 Madison Avenue Facebook page for more on release dates, cover reveals, and author spotlights. For exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and news subscribe to our 425 Madison newsletter!

Facebook | Newsletter

Catch up on the first two seasons, available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited!

New Release ~ Mustang Hollywood ~ by ~ Eva Haining


Title: Mustang Hollywood
Series: The Mustang Ranch
Author: Eva Haining
Genre: Small Town Enemies-to-lovers Romance
Release Date: September 3, 2020
Born and raised in the bright lights of LA, J.J. Savage is the king of Hollywood.


Betrayed by his ex-girlfriend and slandered in the press, his star has well and truly fallen. When Hollywood turns its back on their golden boy, Jasper finds himself exiled to small-town Kingsbury Falls for a small-time movie with a B-list cast.

Surrounded by amateurs and angry at the world, he can either walk away, or turn it around, and he didn’t become A-list royalty by resting on his laurels. Putting everything on the line to prove his worth, Jasper’s wholly unprepared for hometown budding actress, Maisie Bryant. 

She’s sassy, stubborn, opinionated, sexy as hell, and he can’t stand her.

Maisie Bryant has dreamed of being in movies since she was a kid. Excited at the prospect of being an extra in the new J.J. Savage movie, Maisie is in for the ride of her life when she’s thrust into the path of the bullheaded movie star. Everything about him infuriates her, but she can’t deny the way her body reacts to his movie star good looks.

Forced to find a way to work together, how long can these two fight their undeniable chemistry?

Will Jasper risk his chance at redemption for a woman who makes his blood boil and sets his world ablaze?

 
 

 

I’m happiest when wandering through the uncharted territory of my imagination. You’ll find me curled up with my laptop, browsing the books at the local library, or enjoying the smell of a new book, taking great delight in cracking the spine and writing in the margins!
Eva is a native Scot but lives in Texas with her husband, two kids, and a whizzy little fur baby with the most ridiculous ears. She first fell in love with British literature while majoring in Linguistics, 17th Century Poetry, and Shakespeare at University. She is an avid reader and lifelong notebook hoarder. In 2014, she finally put her extensive collection to good use and started writing her first novel. Previously published with Prism Heart Press under the pen name Sienna Parks, Eva decided to branch out on her own and lend her name to her full back catalogue! She is currently working on some exciting new projects.

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New Release ~ The Secrets We Keep ~ by ~ Lisamarie Kade


Title: The Secrets We Keep
Author: Lisamarie Kade
Genre: New Adult Romance
Release Date: September 3, 2020
Cover Design: Amanda Walker PA and Design Services

 

 

In a blink of an eye life can change, altering the path one is on.
Now living in a new town with a new name, Evie quietly learns to adjust.
When she meets Landon, he captures her attention and makes her feel things she’s never felt before.
But Evie has been dealt a hand she didn’t ask for, one that consists of secrets she can’t tell.
What will happen when those secrets come out of the darkness, revealing a truth she didn’t want exposed?
Can Evie and Landon weather the storm together or will their secrets tear them apart?

“I absolutely loved the characters and the story. Romantic, suspenseful, fun, sexy, and sweet. A great read from an up-and-coming new author.” Jennifer Goodreads reviewer.

“Oh Evie and Landon stole me from the start with this story. These characters were well written. The is a fab debut story from this author.” – Reading with 2 Book Lovers 

“A well deserved 4 stars for this author’s debut novel, The Secrets We Keep. The start is fairly sinister and the reminder ran all the way through the story.” – Sandra Loves Reading 

Lisamarie Kade lives in the Sunshine State with her husband, loads of children, and 2 naked dogs.
Coffee and chocolate are her go to most days. She believes music is life.
When she isn’t busy with her family she enjoys reading, writing, and going to concerts.
Lisamarie would love to hear from you. Please feel free to reach out and follow her on social media.


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New Release ~ Forty ~ by ~ Cate C. Wells


Title: Forty
Series: A Steel Bones Motorcycle Club Romance
Author: Cate C. Wells
Genre: MC Romance
Release Date: September 2, 2020

 

Secrets tore us apart…
Nevaeh
I burned my bridges a long time ago and headed for the big city. Life was fast, but I was making it–until I wasn’t anymore. I want a do over. Confront my past. Starting with the man who swore he loved me and left anyway. The big, bad biker who broke my heart.
Forty
I never got over Nevaeh Ellis. Never could forgive her either. My brothers believe she’s disloyal, and there’s no making that right. But why is she back? And why is she so angry? The longer she’s in town, the more I wonder what really happened back in the day. Is she the bad guy–or was I?
There’s no time to figure it out. The feud between my club and the Rebel Raiders is raging out of control, trouble is dogging Nevaeh’s heels, and if I don’t make the right call this time–she’s not gone. She’s dead.
Forty is a steamy, second chance romance. It’s the sixth book in the Steel Bones Motorcycle Club series, but it can be read as a standalone. It is intended for adult readers.
HEA guaranteed.

 

 

 

“Ms. Wells is a powerhouse, continually bringing such flawed characters to life…she is the real deal.” – Leslee, Goodreads

“Forty has absolutely gutted me!” – G, Goodreads

“Nevaeh is probably one of my favorite characters, definitely top 3…I loved her crazy a**.” JJ, Goodreads

 

The lights are still on when I get to the Ellis place, an old rancher out towards the river. I pull off onto the front lawn, and it’s like no time has passed. I haven’t been out this way since I came home. There’s been no reason. Barrow Road is a country lane that leads to nothing but shotgun shacks and flood plain.

As I slam the truck door, I can almost hear Nevaeh’s mom primly ordering me to stop tearin’ up the grass. Even in the dark with no porch light, it’s obvious no one much cares about the lawn these days. I heard that when Nevaeh’s stepdad passed, Mrs. Ellis moved to Florida, leaving Lou the house. Looks like he takes care of it about as well as any guy in his twenties who installs cable and plays bass in a jam band.

There are two overturned buckets by the front step with cigarette butts scattered around, a few empties on the step itself. Mrs. Ellis’ kissing Dutch couple is knocked over, and at some point, someone mowed around it, so the little boy and girl are lying flat in an island of tall weeds.

Lou’s work van, his bike, and a beat-up, red Hyundai take up the short driveway. Must be Nevaeh’s ride. Back left tire is low.

Clearly, they’re home, and my truck’s not subtle. I’m surprised no one’s looked out yet.

I hop up on the running board, reach through the open window, and lay on the horn. Mrs. Ellis used to hate when I did that. She’d hassle Nevaeh, tell her only sluts go running when a man honks. Nevaeh’d cry about it, but it was always easy to distract her. She was the kind of girl who wanted to be happy.

I told her I’d walk up to the door—it was the right thing to do, even I knew that—but she didn’t want me anywhere near her folks. Guess they didn’t approve of me.

Still no movement in the house. I lean on the horn again, and I keep the pressure on until I see the curtains flutter. Then the porch light flickers on, the door flies open, and there she is. Every muscle in my body goes as hard as stone.

I round the truck, stalk forward, my legs drawn to her, my brain struggling keeping up. Nevaeh Ellis. She’s here. In real life.

She’s the same. But more.

The force of her standing there sends a sizzle of electricity down every nerve, priming me like the sound of gunfire. 

She’s framed by the doorway, backlit, her mess of curls still the biggest thing about her. No matter that round ass and those thick thighs, she’s so damn small. Short and compact. She’s got her hands on her hips, and damn, but they’re even curvier than I remember.

“Lay off the horn, asshole!”

I already have. I’m nearly on her; she’s almost in my arms. I need to see her face, plunge my hands in that wild hair, shake her and make her cry and take her mouth until she whimpers with need. I’m furious, horny, and crushed, sickened by the weight of time passed. It’s been too long.

Then when I get four, five feet away, her chin loses the arrogant tilt. She crosses her arms, hugging herself. Glances over her shoulder into the house. Is she scared? Nevaeh Ellis? No way.

Still, I stop. I’m a few steps away from the porch, and I can make out every inch of her now. She’s wearing a white, long-sleeved sweatshirt with a rainbow across the chest. It’s cropped, revealing the gentle swell of her belly. She’s got on a pair of white boy shorts, so tight I can see the cleft of her pussy lips.

I stand, shoulders back and level with my chest, heels together, arms at my side. I realize as I’m doing it that I’m standing at attention, presenting myself to her, and blood rushes to my cock. My cock’s as ready as it’s ever been. It takes everything in me to be still while she fidgets, gnawing her bottom lip, scratching her heel with the toe of the opposite foot.

Then her big, brown eyes dip below my belt. She snorts, the fear or whatever it was gone. “At least someone in this town is happy to see me.” Her gaze slides to my truck. “Where’s your bike?”

My face burns, but damn if my cock doesn’t press harder against my zipper. “Where are your pants?”

She rolls her eyes. “Same place you left your manners, I suppose.” She wrinkles her nose. “No, hi, Nevaeh? How are you? Long time, no see?”

“Hello, Nevaeh.”

I’m close enough to see her shiver when I say her name. Goosebumps pucker her belly and legs. It’s early spring, and it’s cold out here. Where’s her jacket? Where are her shoes? She’s in her socks. White with pom poms on the heels. They’ve got to be filthy on the bottoms.

She ducks her head, suddenly shy, and her hair shifts. I see a bruise above her eye. It doesn’t look fresh, but it’s hard to tell with the shadows. I steel myself as a wave of aggression rolls over me.

I jerk my chin toward the shiner. “Danielle fix your face?”

“Which one’s Danielle? The one with the hair or the one with the eyebrows.”

“The eyebrows.” I can’t act like I don’t know what she means. Danielle paints those suckers on. They make an impression. Cheyenne must be the one with the hair. It’s always some color or another.

“Nah. That one’s all mouth.”

“What were you doing at the clubhouse?”

“Looking for you.”

“We have no business.”

“I wanted to talk.”

“I’ve got nothing to say to you.”

She winces like she’s hurt. Fuck. My abs tense, and my fingertips twitch, like they want to grab the words back.

She swallows, and her gaze dips before rising again. “You look different.” Her voice is shy.

She doesn’t look different at all. Except for the tiniest laugh lines at the corner of her eyes and twenty or so extra pounds, most packed on her ass and thighs, she’s the same. Messy. Squirmy. Beautiful.

“You’re taller than I remember.” She offers me a half-smile, a quirked corner of her mouth. My breath catches in my lungs.

I am taller. I left for basic before that last growth spurt. I got on a plane, and she got under every asshole she could the minute the wheels took off from the runway. Several helpful sweetbutts sent me blurry pics. Nevaeh sitting in some loser’s lap. Nevaeh grinding on a Rebel Raider at a bonfire. The stale, familiar rage rocks me in my boots.

What am I doing here? I was having a nice dinner with a nice woman, and I dropped her off early to drive out to the boondocks and waste time on a crazy bitch who couldn’t stay faithful for a week. I’m a fool. I need to say my piece and get gone.

But all the words I want to say would shame me as a man. No matter what a woman shows herself to be, it isn’t right to call her names to her face.

“Well? You gonna stand there and hate fuck me with your eyes all night long?” She raises her eyebrows. She’s got nerve. Always did.

“You gonna stand there and act all innocent?”

“Not all night, no.” She taps her foot. My pulse skyrockets.

“Why did show up at the clubhouse? You know you’re not welcome. What’s your game, Nevaeh?”

“No game.”

I bark a bitter laugh. “It was always a game with you.”

She snorts, but her eyes drop to the ground. “I guess it would have seemed that way.”

“It was that way. How long after I left before you were spreading your legs for any random asshole? Did you even wait until I left?”

She wrings her hands and rocks on her feet. She was always fidgeting like that. I attributed it to nervous energy, but from where I stand now? It looks like guilt.

“I never cheated on you.”

“Bullshit.”

“I know what it looked like.”

“I got pictures of you crawling on men from here to Pyle. You flashed Heavy your tits and asked him if he wanted to fuck.”

She opens her mouth to protest, but I guess she thinks better of it. Instead, she draws in a deep breath, and instead of hanging her head again, she comes at me with those huge, brown eyes.

“Yeah. I did do that.”

I wait. Crickets chirp. Leaves whisper in the huge maple beside the house. What am I even waiting for? An apology? An explanation? As if anything she said—then or now—would change anything. She’s disloyal. Selfish. Nuts.

Her throat bobs as she swallows, and she shifts. It’s like she’s waiting, too. What for? What’s her game now?

“You seriously want me to believe you never cheated? If you didn’t, it wasn’t for lack of trying.”

Fuck. Why do I still care about this at all? It happened a lifetime ago. I’ve been around the world since Nevaeh Ellis. Stared death in the face. Came out the other side, scarred and fucked up, sure, but alive.

And some girl screwing around on me back in the day has got me this twisted? Why am I not at my house in Gracy’s Corner right now, balls deep in Amanda or Amelia or whatever her name is?

Nevaeh chews on the inside of her cheek, and stares at her feet. “I wanted you to get jealous and come home. Or, like, confront me. I was desperate. I wasn’t thinking straight.” She glances up, and her eyes are shining.

The tears piss me off. “That’s childish as hell.”

“I was a child!” Her voice breaks, and there’s pain in it. Something inside me lurches for her, and I barely stop myself from loping up the steps and folding her in my arms.

That hurt in her voice? It’s fake as hell. She’s not innocent. She never was. She’s a liar.

I’m about to tell her so and bail, but she keeps going.

“You know, I’m still mad, too.”

She scrubs angrily at her eyes, dashing away those tears.

“I hate you, too, so you can just fuck off with your wounded, wronged man routine. You said you’d always be there for me? Well, you weren’t, and I know that’s the way the world works, and you’re a hero or whatever, but you can just fuck yourself, Forty Nowicki. And fuck your fancy ass truck and fuck you coming here with lipstick on your collar. You look like a detergent commercial.”

I glance down. Oh. There’s a hot pink smear on the shoulder of my shirt.

Nevaeh spins on her heels and flings the screen door open. I start forward—to do what, I don’t know— but she suddenly changes her mind and whirls back around. Her shoulders are heaving, her entire body wired. Then she sucks down a deep breath, like she’s steadying herself, and she exhales slowly.

“I’m sorry. That’s not what I planned on saying. I was going to apologize for what I did back then. It was immature, and it was selfish and messed up, and I knew it was stupid and wrong at the time, when I was doing it, but…I was…I had my reasons, okay? And they weren’t good reasons, but I was young, and I know that’s no excuse. But still. I’m sorry. That’s what I had meant to say.”

She pauses for air, and then she waits, fingers plucking nervously at the hem of her sweatshirt.

I don’t know what to say. My brain’s on overload, glitching with the desire to grab her, shake her or throw her into the truck, tear those white panties to the side and fuck her raw, or curse her until she cries. My mind’s a wreck, like I’m eighteen again, and I know nothing.

I can’t act, can’t find words to say, so all I do is stare.

God, I’ve missed the shape of her. The way her tits slope to a peak. She’s clearly not wearing a bra under the crop top, and her nipples are hard. I manage to drag my gaze away, and then my eyes are instantly drawn to the swell of her hips and the crease where her thighs press together. Those twenty pounds found the right places. She’s all sex. All bounce, all curves.

And she’ll pass it around to anyone and lie about it to your face.

“Aren’t you gonna say something?” Her voice is small. Meek. She’s not meek.

“How many?” I shouldn’t care. I should turn around, get back in my truck, and let the past be the past.

“What?”

“How many other guys did you fuck when we were together?”

“I told you. None. I never did. I was…I don’t know how to say it. I was trying to make you jealous. I had this idea in my head that you could come back if you really wanted to. I mean, I knew better. I’m not stupid. But…” Her brow furrows, and she presses her fingers to her temple. “It was magical thinking, I guess.”

“No, you weren’t stupid, Nevaeh. You understood the deal. You leave basic, you’re A.W.O.L. Everyone knows that.”

“I never wanted you to go.”

“It was for us.”

She shakes her head, in denial or disapproval, I don’t know. The stale rage rises in me again. Same old argument. Meaningless now.

“What was I gonna do here?” I ask. “Pump gas? Drywall?”

“You would have been there for me. And yeah, pump gas. You too good to pump gas?” Her face is flushing red. I remember the look. She’s holding on to her temper by a thread. “I’m not saying what I did made sense. I was young, and I was…confused by a lot of shit.”

“Confused? Is that what you call it? That’s all you got to say in your defense?”

She balls her fists. “I’m not gonna stand here on the porch and spill my guts to you.”

“No. You were gonna spill your guts at my clubhouse, in front of all my people. You always did have to put on a show, didn’t you?”

Her brown eyes spark. “It always took a show to get through to you, didn’t it?”

“You could have talked to me.” I’m shouting. Fuck. I don’t shout.

“You left. And then you rang me up one Sunday, called me trash, and told me we’re done. And then you blocked me. How was I gonna talk to you?” Her voice cracks; her eyes darken. She’s remembering.

There’s no reason for the pit in my stomach. What she says is exactly how it went down. What did she expect?

“You came onto Heavy and asked him to fuck you.”

“Yeah. Not one of my finer moments.” She sniffs. Is she really crying? “I should’ve given up way before then. Packed my stuff and blown town with a little dignity left, you know? But I was such a stupid, little kid. I guess I thought you’d get so pissed, you’d demand that I tell you what’s going on, and I’d have no choice, right? You’d ride to the rescue and solve all my problems and make everything okay. I know, that was insane to put on an eighteen-year-old three hundred miles away in basic training, but you know what? You were my knight in shining armor.” She snorts.

“What was going on?” I can hardly follow her; she’s making no sense.

She blinks and glances over her shoulder like she hears a noise behind her. Must be Lou.

“It doesn’t matter now. We were kids. I’m sorry for how I acted. That’s all I wanted to say. If it makes you feel better, I lost all my friends, and it wasn’t easy, starting over in Pyle.”

I feel unsteady, as if my feet aren’t on firm ground. “Why now? Why come around now?”

“Better late than never?”

I scrub the back of my neck in frustration. “Can you just be straight with me? For once?”

She draws in a shaky breath. “I guess I’m trying to put some things right.”

“Why?”

“Does there have to be a reason?”

And there it is. The reason this isn’t gonna end with peace between us. She can’t be straight. People like her never change. Answer a question with a question. It’s all a game. And maybe her crazy was hot as shit when I was a teenager, but I’m a grown man now, and this kind of bullshit is just sad.

I don’t care if she’s working the ninth step, or she’s on some kind of journey to find herself. It doesn’t matter that my dick’s harder than it’s been in years, and I haven’t thought about the pain in my arm once the entire time we’ve been talking. I don’t need this in my life.

“I tell you what, Nevaeh. It doesn’t matter. You’ve said your piece. Now stay away from the clubhouse. Stay away from me and my brothers. We’re done now. For good.”

She takes a half step back. I guess she thought this conversation was going a different direction. Maybe for a second, before I remembered the complete havoc she wrought on my life, it was.

But fool me twice, shame on me, right?

She opens her mouth, as if she’s gonna argue. But then she sighs instead. She lifts a shoulder and flashes a weak smile. “Okay, Forty. It was good to see you.”

And then turns on her heels and disappears into the house, the screen door swinging shut behind her. My gut drops and for a second, my body mindlessly lurches forward, demanding that I take her back.

She’s gone too quick.

I’m left standing in the front walk, my brain spinning.

This is what I wanted, right? I don’t need to relive my worst choices. I was given a second chance when they pulled me from the wreckage of that chopper, and I’m not using that gift to take a walk down some misguided memory lane.

I force my feet to move toward my truck, drag my body into the driver’s seat.

I did what I came to do. She’s not going to cause a problem again.

I’m satisfied.

And it feels like shit.

Cate C. Wells is the author of the Steel Bones Motorcycle Club series. She writes gritty, real, emotionally satisfying romance. She’s into messy love, flaws, long roads to redemption, grace, and happy ever after, in books and in life.


Along with stories, she’s collected a husband and three children along the way. She lives in Baltimore when she’s not exploring America with the family. #allfiftystatesWant a heads up on new releases and special offers? Sign up for my newsletter at catecwells.com

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New Release ~ Relentless Habit ~ by ~ Karen Renee

Title: Relentless Habit

Series: O-Town Series
Author: Karen Renee
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 1, 2020

Cecilia
I moved to Orlando for a fresh start.
Nobody could know my secret.
Catching the attention of the hottest DJ in all of Orlando wasn’t in the plan.
He’s got moves, and they’re not just good. They are good.
Like the beats he spins in the booth, I fall fast for him and his crazy family.
When he finds out about my past, it won’t just break my heart but also crush my soul.
Brock
The third time I saw her at a crowded club, I had to have her.
After our first kiss, I knew she was a habit I would never want to break.
Knowing what she hid from me reinforces what I’ve known for so long. Women cannot be trusted.
Even knowing the worst, I can’t stay away from her.
But when push comes to shove, will I be able to keep her safe?

After what seemed an eternity, Brock’s dress shirt slipped off his arms and he unbuttoned his dark-wash jeans while I watched his legs shift as he toed out of his shoes. I pressed my lips together to keep my thoughts to myself, but apparently Brock could read me.

“Just say it, honey,” he murmured.

Laying naked on his turned-down bed, I asked, “Say what… honey?”

With his thumbs in his boxer-briefs, he gave me a semi-incredulous look. “You know ‘what,’ Sunflower. That it’s about time I got naked with you.”

Sunflower? 

I couldn’t devote any head space to that. He wanted to give me a nickname, so be it. Besides, the unveiling of the main event was happening before my eyes. His chest was unrealistically tan for a man who was in college. As I scrutinized his torso, his pecs flexed, and my eyes flew to his.

Those eyes of his were something else with their intensity and ability to ask me a question without him saying word one. They were staring intensely at me as though to underscore his statement, but I was distracted by his thumbs in his boxer-briefs.

After a lengthy moment, I whispered, “Yeah. It’s about time all right, Brock.”

I heard a low growling noise before he said, “You got that right, Cecilia.”

Karen Renee is the author of the Riot MC Series. She has wanted to be a writer from a very early age, and she’s finally bringing that dream to life. She has worked in advertising, banking, and local television media research. She is a proud wife and mother, and a Jacksonville native. When she’s not at the soccer field or cooking, you can find her at her local library, the grocery store, in her car jamming out to some tunes, or hibernating while she writes and/or reads books.
 
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