Sweet Fate

by Laurelin Paige

  Truth be told, if he’d asked me back to his flat that first night after our reunion, I would have gone in an instant.

  But he didn’t. His goals hadn’t changed, and I’d been determined to accept that. I’d tried so hard to accept it.

  Except, how could I when he didn’t act like that was what he really wanted? He’d jump when I’d call. His gaze would linger. He’d react when we accidentally touched. He’d go out of his way to make sure we accidentally touched.

  Maybe it had been wrong to start dating in front of him. I’d been a total tease about it, too, throwing the random guys I encountered in his face, as though they’d meant something to me. As though they could ever possibly mean something to me. I’d wanted him jealous. I’d wanted him as crazed over me as I was becoming over him, whether there was a happy ending for us or not.

  When he’d pulled away from our friendship, I’d had to face reality—yes, Dylan was affected by me, but not enough to do anything about it. I figured his attraction must have been physical only. I told myself I should let it go, let him walk away. I told myself to find another guy for real.

  I couldn’t do it. I’d already become too hung up on him. So I tempted fate. I offered him the one thing that I knew would confuse my heart the most—I offered him a sexual relationship. And while I fell more and more in love with him, all I could do was hope beyond hope that the stars had something in store for us that I couldn’t begin to imagine.

  The universe delivered tenfold.

  We were married in May, in between shows at the Gallery, just five months after he’d proposed. Unbeknownst to us, I was already one month pregnant at the time. We didn’t find out until after our honeymoon, a week spent in the beautiful countryside of Southampton where Dylan had been born. We didn’t find out we were expecting two girls until late July. To my delight, my husband took the news beautifully. “I could never imagine being so happy and blessed,” he’d said.

  I couldn’t have agreed more.

  Still rubbing my stomach, Dylan’s lips pressed against my temple. “Do you realize today is the one-year anniversary of our engagement? And here we are getting ready for our girls to arrive in another month. So much has changed in this year, hasn’t it?”

  I opened my eyes to look at him. At exactly the same moment, my belly tightened with another cramp, and I winced.

  His hand stilled. “Damn. I felt that. Is that a contraction?”

  “No,” I said dismissively. “I mean, yes, but just Braxton Hicks. You know I get these after sex all the time.”

  Another cramp shot across my middle, winding around my torso. “Oh my fudge,” I groaned. This one was painful.

  “Are you sure that—”

  Before he could finish his thought, a gush of water ran down my legs.

  “Your water just broke. Oh, my God, Audrey! Your water just broke!”

  Oh, huh. Hadn’t been expecting that.

  I sat up to look at the mess between my legs. My pulse quickened excitedly and my eyes went wide. “It’s time! Oh, my gosh, Dylan! It’s time!”

  Dylan jumped up and ran to the bathroom, returning a second later with a towel. “This isn’t good,” he muttered as he cleaned me up. “I knew sex was a bad idea. I shouldn’t have gone so hard. We shouldn’t have been fucking at all this close to the due date! It’s too early. They aren’t due for another four weeks!”

  “Honey,” I said patiently. I said it again when he didn’t give me his attention. And a third time. I put my hand on his forearm to get his attention. When he finally looked at me, his eyes blinking rapidly, I continued. “Due in three and a half weeks, actually. We’re almost at thirty-seven weeks. The doctor said if we made it to thirty-six weeks with twins it would be fine. We’re fine.”

  “We’re fine,” he repeated unconvincingly.

  “We’re going to be fine.”

  “It’s fine.” He seemed somewhat calmer. As calm as to be expected, anyway.

  “Now, could you maybe move so I can get up and we can both throw some clothes on and head to the hospital?”

  “Right, right. Hospital. Right.” He started for the dresser, but then immediately turned around and came back to me. He took my face in his hands and kissed me. “I love you. All three of you, but right now I especially love you.”

  I beamed up at him. “I love you too. So much. Are you scared?” I was. Well, excited and scared.

  He grinned back at me. “Terrified. Now let’s go do this. Let’s go meet our daughters. It can’t be a coincidence that they’ve decided to come on this anniversary.”

  “Of course it’s not. It’s kismet.”

  Loved this book? Get it in paperback or audio!

  * * *

  Next up from Laurelin Paige:

  The Slay Saga

  begins June 4, 2019

  * * *

  Edward Fasbender is a devil.

  He’s my father’s business rival, a powerful, vicious man who takes what he wants and bows to no one. I only took the meeting because I was curious. I thought he was going to offer me a job.

  But that's not what he's after at all. His proposal is much more intriguing, and I see an opportunity. An opportunity to turn the tables and bring down the devil.

  I've gotten in trouble playing these games before. I know when the risk is too great, when the stakes are too high. I know how to be cold and strong-willed and destructive. I know how to withstand dominant men with arrogant charm and rugged features.

  Yet I can't resist taking on Edward.

  And I can't resist the pull he has on me.

  Soon I'm not so sure which side of the battle I'm standing on--if I'm the warrior meant to slay,

  Or the one who will be slain.

  * * *

  The saga begins with Slay One: Rivalry

  The Dirty Universe Continues…

  There are more dirty men in my universe.

  * * *

  And they all have filthy, rich love stories to share.

  * * *

  Dirty Duet - Donovan Kincaid

  Dirty Filthy Rich Boys - a free prequel to the Dirty Duet

  Dirty Filthy Rich Men

  Dirty Filthy Rich Love

  Available Now!

  * * *

  Dirty Games Duet - Weston King

  Dirty Sexy Bastard - a free prequel to the Dirty Games Duet

  Dirty Sexy Player

  Dirty Sexy Games

  Available Now!

  * * *

  Dirty Filthy Fix - Nate Sinclair

  Available Now!

  * * *

  Dirty Sweet Duet - Dylan Locke

  Sweet Liar

  Sweet Fate

  * * *

  Dirty Wild Trilogy - Cade Warren

  Coming in 2020

  Let’s stay in touch!

  Join my reader group, The Sky Launch.

  * * *

  Follow me on Bookbub and Instagram.

  * * *

  Like my author page.

  * * *

  Sign up for my newsletter where you’ll receive a free book every month from bestselling authors, only available to my subscribers, as well as up-to-date information on my latest releases.

  * * *

  Visit www.laurelinpaige.com to find out more about me and all my books.

  Only want to be notified when I have a new release?

  Text Paige to 21000,

  and I’ll shoot you a text when I have a book come out.

  * * *

  PRO TIP: Add laurelin@laurelinpaige.com to your contacts before signing up to be sure the list comes right to your inbox.

  Also by Laurelin Paige

  Visit my website for a more detailed reading order.

  * * *

  The Fixed Universe

  Fixed Series: Fixed on You | Found in You | Forever with You | Hudson | Fixed Forever

  Found Duet: Free Me | Find Me

  Chandler (a spinoff novel)

  Falling Under You (a spinoff novella)
/>
  Dirty Filthy Fix (a spinoff novella)

  Slay Saga Slay One: Rivalry | Slay Two: Ruin | Slay Three: Revenge | Slay Four: Rising

  * * *

  The Dirty Universe

  Dirty Filthy Rich Boys - READ FREE

  Dirty Duet: Dirty Filthy Rich Men | Dirty Filthy Rich Love

  Dirty Sexy Bastard - READ FREE

  Dirty Games Duet: Dirty Sexy Player | Dirty Sexy Games

  Dirty Sweet Duet: Sweet Liar | Sweet Fate

  Dirty Filthy Fix (a spinoff novella)

  Dirty Wild Trilogy: Coming 2020

  * * *

  First and Last

  First Touch | Last Kiss

  * * *

  Spark - short, steamy sparks of romance

  One More Time

  Ryder Brothers Close

  Want by Kayti McGee | More by JD Hawkins

  * * *

  Hollywood Heat

  Sex Symbol | Star Struck

  * * *

  Written with Sierra Simone

  Porn Star | Hot Cop

  * * *

  Written with Kayti McGee under the name Laurelin McGee

  Miss Match | Love Struck | MisTaken | Holiday for Hire

  Acknowledgments and Author’s Note

  It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed writing a story as much as I enjoyed writing this one. Audrey is such a breath of fresh air. It’s hard not to be happy and humming when in her world. But it’s Dylan who stole my heart. His grumpy cat soul is such a kindred spirit, and, writing him, I was able to remember the passion that I had in younger years, able to bring it into my life again in subtle ways. He definitely made a difficult journey out of the dark night into the sun, and I feel like he dragged me right along with him.

  * * *

  On another note for those who might find this interesting, Aaron’s cellulitis came directly from personal experience. I was writing Forever with You at the time and was hospitalized for a very scary face infection. It was painful, and I was too miserable at the time to focus on the possible outcomes, though my husband was pretty darn terrified through the whole ordeal. It was particularly harrowing when the first antibiotic I was on wasn’t working and the swelling reached the tip of my nose and the outer corners of my eyes. The medical staff greatly feared a brain infection was on the horizon. After it appeared I was on the road to recovery, one doctor said to me, “Thank God for antibiotics. This would have killed you a hundred years ago.” Yes. Thank God for antibiotics.

  * * *

  As always, my heart is full of gratitude for a gaggle of people.

  My sweet, kickass team, Candi Kane, Melissa Gaston—nothing is possible without you two. You’re as much Laurelin Paige as I am. Thank you for always being by my side, encouraging me, ranting with me, sharing all your love. Thank you for being two of my best friends.

  Kayti McGee, my other half and plot submissive—you’re the Audrey to my Dylan. You fucking ray of sunshine. (Ferda).

  Rebecca Friedman my sweet friend (and agent!). I’m more grateful for your presence in my life than you could ever know.

  * * *

  Amy “Vox” Libris and Roxie Madar—you ladies push me in the most delicious ways. Thank you for putting up with my plot talks and my constant need for validation.

  * * *

  Erica Russikoff—this past May, my life coach (yes, I’m one of those people) told me I needed to find an editor who loved my words and felt as passionate about the stories I wanted to tell as I did. I hadn’t even set out on the search yet when Erica approached me at a signing, and she is EVERYTHING I could want in a collaborator and more. From now on, Erica. Always, always Erica.

  Michele Ficht—thank you for finding all my flaws. You’re absolutely flawless.

  * * *

  Andi Arndt and Marni Coleman at Lyric Audio and Carly Robins and Shane East—what a fantastic group to be working with! Thank you for all the eargasms.

  * * *

  Alyssa Garcia at Uplifting Designs for giving character to the pages.

  Lauren Blakely—you’re my friend, but also my mentor. You can’t know how giddy I get when I wake up to voice messages from you, left while you’re walking your dogs. You have so many inspiring thoughts, and it’s a privilege to get to be part of your brainstorming. Thanks so much for all the guidance on the audio for these, and for so many other things that it’s an incredible job to even try to catalog.

  Sadia Ashraf and Gina Goff—I’m so thrilled to be on this new adventure with you ladies. I can’t wait for what’s on the horizon.

  My LARCS and my Instagram team—you ladies make magic happen, and I’ll never stop being grateful.

  * * *

  The Sky Launchers—your enthusiasm for my work is humbling and healing. Thank you.

  My readers all around the world—thank you for this wild ride you’ve let me take. You make my life incredible.

  My Snatches, Melanie Harlow, Kayti McGee, Sierra Simone—true sisters for life. #snakes #neverforget

  Emma Hart—it’s like old times, except you’re telling me the British words for things instead of vice versa. Thanks for being my source across the pond.

  * * *

  Liz and Steve Berry—such good hosts, such great friends, such good people. Nineteen years looks good on you. Jillian Stein, you’re automatically included when I mention Liz. Do you even exist separately?

  CD Reiss—whatever happens next in your career, you must always continue to let me burden you with the tough discussions of our time. There’s no one who looks as thoroughly at the “issues” as you do, and I’m so grateful to be able to bounce my worst thoughts in your direction.

  My mother, husband, and daughters—what a crazy, kooky bunch you are! I love you all and can’t imagine our lives any other way.

  My God—you never fail to turn my darkness into light. (Psalms 18:28)

  About Laurelin Paige

  With millions of books sold worldwide, Laurelin Paige is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author. Her international success started with her very first series, the Fixed Trilogy, which, alone, has sold over 1 million copies, and earned her the coveted #1 spot on Amazon’s bestseller list in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia, simultaneously. This title also was named in People magazine as one of the top 10 most downloaded books of 2014. She’s also been #1 over all books at the Apple Book Store with more than one title in more than one country. She’s published both independently and with MacMillan’s St. Martin’s Press and Griffin imprints as well as many other publishers around the world including Harper Collins in Germany and Hachette/Little Brown in the U.K. With her edgy, trope-flipped stories of smart women and strong men, she’s managed to secure herself among today’s romance royalty.

  * * *

  Paige has a Bachelor’s degree in Musical Theater and a Masters of Business Administration with a Marketing emphasis, and she credits her writing success to what she learned from both programs, though she’s also an avid learner, constantly trying to challenge her mind with new and exciting ideas and concepts. While she loves psychological thrillers and witty philosophical books and entertainment, she is a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Game of Thrones or The Walking Dead, or dreaming of Michael Fassbender. She's also a proud member of Mensa International though she doesn't do anything with the organization except use it as material for her bio. She currently lives outside Austin, Texas and is represented by Rebecca Friedman.

  * * *

  www.laurelinpaige.com

  laurelinpaigeauthor@gmail.com

 

 

 
ith friends