by Sam Crescent
EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ®
www.evernightpublishing.com
Copyright© 2020 Sam Crescent
ISBN: 978-0-3695-0277-3
Cover Artist: Jay Aheer
Editor: Audrey Bobak
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
YOU BELONG TO ME
Sam Crescent
Copyright © 2020
Chapter One
Quinn Powell stared down at the picture his sister Dorothy had sent him. Just looking at it twisted his gut and set him on fire with a need that shook him. It was of her twenty-first birthday party three years ago, which he hadn’t been able to attend, and beside her stood Kaley Woods, her best friend.
Dorothy had always been a force to reckon with. The moment she met Kaley in nursery school, they’d been best friends. No one could separate the two even if they wanted to. Their parents were overjoyed by their strong friendship as neither would do anything to risk the other. Kaley wouldn’t go out to any wild parties, which meant Dorothy found other ways to occupy her time. Dorothy wouldn’t sit in the library all day reading books, so Kaley found ways to be with her friend. They were like chalk and cheese, yet the best of friends. Watching them grow up had been fun. Quinn was a good ten years older than the girls and had been expected to get them out of trouble even though they rarely misbehaved. Kaley seldom spoke more than a few words at a time to him and he’d done everything to try to get her to say more.
I want her. She belongs to me.
Over the years, he’d noticed Kaley was a shy girl, almost withdrawn, apart from when she was with Dorothy. His sister brought Kaley out of her shell and forced her to live in the real world rather than her imaginary one of books.
It’s time to take her and not let her get away anymore. He ran his thumb over her picture, falling for her smile like he’d fallen for every single part of her over the last few years. She was a beautiful woman yet hid behind large clothing and glasses she didn’t need. He’d seen her slide them up into her hair several times as she moved around the house. Whenever he entered a room, the glasses would conveniently fall down onto her face, hiding her away. He didn’t know why she was avoiding him, only that it would no longer work. He wanted her. She’d lived the past six years without any interference from him.
When she’d turned eighteen, Quinn had had every intention of getting to know her better, to seduce her. Dorothy asked him to let Kaley live her life, to go to college without the fear of an older, scarier boyfriend. His sister cared about him but she also cared about her friend. Dorothy only asked for him to give Kaley a chance to live her life through college. She hadn’t said anything about the future. He’d given his sister Kaley’s college years, and the last time he’d spoken to her, he’d made his intentions known. He was coming back home to make Kaley his. His sister no longer demanded he stay away and had in fact started to send him pictures.
He was a Navy SEAL and had the pleasure of working with a fine group of men who all worked for special top-secret operations that risked his life on a daily basis. He’d just signed the papers for his final mission. He was getting out and, at the age of thirty-five, he was going to finally marry his woman.
After handing everything over, he grabbed his bag and looked at his friend Dale.
“Are you sure about this? There’s nothing more exciting out there.”
Quinn shook Dale’s hand. “I don’t need excitement anymore. I’ve got everything I wanted out of this life. It’s time for me to move on.”
“The guys are all going to miss you.”
“I may be out but that doesn’t mean you can’t come and visit me. I’ll be expecting you.” He withdrew his hand, offering a smile. “Come visit me and I’ll buy you all a beer.”
“Will do. The men are going to want to see the woman that has you leaving our asses.” Dale tucked the form under his arm. “How are you getting home?”
“Plane, taxi. Dorothy has refused to come and get me. She’s at the apartment where I’ll be staying.”
“Okay. Your sister is waiting to give you a long talk, right?”
“You know her well. She’ll be ready to have my ass if I in any way ruin her friendship with Kaley.”
“Ah, the mystery woman has a name.”
Shaking his head, Quinn turned and headed out into the sunshine. He loved the summer a hell of a lot more than he did the winter. Everything always looked brighter. Climbing in the back of the guys’ car, he laughed as they talked nonstop about his leaving. They were all good men and he’d miss them.
Quinn stood in the airport and he took out the picture his sister had sent last. It had been taken four months ago at Kaley’s twenty-fourth birthday. His sister knew about his feelings for her friend and had expressed her concern, but she hadn’t stopped sending pictures of Kaley.
His woman smiled back at the camera. In front of her was a large, chocolate-frosted cake. For the first time in a picture, the glasses weren’t present and he was able to see her dark-brown eyes. She smiled and it lit up her whole face, making his chest tighten and his cock harden unbearably. Her hair was unbound and curled around her shoulders. The dress she wore showed a great deal of cleavage, more daring than anything he’d seen her in as the hem ended before her knee. Kaley was pressing the knife into the cake. She practically sparkled with joy.
Quinn had already set the wheels in motion for him to be out of the SEALs. This picture had only confirmed what he would do. It would only be a matter of time before another man saw what he did and fought past her boundaries to get to the woman within. He saw the sensuality trapped inside her. The need in her eyes to be taken, to be loved, shone brightly back at him. There was so much need inside her he was surprised Dorothy hadn’t pushed one of her male friends onto Kaley. His sister hadn’t, and so, Quinn was finally ready to make Kaley his. He’d be the one to unlock the passion inside her. He alone would reap the rewards, and when it was all over, he’d be the one she fell in love with.
All he needed to do was persevere. It wasn’t hard. He’d been a Navy SEAL—seducing a woman would be a walk in the park.
****
“I’m going to head to the library,” Kaley said, putting all her notes into her bag. She’d taken an extra class at the college to pass her time.
“Okay.” Dorothy appeared out of the kitchen, holding a wooden spoon. “You’re going to be gone until this evening, right?”
Kaley frowned at the hopeful look on her friend’s face. “Huh? What’s going on?”
“Nothing. Nothing’s going on.” Dorothy rubbed the end of the wooden spoon against her head. Thick chocolate batter coated it, looking way too tempting.
Her suspicions rose as she looked at Dorothy. “You’re acting strangely.”
“It’s summer. The heat is getting to me.”
Shrugging, Kaley put her satchel over her shoulder. She worked at the library five days a week and spent most of her evenings there while she studied. When she wasn’t working or studying, she wrote. Kaley loved to write stories, explicit stories filled with adventure and intrigue.
“Do you want me to pick something up for dinner?”
“Nah, I’m going to cook.”
Again, her suspicions rose. Between the pair of them, Dorothy rarely cooked while Kaley
loved to. “I’m a little confused right now. Who’s coming to dinner?”
“No one. I’ve got the need to cook.”
With her hands on her hips, Kaley stared back at her friend. Dorothy’s face became devoid of any emotion.
“You can keep looking at me all you want, Kaley Woods. I’m not doing anything wrong. I need to cook and it’s not your day in the kitchen, it’s mine.”
Shaking her head, Kaley walked to the door, guilty for her suspicions about her friend. “I’ll see you later.”
“Take care.”
“I will.” She closed their apartment door, making her way downstairs toward the entrance. Kaley walked the several blocks to the city library. It was a busy Friday morning, and she dodged as many people as possible on her way. The only problem with living in the city was the constant busyness of the people. They were always on the go, refusing to stop or apologize for banging into you.
Dropping her glasses onto her face, she tucked her head down, crossing her arms over her breasts as she walked up the entrance steps.
On the way inside, she stopped at the business section, gathering six books she’d need for studying.
Martha, a librarian in her forties, nodded at her. “You’re back again.” Martha had given her the job, showing her the ropes. Kaley liked the woman, considered her a friend.
“Yeah, studying.”
“Honey, you’re twenty-four years old. Surely there’s a man out there waiting for you.”
For some reason, Quinn, Dorothy’s brother, came to mind. Rubbing at her temples, she tried to force memories of him away. “No, no one.”
“You’re a beautiful young woman, Kaley. You need to stop hiding behind those glasses and those books.” Martha shook her head.
Not knowing what to say, she took the books toward the study area. She removed her satchel, pulled out her notebooks, and started to work. Every now and then she’d rub at her temple to try to clear the thoughts of Quinn.
He was the one person who always invaded her thoughts whenever anyone talked about a man. He made her so nervous that she made every excuse she could not to be in the same room alone with him. Since he became a SEAL, something had changed. He stared at her all the time. Each time he held her gaze, she was sure he saw a hell of a lot more than she would have liked. No matter what she tried to hide, Quinn seemed to know about the desires running through her body.
You’re losing your mind again.
There was no way Quinn could know. Her desires were locked up tight on her laptop where her stories were saved. Dorothy didn’t even know about her more illicit stories. Kaley liked to write about alpha males who knew what they wanted and did everything in their power to show the woman how they felt. They were dominant, protective, and so damn sexy they made her wet just writing them.
Opening the first book, she pressed her thighs together to try to stem the arousal working its way up her body.
She took notes on the values and needs of business, only to stop as Quinn’s handsome image came to mind again. Pausing, she pulled her cell phone out of her jeans’ pocket to bring up his picture. This was one of the pictures Dorothy had sent her, one taken with her phone, a shot of Kaley and Quinn. Quinn’s thick arms drew her gaze first. Growing up, he’d been tall but not filled out. Since joining the SEALs, Quinn had filled out. His arms were huge, well defined by muscle. They showed his hard work. In fact, the whole of his body showed his hard work.
Shutting off the phone, she forced all memories of Quinn out of her mind. No, she wouldn’t be thinking about him. He was off-limits.
He wasn’t just Dorothy’s brother, he was intimidating as hell. She rarely spoke to him and wouldn’t be alone with him anytime soon.
What if he’s got a girlfriend?
Licking her suddenly dry lips, Kaley stared straight ahead at the lines of books. Books never scared her or made her want something she couldn’t have.
Running fingers through her messy brown hair, she finally pushed Quinn aside. He was invading her study time. When she was done, she’d make a quick stop at the store for some chocolate ice cream and a movie. Ice cream and a movie would make her feel better. Well, the ice cream would. Dorothy wouldn’t ask too many questions if she appeared with ice cream, providing a romance movie came with.
Chapter Two
Quinn grunted as Dorothy threw herself into his arms. “You made it.”
“I would have been here sooner if my sister picked me up.”
She blew a raspberry. “I’m already letting you crash here. Besides, don’t you feel like a loser staying with your much younger sister?”
Closing the door, he dropped his bag. “You haven’t told Kaley I’m coming, have you?” He knew his sister well.
“You’re in love with my friend. I know Kaley better than anyone, Quinn. If she knew you were coming here to stay, she’d be going back home. I don’t know why she’s so skittish around you.” Dorothy shrugged. “Anyway, she’s at the library and will be for the next”—she stopped to look down at her watch—“three hours. You’re safe to unpack.”
They lived in a three-bedroom apartment. Both of their families had chipped in to make sure the girls weren’t in any danger. The apartment building was a good one and located in a decent part of the city. Quinn wouldn’t have Kaley living anywhere else, neither would he let Dorothy.
Folding his arms over his chest, he stared at Dorothy. “What’s to say she won’t run away?”
“I won’t let her. I’ve already got a date lined up. My plan is to sit and eat, then remember I’ve got a date, leaving the two of you together. If I don’t, she’ll come up with a reason to be out of the apartment. It’ll work.”
“How do you feel about me dating Kaley?”
“You’re not interrogating me, Quinn. I’m happy for you both.” She cut off to start laughing. “Actually, it’ll be fun to see you working hard for something you want in life.” She snorted. “Kaley’s not so easily taken with muscles and your SEAL past.”
“You’re already a pain in my ass.”
“I’m the enjoyable pain, brother. I’ll leave you to get settled. I’m making Kaley’s favorite. Chicken parmesan. I’m going to need her to forgive me, otherwise, I’ll kick your ass.”
Once he picked his bag up, Quinn crossed the apartment to the spare bedroom. Before he opened the door, he couldn’t help but take a peek in the other room. Kaley’s room.
After opening the door, he stepped inside then closed it quickly so Dorothy wouldn’t interrupt him.
The room was feminine. The walls were plain white and the bedding was a light peach color, as were the curtains. The desk held several creams pushed to one side. What dominated the desk was her closed laptop. Beside her laptop was a notebook. He picked up the notebook, flipping through the pages to see lots of notes.
Quinn closed the book, not wanting to take his invasion into her privacy any further. His years as a SEAL had taught him to play dirty as well as nice. Standing near the edge of the bed, he closed his eyes, inhaling her floral scent. He moved over to her single bookshelf that was full to bursting with books. He ran his fingers over each well-worn spine. Kaley had always been a reader, a lover of all books. He used to like watching her read with the way her tongue stuck out as she did.
He quickly looked through her collection of books, seeing some more erotic titles among the educational ones. He hadn’t expected her to have any sexy titles and he liked this side of Kaley. His woman liked to read sexy stories. Quinn could work with that. Did she wish she were the heroine in some of the books? He’d gladly play out all of her fantasies. He would remember the titles so he could look for them.
Seconds later, he left her bedroom and entered his own. The walls were white and Dorothy had put some blue sheets on the bed. He went to the window to look out over the city. Their parents all lived in a small town in the country where fields as far as the eye could see surrounded them. The city never appealed to him, however, he knew how important it was to
start up a business within the city. Security was a good business to use all of the skills he’d built up in the SEALs.
Once his company was established and Kaley finished her degree, he’d be finding them a place back home. Quinn intended to stick to his business plan. He had the money and the contacts. All he needed to do was see his dream come true. In the last couple of years, he’d dabbled in the stock market, investing in products and companies, which had shown a great return.
He unpacked quickly then answered the texts sent by his parents before making his way out toward his sister. She was bent over, putting a dish into the oven.
“Shut up, don’t speak.” She closed the oven, rubbing at her brow. “You better make sure Kaley loves you. I hate cooking and only ever make sandwiches when it’s my night.”
“You’re making it up to her for not telling her about me?”
“Yeah. You asked to stay here. If you weren’t my brother, I’d leave everything up to you.”
“I appreciate you helping me.” He leaned against the doorframe, staring at his frazzled sister. For the most part, Dorothy always came across as easygoing. Nothing stressed her, yet this did. “I’m not going to hurt her. Kaley will be safe with me.”
“I know. Don’t go into her bedroom again. She likes her space to be private.”
“I saw the notebook and laptop. What’s that all about?”
“Kaley likes to write. I haven’t been allowed to see any of her stories but I’ve heard her typing away late at night. It’s what she likes to do.”
He’d be looking at those stories. They were important to her. He could sense it.
“I’m trying to get to know as much of her as possible.” He moved toward the kettle. “She’ll be fine. Stop worrying.” He made himself a coffee while making his sister tea. She didn’t need anything else to make her skittish.