Finally through crying, I stared at Summer. How breathtakingly beautiful she was, especially with moonlight streaming down on her.
“Tomorrow, your life is new. What do you want, Dane?”
“You,” I whispered back. “I want you.”
“Of course you do, darling.” She smiled at me before leaning closer, her lips above mine.
“I’ve fantasized about this moment for years. From the day we met, in fact. The play party was amazing, but this . . . this is . . .”
“Shh. Don’t ruin the moment.” Summer put her finger against my lips, shushing me. Right before her lips pressed to mine, and she kissed me. Not like earlier, but slow and methodical. Passionate.
Exactly the kind of kiss I’d been hoping for. Fantasizing about.
Only this time, she let me be the man and I completely took advantage of it.
A simple kiss turned into a slow, passionate kiss. One I wouldn’t soon forget.
Instead of getting the fuckfest I’d initially hoped for, what I got—what we did—was so much more than a fast fuck.
So much more.
So much so, that we had sex all night and didn’t even consider falling asleep until the moonlight we’d made love under turned into daylight the next morning.
And while most days, I’d be stoked to share what we had, it was so life-altering that for the first time in my life, I wanted to keep this one special thing our little secret—mine and Summerlan West.
Not the woman who saved my life five years ago, but someone so much more.
So you can understand why my heart deflated when I woke that afternoon and I was alone.
Knox pushed into my room and opened the blinds, then stood in front of me staring. Smiling.
“Wake up, sleeping beauty. The clock struck midnight and the ball is over. Time to get the hell out of my apartment.”
“Dude, seriously?” I blinked and narrowed my eyes, trying to adjust to the sunlight streaming in through the open blinds.
“I feel absolutely nothing for you this morning. You fucked up my first night with Summer, and I’m still kind of pissed about that.”
Knox stood there beside my bed, glaring at me. Then he started to smile.
“So you’re not pissed then.” My eyebrows rose and I glared at him.
“Nah. I kind of spent the night with Luna, so . . . I guess I’ll forgive you. This once. I mean, you are leaving and never coming back.”
Shaking my head, I laid back down on my pillow and stared up at the ceiling fan spinning over my head.
“Anyway, I’m leaving in an hour to head back to the city. The movers already got your shit and have taken everything into your apartment. Summer asked me to give you a ride home.”
Feeling deflated, I let out a breath and closed my eyes.
After the night we’d just had, I was really hoping something had changed between us, but apparently not.
Taking a deep breath, I blew it out as my phone dinged from the bedside table.
“Train leaves in an hour. Get your ass up and get out of my apartment.” Knox clicked his tongue before leaving my room and closing the door behind him.
I leaned up and glanced over to my phone, then saw an envelope with my name on it.
Eyes narrowed, I sat up and grabbed the envelope, carefully tearing it open. I couldn’t help but smile at the note she had left for me:
My darling Dane:
The last five years have been wonderful. I do not regret one moment with you, including last night. You have your entire life ahead of you now. And despite what you may think, you do not owe me anything. I will always be here for you, if you ever need me. Inside this envelope, you will find two keys: one is to your new apartment which I have purchased for you as a gift, and the other is for your room here at Scandal—should you ever choose to use it—you will always have a home here with us.
Don’t let your past define you, darling. Take this second chance and make the most of it. Look towards your future because from what I can see, it’s going to be beautiful.
All my love,
Summer
Eyes watering, I leaned back and wiped away the remnants of my emotions.
Summer did so much more for me than just buying me an apartment or getting me my big break in the fashion industry. She taught me how to be human again. How to be a good man that knows how to treat women. Maybe even how to love.
So while I had no clue where the next adventure would take me, I knew I could never repay Summer for what she’d done for me, and I was very happy I had a key to Scandal, which meant an open invitation to be part of her harem.
I smiled then, my gaze taking in the words of her letter one more time.
Summerlan West saved me, and I owed her everything.
I vowed then that I wouldn’t waste the second chance she’d given me. I only hoped the beautiful future she had promised was more than just wishful thinking.
The End
Enjoyed this Boys of Summer short story? Dane will be getting his very own series, Under the Covers, coming in the summer of 2021.
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About the Authors
USA Today Bestselling Authors Caia & Daniel are blissfully married partners-in-poly-crime co-writing romantic tales of Happily Ever Afters. Living their very own Second Chance Romance, they pen steamy #WhyChoose tales, specializing in MMF Ménage while also dabbling in FFM, RH, and even some BDSM.
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Tempting the Huntress
Millwood Academy - The Beginning
Tanya Dawson
About Millwood Academy – The Beginning
I always told myself I’d never fall in love – then I met Hazen. The following are the events as best that I can remember. This is what happened to lead me to Millwood Academy.
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NOTE
Please note that this series has explicit sexual content. This book is a novella and prequel to the Millwood Academy Series. It explores one of Penelope’s relationships in her Harem.
One
“All right, everyone. Listen up,” Nelly’s voice echoes from down the hallway. Her heels clack against the hardwood with each step, striking like lightning, calling everyone to attention. “I’ve got a new one to introduce to you all, a replacement for Billy.”
A male stands in her shadow until she steps to the side and motions for him to move forward. He’s in his early twenties, blond, and unfortunately, very easy on the eyes. His gaze falls on me and when our eyes meet, he sends me a wink. I let out a deep sigh and step behind Joseph. Seve
ral of the female mutts fall for his charm. I’m not surprised. It’s not like we had many options in the dating field. We were hunters, and we kill our own kind. Not exactly a job you want to put on a dating app.
“No hanky panky, children.” The irritability in her tone drips with each word. She narrows her left eyelid and scans the room. “I’ve got an important job coming up. Selections are tonight. Rest up.” She turns and walks out of the room. We all breathe a little easier as the sound of her heels grow distant.
No one could replace Billy. I let him down, and I’d get my revenge soon enough. “We don’t need another hunter,” I mumble loud enough for him to hear - but not Nelly.
“Sounds like you do.” He shoves his hands in his pockets and packs a killer smile at everyone in the room, “I’m Hazen.”
Several of the male mutts surround him, and hand slapping happens. The females stand around in a pack, just waiting for any kind of interaction with the new hunter.
I grab my backpack and head to the back of the room. I’d been one of Nelly’s hunters ever since my guide dropped me off on her doorstep late one night after they took my family. The deal was, we were her’s until we turn eighteen, then we were free – if we survive that long. The typical life of a hunter was only three years—most of our jobs involve full bloods – which most mutts don’t survive.
Here I sit at twenty – still under Nelly’s thumb. Even if I was given my freedom, it’s not like I had anywhere to go. I didn’t have a family or friends. No means of making a normal living.
I’m needed here, the only mutt hunter that could kill a full blood ten times over, without dying. Hunting came naturally to me. Perhaps it was the anger I held inside.
“It’s nice to meet you.” Hazen stood in front of me, holding out his hand.
I pull out a book from my bag and flip through the pages. Uninterested in batting my lashes with the new hunter.
“Nice to meet you, Hazen.” He said as he grabs the closest chair and pulls it up in front of me, turning it around and wrapping his long legs around it.
His scent is clean but distinctive. Musk mixed with sandalwood and a hint of lavender. His dominate is Fae – an odd thing for a hunter. He’d be weaker than most.
“I’m studying. I suggest you do the same.” I flip through the book and stop on a page I had already memorized a million times.
“I’m good.” He said.
I didn’t have to look at him to tell he’s smiling ear to ear. I let out a sigh and turn my page. Soon enough, he’ll take the hint.
“I can teach you a thing or two.” He grabs my book and stands up.
“Give that back now.” I was on my feet within seconds. This wasn’t the first cocky hunter we had added to our pack. With any luck, after tonight, I’d never have to see him again.
“Give me five minutes of your time.” He held the book up well above my reach.
“Don’t waste your time on Penelope,” Bridgette walks behind him and runs her hand across his wide muscular shoulders, “Come play with me.” She walks to the door that leads to our dormitories. Wiggling her index finger and licking her lips.
Bridgette had been with the pack for two years, a fair hunter, they never sent her out on full blood hunts but she was out most night's hunting mutts. She lives for new fresh male hunters and left many broken hearts as she flipped from one to another – often bating the dumb mutts into fights.
She would be pretty enough, but her mouth ruins any good looks she has. Somehow, I didn’t want him to run after her, like so many of the others had. I watch his expression as he looks from her to me. He’s not even tempted. To my surprise, the corners of my lips turn into a smile. “Four minutes.”
He grins and hands me back my book. “I’ll follow you.”
“I’ll see you around,” Bridgette calls to him, while her fingers curl her over bleached blond hair. “Don’t get to close to that one. We don’t know what she is. She might bite – you don’t want rabies.”
The smirk on his face and the heavy gaze he shot my way, warn me he might like that.
I push my backpack into his stomach, “Carry this, mutt.” I shove past him and head out the side door into the garden. His sneakers squeak on the freshly waxed floor as he tries to keep up.
I open the door, and the smell of herbs hits me hard - it was my happy place. I did most of the gardening and playing with potions for hunts. It came naturally to me. The smells of the herbs together made sense and guided me. I’d gotten Nelly out of a few jams with concoctions.
“What did she mean back there?” Hazen was right on my heels as I suddenly stop. Crashing into my body. His massive arms wrap around my small waist as he tries to stop me from tumbling over. The heat from his breath on the back of my neck brings me to a full blush. He holds on for longer than he has to.
I reach down and place my hands on his, fully intending to pull them apart so I can make my escape. Instead, they linger. His hands are soft, and his energy mixed with mine is pleasureful.
I finally pull away, and as my eyes meet his, I can see his surprise.
I wasn’t one for flings. Well, maybe a few times. But they had to be strangers. Someone I could get away from and would never see again. Someone I couldn’t fall for - even if I wanted to.
“No one listens to Bridgette,” I said – it was partially correct. She wasn’t what I would call a friend, but I trust her on hunts. She had my back. Likely because I had saved hers many times. I start off again and break off the main path.
“How long have you been here?” He catches up with me and matches my stride. My bag flung over his shoulder.
“Long enough.” I stop at my cherry tree and feel the soil.
“Do you like it?” His shadow shades my view as I gather petals.
“It’s okay for a pack, I guess.” I kneel on the ground and scoop up some soil, something I used to stabilize my potions. It was also good to hide the scent of the mixture when we were in the woods. I could take the stench off any mutt, to make them seem human.
“Is this your first pack?” Hazen sits down on the grass a few feet from me, bringing his knees to his chest, wrapping his arms around them.
“Why all the questions?” I sit back on my feet and face him. I want to read his body language to see what Nelly saw in him. So far, he seems like some cocky jock high school football player.
“Just trying to get to know you.” He doesn’t smile. His eyes are almost black.
He was reading me.
I reach over for my bag and dig inside for a book. Basic 101 hunting info. I throw it over to the left of him. “Start with this. Lesson’s won’t start until Monday. I doubt she will pull you on tonight’s hunt.”
“Thank you.” He picks up the book in a way that tells me he’s not going to read it.
“This is serious shit. Mutts get killed all the time on hunts.” My voice rises, my hands shake, and my cheeks get red. Typical new hunter. Full of themselves and eager to get out in the field. A burden on real hunters, having to look out for them and kill their prey.
“I’m not saying it isn’t. It’s just easier for some to hunt than others.” Hazen leans back and rests on his hands as he stretches out his legs.
I’ll never hunt with you.
I turn my attention back to gathering whatever is around me. It doesn’t matter that I can’t use it in a potion. I just need to ground myself against his arrogance.
“I don’t want to offend you. I’m sure you would agree, there are some hunters better than others.” Hazen sits up and wraps his large hand around my wrist, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“I think lazy hunters die, and so do cocky ones,” I said, staring him square in the face.
Hazen let go of my wrist and lowers his eyes, rubbing his two palms together. The first time I see an uncertain emotion from him.
“Nelly told me what happened to Billy. I’m sorry…”
The old metal bell clangs and thankfully cuts him off. It was time for select
ions to begin. I shake my head as if I could get him out of it. I need my focus for the hunt. If this was a special mission, Nelly would choose me to lead.
“It’s time.” When I peek back to Hazen, he was already on his feet with his hand extended to me.
I place my hand on the ground and spring up, “Let’s go. Nelly doesn’t like it when hunters are late.”
I grab my backpack and run towards the door. Hazen is behind me and stays just out of my side view. We reach the hall, and most of the hunters are already sitting at tables. Nelly stands on the stage, with four backpacks on the floor.
Hazen and I slip into the back as I watch Nelly’s eyes. She’s too preoccupied to catch our tardiness.
“I need four hunters tonight. Skill above all and teamwork. I want these hunters to come home safe.” Nelly hesitates for a moment and clears her throat as she flips through her papers.
I have a quick look around the room to see if anyone else caught that, but they are all oblivious except for Carrigan. Our eyes meet with the same unsteadiness. Nelly wasn’t one to be afraid. Carrigan had been around for almost the same time I had been. He was smart and quick. I trusted him on full blood hunts, something I couldn’t say about many in this room.
“To say this mission will be difficult is an understatement.” Nelly pushes aside her papers and steps to the side of the podium. “It’s a full blood hunt. One like we have not seen before.”
Wicked Souls: A Limited Edition Reverse Harem Romance Collection Page 106