Drowning (Tears of Sin Series)

by Rachel Firasek

  “I thought I didn't have to go.”

  “You don't have to yet, but you will. I'm not over it yet.” She rolls toward me, and I ignore the lancing pain in my side.

  “Alice.” I’m okay with her making me pay, for now, but eventually she’d have to get past this if we were going to have any kind of relationship together.

  “Don't. No declarations while I can't see your eyes. I know. I think I know. Just don't.”

  I drop to the pillow and breathe through the ache in my chest. The phone in my pocket buzzes and I take it out. “Hello?”

  “Seth James?”

  “Yes.”

  “This is Captain Ryder. We have Mr. Harrison in custody. I just thought I’d let you know that you can rest easy.”

  I hang up and wrap her in my arms and kiss her forehead. She's shaking, and I know that her armor is only skin deep. Below, she's just as scared as I am. “They have your dad.”

  “I kind of figured it wouldn’t take them long.”

  “Why are you shivering?” I brush my hands down her arms.

  “I can’t believe it’s over.” A tear leaks from her and onto my arm. “I can finally live.”

  Three weeks have passed since Harrison was arrested, and eventually, we’ll all have to prepare for court. Alice has been staying here in my dad’s house while I recover, but in a different room.

  “Al?” I peek around the partially closed door to the guest room.

  She's bent into a pretzel on the floor. Hot and sweaty, but hot in a different way too. My cock jumps against my zipper. She slips and bumps against the floor.

  “Shit. I didn't mean to startle you.” I reach down and lift her to her feet. “Baby, you don't have to kill yourself.”

  She laughs. “This is how I stay in shape and relieve stress.”

  I lean against the door jam and shove my hands in my pockets. I quirk a brow at her, twist my lips, and give her my most evil grin. “You're stressed?”

  We both laugh.

  I’m kind of nervous about dealing with her right now because she’s keeping me at such a distance. “Do you want to go out of for lunch today?”

  “I'm having lunch with your dad in his den at noon.”

  I haven't been able to get her out of the house in three weeks. I'm not sure how to break through the wall she's built. My face has been healed for days and I'm glad to look normal. The bruising is still there, but it's fading. My ribs are still a few weeks from being perfect, but I feel much better.

  “Care if I join you?” I’m almost to the point of begging. I miss spending time with her.

  “Actually, I do.”

  Okay, not what I expected. Seth zero. Alice one-hundred-and-one. That’s how many times I’ve tried to make plans with her. “You know, you can't stay here forever.”

  She laughs. “Kicking me out, already?”

  “Hell no. I want you here, but it's not healthy. To hide like this.” To hide from me. I’d get through to her somehow.

  “That's what you think I've been doing?” She rakes a towel beneath her hair, wiping the sweat from the back of her neck. Her clean up routine is almost as hot as her workout.

  “Well, yeah, isn't it?”

  “No, it's not.”

  “Then what is it?”

  She grabs the side of my face and pulls me down. Her lips meet mine and meld us together, but the kiss is too brief. “I've been making sure you stay home and rest. If I'd have let you, you'd be out, playing the drums or taking care of everyone else.”

  She's right, and I feel duped. “You are in so much trouble.”

  “You going to spank me?” Her eyebrow darts up and a smile tips up one side of her mouth. “I dare you.”

  She’s come so far with me. The last time I’d mentioned spanking, she’d nearly left me for good.

  “Woman, you’re killing me.” I grab her hand and lead her to the den. “Sure I can't join you for lunch?”

  “Nope.” She slips inside, and I'm left to wander about the house by myself.

  Evan walks through the front door followed by Deacon, who is getting around much better than we all expected. I give them a half-hearted wave. “Hey guys, what's up?”

  “Meeting.” Deacon and Evan disappear inside the den without another word. Gabe thumbs my left nut on the way past and slips inside. It's tearing me up, and I can't take it anymore. Why would everyone else get to go in there and I'm not invited?

  I slam through the door, and they all glance up. Alice is signing something. She stops and glances up at me, a big cheesy smile plastered on her face. “Hey baby. Just couldn't wait for me, huh?”

  They all look happy. Not guilty. What the fuck. “What is going on here?”

  Alice stands and rushes up to me. “You are going to be so famous. I couldn't let you go on your own. I just signed with the J Squared record label.”

  All the beatings finally warped her mind. “What are you talking about?”

  Gabe grabs my shoulder and slams me into a chair. “Read this.”

  I grab the paper and skim through the recording contract. “What is this?”

  Gabe’s chest puffs out. “Well, you know that little penny stock I had.”

  I scan through the paper. “Yeah?”

  “It turned into a hot deal for me, and I bought a label. We're the J Squared recording company.”

  “You bought a recording company?” I look at my dad. Alice sits on the arm of my chair, running her hand along my neck. I can’t keep my dick from stirring at her touch. What the fuck is going on? “Is this for real?”

  My dad nods. “Legal and legit.”

  My stomach is turning. Alice slides to my lap. “You knew?”

  “Only for the last few days.” She smiles and kisses me. “It’s a big deal, huh?”

  “It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of.”

  She nips my chin. “I thought I was your dreams.”

  “You are my reality. And it’s a damn fine life I live. I love you, Alice.” I intended on giving her a chaste kiss, but she licks against my mouth, and I’m lost. I thrust my tongue between her lips and steal as much of her as I can before she withdraws. My brother, friends, and dad hoot in the background.

  She gives me three quick pecks to end the kiss. “Seth, don’t ever let anyone tell you you aren’t a hero. I love you, and you’ve saved me. I’m glad I’m your reality, because you’re my dreams, my home, and my family. My hero.”

  “So, if you love me, and I’m your hero, why have you been keeping me at arm's distance?”

  She smacks my chest. “You’ve been injured, dummy.” She nips my chin. “What kind of girlfriend would I be if I demand sex while you can’t even open your eyes? I love you too much to let you hurt yourself.”

  “Say it again.” I cup her face in my hands. “Say it, baby.”

  “I love you, Seth.”

  I’ve been waiting forever to hear her say that. I sit in a dazed coma watching her brown eyes sparkle. She loves me. I have my family. I glance back down at the piece of paper in my hands. My new band is contracted. Tears of Sin will be taking the world by storm. With me to drive the pace, Gabe to provide the melody, our two backups keeping the harmony ripped, and our lead wailing out the magic in our songs, I couldn’t be any happier than I am at this very moment. I may have risked everything for love, but in the end, love risked everything for me.

  I USUALLY DO THE WHOLE About the Author bit from a third-person point of view like they tell us we have to, but this is my book, and I want to tell you about ME. I’m a mother of 2.5 children—I inherited one from my hubby’s divorce—and I have a multitude of animals. Fish, Dogs, and Sheep…oh my! I’m a Texas native, but plan on transplanting north as soon as our baby has graduated. We’re just about done with this heat.

  I’m not a great cook, but we survive. I’m not a great housekeeper, but I always know where everyone’s shit is. And if you need laundry done, well, it’ll happen eventually. I am a loving mother who will get take-out when
I burn the food, an attentive wife if you know what I mean, and a dedicated friend—unless I’m on a deadline.

  I’m a thyroid cancer survivor, a victim thriver, and a wordless book reviver. I like to dance, sing off key, and am addicted to music videos. Oh, and I love cheesecake. Like, I’ll suck your…you know, for a large slice of the creamy perfection.

  That’s me in a nutshell. It’s pretty simple. I like to write books and have a lot of naughty thoughts. Some make it out into the world and others never see the light of day…

  I love hearing from readers, so please contact me at rfirasek@hotmail.com and or friend me everywhere.

  For updates on the Tears of Sin band and their books: Email: rfirasek@hotmail.com

  Website: http://www.rachelfirasek.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelFirasekAuthor Facebook Friend Page: https://www.facebook.com/rachelfirasek Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/rachelfirasek

  I’ D LIKE TO THANK MY very loved family—Ben, Madison, Tucker, and Ashley—for sticking through this book with me. We survived cancer, drama, and life-changing medical events. I’m not sure how we did it, but I know I couldn’t have made it without you. You guys are my life, and I’ll love you forever.

  I’d like to thank Lynn Rush for being there when the idea behind this book came about. You are my sounding board, my motivation, and sometimes my cheerleader.

  To my bestie, Shelley, thanks for listening to all of my whining. No seriously. I know there was a lot of whining. I adore you for always taking the time to listen and for sometimes calling me on my bullshit.

  I’d like to offer a special thank you to Jennifer James. She helped me make this book shine! I’m so glad I found you. Please don’t ever change. And remember, we will always love a little geekdom. Without you, there would be no Seth Fucking James.

  To Milly Taiden. Ah, my sweet Milly! Thank you, thank you, thank you, for everything you’ve done. You’ve taught me so much about marketing. You’ve been there to remind me that I’m awesome when I felt less than. And you remind me that it’s okay to be focused and to go after what I want. Heart you!

  I’d like to give a mega big thank you to Marion Sipe—my fabulous cover designer. Didn’t she make Alice and Seth look so pretty?

  To Henry Ojida, thank you so much for helping me make Seth’s song rock. You helped me get the dark into the light. I’ll never forget that.

  To my SIL, Jennifer, thank you so much for staying up into the wee hours of the morning, losing precious sleep to do a final read of Drowning. I know the boys probably wore you out the next day, but their Aunt Rachel sure does adore you for it.

  And to you. Thank you for reading my book, for giving Alice and Seth a chance, and for hopefully telling a friend—if you loved it. That’s all any author could ask for.

  But, if you’d like to post a short review to any of the fine book sellers, I’ll take that too. If you have a question or comment and would like to chat about this book, please contact me at rfirasek@hotmail.com.