The Perfect Stroke

by Jordan Marie

  “Right back at you, Grayson Lucas,” she whispers, snuggling against me.

  “I can’t believe our mother had sex in the playhouse my son uses. We’re tearing that down,” Maggie grumbles from beside us.

  “I think it’s hot. We should try it,” her date says, and I’ve heard about all that conversation I care to hear. I steer my wife away from them. Too bad I apparently pick my brother and his best friend to dance next to.

  “I can’t believe you caught the bouquet, Kayla. Why did you even try?”

  “Maybe I want to get married, White.”

  “Weddings are for idiots. Why tie yourself to one person when there’s a whole world out there?”

  “My brother is stupid,” I tell CC when I pull her away from the idiot and whatever garbage he keeps mouthing off with. “He’s in for a very rude awakening someday,” I tell her.

  “I hope she gives him hell,” CC agrees with a laugh.

  “Me too, but enough about them. How about we blow this popsicle stand and go get the honeymoon started?”

  “I’m not sure I can wait that long,” she says with a grin.

  “Is that a fact?”

  “Mmm-hmm… Though, I did hear there was a playhouse around here somewhere,” she says.

  “Claudia Lucas, I do believe my crazy family is rubbing off on you.”

  “God, I hope so,” she says with a laugh, and I take her hand and lead her away from the crowd. She pulls me toward the small house and I crouch down and go through the door after her.

  Crazy family, and the woman of my dreams wearing my ring.

  Life is so fucking good, there are no words.

  The End.

  To my #BB4L: You've kept me going since mom got sick. I have no words to tell you thank you.

  To Jenika Snow for texting me and offering support when I needed it most, you inspire me every day.

  And Finally to my Dirty Girls. Your laughter, your smiles and encouragement and your time did everything to make this book possible.

  XOXO

  J

  AUTHOR LINKS:

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  Twitter: https://twitter.com/Author_JordanM

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9860469.Jordan_Marie

  Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/barBKv

  Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Rizo7l

  Webpage: http://www.jordanmarieauthor.com

  Would you like a sneak peek of my next book in the Lucas Brothers series? How about a previously released book that I released under my pen name Baylee Rose? Well, then turn the page!

  White’s Story

  Chapter 1

  Kayla

  “You’re what?!”

  I hold the phone away from my ear, wincing. That man can yell.

  “Calm down, White. I said, I’m getting married.”

  “Who the fuck to? Kayla, if you’re still seeing that bastard Crenshaw after he…”

  “I’m not seeing Bobby.”

  “Damn it, that was only a month ago. How are you getting married?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Well, it just so happens I seem to have a lot of free time on my hands, so explain it to me.”

  “Yeah, right. Football season starts next week. I may not watch the crap, but I keep up with the MVP in last year’s big game.”

  “Obviously not enough or you would know I messed up my fucking shoulder last week in practice. I’m out for six weeks.”

  “Oh no, White! I’m so sorry. You didn’t tell me! Why didn’t you text me?”

  “You were dealing with enough cleaning Crenshaw out of your life… or at least I thought you were. So come on, Kayla, tell me what’s going on.”

  “You’re just going to get mad.”

  “Tell me,” he growls and I take a breath to shore up my courage.

  I’ve been best friends with White Hall Lucas since I was fifteen years old and his brother Green broke my heart. I was all set to go to the prom with Green, and he stood me up when his girlfriend Cynthia suddenly wanted him back. Green welcomed her back with open arms, even though the bitch only did it because Tommy Haynes, the star football player, hurt his leg and couldn’t dance. Green was kind of an idiot when it came to Cynthia. According to White he still can be, which is just plain sad.

  I’ve come to really like the Lucas family, from all of the brothers that their mother Lily named after colors in a crayon box, to his sisters who are all named after flowers. And his mother, despite all of her far-out-there ways of naming her kids and her craziness, is one of the sweetest people you’d ever want to meet. They’re all kind, loving people who make you laugh and open their doors and hearts to you. Above them all, though, is White Hall. White took me to the prom in his brother’s place. He dried my tears as I cried over his brother. He took me fishing and we just sort of began this friendship that’s lasted for twelve years. A friendship I love. A friendship I hate. Hate because, though White may see me as his best friend—and I am, as he is mine—the truth is… I love him. I’m horribly, desperately, and irrevocably in love with White, and he doesn’t have a clue. I can’t tell him because there’s no way I can ruin our friendship. If he knew how much it killed me through the years as he went from one woman to the next, it would change the way he sees me, and I can’t let that happen. White isn’t attracted to me. He never has been. He sees me as a buddy, a pal, and has from day one. It sucks, but I’ve learned to adapt. I’ve had to; it’s the only way I can keep White in my life, and that has been the most important thing.

  “Kay? Talk to me,” he says, and the concern in his voice is my undoing, just like always.

  “I’m lonely, White.”

  “What?”

  “I’m lonely. I’m not like you. I actually like being with another person. I enjoy quiet nights at home watching television. I like sharing a pizza while watching the big game. I enjoy being with just one person and knowing what to expect from them. I miss it. I’m lonely,” I tell him, wondering if he even realizes that the one person I do that the most with is him. It’s a stupid question because he doesn’t. He never has got that we spend more time together than any married couple I know, which is another reason to accept Tommy’s proposal. I have to forget White. I have to get a little distance from him. I can’t keep going like this.

  “Being lonely isn’t a reason to get married, Kay. That’s not a good reason to tie yourself to someone. What if you…”

  “I want children, White.”

  “What?” White asks, acting as if he doesn’t believe it, and maybe he doesn’t. He’s never wanted them. He talks all the time how Green’s child destroyed his brother’s life. I don’t see it that way, but White never understood. “Kay, honey, you have plenty of time to have kids.”

  “I’m twenty-seven years old, White. I may have plenty of time, but I want to have them while I’m young enough to do things with them. I want to start living my life. I want a family. I want a home with kids, a husband, and a dog…”

  “Damn it, Kay, you can’t just wake up one day and decide you want to get married. It’s not done that way.”

  “I didn’t just do it one day. You just haven’t listened. I’ve been thinking about it for a while.”

  “Who is this man? You can’t really know him.”

  I take a breath, knowing this will just make White worse. “Tommy Haynes.”

  “Cynthia’s ex?” he almost screams. I wince and hold the phone away from my ear. It really is too early to be having this conversation.

  “He hasn’t been with Cynthia in years,” I remind him.

  “What-the-fuck-ever. That man is as shady as they come.”

  “He is not! He’s a good guy and I like him.”

  “See? That right there! Like. You can’t like the man you marry, Kay. You’re supposed to love him.”

  “I’ll grow to love him.”

  “Or hate him. Don’t do this, Kay. I’m begging you. Think about it for a lit
tle while. I didn’t even know you and Tommy were dating. Did you keep it hidden from me?”

  “Do you blame me?”

  “Damn it, Kay. We don’t keep things from each other.”

  “Like you didn’t keep the fact that you slept with my sister Rachel from me?” I didn’t mean to say that out loud. I really and truly didn’t. I wonder if he can tell the bitterness in my voice. Can he hear the hurt? That’s the real reason I agreed to marry Tommy. White sleeping with Rachel was the final straw, the shining beacon that said I was wasting my life dreaming about a man who would never see me as more than a buddy.

  “She told you?” White says quietly.

  I swallow. Did he ask her not to? Is that why she hadn’t mentioned it? God, why does it feel like the two people I love the most in the world betrayed me? Why? I shouldn’t feel that way. I shouldn’t be mad or hurt… but I am.

  “Did you ask her not to?”

  “Well, we both thought that…”

  “It’s okay, White. It’s not any of my business. But that’s just it. If I want to marry Tommy, then you should support me. We’re friends. That’s what friends do.”

  “Kay…”

  “Listen, I’ve got to go. I’m running late for work. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

  “Kay, we really should…”

  “Bye, White,” I say, not giving him time to talk anymore, and I hang up. I stare at the phone in my hand for a few more minutes. I hung up the phone on White. It feels wrong. It feels… like the end of an era, and I guess it is. I’m going to marry Tommy Haynes. Things have to change.

  I keep repeating that all the way to work. Somehow, it doesn’t help.

  Did you like this sneak peek?

  Be looking for White’s story, coming soon!

  Keep turning the page if you want to read

  Unjustified Demands, written under my pen name Baylee Rose!

  I own her. She will submit.

  She doesn't have a choice.

  ROMAN

  I own this town.

  People don’t tell me no.

  If they try, they regret it.

  I live my life to please no one, but myself.

  One look at Ana and I wanted to play with her.

  To test her. To find her secrets. To make her my toy.

  Until I grow bored.

  But Ana surprises me.

  One taste and I keep wanting more.

  She submits to my demands.

  But with each encounter, I find I want more.

  Now I want her to submit more than just her body.

  I want her heart.

  And I always get what I want.

  This book is a standalone containing a controlling, dominating Alpha and the woman with a secret that could bring him to his knees. Contains instant lust, immediate sex, and a taste for kink and makes no apologies.

  Contains adult situations and not intended for readers under the age of 18.

  Guaranteed Happily-Ever-After inside, because every woman should have one.

  BAYLEE ROSE

  © 2016 Baylee Rose

  This book is a work of fiction. Owned, created and copyrighted by the author. Any similarity to real events, people, or places is entirely coincidental. Some names were used to further the reader’s enjoyment and imagination, but are no way endorsees of this book. All rights are reserved. This book may not be reproduced, or distributed in any format without the permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used for review purposes.

  All quotations used in this book are part of public domain works and/or translated copies existing in public domains. The author acknowledges the use of trademarked status of products referred to in this book. Trademarks have been used without permission.

  This book contains adult content including graphic sex, violence, and language. Please do not continue reading if you are under the age of 18 or if this type of content is disturbing to you in any way.

  Cover Design:

  Yoly Cortez with Cormar Covers

  Cover Photography:

  Eric David Battershell

  Cover Models:

  Ani Saliasi & Anna Medvedeva

  Formatting and Editing:

  Daryl Banner

  Dedication

  To everyone who had a dream and never gave up.

  Always believe.

  Baylee

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Epilogue

  Epilogue Take 2

  Author’s Note

  Sneak Peek: Unlawful Seizure

  “Boss, we got a problem.”

  I’m looking out over the one-way window of my upstairs office that shows the bar and dance floor below. Here I was, thinking it was going to be a slow night. I own one of the premiere night spots in Miami, and for the most part, things run smoothly. I have my fingers in a lot of pots though, so I can’t help but worry about what Joe deems as a problem.

  “What’s up, Joe?” Big Joe is my right hand and my number one bouncer. He can usually handle anything, so for him to come to me is enough to set off warning bells. I swivel my chair back around to look at him.

  “That kid you caught trying to sell his shit in the club last week?”

  “Yeah?”

  “He’s got family.”

  “I fail to see why this concerns me, Joe.”

  It sounds cold. Then again, I am fucking cold. Still, I gave the kid two chances to stop pushing his crap in my club. He didn’t listen. The way I see it, three strikes and you’re out. I’d already been more lenient with him than I would be others. He was so fucking young. Twenty-one. Young, dumb, and full of cum. Hell, at forty-two, I’m starting to think I’m too damned old to be doing this job anymore. I have money—more than enough money. Maybe I should just seek out some sandy beach out of the country and call it a day. Greece, my mother’s family was from there. Even if my mother was a fucking bitch, maybe I’ll find some affinity for the country.

  “His sister’s been making waves,” he tells me.

  “Again, why do I care?” I ask, taking a drink of my Scotch. It’s aged perfectly and the burn soothes me going down.

  “She’s been talking to the cops.”

  “Fucking hell. What does she know?”

  “Not a lot. But you know the badges. They hear your name and they’re going to come running.”

  I sigh. He’s not wrong. They just hear the name Roman Anthes and they come poking around, descending on my club, my company, and any holdings I have. Since I’m trying to broker
a deal to get into bed with the Russians, that could be disastrous right now.

  “Where is this sister?”

  “That’s just it, boss. You just hired her.”

  “I haven’t hired anyone here at the club in months,” I argue. I’m very careful about the workers I hire here. I make sure I have them all vetted carefully and meticulously.

  “Not here. She started work at the Dive.”

  “Waitress?” The Dive is a strip joint on the edge of a low rent side of town. I won the fucking thing in a card game. Had plans for selling it off, just haven’t got around to it yet.

  “Dancer. You gave Yoly the okay to hire her a couple of weeks ago. She’s starting to get pretty popular. Yo says business has tripled since she started.”

  “Does she have any idea who she works for?”

  “Don’t see how she could, boss. No one knows you own the Dive, and those papers are buried and tangled so deep, even the feds couldn’t find them.”

  “Do you have her file?”

  “Sure thing.” He hands a plain manila folder to me and I let it stay on my desk, thinking.

  “What do we have on her?” I ask, opening the folder and moving my fingers over the glossy 5 by 7 picture stapled to the application. It’s a blonde with medium-length hair which is cut to curl toward her face and accent her strong cheekbones. Her eyes are violet. I never knew they made eyes that color. I have all my dancers photographed in nothing but their underwear, and she’s definitely got the body to make men beg. I thumb through the rest of it quickly.

  “Just what’s in the file, boss. Well, that and obviously her affection for her brother.”

  “What did we do with the little fucker?” I ask him. My eyes keep going back to the photo of the blonde.

  “He’s at the warehouse. You have him in one of the containers.”

  “So, not yet dead?”

  “No, but only because Bruno has been out for his kid’s surgery.”

  “How is Thomas?”

  “It was a success, thanks to your generosity. Bruno says they even said Thomas would be able to walk after some therapy.”