Second

by Chantal Fernando

  The long distance thing sucks, and I know after this we aren’t going to be so lucky. Who knows when we will see each other next? Seeing Dean in his house…. He loves it here. And I can see why.

  “I don’t know, Dean,” I say, licking my lips. “Are you sure this is what you want? I don’t want to rush things.”

  Like I did last time.

  “We live in different countries,” he says, putting his guitar down and coming to sit next to me. “I love you. And I want you with me. To me, it’s that simple. Will you think about it?”

  I nod. “Okay.”

  “Good girl,” he whispers, pressing his lips to my cheek. “Make me the happiest man alive, Sabina. Come on, it will be an adventure.”

  I smile.

  I do love a good adventure.

  The next day however, reality hits me. “I can’t just stay here, Dean. I have to go home and sort out my house, my job, my life.”

  I can’t just go somewhere on a holiday for a week and then not return. That’s pretty much abandoning the life I’ve created for myself. But what if this is where I’m meant to be? I can’t remember being so happy. Will that happiness fade though? I suppose I could always go back if it did. I’ll miss my best friend like crazy though. Will she move here too? Great, now I’m dragging her into my craziness.

  “Tara will sort your stuff; we’ll put everything in storage until we return. Message your boss and tell her you quit,” he says, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles.

  Quit my job? What will I do here for work though? I’m sure there are lots of different things I could do, I could always try to get a job at a bank here. But it’s just such a big move, such a big change.

  “I can’t,” I say, shaking my head.

  It’s crazy… isn’t it?

  It’s so risky.

  What if it doesn’t work out?

  What if it does?

  I don’t want to always wonder what if, but the truth is I also don’t want to be one of those women who just changes her life for a man. I want to do this because I want to, not because he wants me to, if that makes sense.

  I turn my head to look at him. He’s so good to me. It’s not like I’ve only just met this man. I know him. I know his mind, his heart. I’d be stupid to let what we have go, based on fears that have a lot to do with Ben, and also me wanting to remain independent and in control.

  I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I should probably tell him the truth about how I’m feeling. “I love you, Dean.”

  In a second, he’s rolled over with me under him. “What did you just say?”

  I open my eyes and smile. “I said that I love you.”

  Gazes locked, we wait like that in silence for a few moments. “Do you know how long I’ve waited to hear those words from your lips?”

  I shake my head.

  “Longer than I’d ever admit,” he says, lip twitching. “You know what this means, right?”

  “What?”

  “That you’re staying.”

  That’s not what it means at all. It means that I’ve finally admitted to myself what’s been the truth all along, and that’s that we belong together.

  Ben might have been my first love, but Dean is my forever love. He made me believe in love again, and that’s an accomplishment in itself, because I didn’t think it was possible, when actually he was right in front of me the entire time.

  He’s my forever.

  Still, I roll my eyes. “I’m not just going to stay here, Dean.”

  There’s no way.

  Epilogue

  One Year Later.

  I still haven’t gone home.

  Tara’s been out to visit me twice so far, and she brought more of my stuff with her. I’m so thankful for her, I don’t know how I’d have pulled off this last-minute move to a different country without her. I kept telling myself I’d just stay for a little bit more, and I never ended up leaving. I didn’t want to. I couldn’t make myself. And eventually I accepted the fact that Dean was right, this is where I’m meant to be. With him. He couldn’t be happier, and even after a year, neither can I.

  Staying was the right choice.

  The best I ever made.

  I followed my heart instead of my head, and it led me right to where I should be. I never thought I’d be so lucky. I started working at a bank here, but when people found out I was dating Dean, and they turned up to take photos of me, I had to quit. I started my own accounting business where I do tax and financial advice for high-profile clients. I know I don’t have to work, but I want to. I don’t want a man to take care of me, no matter how much money he has in the bank. My life has changed a lot though because now I have to wear a hat and sunglasses when I go out, too.

  Kate wasn’t happy about Dean and me being together. She did an interview about it, and pretty much said how awful I am in it, but I don’t care what she thinks. Dean no longer talks to her, but we both continue to support Luke. I sent him the life insurance money. I hope it sets him up, even though it doesn’t make up for not having his dad with him, at least it’s something that his mother won’t have to worry about money. Speaking of mothers, Dean’s accepted me, as did the rest of his family. It feels good to have such a wonderful mother-in-law this time around.

  We’re outside by the pool, relaxing in the sun, when I see Dean come up next to me. When I open my eyes, he’s on one knee, a diamond ring in his hand.

  “Sabina, will you marry me?”

  I sit up, my eyes wider than they’ve ever been. “Holy shit.”

  “Is that a yes?” he asks, eyes soft on me. “I love you so much, I never thought I’d find a love like this. Spend the rest of your life with me.”

  Just when I thought I couldn’t get any happier. I remember wondering if I could handle Dean’s lifestyle, with all the attention and the lack of freedom, but it comes with him, and it’s never been an issue. He gives me everything I need, and I wouldn’t change anything for the world. I’m so blessed, and I know it, there is nothing in life that I could possibly complain about.

  So many people don’t get to be with the person they love, for many different reasons. They will never get to experience this feeling; I’m one of the lucky ones. And I’ll never forget that.

  “Yes,” I say, getting emotional and tearing up as he slides the ring on my finger.

  The ring is stunning. A little over the top, but I’ve learnt to stop complaining and pointing that out, and just accept the fact that Dean is a very generous man. It makes him happy to be able to spoil me. And I do the same to him in return.

  The pear-shaped diamond ring fits perfectly, just like the two of us do.

  If I had to give anyone advice, I’d tell them to be open. Take a chance. Love is worth it.

  Love is so worth it.

  Releasing September 27th

  SEE NO EVIL

  Bad boys have never been my thing. I’ve seen firsthand the kind of devastation they can cause. That’s why I go for safe. Predictable. Guys who will take whatever I’m willing to give. That way, I always have the upper hand, ensuring that my heart remains unscathed.

  There is only one problem. None of those men have ever made my heart beat faster, or made me feel out of control.

  That is, until him.

  I live by one rule. Treat others the same way they treat me. So, if Sylar treats me as though I’m his world, does it matter that technically he is not a good man? He’s good to me. He’s good for me.

  At least that’s what I’m gambling on.

  With the one thing I swore I’d never risk.

  My heart.

  AND NOW FOR A SAMPLE OF:

  DRAGON’S

  LAIR

  CHANTAL FERNANDO

  GALLERY BOOKS

  © CHANTAL FERNANDO

  WIND DRAGONS MC SERIES

  PROLOGUE

  I WALK home from school and stop in front of my house, sitting

  down on the lawn. I don’t want to go inside. I like school and

/>   fi fth grade, and I wish I could stay there all day. Everyone else

  can’t wait to get home, but not me. My mother is always criticizing

  me, telling me what’s wrong with me every time she sees me.

  Sit up straight, Faye.

  Ninety-eight percent is not one hundred percent.

  A lady would never dress like that.

  I know I’m not perfect, but she never likes to point out

  what I’m good at.

  I’m smart—I get good grades, and my teachers always tell

  me how well I’m doing. I love learning new things every day.

  Boys tell me I’m pretty, but my mother doesn’t ever tell me

  this.

  “What you doing sitting out here alone, Fairy?”

  I look up, staring into the handsome face of my neighbor

  Dex. He sits down next to me and stares at the sky in silence.

  “Did you get locked out or something?”

  I shake my head. “No, just wanted a little peace and quiet

  before I go inside.”

  “Hmmm,” he says, turning to look at me, then glancing at

  my house. “You’d tell me if you were in any trouble, wouldn’t

  you?”

  A few years older than me and a hell of a lot cooler, I liked

  being around Dex. He was the most popular boy I knew and

  always looked out for me. He spoke to me like I was his equal,

  not like some stupid kid. He never spoke down to me like

  my mother did either. Instead, he joked with me, teased me

  playfully, and told me that I was smart enough to be anything

  I wanted to be. He said he was just next door in case I ever

  needed anything, or if I was ever in any kind of trouble. I was

  always happy that I’d been born in this house, because it was

  right next to his and he’d always been a part of my life.

  “Yes,” I mumble. It’s not like I was in any real trouble. I just

  never felt comfortable at home, so I avoided it when I could.

  Dex reaches into his pocket and pulls out a Snickers bar.

  “Halves?”

  I nod my head and smile.

  My mother doesn’t give me chocolate, and Dex knows that.

  He always shares his with me.

  My mouth waters as he breaks the chocolate bar in half and

  hands me the biggest piece.

  “Thanks,” I say, taking a big bite.

  “Eric’s playing video games at home, if you want to go and

  hang with him,” he says, standing up.

  “Where are you going?” I ask him, not wanting him to

  leave.

  He looks down at me with his piecing blue eyes and grins.

  I’d always liked his eyes. They were such a beautiful color and

  were usually smiling.

  Friendly.

  Warm.

  “I’m going to meet some of my friends.”

  He points to the boy and two girls walking up the street.

  “Either go inside or go to my house, but you can’t just sit here

  alone, it’s not safe.”

  His friends call out to him. He had a lot of friends, I’d noticed.

  A lot of them were female.

  For some reason, I didn’t like that. I didn’t like to share him.

  I was ten and Dex was fifteen, so he definitely led a different

  life than I did. Even though he was older, he always had a little

  time for me. It made me feel special.

  “See you around, Fairy,” he says to me with a grin before he

  walks off to meet them.

  I sigh and stand up, slowly walking to my front door.

  When I get there, I turn around to see Dex standing on the

  street, staring at me. He motions for me to go inside. I know he

  won’t leave until I do. I don’t know what he thinks is so dangerous

  about sitting outside my house, but I know he’s just trying

  to protect me. As soon as I’m inside, I close the door behind

  me and peep through the blinds.

  The second my door closes, he turns around, putting his

  arm around one of the girls.

  I narrow my eyes and turn away.

  Dexter Black doesn’t know it yet, but one day he’s going to

  be mine.

  ONE

  I STARE at the old motel in apprehension, taking in its brown

  brick exterior and dirty windows.

  Not the Hilton, that’s for sure.

  Feeling sorry for myself is a foreign concept. I normally consider

  myself a strong woman. I need to be one, with the parents

  I was given and the career I want in the future. I have a strong

  will, and I’m not afraid to open my mouth and say what’s on

  my mind. I don’t mince words or back down. I fi nd humor in

  awkward situations and try to make the most of my life.

  But I guess there’s a fi rst time for everything, because here

  I am, tail between my legs, feeling more than sorry for myself.

  Kind of pathetic, really.

  I’d have thought sixty dollars would have gotten me a better

  room than this, but I was wrong.

  It has been known to happen.

  I check in at reception, paying for one night and trying not

  to stare at the mold on the wall. Th e bored-looking girl at the

  counter hands me my key, then I drag my feet to my room,

  taking one bag with me. Inside are my toiletries, clothes, and a

  few valuables—including my purse, passport, and food.

  Unlocking the door, I walk in and check out the room. A

  small bathroom, a couch, a bed, a fridge, and a TV. Eh, it could

  be worse. I put my bag on the couch and take off my sandals.

  Placing them neatly in the corner, I pull out a plastic container

  and open the lid.

  Reaching inside, I decide on a piece of apple. As I munch

  on the cut fruit I contemplate my life. I have five thousand dollars

  saved, a growing belly, and no clue what the hell I’m going

  to do. My entire life, I’d had a plan. I always knew exactly what

  I was going to do, and how I was going to do it. But now? I had

  no plan. It was a scary thought, especially under the circumstances.

  One thing I know for sure is that I need to keep moving.

  One night here, and then I’m going to keep on driving. I

  want to get as far away from my old life as possible. That shit

  does not need to catch up with me.

  I take a long shower, then take my time rubbing moisturizer

  into my skin. I have cherry-blossom lotion that I use every day

  without fail, and tonight is no exception. It gives me a little

  comfort, a little sense of normalcy. I brush my teeth, comb my

  wavy auburn hair, and climb into bed. Wishing I had brought

  my own sheets, I ignore the musty smell and fall asleep.

  This is my life now, and I can’t afford to complain.

  Literally.

  Another night passes and then I’m back on the road, heading

  farther north. I actually enjoy the drive; it’s nice being away

  from the city. Before it gets dark, I check into another sketchy

  motel and all but collapse onto the bed. Driving at night isn’t

  safe—there are animals that cross the roads. After a good

  night’s rest, I spend the next day looking for a job—applying

  anywhere and everywhere. I’m not fussy; I’ll do just about anything

  right now. Beggars can’t be choosers. I’d never had to use

  that saying before in my life, coming from a fairly wealthy
family.

  But just because my parents had money didn’t mean we

  were happy. Far from it, actually. A quiet knock at the door

  makes me groan. I’d just gotten comfortable. I force myself to

  get up, expecting housekeeping. I open the door slightly, just

  enough to see who it is through the chain lock.

  My jaw drops, and panic instantly sets in.

  Definitely not housekeeping.

  Unless they decided to hire a hot-as-hell, angry biker.

  “Open it, or I will,” he demands, his eyes blazing. I consider

  my options for a few seconds before I slide open the lock. He

  could just break down the door if he wanted to, so there really

  is no point. I open it and take a few steps back as he enters.

  Crystal-blue eyes narrow on me. A muscle ticks in his jaw

  as his gaze rakes over me, checking to make sure I’m okay. He’s

  wearing worn, ripped jeans and a long-sleeve black T-shirt that

  accentuates his muscular build. He looks good; he always did

  though.

  “Just in the neighborhood?” I ask, hope filling my voice.

  “What the fuck, Faye?” he rasps, gripping the doorframe.

  I take another step back. I don’t know what he’s capable of

  right now. The old Dex would rather cut off his arm than hurt

  me, but do I really know him now? I don’t even know how the

  hell he found me.

  Does he know? Of course he does.

  Nothing gets by Dexter Black.

  He bangs the door behind him, the noise making me flinch.

  “Pack up your shit,” he demands, eyes searching the crappy

  motel room, which is now looking considerably smaller with

  his hulking presence. “We’re leaving.” He doesn’t look happy

  with what he sees. In fact, his scowl deepens. He crosses his

  arms over his broad chest and stares me down, waiting for me

  to move.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” I say, putting my hands on my

  hips and glaring at him. He’s not the boss of me. Yes, he’s a

  badass,