I slightly pull away. “How about we go out and celebrate? We’ll head into town and take the gondola up to Venice. I’ll bring the camera and we can search out a small eatery. One with cheese and crepes and wine, and everything else my girl likes.”
Five months ago, I asked Jensen to come with me, anywhere. Just away from Chicago. Nothing was holding me there. The insurance concluded arson on the club. Jake was identified in the tapes as the person who set the fire. The payout was even larger than the sale I had written up, so I was all-around satisfied. Fredrick was in the wind. He was cleared of any wrongdoings and took off. Patricia’s death was ruled an accident. The university held a beautiful memorial.
Kade’s body was never found. No remains were recovered in the wreckage of the fire. They eventually ruled him deceased and closed the books on his case. Later, when the trial first began, Fredrick’s testimony informed us he pinpointed the death of Patricia on Kade, telling the jury about his captivity and her being locked in my office. He was smart to keep my name out of it, saying it was all Kade’s doing. The guilt of his death still sits heavy on me. There was no family to contact. Not a single person I was able to find, so I spared no expense with a funeral and plot.
It was shortly after the memorial I knew it was time to leave the past behind. I knew Jensen felt the same way. As hard as her friend tried, her friendship with Christine was unfixable. Christine’s parents pulled her out and enrolled her in a college closer to home.
Due to the circumstances, the university made an exception with her scholarship, but she was still struggling. Even with the leeway, she was on the verge of losing her funding. So, when she showed up at the hotel I was staying at, my bed was covered with pamphlets. I told her I would go anywhere as long as it was with her. I confessed our time together may have been short, the way we met unconventional, but I told her the facts. I was in love with her, and I wanted her by my side if she’d stay with me. And then I asked her to pick.
Two weeks later, she was enrolled in the University of Verona. We rented a small cottage off the shore, close to her school, and were on a plane to Rome. The rest is history.
“And if you’re a good date, we’ll get a room for the night and I’ll let you take complete advantage of me.” I wink, knowing just how much she likes it when I allow her full control in the bedroom.
Thoughts of Sylvia are gone from her eyes, naughty little ideas taking over as her smile breaks through. “What kind of crepes?”
I grab her ass and squeeze, pulling her against my already hard cock. “Strawberry and chocolate. Extra whip cream.”
That fucking smile.
I’m forever fucked with her.
“I must say, Spawn, you sure do have good taste.”
I drop my lips to hers. “I have exquisite taste.”
The end.
Want to know what really happened to Kade?
Duh!
Stay tuned…
J.D. Hollyfield is a creative designer by day and superhero by night. When she’s not cooking, event planning, or spending time with her family, she’s relaxing with her nose stuck in a book. With her love for romance, and her head full of book boyfriends, she was inspired to test her creative abilities and bring her own stories to life. Living in the Midwest, she’s currently at work on blowing the minds of readers, with the additions of her new books and series, along with her charm, humor and HEA’s.
J.D. Hollyfield dabbles in all genres, from romantic comedy, contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, fantasy and erotica! Want to know more! Follow her on all platforms!
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First, and most importantly, it wouldn’t be a proper acknowledgement if I didn’t thank myself. It’s not easy having to drink all the wine in the world and sit in front of a computer writing your heart out, drinking your liver off and crying like a buffoon because part of the job is being one with your characters. You truly are amazing and probably the prettiest person in all the land. Keep doing what you’re doing.
Thanks to my husband who supports me, but also thinks I should spend less time on the computer and more time doing my own laundry.
Thanks to all my eyes and ears. Having a squad who has your back is the utmost important when creating a masterpiece. From betas, to proofers, to PA’s to my dog, Jackson, who just gets me when I don’t get myself, thank you. This success is not a solo mission. It comes with an entourage of awesome people who got my back. So, shout out to Amy Wiater, Ashley Cestra, Jenny Hanson, Amber Higbie, Gina Behrends, Sara Willard, my boo thang Kristi Webster and anyone who I may have forgotten! I appreciate you all!
Thank you to Monica Black at Word Nerd Editing, Ellie McLove at My Brothers Editor and Jenn Wood at All about the Edits for helping bring this story to where it needed to be.
Thank you to All By Design for creating my amazing cover. A cover is the first representation of a story and she nailed it.
Thank you to my awesome reader group, Club JD. All your constant support for what I do warms my heart. I appreciate all the time you take in helping my stories come to life within this community.
Thank you to Emilie and the team at InkSlinger for all your hard work in promoting this book!
Big thanks for Stacey at Champagne Formats for always making my stories look so amazing!
And most importantly every single reader and blogger! THANK YOU for all that you do. For supporting me, reading my stories, spreading the word. It’s because of you that I get to continue in this business. And for that I am forever grateful.
Cheers. This big glass of wine is for you.
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Exquisite Taste Page 23