Fighting Temptation (Men Of Honor)

by LYNN, K. C.

  Fighting Temptation

  Copyright © 2014 K.C. LYNN

  Published by: K.C. LYNN

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form without written permission except for use of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Interior Design by Angela McLaurin, Fictional Formats

  https://www.facebook.com/FictionalFormats‎

  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

  EPILOGUE

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Jaxson is arrogant, angry and aggressive. Yet he’s also beautiful, strong and honorable. I unconditionally and irrevocably love every damaged part of him. And for the boy, who didn’t believe in love, he would always and forever have mine. —Julia Sinclair

  Julia was different from anyone I’d ever met. I never thought someone so good and genuine existed until her. The more I saw of her the more I became addicted to her. Every time I was around her she would destroy some of the darkness that lurked inside of me. She made the bad shit in my life seem not so terrible. Then, before I knew it, I had fallen for a girl from another world. —Jaxson Reid

  Julia Sinclair is your typical innocent good girl with a heart of gold. At sixteen she moved to Sunset Bay, South Carolina, to live with her Grams after losing her mother to cancer. This is where she met some of the best friends she will ever have and one in particular who will forever hold her heart.

  Jaxson Reid is your typical tattooed bad boy. His past and soul is as dark as the tattoos he bears. He flies through life and girls with no attachments and no emotions… until he met her.

  One fateful night brought Julia and Jaxson together. They formed a friendship and a bond so strong it was unbreakable. Jaxson fought the temptation of anything more with Julia because he knew he would never be good enough for her. When he found his control slipping he left the one girl, who meant everything to him, to join the Navy.

  But one passion-filled night has Jaxson letting go of fighting temptation which will forever alter their relationship.

  A few years later Jaxson comes home to make things right with the one girl who’s ever meant anything to him. Except someone isn’t happy that Jaxson has returned. Someone who thinks Julia is theirs and they will stop at nothing to make sure it stays that way… forever.

  Now Jaxson will not only fight to protect Julia but will also battle the new and existing demons that haunt his soul.

  This is a New Adult Romance and is told from both character’s pov. Due to strong sexual content, coarse language and mature subject matter this book is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18.

  This is Book One in the Men of Honor series. It can be read as a stand-alone and has a HEA. If you like hot tattooed bad boys who are possessive with major alpha personalities then this is the book for you.

  This book is dedicated to my Grandma who passed away this past fall. I inherited her love of romance books. Although this is much more racy than any Fern Michaels book (her favorite author)… a love story is a love story. RIP Grandma.

  I knew something was wrong the moment he said to meet him at our place. My heart hasn’t stopped racing since I received his text 30 minutes ago.

  Please God, whatever he’s going to tell me, please don’t let it be bad.

  As I get to the beach I take my flip-flops off and start walking across the sand to where I can see a fire being started in the distance. Lifting my long white maxi dress so it doesn’t drag, I walk closer to the shore to wet my feet and continue my walk down the beach towards the man I am secretly in love with, my best friend, Jaxson.

  I met Jaxson Reid when I moved to Sunset Bay, South Carolina, just a little over 2 years ago. My mother had just passed away from cancer when I came to her home town to live with my Grams. It amazed me how fast I fell in love with this town and how quickly I made some of the best friends I’ll ever have. I don’t know what I would have done without them, especially Jaxson.

  I smile to myself when I think back to the first time I saw him. Kayla and I had been sitting outside the ice cream shop on a sweltering hot summer afternoon when he came riding in on his motorcycle.

  “Well it looks like today is your lucky day, you’re finally going to get to see the famous Jaxson Reid.” Kayla’s voice fades away as I watch him park across the lot, my gaze becoming captivated by the mysterious bad boy I’ve heard so much about. He’s dressed in loose dark faded jeans that have a few holes in them and a snug black t-shirt that molds to his lean muscular frame in all the right places. My eyes are drawn to the erotic display of sexy tribal tattoos that are woven up his arms, getting cut off by the sleeves of his t-shirt, which makes me want to go rip it off so I can see where they end. When he removes his helmet his fierce gaze crashes directly with mine and sucks the air right out of my lungs. Whoa! Thick dark lashes frame intense ice blue eyes, his olive colored complexion is complimented by shaggy dark brown hair that’s messed over his ears and hangs into his face. It’s the kind of hair that makes my fingers itch to run through it just to see if it feels as soft as it looks. His jaw is strong and graced with a sexy 5 o’clock shadow. I’ve heard a lot about Jaxson since moving here, all the girls talked about him as if he were a god and now I know why. I have never laid eyes on anyone as beautiful as him. Suddenly he unleashes a sexy smirk, one that has me realizing he’s watching me openly ogle him. My face flushes with embarrassment and I quickly look away, only to the same knowing smirk from Kayla.

  “I know, right? If sex could walk he would be it. Don’t feel bad you’re not the only one who drools around him. Most do, well, except for me. As sexy as he is I have the major hots for his friend Cooper. I have big plans for that boy, just you wait.”

  The funny thing is, Kayla really did have plans for him. They are still dating after a year.

  Kayla filled me in on everything she knew about Jaxson. He was 2 years older than my 16 and he had just graduated before summer. I was disappointed knowing I wouldn’t see him around school.

  “He lives with Cooper’s family right now but I heard they found an apartment that they’re moving into this summer,” Kayla explains.

  “What about his parents?”

  “His mom left when he was a kid, his dad about 2 years ago. I don’t know where, he was a real asshole- the town drunk.”

  Unfortunately I never got to meet Jaxson that day, he was there meeting Melissa Carmicheal. My anger spikes just thinking her name; she’s always been such a bitch to me, especially after I became close with Jaxson. I don’t want to think what they did together after they left. Although, that is the story of my life the last 2 years: watching Jaxson with random girls. He does not do relationships, in his language, he only ‘fucks’. I know a lot of his way of thinking is becaus
e of how he was raised. I have a sneaking suspicion his mom leaving has something to do with it too.

  The night I did finally get to meet Jaxson, well… it was the scariest night of my life. It was two weeks after seeing him at the ice cream shop. I had snuck out my bedroom window after Grams went to sleep and walked to the cemetery to see my mom. I sat at her grave and talked to her, something I always found comforting, I still do. I told her how scared I was to be starting a new school, worried people weren’t going to like me and more than anything I told her how much I missed her which made me break down. My mother was my best friend. The pain I felt when she passed hadn’t faded and I’d wondered if it ever would.

  I don’t remember how long I cried before I heard some rustling and laughing. I turned around and found two guys walking up behind me. They were big, their builds reminding me of linebackers. By looking at them I had guessed they were a couple years older than me. They smiled at me dangerously as they approached; it was a smile that caused my stomach to fill with dread and my heart to pound in fear. I stood up quickly, my shaking legs barely able to hold me up…

  “Well aren’t you a pretty little thing. Isn’t she Jase?”

  Suddenly feeling exposed in my yoga tank and shorts, I fold my cardigan over to cover my breasts that they’re openly staring at; this only seems to amuse them.

  “Ya, she’s real pretty, I’m glad we stumbled upon her.”

  I ignore them and start forward when the one referred to as Jase walks out in front of me, blocking my way. I swallow nervously and attempt to calm my pounding heart while figuring out how I was going to get out of this mess. I know I won’t be able to outrun them but if I could just make it to the street surely someone would hear me scream for help.

  Deciding I have no other choice I try and run for it. It was exactly what they were anticipating. I don’t make it far before the other one grabs my hair and pulls me back against him. He claps his hand around my mouth, muffling my screams.

  “You stupid bitch. Shut the fuck up!” I kick and fight with every bit of strength I possess, but none of it makes a difference, he’s too strong.

  He starts dragging me back to my mom’s grave while his friend Jase stands in front, watching us with a sickening expression. When he starts rubbing his crotch I close my eyes and try to swallow the bile that’s rising in my throat.

  “Come on, fucking help me man, this bitch is squirmy.”

  Jase snaps to attention and grabs my kicking legs to help carry me back. They drop me roughly on my mom’s grave, knocking the breath from my lungs. The one behind me pins my arms above my head while Jase sits on my legs. Jase wraps a hand around my throat then leans in with a malicious smile: “I’m gonna fuck you right here on your mother’s grave, you little bitch.”

  For the first time since they showed up I feel something other than fear. I’m so angry at the way he spats my mother’s name that I spit in his face.

  He looks at me in shock and, to be honest, so am I. “You’re a brave little whore,” he raises his hand and slaps me across my face. The metallic taste of blood fills my mouth and black spots dance in my vision. “After I’m done fucking you, my buddy is gonna fuck you, and after he’s done I think we’re gonna have to beat some manners into you bitch.”

  His hands start tearing at my tank top, ripping my strap. “No! Please don’t do this, please,” I plead, but then I quickly become quiet when I realize he enjoys my begging. When he starts to undo his belt I close my eyes and start to pray. It’s the first time I have prayed since my mom died. I’m praying so hard that I don’t realize when my legs are suddenly free. Soon though I clue in to the shouting and grunts that are happening. Opening my eyes I look to the left to see Jase on the ground with another guy on top of him, beating the ever livin crap out of him. Finally the guy holding my arms lets go and runs to help his buddy.

  “Watch out!” I scream warning the mystery guy. He turns around just in time to land a solid right hook which causes my attacker to hit the ground unconscious.

  Whoa, the guy packs a serious punch. When he fully stands and looks at me I realize that mystery guy is none other than the town’s local bad boy, Jaxson Reid. Jaxson’s expression is so full of rage that my body spikes again with fear. As he starts towards me I shirk away, against my mother’s headstone. He slows down realizing I’m scared of him and cautiously approaches me.

  “It’s alright, I’m not going to hurt you. Are you ok? Shit! Never mind, that was a dumb fucking question! Everything is going to be ok. I’m gonna call the police now.”

  After he calls the police he sits a little distance away and waits with me. Awkward silence surrounds us. I want to say something, to say thank you, but I can’t seem to form any words.

  He catches me off guard when he leans over and gently brushes his fingers across my bruised cheek. “Sorry I didn’t make it in time before this happened.”

  His tenderness surprises me. I was told Jaxson was dangerous and he was someone you didn’t want to screw with. After seeing what he just did to my two attackers I can see why.

  I swallow nervously, “Don’t be sorry. Thank you for coming when you did, because if you hadn’t, well… you know what was about to happen.”

  It all comes rushing back to me. Wrapping my arms around my legs I bury my face in my knees and start sobbing. Jaxson moves a little closer to me and pats my shoulder awkwardly, “It’s over, everything is going to be ok now.” I can tell he’s uncomfortable trying to console me, not knowing what to say. “Listen I know now is not the time to be a dick, but what the hell are you doing at a graveyard late at night by yourself?”

  “I was visiting my mother. I didn’t think coming here would almost get me raped,” I snap, then instantly feel bad, his question is legitimate. “I’m sorry, you’re right it was stupid. I won’t be doing it again, at least not in the middle of the night.”

  “I don’t recognize those assholes. I’m assuming they were driving through, maybe back to Charleston,” he shrugs, “either way, probably a good idea if you come during daylight.”

  “I will,” I say quietly.

  Then he sticks out his battered hand to me, “I’m Jaxson Reid.”

  I put my shaking one in his: “Julia. Julia Sinclair.”

  I pull myself back to the present and try to shake the memory. What had started out to be one of the most awful nights of my life turned out to be one of the best. Because the sexy, dark and mysterious bad boy I was warned to steer clear of became my best friend. Since that night Jaxson has taken care of me, protected me. He brought me back from the brink of pain and heartbreak after losing my mother. He reminded me what is was like to be happy again.

  Jaxson is very misperceived by people, mainly due to the reputation of his father. Grams once told me his father was a terrible man and Jaxson was better off without him. That’s all she had said but I didn’t need her to elaborate because I could tell just how deeply his father had hurt him. At times I could see flashes of it when, for that brief moment, his guard slipped and he didn’t realize anyone was looking. I know any physical scars that he bared are incomparable to the ones that were left on his heart.

  Don’t get me wrong, Jaxson has earned some of his reputation. He can be arrogant, aggressive and angry. He’s guarded and damaged yet he’s also beautiful, strong and honorable. Our friendship surprised a lot of people because, other than Cooper, Jaxson never befriended anyone else and he definitely didn’t have any friends that were girls. But Jaxson and I formed a bond, one that was so strong it was unbreakable. I unconditionally and irrevocably loved every damaged part of him. And for the boy, who didn’t believe in love, he would always and forever have mine.

  I come up to Jaxson sitting by the fire, staring into the bright flames, lost in thought. I watch him a moment, his troubled expression glowing from the firelight.

  When he finally realizes I’m here he looks up at me and his face transforms, his harsh expression softens and he looks almost relieved to see me. So
metimes when he looks at me like this I think maybe he does love me the way I love him? But then whenever I get that silly thought I shove it away and remember whom I’m talking about.

  He gives me his usual sexy smirk as he stands and walks over to me, “Hey Jules,” he says leaning down to kiss my forehead. For whatever reason Jaxson has kissed my forehead from the moment we became friends. It’s something that he’s reserved just for me and I savor the intimate contact with him. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me against his hard body.

  “Hey Jax,” I wrap my arms around his waist and breathe in his delicious scent.

  Stepping back Jaxson takes my hand and leads me to sit next to him by the fire. His expression causes my heart rate to spike again and I know whatever he’s going to tell me it’s going to be bad.

  Leaning back against the log behind us I wrap both my arms around one of his and lean into him, needing his warmth.

  “You cold Jules?”

  Although the evenings here are warm in July it’s always a little cooler by the water. But the chill I have now has nothing to do with the breeze from the ocean and everything to do with the dread that’s rushing through my system.

  “I’m ok,” I say quietly, then I look at him nervously, “you’re going to tell me something bad aren’t you?”

  He’s silent for a moment but his expression says it all. He lets out a heavy breath, “It’ll be alright Jules, it’s not that bad.” There’s sadness in his expression but also some excitement, “I’m leaving town. I have decided to enlist in the Navy, I want to be a Seal.”

  My heart plummets as we stare at each other silently for a moment, “Ok, and what does this mean exactly? Where would you go? Don’t you have to qualify first before you can even be accepted?”

  He clears his throat, “I have already been accepted. I had to do some written exams and evaluations but I passed. I actually scored really high on them. I’m going to their training facility in Coronado, California.”