Dominic shrugged. “I’d rather just stay here.” He sighed. “I promised Dean I’d pick him up. He got a 24-hour pass to go to the party.”
“Really?” She didn’t know that was possible. “When’re you going to get him?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Gotta leave for Tommy’s about seven. He needs time to get clothes. So I guess at the latest, five.”
“It’s 12 now.” Noelle rubbed his back. “Why don’t you go get him, and we can at least have a birthday lunch together? I’ll order Chinese.”
He kissed the top of her head. “OK. Sorry I’m sulking. Just keep thinking I’m almost 40.” He hoped she still loved him when he was 90 and she was only 81. “I’ll try to let it go.” He stepped back. “I’ll call him and let him know I’m on my way.”
As soon as Dominic pulled out of the driveway, Noelle called Theresa. “He’s gone. Hurry over here. I don’t think we have much time.”
Within minutes, the house filled with people. Theresa, Noelle and Tony went to the kitchen. Anthony had ordered Chinese food like Noelle had promised. However, they had to decorate the cake Theresa made. Tony broke up the bags of ice they bought and put the open bags in the freezer chest.
“I brought the beer,” Jon announced as he walked in the front door. “Hey, everyone.” He nodded at the group in the living room. “Can’t miss my boy’s birthday.” He turned to Emma and Sean behind him. “This is my girlfriend and my son.” He smiled at them and made his way through the house. “Hey, Noelle. Thanks for the call, Tony.”
Tony nodded. “Sure thing, boss.”
“Just Jon today.”
Noelle tasted the icing they made. “Wow.” She spooned some into a smaller bowl.
“Blue or red?” Theresa asked. She had a professional cake decorating kit and several food coloring bottles. “I have black, too.” She glanced at Noelle. “I can make it blue like the tattoo you guys got.”
Noelle nodded. “Sounds good.”
“Why don’t you go play hostess?” Theresa waved a silicone spatula in the air. “I got this.”
Nervously, Noelle washed her hands then ventured into the living room. She put on a smile, unsure how to introduce herself to Claire’s parents, who had come with a caregiver. She gave hugs and kisses to those she knew. Then she stopped at Claire’s parents. She couldn’t remember their names.
“Hi.” She put out a hand to Claire’s mother. “I’m Noelle.”
With a hand to her mouth, Janice, Claire’s mother, replied, “So glad to finally meet you. I’ve heard you captured Dominic’s heart. He’s too good of a man to spend his life alone. You’re as beautiful as Claire.”
“Thank you.” Noelle blushed. “She was quite beautiful. Annabeth was as well.”
Tears in her eyes, Janice patted her husband’s hand. “Wayne. This is Dominic’s new girlfriend, Noelle.”
He looked up. “Hello.”
Noelle briefly glanced at his motorized wheelchair. “Nice to meet you. I hope you like the photos I chose to display of the girls.”
“They’re perfect,” Janice gushed. “I cried when I walked in. Thank you for not letting him forget them, but helping him move on.”
“It’s the least I can do. It was a terrible loss. He’s doing much better now.”
* * *
About an hour after he left, Dominic pulled back into the driveway and shook his head. There were several cars at his brother’s house. That meant they might trick him into a party. He planned to hide in the music room and just play. He wouldn’t go next door.
“She’s up to something,” Dominic mumbled.
Dean turned to him. “For your birthday?”
“Yeah.”
“Are we at least havin’ cake, old man?”
“Ha. Ha.” Dominic got out of the car and rolled his eyes. “We’re having Chinese.”
Dean took his garment bag out of the backseat. “Cool. They had meatloaf for lunch. I hate meatloaf.”
Dominic laughed all the way to the front door. “You’re too much.” He opened the door. Then he jumped back when he saw the amount of people in his home.
“Surprise!”
Shit! Dominic took deep breaths and tried not to swear in front of the children. “You guys scared me.”
Noelle rushed to his side. “Sorry. We wanted to celebrate your birthday. It’s not about getting older. It’s about being alive another year.”
“It’s OK.” Dominic smiled. “I’m done being grumpy.”
Dean slapped him on the back. “Good. I’m hungry.”
Dominic couldn’t believe the change in Dean. The place really helped him. He was clean and happy. “Can we get him some food before he raids the fridge?”
“Food’s all set up in the dining room,” Noelle announced. She led Dominic by the arm to get first choice.
Dean filled his plate as soon as possible. Then he turned to Anthony. “You coming tonight?”
“Nah.” Anthony glanced at his younger children nearby. “This is their first New Year’s without their mom. They need me.”
As he tried not to flash back, Dean nodded. “I get that. They’re lucky to have a dad like you.”
“Thanks. I’m glad you got clean again.” Anthony was genuinely happy for him. “Now we need to find you a nice girl to settle down with.”
Dean sighed. “I doubt there’s one out there who can handle all my—” A glare from Dominic’s mom made him pause. “Um, my stuff.”
“You never know.” Anthony put a hand on Dean’s shoulder. “Give it some time.”
Noelle smiled at Dominic when they sat down in the living room to eat. “Are you mad?”
“No.” Dominic shoveled some rice into his mouth. He felt her eyes on him. “Really. I’m not. You know I hate a fuss. But this is my family.”
She bounced in her seat. “Good.”
The whirl of an electric wheelchair caught Dominic’s attention. “Hey, Dad. So glad you came.” He put his plate down and hugged Claire’s father. “You look good. Have you met Noelle?”
“Yes.” Wayne smiled. “Lovely girl. Good choice.”
Janice came to them as well. “It was wonderful of you to invite us, dear.”
Although Theresa made the calls, Noelle had created the intimate guest list. The only ones not there were Tommy and Chad. Tommy was home to set up for the party that night, and Chad had to work. They both planned to make it up to him.
About an hour later, Theresa entered the living room. “Uncle Dominic. I think we have a little problem. Tony burnt his hand.”
Dominic jumped up and raced to the kitchen. Then the lights went out. A cake with way too many candles on it sat on the table. He glared at Theresa and Tony behind the table. “Not funny.”
“I did burn my hand.” Tony sucked on the side of his index finger. “Damn lighter.”
With a roll his eyes, Dominic knew what was next. He couldn’t help but grin and blush as everyone began to sing. “Wait till your birthday,” he threatened Noelle.
“Bring it on.” She winked at him.
* * *
They said goodbye to everyone around six that evening which left them just enough time to get ready. Dean had taken over the guest room and the bathroom next to it. Dominic and Noelle were glad to have a real master suite to share. His old apartment seemed even smaller since they had room to breathe.
“I have to wash my hair,” Noelle said as she undressed in the bedroom. “Let me shower first.”
Dominic didn’t take his eyes off her. “Go ahead.”
“No sex, Dom,” Noelle scolded him. “I don’t want to be late.”
He sighed. “Fine. Blowjob at Tom’s, then.”
“You brat!”
She knew it was a joke. He had told her about Tommy’s sometimes out of control parties. She had been told there may be sex out in the open or at least in all the bedrooms. He prepared her well for the worst case scenario.
“Can you zip me up?” Noelle asked when Dominic stepped ou
t of the shower.
He moved toward her and did as asked. “Love it.” He walked around her and scanned her body. “The green really brings out your eyes.”
“It matches yours.” She laid a hand on his cheek. “When I saw it, I thought of you. So I had to get it.”
He grinned. “Thanks.” He gave her a brief kiss on the nose. He didn’t want to ruin her makeup. “Let me go get my tux.” Tommy always put “black tie” on the invites for his New Year’s party, but he never wore a tuxedo. He was sure it was just code for “I won’t be naked.”
A knock on the door made Noelle look up. “One minute.” She checked the mirror one last time. Then she answered the door.
“I can never do these things.” Dean held up his bow tie. “Can you help me?”
Noelle smiled. “Sure.” It took her about a minute to get it just right.
“Uh, can you do mine, too?” Dominic asked from behind her.
She laughed. “How did you guys get dressed last year?”
“Gina did it,” Dean replied. Then he realized what he said. “Oh. Sorry.”
Noelle shook her head. “It’s fine. I know he was with her before me.” She put Dominic’s tie around his neck. “We all have a past. What we learn from it is all that’s important.”
“She’s a philosopher, too,” Dominic joked. “Think I found the perfect woman.”
Dean watched them with sadness in his heart. The program he went through helped, but he was still lonely. Hope Amanda’s not there.
“Ready to leave?” Dominic asked.
Noelle grabbed his hand. “I am.”
“Me, too,” Dean chimed it.
Dominic took in a deep breath. “Let’s go ring in the new year and hope it’s a good one.”
About the Author
Bella Jeanisse hails from New York City. At 10 years old, Bella picked up her first guitar. She was instantly hooked. Because of her deep passion for tall men, rock music, tattoos and motorcycles, she has gotten to know many musicians and roadies over the years—in every possible way. And although she has been writing risqué stories about musicians for many years, she has just recently taken these tales to the next level revealing, through her protagonists, the hold some of these men still have on her. They have inspired more than they ever imagined.
Now living in Florida with her three sons, she juggles domestic responsibilities, a social life, her career as an IT professional and her writing as carefully as possible. They do cross paths as you have seen in her first collection of short stories. Her life is busy and full, yet very fulfilling.
The few limits Bella puts on her love-life may be found as but a shadow in her writing. She draws from life, fantasy and inspiration to create each tale.
Bella has broadened her horizons to include short stories, with many more to come; some are still just a sentence at this point. Their subjects range from military men to biker chicks to naughty doctors and much, much more. You can always find a taste of the newest shorts on Wattpad.
Gainesville, her latest series, is different from her usual work. It’s the first of three books about students at the fictional North Florida University. This series will broach subjects like abuse, stereotypes, racism and many others. It’s time for a whole new set of young men and women to fall in love with.
She is also expanding the Triple Threat world to include bands that readers have met in the original novels. Triple Threat Book Three: Dual Desires is up next. Soon enough you’ll also get to know Silverblade, Hands of Fate, Winter Winds, Brass Monkey, Mark of the Devil and Wounded Hearts, too. So many hot rock stars, so little time to make them come to life.
Interact with Bella on Twitter@BellaJeanisse or Facebook. Join Bella's Facebook Group dedicated to her books. She would also love to hear from you on her website. Keep up to date with all her new releases by following Bella on her Amazon Author Page!
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Thanks for reading Evolving Urges. We appreciate your interest in our books. As a courtesy, we’ve included the following Sneak Peek chapters from books we think you might also enjoy. Happy reading!
Sneak Peek: from Pain to Pleasure
by Bella Jeanisse
Chapter One
“It’s Lakeview, right?” Brian asked Danielle as they drove through the campus of North Florida University. They searched for her dorm building.
She double-checked the letter she got from the housing department. “Yes. Room 216.”
Subtly, she looked over at him. He had been on his best behavior for the past three days. Even with the five-hour trip, he only yelled at her once. She expected he would change back to the evil Brian she knew any moment.
Brian parked his Durango as close to the door as he could. He tried hard to keep his promise of change. It wasn’t as easy as it seemed. His brain screamed at him to force his girlfriend to go to school near home, in Fort Lauderdale. That way, he could watch her every move like usual. The need clawed at him within. He fleetingly wondered if Danielle was right that he needed medication to stay stable. He shook his head and dismissed the idea that she could ever be right.
Danielle grabbed one of her bags out of the backseat. “I’m gonna go find my room.”
“Not alone, you’re fucking not!” Brian took several deep breaths. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell.” He chose a suitcase from the back and hauled it out. “I’ll meet you up there, Dani.” The rage bubbled beneath the surface. He had to fight to keep it at bay.
She looked at him through the open doors. He still had fury in his emerald green eyes. She knew he didn’t want her to go to that school because she had to live there. He allowed her to go because he had friends at the school. Yes, “allow.” She followed his strict rules to avoid many things. His temper was something she avoided sparking at all costs.
Brian looked at his phone and replied to the text from Diego:
We’re here. Lakeview 216. Don’t forget!
Diego was a friend from high school that lived on campus. Brian smiled at Danielle as he tried not to show his distrust. He would not let her do whatever she wanted while he was away. After he watched her walk up the stairs, he looked at his phone again.
I’ll watch her. Relax.
Diego had to be kidding. Brian couldn’t relax. He couldn’t even visit her on weekends for months. His next assignment was in Moscow. It was a little over a week away. His job was all travel, but he rarely had to go that far. He implemented new computer systems for his company all over the world. He had requested reassignment, but he was the only one who spoke Russian. Sometimes he thought being a genius sucked.
Danielle was nervous and excited about starting college. She had never been on her own before. The stairs were a bit crowded. That upped her anxiety and reminded her of her first day of high school. That morning ran through her mind clearly.
* * *
Danielle stood in the main entryway of Sunrise High School. She shook, her binder in front of her chest. There were too many students around her. She couldn’t think straight. Then someone touched her arm, and she jumped.
She heard, “I’m sorry.”
She looked up and instantly smiled. “Hi,” she said timidly.
The handsome green eyes of the boy in front of her filled with concern. “Do you need help finding your class?” When she nodded, he smiled. His eyes lit up. “I’m Brian. Where do you need to go?”
She stammered, “Um, um, 3—315.” She couldn’t hide her fear of men. Every man in her life hurt her.
“Hey.” His hand grazed hers. “Don’t be scared.”
Absently, she scratched her arm. The sleeve of her hoodie rode up a bit.
“Who did that?” He grabbed her arm.
She yanked away quickly. “No one. I fell.” It was the first thing she thought of, but that wasn’t any excuse for cigarette burns.
The look in his eyes told her he saw through her lie. “I have scars like that.” His voice softened. “My old man uses me for an ashtray sometimes.” That matter-of-fact statement hooked her.
A few hours later, they met for lunch. They sat at a table outside. They were as far from the rest of the students as could be. Brian fiddled with his hands while Danielle looked at her feet. Neither of them had many social skills.
“Who hurts you?” he quietly asked.
She bit her lip and closed her eyes. “My dad.”
“I hope he’s not as bad as mine.”
Danielle looked up just in time to see a look of fear in Brian’s eyes. “Maybe one day we’ll talk about it.” She gave him a small smile. It was the best she could do.
* * *
Her mind refocused to the present. She wondered what her life would be like if they had never met. Their relationship had not been all bad. He did help her leave home. That, she would always be grateful for.
Danielle looked around when she got to the second floor. There were too many people in the hallway. The room numbers were hard to read. They didn’t seem to go in numerical order either. One door said 208, and then across the hall was 230. That confused the hell out of her.
Evolving Urges (Gasoline Book 2) Page 33