Of course, there’s a whole lot of other craziness out there too, and I consider myself extremely lucky to have these ladies around to also make me laugh and make me feel so loved. In no particular order, my thanks and sincere pleasure for your friendship and never-ending support; Cindi Medley, Helene Cuji, Nicole French, CL Stacey, Cindy Wolken, Michele Dyson, Samantha Marie, Kristine Marie, and Lori Cino. #MWBookSquadGirls
Credit must be given where credit is due, and I wouldn’t be half the online presence I am without my personal assistant, Amanda Walker. I’m not quite sure how she puts up with me and all my scatter-brained thoughts, but she does. She keeps my pages pretty, my newsletters and events flawless, and my ever-fraying sanity intact. Thanks Amanda for every single thing you do; you’re the best.
And last but not least, my most sincere thanks go to you, the reader. If you’re reading this, it means you gave me and my writing a chance. I love writing and telling a story that I hope people will enjoy and truly appreciate. I’m humbled and privileged that you chose to read my book in a time where there are so many great stories available at your fingertips. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
About the Author
Michelle Windsor, is a wife, mom, clinical analyst, and a writer who lives North of Boston with her family. When she isn’t working or writing, she’s been known to partake in good wine and good food with her family and friends. She’s a voracious reader, enjoys a good movie and may be slightly obsessed with Outlander and The Walking Dead.
You can find Michelle on her webpage at www.authormichellewindsor.com or on
Facebook at www.facebook.com/authormwindsor
Also by Michelle Windsor
The Auction Series
The Winning Bid, Book 1
The Final Bid, Book 2
My #BookBestie, Haylee Thorne just released After Tomorrow, Book Two of The Kingsley Series. I’m attaching a sneak peek of Chapter One so you can see for yourself just how good it is! Links for both books in the series are available after the chapter. Enjoy!!
Chapter One
MIKA
“Don’t look at me like that,” she says with a chuckle as her gaze meets mine in the mirror.
“Like what?” I answer innocently, schooling my features to match my tone.
She gracefully slides from the small stool in front of the vanity. As she turns to face me, I get an eyeful of the delicate lacy undergarments that seem to cover so little, yet way too much at the moment for my liking. She raises her eyebrow, amusement painted on her beautiful face.
“Like you have been starving for a solid week, and I’m a juicy hamburger.”
My eyes wander hungrily across her body before they land on those incredible irises of hers. Her eyes are so expressive, I swear they change color with her moods. They are anywhere from dark brown to pitch-black, depending on what emotion drives her at the time. Currently, they are a smoldering dark chocolate color. I like this particular shade in those eyes—as long as I am the one putting it there. I take a step toward her and cannot help the tingle of excitement that washes over me as I note her reaction to my impending nearness. The subtle widening of her eyes. The way her breath catches in her throat. How she catches her full bottom lip between her teeth. I swear I could almost explode in my pants right here, right now, like a damn teenager.
“Oh, Sweet Pea,” I tell her as I close the distance between us. “I think that if I would resort to comparing you to food items, I’d describe you more like a piece of Kobe steak…” I lean in and brush my lips across her collarbone. “And I could really go for some steak right now,” I add suggestively. A soft moan escapes her perfect lips, and that singular, small sound almost causes me to burst out of my pants. I press myself against her, letting her feel what she does to me. A sly smirk spreads across her face.
“Mika James Kingsley,” she says as she lazily lets her hands slide from my chest to my stomach. “As much as I want to…feed you some prime Kobe steak…we are running late as it is.”
I groan. “Nobody will notice if we are a little late.”
She chuckles that sweet laugh of hers. Raeva wraps her arms around my neck and pushes herself onto the tips of her toes. Her mouth finds mine, and she kisses me sweetly. When I try and deepen the kiss, I feel her lips bloom into a smile.
“Uh-uh,” she admonishes me. “I promise that I will be all yours when we get back later on tonight, Mr. Kingsley.”
“You’re already all mine, Ms. Ray,” I grumble, admittedly somewhat disgruntled.
Raeva presses her lips against mine once more. “That’s a fact,” she says with a wink. “But Jillybean’s opening is important to her, and I don’t want to show up late, especially since she has postponed the opening of Serenity because of me. And she’s not too happy with your involvement in that situation as it is. If you make us late to her opening…let’s not give her another reason to be annoyed with you.”
I cringe when I think about the reason why Jill postponed the opening. She had to pick up the pieces after what happened only a couple of months ago. I have come so close to losing the only woman who has ever made me want…more. I am not ready to share her with the rest of the world yet. I want to keep her with me as much as possible, which has been hard since she refuses to quit her job at the Hillcrest Clinic. Stubborn woman. And of course I also have to work and have been working less than ever, even if I still work more than most. This event tonight is the last place I want to be. But she’s right, of course, and it’s not like I don’t have the rest of my life to enjoy every inch of her. I also can’t deny that I am also really fond of Jill; she is Raeva’s best friend, and the two of them are as close—if not closer—than sisters. Besides that, she has allowed my twin sister to help her replan this whole shindig, which has helped her tremendously. Mikaela has been in her element, and even though I am very sure that Jill is heavily benefiting from Mik’s involvement, I also know that she only agreed to let my sister help her because Raeva asked her to do so. And for that, I am grateful.
“And you know that Mikaela will have your neck if you show up late to this event. Jill and Mikaela have been working their butts off to get this event together in such a short time.”
It’s pretty impressive how well Raeva already seems to know my sister. I am not sure if I should be elated that they get on so well or terrified. I watch her step into a deep red, silk gown, and I know I am going to enjoy peeling it off of her. She smiles as she glances at me over her shoulder.
“You mind zipping me up, Captain Caveman?”
I will never admit to her that I am quite fond of her nickname for me; it has grown on me. I stride toward her and can’t resist the urge to kiss her shoulder as I tug on the zipper.
“You look spectacular in this dress,” I murmur in her ear. “I cannot wait to rip it off you later.”
She leans into the kiss, putty in my hands, and I cannot help the smugness that washes over me. The sound of someone clearing their throat startles me. I turn and find my twin sister standing in the entrance to the walk-in closet, and although I am slightly annoyed at her interruption, the feeling of complete elation at the sight of her is undeniable. She looks amazing. Her long blonde hair is twisted up in a half bun, and the silk gold gown she is wearing perfectly complements her eyes. My annoying little brat of a sister cleans up well.
“Step away from the beautiful lady in the red dress,” she says sternly. “So help me God, Ivy League, if you make her late to this I will be forced to unleash my wrath onto you, and dear brother, you know better than to poke the bear.”
I sigh. “Good evening to you too, little sister.”
Mikaela breezes past me.
“Rae, you look breathtaking,” she exclaims. “Let’s do your makeup.”
Raeva smiles sweetly and takes the hand Mik’s holding out for her.
“You finish getting dressed while I put the finishing touches on my future sister.”
Raeva’s eyes snap over to mine, a look of shock paint
ed on that beautiful face of hers. I can’t help but chuckle.
“Breathe, Sweet Pea,” I whisper in her ear.
I lean in and kiss her temple. “I will be back shortly ladies,” I mutter as I turn and stride out of the walk-in closet.
For more about Haylee and her books, visit her website: www.hayleethorneauthor.com
Purchase Haylee’s books on Amazon: https://goo.gl/CTgKXg
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Also, check out my friend Cin Medley’s latest release, Beautiful Liar. Here’s a sneak peek for you.
Prologue
There comes a time in a person’s life when you find yourself with your back against a wall. To the left is danger, to the right is danger, and right down the middle is sure death. So many times your brain actually struggles with which direction to go, or do you just stand there and watch the train wreck happen in front of you and hope to god you don’t become a causality.
Me, well I am most certainly not the type of person who would just stand there and let it happen. I couldn’t do a damn thing to stop the train that tore the other half of me completely in two, but I can do something about the fucking train that barreled through the peaceful and beautiful life of one of the most beautiful souls I’ve ever known.
I go by many names, depending on which day of the week it is, which city I am living in and what needs to be accomplished. I have many who help me along the way, but no one is responsible for me except for me. I am the only one who can stop the train, many have tried and they have all failed. I will not fail.
There is only one place that I truly find peace, a place of complete innocence, a place where I am everything, a place that owns my heart. I promised, no vowed, to stop the train, and then made sure there was no way the train would win when it hit the brick wall of me. As farfetched as this is, it’s my story.
Chapter One
“Cassie, can you grab three of the specials and get them over to table six?” Jerry yells at me.
I smile and nod to him, but what I really want to do is stab the fucker a few hundred times in the chest and watch his face while I do it. I swear if he accidently touches my ass one more time I am going to break his arm. Walking into the kitchen I see the right hand of Andy Marciano standing by the door. I know that bastard is in the building. I just don’t know who he is. No one has been able to get a picture of him in the ten years he’s been a player, so he is basically a ghost. It takes everything I have not to bend over and grab the knife strapped to my ankle and slice that fuckers throat wide open. Johnny McDonald, fucking asshole, rapist and murderer.
Sal hands me three of the specials, “Thanks,” I turned to head out to table six.
As I pass Jenny walking to the bar she shoots me a look, her eyes full of fear. I know she is one of the girls that Jerry forces to fuck some of his customers. He asked me once, I told him no fucking way. I quit that day. I can still remember him chasing me out the kitchen door.
*
“Come on Cassie. I just thought you might want to make some extra money. I mean with a body like yours, my customers are always asking.” I wanted to gut the fucker then.
“I am not a fucking whore!” I shouted at him.
“You’re the best god damn waitress I have. I promise I won’t ask again. Come on, I’ll even give you a raise.” He shouted as I rounded the back end of my beat up Chevy. Which caused me to stop.
“How much?” I asked.
“Another five an hour. You’re good for business with that tight ass of yours.” He smiled.
“You’re a disgusting pig, Jerry. You make my skin crawl.”
“So you’ll stay? I swear I will keep you safe.”
I chuckled to myself, thinking, I don’t need you to fucking keep me safe. “I’ll do it, but don’t you dare think for one minute that I am going to fuck anyone.”
His smile touched his eyes, “I promise.”
He waited for me to walk towards him. I know he is sweet on me, and I do believe the fucking prick might even think he has a chance with me. Not going to happen. “If I’m your best waitress then why do you keep hiring the bimbo’s?”
“Because they fuck the customer’s,” he chuckled.
“You do know that running a whore house is illegal right?”
“It’s only illegal if you get caught. Besides, the guys are the guys, they can get a piece of ass where ever they want. No one says no to them.”
“I just did. So what should I watch my back now?”
“No, you are safe.”
“Why? Why am I safe Jerry, and the rest of the girls aren’t? What makes me immune?” I stopped walking. I needed to keep this job, I needed to find that bastard Marciano. I needed to end him and all his fucking buddies.
He chuckled, “Because when I asked you, you had balls enough to tell me to fuck off. I have to respect that. Those other bitches just buckled and did it. Now I own them.”
I shook my head, “You’re a disgusting pig Jerry, you know that right?”
He laughed, “I do. But come on, don’t quit. You bring a bit of class to the joint.”
“Fine, whatever. But don’t try to sell me again or I might not stop with just walking out the door.”
“See, you aren’t afraid of me. I like that.”
“What are you some kind of sick masochist. You get off on a strong willed woman? Please don’t tell me you like to be tied up and whipped.” I had to actually swallow the bile that rose up in my throat.
“Fuck no. You remind me of my mother.”
“Great, thanks a fucking lot.”
“No, not like that. She was a proud woman. She didn’t let life beat her down, no matter how hard it was for us. She squared her shoulders and took this life head on. You’re like that, no matter how bad it gets you hold your head up and stand proud. I respect that.”
I think he just paid me a compliment. “Thank you?”
“Come on, you still have three hours on your shift. I’ll even be nice and not dock you the twenty minutes we’ve been out here.”
*
I walk back into the kitchen, to grab another order. Fucking Johnny was still standing at the back door. I heard him say to Jerry as I walked by, “Hey, I like her. How much is she?”
Jerry laughed, “That one, I’m afraid is not for sale. She has the bite of a cobra, trust me.”
“Awe Jerry, everyone has a price.” He looked at me as I started to walk out.
“Not that one, and if I were you, I’d watch your balls. You may end up with them in your hand.”
I looked up at him and smiled. The look I got back was one of pure evil. “Ah, little girl, the things I could teach you about obedience,” he said laughing.
I just shook my head. I knew he would end up in the morgue. Just like the rest of them, he would be number fifteen. I often wondered what Mr. Marciano thought of his men disappearing. Apparently not much because new ones just appeared where the old ones disappeared.
I finished my shift and headed back to the rat hole I had taken as a residence, for this job. I hated this place. But I needed to make sure I wasn’t followed. I did what I do every night. I go in and make it look like I am getting ready for bed. I turn on the shower and pretend to use it. Then I walk around in front of the windows changing my clothes, and then I turn off the lights and leave through the back door of the building to the waiting car that takes me to the luxury apartment downtown for my day job. It’s tiring, but I am so close to the end of this two year fucking nightmare.
Walking in, I dropped the short black wig in the drawer, strip off the sweats and hit a real shower. One with white walls and no mold or bugs crawling all over the place. I turn the water to the hottest temperature my body can stand. I hate that fucking place. I can’t scrub my body hard enough to make it all go away. But it is what it is, and I need to do this. I need to end this.
After I run the hot water out, I wrap myself in one of my luxury white towels and make my way to the bed. To the only place I can take my heart out and make
myself feel warm inside. Reaching for the night stand I reach under it and pull the phone from its secret compartment and turn it on. This is the best part of my day. As it comes to life, message after message arrives. My smile is wide and my heart speeds up.
Opening the first one I can feel the tears stinging my eyes.
*
I miss you.
*
When are you coming home?
*
We made chocolate chip cookies. Ruth put some in the freezer for you.
*
I have to go to bed now, I love you.
*
My heart hurts, as the tears roll down my face. It’s like this, every night. Every day as I move through the motions, setting up each piece of the puzzle I know what the reward is and it makes that day one step closer to the peace that awaits me. I type back a few responses.
*
I miss you too.
*
Soon my love, soon I will be home.
*
Thank you for saving me some. I hope it’s enough for you to share them with me. Tell Ruth thank you.
*
I am going to bed now as well. I love you more than the flowers love the sun.
*
Pulling the phone to my chest, I cry silently, wishing none of this happened. Wanting my life to be my life again. My happy stupid carefree life. I miss Steven. I look at my hand where my wedding band use to sit. The memory of leaving him still so fresh in my mind.
*
He had come home from work shortly after I had gotten the news. He walked in to me throwing the dishes out of the sink onto the kitchen floor screaming.
“What’s wrong?” He said. I looked up at him. “Whatever it is beautiful, we can get through it.”
Losing Hope Page 18