He shrugs, “Vivy has always been pretty, but shy. Rand was always the tough one of the two. Vivy started dating Sterling.” He looks at me, “Yeah the names in that family are kinda fruity. Anyway after they started dating we all noticed Vivy withdraw from everyone Linc and I were young so, we didn’t really understand it all. All I know is Rand figured out that Vivy was hiding the fact that Sterling was knocking her around a little, being real possessive, screwing around on her, but threating her about leaving him. It got messy; Vivy went to counseling about it for a long time. She’s probably more outgoing now than she’s been in years. I told you I really didn’t like that guy or his family.”
I shake my head, “Trust me, I can’t tell you how many times I wished I would’ve listened to you. I was trying so hard to get past everything I’d been through. I was mad because I felt like everyone was treating me like a kid. But we see how well that went.”
“Hey I know I was an asshole to you several times throughout all of that. Especially that night you left for your date and I was drunk. I said that shit about sleeping with you just to piss Skylar off, let him know you were mine.”
“Yours huh?”
He chuckles, “Yeah mine. I think I thought of you as mine after I slept in the bed with you after your first nightmare.” He starts to tickle me, “I like that I know your quirks, I know what makes you happy or sad, I know how to make you scream my name and I really like that fact that this sweet pink sweetness has only been seen by me and it’s MINE.”
I smile, “I like you being possessive over me.”
He leans over me, “Oh really you like it. Tell me what you want.”
I look at him through almost a drunken haze, “Well right now I want you to make love to me and later tonight when we are in our room, I want you to fuck me, hard. I want you to make me come so many times that I could sleep for a week.”
He takes my mouth in a forceful kiss, then after removing our clothes he kisses and touches every inch of my body. It’s almost like he’s worshipping it or savoring it. We make love right there by the river holding each other.
Chapter 40Russ
Driving back to school looking at my beautiful Anna sitting there, I know I want to be with her every second for the rest of my life.
I grab her hand, “Hey Sweetie.”
She looks over, “Yeah.”
“So when do you think you wanna get married?”
She smiles, “I don’t really know, this is all still so surreal to me. Every few minutes I think Oh My God I’m engaged. I have a fiancé. It just doesn’t seem real.”
I laugh, “Oh, it’s all very real and we are going to revisit how real it is when we get home.”
She giggles, “I know that’s real you perv.” She looks at me, “Why? When do you wanna get married?”
I shake my head, “Hell I’d marry you tomorrow, but I don’t think you’d go for that.”
She barks out a laugh, “No, I wouldn’t. I want Gabby to be involved in my wedding and that will be easier for her after the baby gets here and is at least a few months old.”
I nod, “Okay so the baby is due in June/July so what do you think of next Winter Break?”
She looks at me like I’m a crazy person, “How about next Summer when the baby is a year old or close to it? Then maybe he or she can be in our wedding too.”
I shrug, “I guess I can handle that. So what are we going to do about the living arrangements? I know Linc is already looking at buying a house, I saw him looking at real estate websites. But I mean with them having a baby and all I understand.”
“Well, I don’t think we should jump into buying a house yet. I know you have money now, but I think we should pretend like you don’t until we actually graduate. Then we can buy a house where we decide to live.”
I nod, “Good point. So do you wanna stay renting the place we are at? I mean I don’t know with the Daria and Cade situation.”
She laughs, “Yeah, I have a feeling that will all be real interesting. Plus, lets see what Linc and Gabby decide to do, then see what all happens with Cade and Daria?”
“Okay and then if we have to we’ll just rent an apartment by ourselves.”
She smiles, “Sounds good to me.”
“Have I told you in the last five minutes how much I love you?”
She smiles, “Yes, but I can never hear it enough.”
I smile, “Well, I love you.”
***
A few hours later we pull into our driveway. When we arrive the front yard is full of police cars and crime scene tape.
I get out of the car, “What in the hell is going on?”
Anna rounds the car, “Where is everyone?”
All of a sudden we see an ambulance with Daria sitting in the back her face is bloody. We run over to the ambulance and Anna jumps in the back, “Daria what’s going on? Where is Cade?”
The EMT’s are trying to get Anna out, “Ma’am we have to take her to check for broken bones. Ma’am we need you to get out of the vehicle.”
I step forward, “Sir, if you’ll just give her a minute, this is our house. We are just trying to figure out what’s going on?”
The EMT looks at me, “Sir she isn’t going to answer any questions, she’s been almost catatonic since we got here. I think she’s in shock, her parents are meeting us at the ER. The deputy over there can answer your questions.”
I nod, “Anna baby come on let Daria go get checked out, her parents are waiting on her.”
She comes reluctantly with me and we walk over to the deputy.
I step up, “Excuse me officer, this is our house and our friends? Can you tell us what happened and where our friend Cade is?”
The officer looks at me, “He was taken to the hospital to get checked out and then he’ll be taken in for questioning. The assailants have been arrested and are getting checked for injuries, but they will not be released on bail or anything.”
Anna looks at him with a sudden clarity, “Why were they here?”
The officer looked at her, “It appears they were after the young lady Ms. Broxton.”
I look at him confused, “Who is Ms. Broxton?”
Anna looks at me, “It’s Daria’s real last name.” She looks to the officer, “She uses the last name, Jones now. She would probably appreciate it if that is the name they use at the hospital. Most likely this is the very reason she uses it.”
The officer nods and walks to his car. I look at Anna, “Is there something you wanna tell me? I know Cade was pissed with you guys about keeping secrets and that’s the reason they split.”
She sighs, “Look I don’t really know much, I know about the last name thing and I know Daria’s real Dad is part of an organization that I don’t feel comfortable talking about. Not out here anyway, I’ll explain what I can on the way to the hospital, but you better call Gabby and Linc. They have to know about this before they get here, I have a feeling the shit is going to hit the fan.”
EpilogueLinc and Gabby’s Wedding Day April 14th
Anna
I walk down the aisle in front of Gabby, looking over at Russ. He looks pure edible in his tux. All the guys are so handsome. As I reach the front I turn around to see my Dad and Gabby come through the archway. She’s so beautiful. No surprise our mother isn’t here and was a complete bitch about it all. I feel so sad for Linc’s mom, they left the seat next to her open in remembrance of his Dad. Before I know it they are kissing and Gabby is reaching for her bouquet I’m holding. I guess I’ve been daydreaming this entire time.
I walk to the center and loop my arm through Russ’s. He kisses my cheek, “You look beautiful sweetie.”
“Thank you.”
An hour or so and five million pictures later we finally get to go to the reception. We walk over to the area where I see my sister and Cade dancing so I take a quick picture with my phone and send a quick text. Then I see them go sit alone at a table together while Linc dances with his mom.
I look
over to Russ, “Hey why don’t you dance with your Mom or Viv? I’m going to talk to my sister and brother for a minute.”
He nods, “Just save me a dance for later. You looked so beautiful tonight I can’t wait for later I’ll get to hook up with a bridesmaid.”
I roll my eyes and walk over and sit down. Cade looks up, “So I’m thinking Gabby takes the crown for hottest knocked up chick getting married ever.”
I laugh, “Well it looks like I sat down just in time.”
Gabby looks over at us, “Well if you mean hot as in temperature then yes I’m hot, because this little guy I’m carrying is like my own little portable heater. Who ever talked me into actually having a wedding? I’m not sure but what I’m going to murder them. Between the wedding, closing on the house, moving into the house, getting the nursery ready, it’s just been a lot to deal with.”
I look over at her, “Well everything today turned out beautiful, it was perfect. The only thing I wish was different is that Daria could be here with us and of course Marshall.”
Cade shakes his head, “Let’s not talk about her right now.”
Gabby looks at him, “Cade, Anna and I know you are hurting, but we both miss her and wish that she could be here that’s all we are saying.”
He stands up, “You don’t think I miss her? You don’t think I wake up every morning missing her touch, the feel of her skin against mine? Her smell on my sheets. Hell yes I’m hurting. I was lied to, my heart was broken into a million pieces, I literally thought I was going to watch her die and she still wouldn’t come completely clean with me. Never mind I can’t talk about this anymore.”
He storms off and I look at my sister, “Hey its okay. I know he’s hurt but he eventually has to see the bigger picture. I mean none of us can change any of it now.”
She wipes a tear, “I know but, I don’t know that he’ll ever get over her. I mean she’s the only girl to own Cade’s heart. Did he tell you he’s going home this summer? I want him here when I have the baby, but he says he just can’t.” She’s crying a little harder.
I shake my head, “No he didn’t tell me that, but I’m not shocked. I think being around us is just a reminder of everything he’s lost. Maybe he just needs sometime to clear his head.”
She nods, “Maybe.”
I smile, “I’m going to get some wine and I promised my fiancé a dance.” As Linc walks up I walk away.
I find Cade and grab his shoulder, “Okay look I know you are upset with all of this but, you have to be here when Gabby has the baby. She’s upset about you going home for the summer, and she thinks you won’t be here for the baby to be born. Now you are our brother. Whether or not we all came out of the same vagina or not is irrelevant. You have been there in some form or fashion for most of our major life events, so you will have your ass up here when she has that little boy. Do you understand? If you don’t I’m talking to Lydia. So pull up you big girl panties.”
He nods, “I know and yes I’ll be here for the baby. I just have some thinking to do and I need some downtime to do it. Okay?”
I nod, “Okay.” I feel hands wrap around my waist, and glance up to see Russ.
He leans into my ear, “You owe me a dance.”
I giggle at the vibrations on my ear, “I guess I do.”
We make our way out to the dance floor, looking over at Gabby and Linc dancing I can’t wait for my wedding day. I see Cade dancing with Vivy and my dad dancing with Lydia. This time last year, I was hoping and praying I would get to move in with Gabby. Then after I got to college, I tried to resist the temptation known as Russ. Well I’m glad I didn’t, I’m glad I acted on it. I feel my cell phone vibrate in my bra. I pull it out and check the text message.
DJ: She looked beautiful, thanks for the pic wish I could take away his pain.
Russ looks at me, “Who is texting you right now?”
I look up at him, “Just somebody we used to know that still cares.”
Cade has found and lost the love of his life in the past two years. Daria Jones has been running from a past that has caught up with her and wrecked her relationship with her one true love. Can Cade and Daria fix things or are they too stubborn? Cade and Daria’s Story next in
The third book in the Temptation series
Fighting Temptation…
About the Author
Photos by Shelly Sale
S.M. Donaldson is a wife and mother based on the Gulf Coast of the Florida Panhandle. She’s funny, sarcastic and has been known to have a potty mouth. She’s worked in many different fields in her life but, she has always dreamed of writing short stories and books. She recently penned her first series of novels Sam’s Choice and Sam’s Fight for Freedom. She is currently working on The Temptation Series.
To learn more about S.M. Donaldson visit her at:
www.facebook.com/S.M.Donaldson.Author
www.goodreads.com/AuthorSMDonaldson
Twitter: @ SMDonaldson1
More titles by S.M. DonaldsonSam’s Choice
Sam’s Fight for Freedom
(The Sam Series)
Lying with Temptation
Acting on Temptation
(The Temptation Series)
Just the Other Sister
(A Novella)
As always if you enjoy these please feel free to review them where you purchased them.
Please enjoy this excerpt from Cowboy
Town
Kasey Millstead
PROLOGUE
Life doesn’t always hand you the happy ever after you dreamt of. Sometimes, living happily ever after is a choice, not a given. Live happy with what you have – not what you thought you would have.
“Happy birthday, Eden,” Matt whispers in my ear.
“Hmm,” I stretch out in his bed, “Thank you.”
He kisses my cheek and then nibbles down my neck to my collarbone, “You’re most welcome.” I feel his grin against my skin. Turning slightly onto my side, I run my hands up and down his sculpted back. I have always liked Matt’s toned, long, athletic body. Just thinking about it hovering over me causes a shiver to run through my body. I run my fingers up over his shoulders and into his perfectly trimmed sandy blonde hair, ruffling it with my fingers. I moan when he takes a nipple into his mouth and laves it with his tongue. He pays each nipple special attention until he’s satisfied, then he spits some saliva on his hand and wipes it on his cock (for lubrication because he never takes the time to get me really excited), then he positions himself over me and thrusts inside in one swift movement.
“Ah,” I cry out, arching my back.
“Oh, yeah,” he grunts. He thrusts a few more times before emptying himself inside of me.
“That was great.” He kisses the corner of my mouth before rising out of bed and heading for the shower. Three years, and every time was the same. Slam, bam, thank you ma’am.
I lie there for about five seconds before I reach into my overnight bag and pull out my toy. Slipping it underneath the covers I switch it on and I’m rewarded with an enthusiastic buzzing sound.
My hips jerk when I first touch it to my clit and I moan softly, careful to keep the noise down so Matt doesn’t hear. Rolling my nipple between my thumb and forefinger, I use my other hand to work my toy down below until I stiffen, then shudder. I bite down on the corner of my pillow to muffle the drawn out moan that rises from my throat as I convulse. I hear the shower cut off and I quickly place the toy back in its place before taking my shower and readying myself for work.
I hear the bathroom door open as I rinse the conditioner from my hair.
“I’m off to work, Eden. Can you lock up when you leave? I’m going to be pretty busy tonight with work. It’s red week starting tomorrow isn’t it? I guess I’ll see you in seven days. I’ll call you, ok? Love you.” He doesn’t wait for me to answer; he just closes the door and leaves. Red week is what he calls my period week. He never comes near me when I’m menstruating. I have no idea why, and honestly I don’t care
. My heart sinks. I love Matt; well at least I think I do. We got together just before my parents passed away and along with Jules and work, he’s been a constant steady part of my life since. I do often wonder though, if my parents hadn’t died, would I still be with him? We’ve been together a long time and even though every year previously has been the same, it doesn’t mean I don’t get my hopes up every birthday that he’ll buy me some flowers or some jewelry or just … something to acknowledge me. But this year, same as the previous two, the only thing I get from him is a ‘happy birthday, Eden’ and a thirty second fuck that leaves me hanging.
I finish getting ready and leave for work, making sure to lock Matt’s door before I go.
“Hi Eden, happy birthday,” my boss, Dawn, greets as I walk through the doors of Prestige Real Estate.
“Hi Dawn, thank you,” I reply, smiling. Dawn is middle aged, has a sleek platinum blonde bob, perfectly applied makeup, and she wears tailored skirts, blouses and suit jackets to work every single day – even when it’s freezing. She won’t be caught in trousers.
“What have you got on today?” She asks, following me through the building until I reach my office.
“I have a walk through at one and an open house at three. I’ve also got to get onto preparing some leaflets and brochures for the Marsden residence auction. Those have to be sent to the printers today to ensure they’re ready. I’ll get Bridget onto that. Oh, and I also have to make a few phone calls to book an inspection with the tenants of two two eight River Crescent,” I say as I flip through my appointment book.
“Okay, well I’m out of the office today, so I’ll be on my mobile,” she smiles breezily as she struts out of my office and into her own.
I set about organizing the photos and information that we’ll need to make up into brochures and then get printed.
“Eden, there’s a delivery of flowers for you,” Bridget says as she walks into my office carrying a beautiful bouquet of red roses mixed with baby’s breath.
Acting On Temptation (Temptations) Page 15