by Dawn Brower
“As long as you understand you’ll never get rid of me, we’ll be fine.” He kissed her softly. “Giving up was in no way an option.”
In a moment of clarity, she gave her heart to him and trusted he’d always keep it safe. Preston was hers and she was his—that was all that mattered. Everything else was just details... They’d work through them each day as they held onto their love...
**Read on for an excerpt from Kiss My Heart Goodbye: Heart’s Intent 4 (Sullivan and Lana’s story) **
PROLOGUE
10 years earlier
It was an especially humid summer afternoon. Sweat beaded on Lisanna Kelly’s forehead as she stared out the upstairs window of the Brady mansion. Her mother was the housekeeper and they lived in the apartment above the garage. They hadn’t always lived there though. There was a time when she’d had a room in the main house. But that was before the Brady’s world had been turned upside down and their daughter went missing.
She should be washing the windows as her mother had instructed. It was hard not to daydream and wish for things she’d never have. Washing windows was boring and tedious. What fun was that? Instead of doing the job she’d been tasked with Lisanna had become riveted with the scene below her. In her defense any living breathing female would be too.
Sullivan Brady had removed his shirt and stretched by the pool. His muscled chest glistened in the sunlight. His skin had darkened to a nice golden tan and caramel streaks now highlighted his usually midnight locks. She licked her lips and forgot all about washing anything. Well—maybe Sullivan needed her help. She could wash him... Lisanna shook the idea away from her head. He would never look twice at her. She was the help’s kid and he was... Everything. She’d never find another male that compared to him. He was so darn perfect.
“Lisanna,” he mother bellowed at her.
“Yes, mama,” she answered.
“What are you gawking at girl?” She came over to the window. Lisanna bit her lip. She was in trouble now. If her mother realized she had been staring at Sullivan she’d berate her endlessly. He was too old for her and she had to remove those silly daydreams from her teenage brain. Her mother stared out the window and frowned. Lisanna braced herself for the impact her mother’s words “It’s a nice day out,” her mother said then sighed. “The pool does look inviting. If you finish the windows I’ll see if Mrs. Brady minds if you take a swim.”
Lisanna’s whole body brightened with anticipation. Sullivan wasn’t down there? She didn’t dare peak out and give her mother any indication she was looking at something other than the pool. “Really?” she asked hopefully. Maybe he’d be down there when she took her swim.
“Yes, dear,” she said softly. “It has to be difficult for you. Living here but not actually being a part of all of this.” She gestured to the lavish room and the expensive decorations. “You’re only seventeen. I want you to have some fun.”
She hated that her mother reminded her of her age. She wasn’t old enough to do anything. Not sophisticated enough for Sullivan. He was turning twenty-one in a week. Then a few weeks after that he’d be off to college again. The summer would be over before she realized it.
“Thank you,” Lisanna said softly. “I’ll finish the windows now.”
“See that you do,” her mother said. “Check with me in the kitchen when you’re done.”
Lisanna nodded and picked up the cleaning supplies she’d abandoned to stare at Sullivan. She sprayed the window and wiped them until they sparkled. Where ever Sullivan had gone while her mother stared out the window she didn’t know, but he was back. It took every ounce of her self control not to ogle him while she cleaned. She had big plans of swimming in that pool and if she was lucky enough he’d still be out there when she did.
She wiped the sweat from her brow and packed up the supplies. Every window was as clean as she could make them. Now for her treat. Her lips tilted upward. The pool and quality time with Sullivan Brady. What more could a girl ask for? She exited the room and headed downstairs. She stopped at the supply closet and deposited the window cleaner inside. Then she headed toward the laundry room and slid the towels into the white’s basket. After that was finished she slid through a door and entered the kitchen.
“I’ve finished...” she stopped midsentence when she realized her mother wasn’t alone. Sullivan had come inside while she was taking care of the supplies. He was even more beautiful up close and hadn’t bothered to put a shirt on. She licked her lips and reminded herself to breathe. After she cleared her throat she said, “The windows are done upstairs.”
Her mother smiled. “Thank you. You’re free to do as we discussed earlier. Make sure to put some sunscreen on so you don’t burn.”
Sullivan grinned. “I can help you with that when you come out. Mrs. Kelly says you’re going to use the pool.”
Lisanna blushed. He was going to put sunscreen on her? She was going to die—oh, but what a way to go. There was no way she wasn’t going to go up in flames once he put his hands near her. “Um yes,” she stammered “Thanks”. Why couldn’t she utter a whole sentence in his presence?
“Run along now,” her mother said. “Enjoy the day.”
Lisanna didn’t need to be told twice. She made herself scarce and darted out of the kitchen. A whole afternoon of doing nothing... She couldn’t recall the last time she’d had that much free time. Her mother was always asking her to do something. During the school year she had more time to herself because her mother wanted her to concentrate on doing well. The summers though—Mrs. Kelly didn’t believe in leaving her daughter time to be idle. She’d not raise a lazy child.
She climbed the steps to the garage apartment and went to her bedroom. Everything inside the tiny room was neat and perfectly placed. At least she believed so. She opened a drawer and pulled out her swimsuit. It was an emerald green tankini she had to talk her mother into. She’d been drawn to it because it matched Sullivan’s eyes. Yes, she was obsessed with him. She couldn’t help herself.
“It’s a lost cause,” she said to herself. “Sullivan Brady is out of my league.”
Lisanna shook her head and prepared herself for her swim. She put on her suit and pulled her dark auburn tresses into a high ponytail. Satisfied with her ministrations she grabbed a white mesh cover up and headed to the pool.
Laughter greeted her as she entered the backyard. She thought she’d find Sullivan alone, but she was wrong. He had a friend with him, and not one of the male persuasion. Maybe she was wrong. Oh, there definitely was a female there. Her bubbly laughter was hard to miss, but there might be others there as well. She rounded the corner and sighed with relief. The last thing she wanted to be was a third wheel on one of Sullivan’s dates. There were a few others there with him. Two more females and another male—all friends of his she recognized. The couple cuddling in the pool were Sullivan’s best friend Aaron Taylor and his girlfriend, Sienna Kent. The other female was Victoria Masters. She was blonde, blue eyed, and nothing but curves. Sadly, Lisanna could see what drew Sullivan to her. Vicki, as he called her, put the word gorgeous to shame.
“You’re too nice,” Vicki said to Sullivan. “Why are you letting that girl join us.”
“Don’t be mean,” he chastised her. “She’s not like us. This is a good break for her.”
They had to be discussing her. Who else would he describe as “not like them”? Lisanna rethought her decision to swim. When it was just Sullivan it had seemed like a wonderful idea. Now though... It pained her to have to face all of them. They were already judging her and she hadn’t even walked fully outside. Lisanna rounded the corner as Vicki wrapped her arms around Sullivan’s neck.
“You’re so altruistic,” Vicki told him. “I don’t know if I could be so charitable to the help.” Lisanna ground her teeth together. This was too much. She couldn’t stay and listen to any more of it. She started to turn and caught Vick staring in her direction. Her lips tilted upward mocking her. “You shouldn’t waste your time on a girl
like that.”
“I...” Sullivan started to say and shook his head. “You may be right. But she’s like a sister to me. Of course she doesn’t replace Daniela.” He shrugged. “I guess you could say I like her and it’s my choice to make.”
A sister? Lisanna’s stomach fell at those words. She realized her crush on him was futile, but those words slashed through it and sent it crumbling to pieces. He’d never see her as anything more than a little girl. Their age difference didn’t even matter. Not really. It was more that he grew up with her and saw her as a semi-replacement for the sister he’d lost. There was no way she was going out there now... She spun on her heels and headed back to the apartment. The afternoon would be better spent reading than drooling over a gorgeous male she’d never have. Some dreams died faster than others. It was time to focus her energy on something more attainable than the love of Sullivan Brady. He didn’t deserve her and sadly, he’d never find out what he was missing. Lisanna wouldn’t give him the time of day ever again.
“Too bad for you.” She whispered. “One day you’ll realize how awesome I am and it will be to your detriment.” A strong woman looked a challenge dead in the eye and gave it a wink. One day she’d be that type of woman and when she winked at Sullivan Brady he’d go down on his knees and beg her to be his. Then she could laugh in his face and say, “I can’t very well be with a man I think of as a brother.” It was a nice dream and she clung to it as she wiped tears from her eyes.
FOUR YEARS LATER...
Sullivan Brady strolled down the street heading toward a club he was supposed to meet a few friends at. They had finished exams for graduate school and would graduate in a few short weeks. He earned his MBA and was at the top of his class. When he returned home he’d take a position at Brady Blue and soon after that he’d take over for his father. He’d been groomed to be CEO of the company for years. The lower managerial position was a formality. His father wanted him to get his feet wet first and then in a few years he’d take over for good. Sullivan was fine with that plan. He wasn’t ready for the responsibility of running the company. It would give him more time to play as he learned more about how the business was run. If there was one thing he loved more than anything was his time for fun.
“Sully,” a male voice called out. “It’s about time!”
He turned toward it and saw Aaron waving him over. They’d been best friends since grade school. They both went to New York to go to school. Sullivan went to Columbia and Aaron to NYU. It gave them space to grow and yet they could still rely on each other. Aaron’s girlfriend, Sienna sat at a nearby table sipping a drink.
Sullivan made his way over to the table. He wasn’t currently dating anyone and wanted to have as much fun as he could. After graduation he’d be heading back home and he’d have responsibility waiting for him. This was a night that he hoped to always remember.
“What took you so long?” Aaron asked.
“Parents called,” he said. “Wanted to ask how I thought I did on exams and it held me up.”
They worried about him and he couldn’t really blame them. After they lost his sister, Daniella they coddled him perhaps more than they should. He didn’t push because he understood their grief. He couldn’t imagine what it was like to lose a child. It was one of the reasons he never intended to marry or have children. He couldn’t take it if he lost anyone dear to him.
“I’m going to get a drink,” Sullivan said. “Do you want anything?”
Aaron shook his head. “No, I’m good.” He turned toward Sienna. “You want anything babe?”
“Yes,” she replied. “Can you get me a slippery nipple?”
Sullivan winked. “I don’t think your boyfriend would appreciate that.”
“Ha, ha,” she said. “I meant the shot and you know it.”
He did, but he couldn’t help messing with her. “You break my heart,” he said holding his hand over his chest. “What does this chump have that I don’t”
“Loyalty and monogamy,” she retorted.
“I resent that,” he replied. “I am perfectly capable of being loyal.” There was no person more devoted to those he cared about then him. “And I’m capable of being monogamous one night at a time.” He shrugged. “Maybe even more than one if it’s warranted.”
Sienna snorted and laughed at the same time. It was rather disconcerting to witness. She held up her hand and finally spat out, “Only you Sully could say that with a straight face. Go get my drink. In fact get a slippery nipple for all of us. We’ll do a toast.”
He grinned and turned to head to the bar. Sienna was a decent sort and she made Aaron happy. They would probably marry one day and have a gaggle of kids. He wished them well, but that life wasn’t for him. The bar was busy and had two bartenders. One was helping customers and the other had her back turned to him. She has long auburn hair that floated down her back in luscious waves. The locks stopped at the curve of her ass and what a fine one it was too. It was hugged by black jeans that emphasized every one of her curves. Sullivan wanted to see if her face would be equally as gorgeous. Turn around, please. He waited anxiously for her to face him and when she finally did the breath was knocked out of him. She was indeed lovely. Her eyes were like warm chocolate and those red waves hugged an exquisite heart shaped face. Her lips were plump and painted a ruby red. But this woman would always be off limits to him.
“Sullivan Brady as I live and breathe,” she said. The corner of her mouth twitched upward. “What brings you here?”
He hadn’t seen her in years. After she graduated college she moved away from their hometown. “Lisanna,” he said.
“Don’t call me that,” she scolded. “I’m not that little girl anymore.”
He scrunched his eyebrows together. “What do I call you then?”
“Lana,” she replied. “I have no use for the person I used to be.”
What the hell did that mean? He liked who she was before. What if he didn’t like the woman she’d grown into? Sullivan definitely enjoyed looking at her but that was entirely different.
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
“You wouldn’t understand,” she said. “And I’m not inclined to explain it.”
Well hell... What had she gone through over the past few years? She couldn’t be more than twenty-one. In the next couple of years she’d graduate and then what? Was she even still in school? What was she doing working as a bartender?
“Didn’t my parents offer to pay your tuition?”
She laughed. “There is more expenses to going to school then tuition rich boy.”
Sullivan flinched at her words. When had she gotten so outspoken? Hadn’t she always been shy and fumbled with words? “They’d have given you more if you asked.”
“Well I like my well paid education but I’m not a beggar. I intend to pay them back every penny and I’d rather not put myself further in debt by taking more than I need.”
Sullivan felt as if his entire world was tipped upside down. This was not the girl he’d known. Perhaps that had been the point. She wanted a change and set out to do it. She’d even gone so far as to change her name. He tested it on his tongue and said it out loud, “Lana.”
She lifted a brow. “Yes?”
“What time is your shift done?”
“Now actually,” she replied. “Why?”
It was a bad idea but he couldn’t help the words that came out of his mouth. “Come home with me.”
She flinched as if he’d slapped her. “I’m not one of your floozies.”
Damn he had known that was the wrong thing to say. He didn’t really want that from her. Hell who was he kidding? He did want that. When he first glimpsed her backside he had visions of peeling those black jeans off of her slowly and dragging his tongue over her skin. Sullivan wanted to taste every inch of her and have her screaming his name. But that wasn’t going to happen with her—ever.
He smiled. “And you never will be Lana dear.” Sullivan leaned on the bar.
“I want to go someplace quiet we can talk. I’d like to get to know this new you.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip and he stared. He was a red-blooded male and yes, he noticed when a sexy woman paid homage to her mouth. Especially when he wanted to put his mouth on it himself. If he didn’t find something else to focus on his dick would harden to painful degrees.
“No,” she finally said. “As much as I’d like to indulge this whim of yours I have to study. I have a final tomorrow morning.”
He hadn’t realized how much he wanted her to come with him until she told him it wasn’t happening. His heart sank in his chest.
“Maybe another time,” he said.
“Doubtful,” Lana replied. “I have to go. My boyfriend’s here.” She gestured toward the door. A tall guy with sandy blond hair and broad shoulders stood at the entrance. “See you around Sully.”
She sashayed away from him. Her fine ass in view the entire time... Damn it all. He was hard for Lana Kelly and she wasn’t available to help him with it. He closed his eyes and counted to ten, then twenty, and still his erection wouldn’t recede. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. He had to find a way to get over his sudden fascination with the one woman he couldn’t have. When he opened his eyes the other bartender was in front of him.
“What can I get you honey?”
Sullivan grinned. There was only one cure for what ailed him. “I need three slippery nipples,” he said with a wink. “Four if you care to join us.”
The bartender made up the three shots and handed them to him. “On the house,” she told him. “Come find me at the end of the night.”
That was an invitation he fully intended to accept. He had to do something to forget Lana and he was willing to start with the other bartender. She wasn’t as sexy and no one would compare to her, but that didn’t matter. His heart couldn’t take a night with Lana. She was the type a man kept...
About the Author
Dawn Brower holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Education, and a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts with concentrations in Literature, History, and Sociology. She works as a substitute teacher and enjoys the flexibility it gives her to concentrate on her other endeavors.