Fighting
Desire
Tiffany Hachey
Copyright © 2015 Tiffany Hachey
All rights reserved.
ISBN:1511707593
ISBN 13 9781511707596
All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission from this author.
Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. All characters and story lines are the property of the author and your support and respect is appreciated.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarities to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to my family and friends who put up with me through this process. Listening to me go on and on about my ideas. Yeah, I talked about them all the time. Lol!
My husband who was very helpful, supportive, and most importantly patient. And most of all my two children, who have encouraged me to try and make a career out of writing.
Carol and Tiff for helping me with my editing. Lord knows it takes me forever by myself.
Lastly, to anyone and everyone who reads and enjoys my books and continue to purchase my work.
Thank you, and enjoy.
Introduction
Thinking she finally has her chance at happiness, Sarah Price quits her less than stellar job. With her brother in better health, she doesn't need the extra money to help her parents with his medical bills. After a fleeting crush on business owner Braydon O'Donnell, she turns to him for employment.
Finding herself falling for her new boss Brent, seems too good to be true. Is she in getting too deep, too fast?
Brent Jacobs never thought he would fall hard for a stripper. After learning her reasons for turning to undressing for money, he can't help respecting her for her selflessness.
One night he loses it all when someone he thought was in his past and wishing to hell she'd stay there shows up at his door.
Can they overcome this obstacle? Or will Brent have to fight to put away his desire for Sarah?
CONTENTS
Inception
1
Regrets
31
Story Time
43
Second Chance
59
Rewind
68
Best I can
78
Good Byes
90
Paradise
103
Bad Break
116
Almost Forgotten
133
Letting Go Of Desire
155
Reluctance
168
May Showers
182
Shadows
195
Oh Hell No!
207
Labor Of Love
219
Haylee Mae
231
BOOKS BY TIFFANY
Fighting Temptation
Book 1 in the Bay State Series
Fighting Desire
Book 2 in the Bay State series
Coming Soon
Fighting Control
Book 3 in the Bay State series
Fighting Fate
Book 4 in the Bay State series
inception
Six months ago......
Looking around the crowded bar as I sip on my margarita, feeling sorry for myself, I see one of Braydon's friends. Or at least I think it is. I've lost count on how many drinks I've had. I think this is my fifth or sixth, and I can barely see straight. Definitely calling a cab tonight.
I brazingly look him over from where I'm sitting. He looks good in navy blue running shorts, tight red t-shirt, and a backwards baseball cap, that shows off his sharp facial features. He catches me checking him out and treats me with a smile that stretches from ear to ear. Waving at me with a wink, he starts heading in my direction.
Coming to a stop next to me, I take a moment to size him up again now that he's closer. Damn he looks good, I can see his muscular chest from the tightness in his shirt and feel a flutter in my stomach. I don't know why I hadn't realized before just how good looking he is. I can see some dark blonde hair peeking out from underneath the front of his hat and it looks sexy. His matching five o'clock shadow makes me want to reach up and stroke his face. Shit he hasn't even said one word to me and I want to climb him. Down girl.
“Like what you see?” He asks with a wicked grin, showing off some seriously sexy dimples.
“As a matter of fact I do.” Holy shit! Did I just say that? His eyes widen at my honest answer. I can't say I blame him. I'm just as surprised at the words that just spewed from my lips. Choking on my drink, I look up into his smiling eyes.
“Mind if I have a seat?” He asks, gesturing to the empty barstool to my right.
Gathering air in huge gulps to compose my breathing I nod my head. “I don't mind at all. Sorry I was so blunt, it must be the alchohol talking. I'm not sorry I said it though. It's the truth.” I take another sip of my drink as he takes his seat next to me. Did it get hot in here?
He turns towards me and holds out his hand. “Are you always so blunt with strangers? Or is it just me?” He asks, showing me that panty melting smile again.
Laughing, I take his hand as I answer him. “No it's definitely just you. At least when I'm not at work. I know you recognize me, and that's fine. I'm actually trying to get out of that and go back to school. That's why I'm here getting shit faced, thinking about my options. My name's Sarah by the way, now we're not strangers, well maybe we are until I know your name. God, listen to me blabbing. Liquor gives me verbal diarrhea. I'm shutting up now.” My face must be bright red. I'm so embarrassed.
Turning away from him and staring at the bottles behind the bar, I half expect him to get up and leave. Who the hell wants to talk to a blubbering idiot. I feel a hand on my shoulder and suddenly I'm spinning on the barstool and facing him again, which makes me dizzy and my body pitches forward.
His hands steady me and hold me upright. Pushing my hair back off of my forehead, he looks at me with an expression I've haven't seen much of in my 25 years of life. Concern. “Are you gonna make it? Do you need me to call someone for you? My name is Brent, and yes I recognize you, but that's not why I came over. Your a very good looking woman, and it wouldn't matter if I'd seen you before or not. You looked interested when I saw you, so I came over.” He hasn't taken his hands or eyes off of me, and I'm starting to get some naughty ideas about him taking me home.
Releasing me he takes his hat off and runs his fingers through his slightly damp hair. “I'll be alright, thanks for asking. As long as you stay and keep me company. I'll most likely end up taking a cab home.” He smells so good. “Just come from the gym? Your all sweaty.” I clamp my hand over my mouth, how rude. What the hell is wrong with me? I can feel myself start to sweat. Why does he make me so nervous?
Laughing at my obvious discomfort, he shakes his head. “Na, Tuesday night ritual. Run five miles, end up here, knock a couple cold ones back, and walk a couple blocks back to my apartment.” He's still looking at me with curiosity, at least that's what I think it is. I'm used to attention at work. Outside of work, not so much. I do know I would run away from myself if I could. Not sure why he hasn't yet. “How about you? Not working tonight?”
I don't know why but I'm very self concious outside of work. It's like as soon as I leave that building I'm a completely different person. I guess it's true since I'm not that person. I've had to dig deep to become Desire. Sarah is
just a quiet girl who likes to occasionally have fun with her friends. Sure I've had a few rebellious momemts. But honestly who hasn't? I look over at this handsome man sitting next to me and wonder if he's interested in the real me, or the wild fake me. “I just work Thursday through Saturday. I'm trying to find a nine to five, maybe go back to school.” I shrug and look back to my drink and swirl the straw around a bit, realizing it's almost empty, I signal the bartender for another.
“That's cool. Hey would you like to grab dinner some time?” He's quick, I'll give him that. I'm still unsure if he thinks I'm easy. The only time I've ever thrown myself out there at someone was with Braydon last month, and that was very uncharacteristic of me.
I shake my head and start laughing. “What's so funny?” He asks as he backs up away from me. Great he probably thinks I'm crazy too.
“Sorry, it's just we don't even know each other and I'm having a hard time deciding if you want to take me or the stripper out to dinner. We're really two different people. I'd hate for you to be disappointed.” Lowering my head, I stare at the bar. Suddenly feeling very dizzy again.
He pulls my chin up with his finger and directs me to look at him. “Listen. I'm interested in getting to know the real you, or I wouldn't have asked. If I wanted the stripper then that's where I would approach you. I know we just met but how are we supposed to get to know each other if we don't take the chance?” He has the most sincere look, his baby blues begging me to trust him. “Let's meet here tomorrow at six, we'll get a table and some food, and just talk, no pressure.” He takes my phone and programs his number into it. I snatch it out of his hands and dial, immediately setting his phone off.
“So Brent? Are you always this forward?” I lean my chin on my hands as the room starts to spin and I tilt towards him while batting my eyelashes, revealing a little bit of my cleavage in the process. I don't miss the way his eyes stray down away from my face, lingering a little too long before coming back up to meet mine.
He licks his lips and it's as if he can't help himself, his eyes keep going back and forth between mine and my breasts. I can see his internal struggle to keep himself focused on my face. “When I see something I want this much, yeah. Although I can't remember ever being this quick to have my mind set on wanting something. I'm going to enjoy the chase.” He swallows heavily before looking at my tits one last time. Winking at me, he turns and drains his glass.
Suddenly intrigued by a game of cat and mouse, and the fact that I'm now good and truly drunk, I lay my hand on his thigh and squeeze. Earning a sly sideways glance from him. Mentally calculating the last time I've been intimate with someone, I internally cringe. Yeah, it's been awhile.
*****
I wake up to the sound of my shower running. Shit, did we? I can't remember. The last thing I remember is squeezing his leg, and him saying it was time to get me home. What did he mean by that? Don't get me wrong I'm attracted to him, I just would have liked to be coherent for our first time. The pipes become quiet and I can here Brent whistling on the other side of the door. Debating on feigning sleep when he comes out I run out of time as my bathroom door opens, which is directly across the hall from my room. And seeing as my door is wide open, he can see I'm awake. He looks delicious dripping wet, wearing only a towel around his waist.
Watching him as he crosses the hall, I sit up in bed, bringing my sheets up to my chin. Not sure why I feel the need to cover myself. “I hope you don't mind, I needed to take a quick shower before running to the office.” Briskly drying his hair with another towel, he looks up at me with a small secret smile.
“What?” Running my hands through my hair, I can only imagine what I look like.
As if reading my thoughts he chuckles. “You look fine, as a matter of fact you look a whole lot better than you did last night. How much do you remember?” He takes a seat on the side of my bed next to me and takes over fixing my hair. “And no, we didn't have sex.” He chuckles again and removes his hand from my hair before standing up and walking to the chair in the corner of the room where his clothes from the night before are neatly folded.
Groaning, I cover my face with my hands and flop back down against my pillows. “I'm sorry really, I'm such a mess right now, I had way too much to drink.” Taking my hands away from my face, I see that he's made his way back over to the side of my bed, gripping his clothes in his hand. “How bad was I? You can tell me.” Mortified, that's how I feel. I have no recollection of last night, I can only imagine what he's witnessed.
Sitting back down on the bed he puts his arm over my body and holds himself up on the mattress. “Let's see, you started looking like you were about to pass out so I took your keys and helped you outside. You stayed with me long enough to get us to your car and tell me your address. I had no choice other than carrying you inside.” I'm mesmerized by his eyes. He's so sincere, focused soley on me and his storytelling. “I was about to leave after tucking you into bed, but you started to cough and choke and I knew I had to do something so I rushed you into the bathroom and held your hair back, sat you on my lap and helped you the only way I could. You were passed out again shortly after that but I couldn't leave. I crashed on the couch to make sure you didn't start choking in your sleep again. You slept like a baby after that.” Patting me on the leg he gets up and starts walking back out to the bathroom, turning around in the doorway he turns and winks at me. “Oh yeah, you have the cutest snore I've ever heard.”
Yup, mortified, absolutely, positively mortified. As if throwing up isn't bad enough, he heard me snore. I grab one of my pillows and throw it at him, he feigns dodging it and it hits him in that sexy naked chest. I wish that towel would fall off already. I can't believe it's lasted this long. Laughing as he walks across the hall, I just have to deny the snoring jab, maybe he's just teasing me. “I don't snore, and if I do, I very highly doubt it's cute.”
“Everything about you is cute.” And with that he's closed himself in my bathroom. Oh what I wouldn't give for a peephole.
Taking the time while he's in the bathroom, I throw some clothes on real quick and head into the kitchen to make some coffee . No matter how hard I try, I can't for the life of me remember anything about coming back here or getting sick last night, I feel just fine, no trace of a hangover. Reaching up in the cabinet for the coffee grounds, I jump and bang my head when his voice startled me.
“Nice view.” I turn to see him, unfortunately now wearing a shirt, leaning on the wall in the doorway. My eyes travel from his sexy as sin eyes, to his mouth turned up at the corners all the way down to his perfectly toned legs. This man just oozes sex and I want him bad.
As my eyes make their way back to his face I feel the blush start to creep up my neck as I notice the very noticable bulge in his shorts. Interesting, seems like the feeling's mutual. Too bad he has to go to work and I have an appointment in a few hours at MassBay to see about going back and finishing my degree. “I could say the same about you.” Throwing him a quick wink I turn back to my task.
“What are you doing?” He asks as he walks up behind me and leans down invading my space, making me feel claustrophobic. My breathing is heavy as I turn around, so close to his face, I can feel his breath on my nose. All I have to do is get on my tiptoes to reach his lips, something holds me back and I duck under his arms that he's rested on the counter at my sides.
“Making coffee. Want some?” I walk to the cabinets above the opposite counter and take out a couple of mugs.
Shoving himself off of the counter, he turns, shaking his head. “Sorry I have to go, I'll take a raincheck though. So? Dinner tonight? We don't have to go to the bar, we can go somewhere else. Your choice. You can even think about it and text me later.” He crosses the floor and leans in planting a swift kiss on my cheek. “Until tonight.” And with that he lets himself out.
I'm left speechless. He's pretty sure I'll agree to dinner. Who am I kidding? Of course I'm going to dinner tonight. I would have to be stupid not to. I might not want to rush get
ting in to his pants, but damn, I do want in them.
*****
“So Sarah, I see you need thirty more credits to complete your degree. Is this something you want to try and tackle full time or are you looking for nights and weekends? We also offer online courses if you plan on working full time.” Mr. Stuffy suit tells me as soon as I take a seat in his overzealous office. Never in my life have I ever seen so many pictures of someone holding a fish in one place. I get it buddy you like to fish, but damn, enough is enough. I feel bad for his wife, he probably spends more time fishing than he does with her. I would of thought he was single if not for the wedding band on his left hand.
Trying not to stare at his obvious toupee, I answer him. “Well I do plan on getting a full time job, right now I'm only working a few nights a week, so I think for now I'll stick with online.” After taking another good look around his office I do notice a woman in a few of the pictures, she must fish too.
His voice pulls me back from my perusal. “Do you like to fish?” He asks, forcing my attention back to his pockmarked face.
Remembering fishing on my great uncle's dock with my grandfather puts a smile on my face. “I haven't been since my grandfather passed. It was kind of our thing and I can't bring myself to go anymore.” Shrugging my shoulders, I hope he lets the subject drop. Thinking about it makes me happy and emotional at the same time.
Seeming to sense my discomfort he brings the conversation back to my degree. “Well here you go.” Handing me a stack of papers he continues. “Take these home and fill them out. You can bring them back anytime. If I'm not here you can give them to anyone in the office and they'll see that I get them. It was a pleasure meeting you Sarah, have a great day.”
Fighting Desire (Bay State Series Book 2) Page 1