by Mia Ashlinn
Sweet Serenity 3
It Takes Three to Fly
“Love doesn’t run. It flies.”
After learning at a young age how much loving someone can hurt, Katie-Anne Blakemore shut herself off emotionally from everyone around her. She has spent years cloaking herself in a tough-as-nails exterior, keeping everyone at a distance. But, with hiding come secrets.
Shane Jacobs has secrets of his own, only his stem from a past he wants to forget. Jaded by his childhood, Shane allows himself to be blinded to the real woman in Katie-Anne—until one night changes everything.
Trapped in the web of hidden truths by both of the people he loves, Landon Tolliver only keeps one secret of his own. A truth his pride refuses to reveal.
When the three lovers unite, secrets are revealed, the past rises again, and tragedy strikes. Will their love give them the strength to fly? Or will they find themselves trapped on the ground forever?
Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre
Length: 119,513 words
IT TAKES THREE TO FLY
Sweet Serenity 3
Mia Ashlinn
MENAGE EVERLASTING
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Ménage Everlasting
IT TAKES THREE TO FLY
Copyright © 2012 by Mia Ashlinn
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62241-285-3
First E-book Publication: September 2012
Cover design by Les Byerley
All art and logo copyright © 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
Dear Readers,
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DEDICATION
For my husband, the man who taught me that love never runs.
You have been by my side every step of the way. You have shared my joys and wiped my tears. You have held my hand when I was scared, talked me down when I was angry, and reminded me of all my blessings when I was troubled. Things have not been perfect, and our path has not been easy, but I always know one thing for sure—Whenever I need someone, I can reach out, and you’ll be there.
I love you today. I loved you yesterday. And I will love you until the end of time.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. — Marcel Proust
My fellow Righteous Perverts, I want to thank you for everything you have given me. The friendship, the laughter, and the support you provide unconditionally are only a few of the reasons why I love you all. You are a lovely group of naughty people, and I am happy to even know you. I look forward to many more years of pervalicious good times.
As always, I want to thank Sheri, Luna, and Dawn. Your friendships, help, and love mean more to me than you will ever know.
Tina, Tina, Tina…I don’t even have words to express my gratitude to you for everything you have done. As a person, you’re one of the kindest, most genuine people I know. As a friend, you’re one of the most loyal and loving. As a beta, you are just freaking fantastic. I’m so lucky to have you in my life. p.s. Thanks for the five-hour phone calls, too!
I want to thank my other beta for oh-so-many things—this could probably go on for days. Tara, you are one of the coolest, perviest ladies I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Just calling you a friend is a blessing to me, but having the chance to work with you as a beta is icing on the cake.
Finally, I want to send a massive thanks to Diana DeBalko and all of the wonderful people at Siren Publishing. I could not ask for a better group of people to work with on each of my journeys to publication. You guide me, you teach me and, best of all, you believe in me. Thank you.
IT TAKES THREE TO FLY
Sweet Serenity 3
MIA ASHLINN
Copyright © 2012
Chapter 1
Katie-Anne Blakemore turned down indie singer, Grace Potter, belting out “Low Road” on her car stereo. With a sigh, she dropped her head to the cold steering wheel, wishing that it was tomorrow and that she was on the open road as she drove out of Serenity’s city limits. But no, life didn’t work that way.
First, she had to go into her childhood home and act like the haughty bitch everyone thought they knew and kind of loved. She had to be confident and strong on the outside when she wasn’t even close to that on the inside. Then she had the pleasure of breaking the news to them that she was going on yet another trip.
What should I tell them this time? Shopping in Paris? Skiing in the Alps? Wine tasting in Italy? She’d used them all a million times over. It amazed her that everyone believed she went to these same places—over and over. Wonder what they would think if they knew she hadn’t been out of the country since she’d turned sixteen. They would think you were full of shit, and you know it.
Shaking her head, Katie-Anne grabbed Shannon’s present from the passenger side seat of her BMW Roadster, opened the door, and got out before closing the door behind her. She slowly trudged up the steep stairs to the massive house she’d lived in until a couple of years ago when she turned twenty-four and moved in with one of her best friends, Shannon Rob
erts. Now, her brother, Gray, lived here with his two spouses.
Stepping onto the front porch, Katie-Anne used the outdoor wall sconces gleaming in the darkness to help her see the way so she didn’t fall because of her six-inch Christian Louboutin stilettos. As usual, she was the last one to arrive for Shannon’s birthday party, and everyone had started without her. Surprise, surprise.
Katie-Anne knew it was her own fault and that she was being catty. But it didn’t hurt her any less. Over the past few weeks, she’d withdrawn from everyone and nothing seemed to be able to snap her out of it. She’d reached the point where she was just too tired to fight anymore. She couldn’t keep up the lies, and she didn’t want to.
It was time to move on. She needed to get out of Serenity and find out how to live a life without the last name Blakemore attached to her first. Not that she gave a damn about being one of the blue-blooded Blakemores. She hated it. She always had, and she always would.
Well, not for much longer. Soon I’ll be Kate Potter, and no one will be the wiser.
Three weeks ago, Katie-Anne had set the wheels in motion to not only get out of town permanently, but also to change her name entirely. After Shannon’s psychotic stalker had demolished her jewelry store, Pure Fluff, Katie-Anne knew she couldn’t afford to fix her business nor could she continue the charade she called a life. It seemed obvious that the only thing left to do was start fresh. And, if she wanted a “do-over” in life, she needed a new name, not one that people would instantly recognize.
With the help of Shane’s foster brother, Deke Andrews, she’d gotten the paperwork pushed through quickly. All she had to do was take this little trip to sign the paperwork, get an apartment, and iron out all the details. Then, she could return home and pack her things.
Hopefully, in a month or two, Katie-Anne Blakemore would cease to exist, outside of Serenity, Kansas. It would be nice if I stopped existing inside of Serenity, too. But, that wasn’t possible. She’d spent too many years building up her snotty, rich-girl persona. No one would believe for a minute that Katie-Anne had less than ten dollars in her bank account or that she wore clothes she’d designed with a friend in New York. And they definitely wouldn’t believe she did her own hair and nails.
The front door opened wide, interrupting Katie-Anne’s frivolous pity party, and Jaycee Blakemore, her best friend and new sister-in-law, stepped outside. The glowingly pregnant blonde woman grimaced and chided, “Katie-Anne, we were getting worried about you.”
Katie-Anne shrugged, cloaking herself in her usual show of indifference. “I had to make a call that took longer than expected.”
“Is that Katie-Anne?” Her other best friend, Shannon, called out before stepping behind Jaycee. “Where in the hell have you been?” she demanded as soon as she spotted Katie-Anne on the doorstep. “You are over two hours late!”
“I am?” Katie-Anne asked in confusion, glancing down at her secondhand ladies’ Rolex. Ten thirty? Shit, shit, shit. “I must have lost track of time. No big deal.”
“No big deal?” Shannon snapped and put her hands on her curvy hips. “We were worried about you, Katie-Anne.”
From the agitated expression on Shannon’s face, she’d gone past worried and headed straight into freaked the hell out. Even worse, her best friend’s inner mama bear appeared to have collided with her fiery, redheaded temper, and she was mere seconds from blowing a gasket. Or at least that’s what her tomato-colored face and wide eyes indicated. Well, hell. I’m in for it now.
After the week Shannon had, Katie-Anne would give her leeway. She’d been kidnapped and tortured by a deranged killer, the same man who’d abused her as a teen and threatened the people she loved most after he’d brutally murdered her parents ten years ago. The seven men inside the house had managed to save her in time, but Shannon had endured a lot of torture beforehand.
Katie-Anne gritted her teeth and said, “I’m sorry, Shan,” before peering around her friends and into the house. “So where’s everyone?”
Shannon huffed. “They’re all in the man cave.”
“Come in,” Jaycee offered, moving aside to let Katie-Anne in the house. A loud cheer drifted down the hallway. “If you can’t tell, they’re watching the end of the Titans and Colts game.”
Katie-Anne snorted and stepped into the foyer. “Sounds like Gray isn’t going to be happy with his husband tonight. He loathes football.”
Jaycee smiled devilishly, shutting the front door behind Katie-Anne. “Gray got an early Christmas present from Cade, so he’s in a really good mood.”
Before she could make an inquiry, Shannon interjected, “Don’t ask. You do not want to know. Besides, I’m not in the mood to listen to you bitch about your best friend fucking your virginal”—she paused, making air quotes—“brother and your virginal”—she stopped again and made more air quotes—“brother-in-law.”
I really upset her, damn it.
“Shan…” Katie-Anne started to apologize but thought better of it. Instead, she reached into her pocket and pulled out the ornate jewelry box her carpenter friend had hand carved wrapped in the paper Katie-Anne had bought on clearance at Amazon. “Here’s your birthday present.”
That did the trick. Shannon’s anger dissolved, her eyes lighting up. “Oh! I love presents. What is it? I’ll bet it’s good.” She ripped at the paper. “You always buy the best presents.”
Katie-Anne held back a laugh. She rarely bought presents. Each gift was made by her or one of her artist friends from around the world. If she gave someone a gift, she wanted it to be from the heart and not some trinket she’d bought at a store.
Katie-Anne was fairly nervous about the present Shannon had in her hand. It was a pair of earrings designed by the infamous TL Jacobsen. The dramatic drop sparklers had a tiny tiara with an S and D interwoven in place of jewels dangling from each chain. Katie-Anne hoped that Shannon would wear it when she married Jared, Drew, and Randy Dalton. Jaycee’s brothers hadn’t gotten around to proposing to Shannon, but she knew they would. It was only a matter of time.
Shannon lifted the lid of the box with a gasp. “They’re beautiful.” Tears welled in her friend’s eyes. “But I’m not a Dalton—”
“Yet,” Katie-Anne cut her off, finishing her sentence for her.
Shannon smiled through the tears and nodded. “Yet.”
Both of her friends were basking in the glory of love. Despite her kidnapping, Shannon was happier than Katie-Anne had ever seen her, and Jaycee practically floated on air. It made Katie-Anne so happy to see them, finally, getting the life and love they’d dreamed of.
If only, I could have that with Shane Jacobs and Landon Tolliver. Shit. What is up with me tonight? I’m all weepy and whiney. Katie-Anne knew it would be best to suck up her foul mood so she could get in and get the hell out as unscathed as possible.
Another round of cheers filled the air. Katie-Anne heard a “Touchdown!” from Randy and Cade while Landon cursed, “Son of a bitch.”
Hearing Landon’s voice did the same thing it always did—the strange stomach somersault. She pictured all six foot one inch of his delectable body cramped onto the couch with the other two sport fanatics around here, Cade and Randy, like they always did when they got together for an event. Landon’s normally stoic face would look far younger, his blue eyes softer and more relaxed. He was probably rubbing his hand through his always messy, way-too-sexy blond hair in aggravation because that man took his sports to a whole new level. It was practically a religion to him.
The door to the “man cave,” as Jaycee liked to call it, opened and Shane walked out. “Is that Katie-Anne?” he asked before glancing in her direction.
When he turned his head, their eyes met, and Katie-Anne’s heart jumped into her throat. God, he’s so damn beautiful. A man shouldn’t be beautiful, but this one was. With his six-foot-tall, powerful body and his chiseled facial features, he would take any woman’s breath away. But his dark hair and mesmerizing blue-green eyes completed the sexy packa
ge that was Shane Jacobs.
“I just asked the same thing,” Shannon informed him shortly.
Katie-Anne couldn’t tell if Shannon was being curt because of her or if it had to do with Shane. Lately, her friends had been giving him and Landon the cold shoulder. They didn’t know what had happened the night of Jaycee’s rehearsal dinner, but they knew that something had.
Now, her friends were barely civil to the men Katie-Anne was in love with. If it weren’t for their respective men, Katie-Anne was convinced that Jaycee and Shannon would club Shane and Landon over the head with a long, hard object.
“Well, here I am, Shane,” Katie-Anne sneered when he joined them.
“Good,” he snapped. “The girls were worried about you.”
Of course, the girls were concerned about me, but not him and more than likely not Landon.
Mentally, Katie-Anne cringed, remembering her argument with Landon a couple of days ago. She’d told him to fuck off after he confronted her in the parking lot of the hospital and demanded that she tell him what was going on with her. It wasn’t like she could tell him, even though she’d desperately wanted to.
Landon had a way to get to her like no other person in the world, but how did she explain without telling him everything—her sordid past, her double life, her lies? She’d told him some, just not all.
Since then, Landon hadn’t attempted to contact her. Hell, he hadn’t even come near her or called to check on her or anything. It was as though she didn’t exist anymore.