by Remy Blake
Jeremiah enters the room before Lucy. His eyes couldn’t possibly open any wider than they are as he takes it all in.
“J, how you do feel about living here with Magnus?” Lucy questions.
“Will you be here too?” Jer asks.
“Of course, we would both live here with Magnus.”
“And Sybil?” Jeremiah asks. A hint of a grimace teases her lips when he mentions the cat. She and Sybil have come to some sort of an agreement. Lucy tolerates her because Jeremiah loves her so much.
“Yes and Sybil.”
Jeremiah unexpectedly launches himself at me with a happy shout. I pick him up in my arms and kiss his forehead. “Does this mean I can call you Dad?” he asks, innocently.
My eyes dart to Lucy and notice her wiping tears from her cheeks. I swallow past the golf ball sized lump in my throat. “You can call me whatever you want.”
“I heard mommy call you daddy. Why did she call you that?”
Lucy’s eyes bug out of her head and she flushes a brilliant shade of red.
“Your mom was just kidding. You know how silly she can be.” I smirk at Lucy. And mouth the words you owe me.
“Can I go tell Auntie Ave and Wes that we’re moving in?”
“Sure,” Lucy says, anxious to end the awkward moment. Jer runs from the room and she looks at me. “Are you sure you’re up for this? You see what it will be like. No privacy and ears hearing things they have no business hearing.”
“Come here,” I order, pulling her against my chest. “I’m one hundred ten percent sure that I want you both here with me, every second of every day. I don’t want you to ever doubt that.”
“Are you coming to bed?” I ask, as she steps inside our room.
“Yep. I just went to check on Jer one more time. He’s sound asleep and I can’t remember him ever going to bed so willingly before.”
Lying there with my hands clasped behind my head, I stare up at the white ceiling and think about my grandmother. I hope she’s looking down and sees how happy I am.
“I have another present for you,” Lucy calls out from inside the bathroom.
“If it involves you naked that would be the best gift I could ask for.”
She steps into the bedroom naked and my dick is instantly hard. Placing a knee on the mattress, she crawls over. When she’s next to me, I flip her on her back and hover above. “What’s this all about?” The tip of my index finger trails between her breasts.
“Well, I wanted you to know that Wes might be my best friend, but my loyalty isn’t divided at all.”
“Why are we discussing Wes while we’re in bed naked?”
She giggles. “Cam and I came up with a new design for your merchandise.”
“You did?”
“Yep. Want to see it?”
“Not if it involves you getting out of bed. Can it wait?”
“I don’t need to go anywhere.”
“No you don’t. I need you right here, right now.”
“I haven’t shown you your surprise, yet.”
I groan deep in my chest. “Show me.”
She rolls over to her stomach and glances over her shoulder at me. “What do you think?”
My mouth goes dry when I see the temporary tattoo on one of her perfectly round ass cheeks.
#TeamMagnusForever.
THE END
About the Author
Remy Blake is the bestselling male and female author duo, Jacob Chance and Marley Valentine. Pairing up to have some fun, they write steamy, short reads, with insta love/lust, a guaranteed HEA. You can expect twice the debauchery in every book they write.
Facebook | Remy Blake’s Reader Group | Instagram | Twitter | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads Author Page | Book Bub
Other books By Remy Blake
TEMPT | GUARDIAN | CLIPPED
Books By Jacob Chance
QUAKE | QUIVER | DELVE | TIED | DELUDE | PENALTY | PUNCHED | QUAKE DUET | CANVAS | DRIVE
Find Jacob
Amazon | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | BookBub | Spoiled by Chance Reader's Group | Jacob's Newsletter | Website
Books by Marley Valentine
DEVASTATE | DEVIATE | SMUTTILY EVER AFTER (A Bloggers Anthology)
Find Marley
Facebook | Facebook Reader Group | Amazon Author Page | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads Author Page | Website | BookBub | Newsletter
Afterword
Are you #TeamWes or #TeamMagnus?
To find out more about Wes and Avery, read how they got their happily ever after in Clipped.
CLIPPED Copyright © 2017 Remy Blake
Available on Amazon and Free in Kindle Unlimited
Avery
It’s six am and I’ve finally made it to my gate with a few minutes to spare until boarding time. While the adrenaline from earlier is finally leaving my body, nerves and fear are becoming more of a permanent fixture. I clutch onto the hot styrofoam cup that holds my coffee and try to steady my breathing. Everything's a mess.
At two am I got a phone call that nobody ever wants to receive. My sister Lucy went to my mother’s house and found her on the floor unresponsive. She’d had a stroke and now with the delay between the incident and someone finding her, there’s no concrete answer to how bad the damage is. Swelling on the brain means the doctors have put her in an induced coma, hoping to wake her up once it goes down. But what if it doesn’t?
I’ve spent the last four hours finding flights and trying to condense everything I could possibly need for an indefinite stay, into two suitcases. When Lucy called me, she was hysterical. And when your usually cool, calm and collected older sister breaks down, you know it’s bad.
I haven’t been home in years. My mom, my sister and my nephew are the loves of my life, but I loved letting go of the chains of small town living a little bit more. When I was eighteen I left home for college and got myself a degree in Business, minoring in Social Media Marketing. Working for Facebook was my dream, and when an internship popped up in California allowing me to do just that, I jumped at the opportunity. Four years later and I’m now a Social Media Marketing Assistant and I’ve never been happier.
I feel my phone vibrate in my bag and I pull it out to see who it is.
Lucy: Wes will pick you up from the airport.
With a lump forming in the pit of my stomach, I quickly type out my response to Lucy, praying Wes is a new guy she’s seeing and not who I think it is.
Me: Who’s Wes?
Lucy: What do you mean who’s Wes? Wesley from school. Wesley my neighbor. Wesley my friend.
Me: Why does he need to pick me up? I can just call an Uber
Lucy: An Uber? It’s not California Avery, Just let him pick you up. He’s been here watching Jeremiah all night while I’ve been at the hospital. He’s been amazing and offered to help. I’ve got Jeremiah’s school play this morning and I can’t miss it. Please don’t make it difficult.
“Fucking Hell,” I mutter under my breath
Me: You’re lucky I love you. See you soon.
I see all the other people around me gathering their hand luggage and moving toward the ticketing desk. Annoyed, I throw my cell in my bag and pick up the laptop bag I’m taking on the plane. As I near the line, I toss the coffee in the bin, and begin anticipating the awkward reunion between me and Wesley fucking Steele.
The sound of the wheels being lowered before landing startles me, waking me up suddenly. I don’t even remember falling asleep. My eyes do a quick scan of my surroundings, it seems I’m not the only one who was in need of a nap. Lying my head back on the seat, I take a deep breath before the plane finally lands. Out of all the reasons I conjured up in my mind to ever return home, this wasn’t one of them. My mom is the strongest woman I know, coming in a close second is Lucy. I’m the baby of the family, the cool aunt; but I’m also the selfish one. I know it’s weird to admit, but we all have our roles and in this moment of panic and crisis I’m beginning to realize I’m not capable of
handling change. I like plans, lists, and organization. Unexpectedly moving, being back here, and being responsible for people other than myself - I don’t think I’m built for that.
Waiting at the carousel for my luggage to appear, the thought of having to see Wesley Steele has tension creeping up into my shoulders. I haven’t laid eyes on him since high school ended and even this many years later is too soon. He was an arrogant dick, walking the school halls like he was king shit; expecting everyone to fall at his feet. And from the snippets of information I’ve heard over the years, nothing much has changed. I spot my suitcases and walk a little closer, preparing myself to drag them onto the ground. They each weigh a ton. It’s a miracle I wasn’t charged any extra, due to how heavy they are. As I lean over to grab the handle, a large hand beats me to it. Startled, it takes me a few seconds to stop staring at the hand and turn to see who is reaching for my stuff. Holy shit he’s gorgeous.
Stunned into silence, I put my hands on top of his, and mutter an incoherent “Thank you”
“No problem.” He says. “They look like they’re about to burst.”
Finally managing to close my fly trap, I find the words to show my appreciation. “And who said chivalry is dead?”
He chuckles. “My mom would kill me if she found out I watched you struggle pulling those bags.”
“Well, tell your Mama I said thanks,” I say, sliding the handles up and preparing to wheel them with me toward the exit. We walk alongside one another and I’m unsure as to whether or not we’re supposed to continue the conversation.
“What brings you to West Virginia?” He asks.
“I’m from Piney View and I’m getting picked up to go home for a family emergency,” I ramble. He’s probably being polite and doesn’t actually care about my life details. We exit through the automated doors and step out into the mild late spring weather. But that’s not what catches my attention, it’s the big fuck off sign that says “Welcome home, Anal Avery.”
“Is that you?” The stranger asks, reminding me there are others around to witness my humiliation.
An audible sigh leaves my mouth. “Yep, that’s me.”
“Well, I better go.”
I don’t even bother responding as he rushes off, desperate to get away from this type of crazy. It seems Wesley Steele still knows how to clear a room.
With my teeth clenched, I speed walk toward him and the sign. My face must give away how angry I am, because his smile falters and he slowly lowers the sign. We stand toe to toe and the fury is radiating off my body.
“Can we get the hell out of here?”
Wes
Shit. She’s angrier than I expected. I don’t know why this surprises me. She’s always had a giant stick embedded in her sexy ass.
I try to smooth things over by flashing my famous grin that’s been known to steal an unsuspecting heart or two. “Come on An...I mean Avery. My truck’s this way,” I gesture to the right side of the large parking lot.
She clenches her jaw at my slip up, but silently follows me.
Clicking the remote to unlock the door of my black Ford F350, the lights flash and I hear her gasp. “What?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“I have to ride in this?” Her expression of horror is confusing. What’s not awesome about my truck? It’s a big, bad beast on the road - like me between the sheets.
“Good Wood Tree Removal Inc.,” she reads the name on the door. Her surprise filled eyes rise to meet mine. “Is this your company?”
“Mhm, yes it is, An...Avery.”
She covers her mouth with her hand, but her eyes are filled with mirth as she snorts. “We’re good with wood.” She reads the slogan under the company name then giggles. “This is so bad, Wesley. You don’t mind driving around in this giant cheese mobile?”
“Mind? Are you kidding? This truck is a chick magnet. They read ‘Good Wood,’ and automatically assume I bring a lot to the table - or should I say bed?” I wiggle my eyebrows at her. She probably thinks I’m joking, but it’s the truth. “Which is a correct assumption, by the way. I wanted to call it Greatest Wood, but that seemed too boastful,” I wink, “and I don’t need to brag.”
“Yeah, I can tell.” She rolls her eyes. “Humble and Wesley Steele are synonymous,” she says, dryly.
Once we’re on the road, my truck eats up the highway miles as we drive further away from the city and closer to our hometown of Piney View, West Virginia, population nine-hundred-eighty-three. It’s where I still reside and the place Avery couldn’t get away from fast enough. I haven’t seen her since she left for college eight years ago and the time has been extremely kind to her. She’s matured into a sexy as hell woman, one I’d like to see naked as soon as possible.
She sighs loudly and rests her head against the passenger window. “Is it really that bad being back here?” I ask, my eyes flick in her direction.
“The circumstances are horrible. I’m worried about my mom and no one seems to know what her prognosis is.”
“I get that, but how do you feel about returning to Piney View? If I remember correctly, you couldn’t wait to move away.”
She shrugs. “Obviously, I didn’t want to come back or I would have done it before now. But now that I’m here, I’m going to make the most of it and enjoy this time with my family.”
“I know Lucy’s excited to see you. She texted three times while I was waiting for you at the airport.”
She smiles. “Yeah, she texted me too. It’ll be great to spend some time with her and Jeremiah.”
“He’s a handful. She’s a great mom though and does better than most in her situation.”
“Are you guys a...couple?” she asks cautiously.
I smirk. “No, Lucy and I have always just been friends. She’s like a little sister to me. Would it bother you if we were together?” I ask, cocking my brow.
“No. God no,” she laughs nervously. “Why would you think that?”
It took me about two point two seconds at the airport to recognize the attraction between us and it goes both ways. She can pretend she wouldn’t mind if I dated Lucy, but I know better. I’m not going to call her on it today, though. I’ll let her think she’s in the clear for now. “Just a hunch.”
“Well, your hunch is way off base.” She glances at her watch. “How much longer until we’re there?”
We’re barely out of my truck before Lucy comes barreling out the front door of her house. She lets out a shriek of excitement that could give some of the wild animals in this area a run for their money.
Avery laughs and hurries to meet her halfway. The two of them crash into each other with a hug and then the smiles turn to tears. I shake my head. Women. I might consider myself an expert when it comes to their bodies and what buttons to push to make them go off like a rocket launched into outer space, but I have no fucking idea what goes on inside their heads. The women’s psyche is truly one of life’s greatest mysteries - one, I’m not prepared to solve. I’m a lumberjack, not a detective.
Which is why I don’t get involved beyond a physical release.
Grabbing Avery’s suitcases from the truck, I walk past the two crying women and set them down inside the entryway. The two of them follow through the door right behind me.
“Thank you for picking Avery up for me,” Lucy says, with a smile.
“No problem, Luce. I’m glad to help out and it was great to be there waiting to greet Avery.” My eyes flick in her direction just in time to see hers narrow in a glare. I smirk and wait for her to rat me out about the sign, but she says nothing.
“I hate to leave you ladies, but I have to get to work now.”
“No problem, thanks again, Wes,” Lucy says, before giving me a quick hug.
I study Avery’s face as her sister squeezes me. The wrinkle between her eyebrows tells me she’s definitely not happy about it.
“Give me a shout if you need anything. Avery, don’t be a stranger while you’re here. I live right across the street and I l
ike company.” I wink at her and she scowls back. Pushing her buttons is easier than I imagined and more fun too. I can’t wait until I see her again.
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Acknowledgments
Firstly, I (Blake/Marley) format the books, so I get to write whatever I want in the acknowledgements and it ends up being a complete surprise when published. Usually it’s somewhat formal, but this time I want say a huge thank you to the other half of Remy Blake aka Jacob Chance.
Sharing a brain with you is great for the most part, but when push comes to shove it’s what got this book over the finish line. The end result is something I know we’re both really proud of, and I can’t wait to share with all our readers Remy Blake’s plans for 2018.
It’s going to be awesome.
Secondly, we want to thank Diane for always making sure the Remy Blake name is out there. Your commitment and organisation keeps us in check and makes every book release run smoothly.
To Laura, our beta reader and proofreader (Hawkeyes Proofing), your complete investment in our stories makes writing so much more fun. As usual the final product wouldn’t be what it is without you.
To Sybil from PopKitty Designs, thank you for our covers and teasers. The real and fake ones (lol). We wrote Timber with you in mind, (we know how much you love the title) and we hope Magnus is everything you wanted.