by Ruby McQueen
~The End ~
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Her Secret Addiction- Book 2, the next book in the Addiction Series, available for pre-order at:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Her-Secret-Addiction-Book-ebook/dp/B07YSHDYXR/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1570617945&refinements=p_27%3ARuby+McQueen&s=digital-text&sr=1-1&text=Ruby+McQueen*
New beginnings were supposed to be fun...
Despite things getting off to a rocky start with Ezra, Trinity thinks he might just be the right fit for her after all. He has patience, emotional intelligence and sizzling hot looks! Maybe he is the right guy, but is the timing all wrong?
Levi Hetfield is a self-made millionaire working on the investments floor where Trinity works. Both she and her BFF have secretly swooned over him for years, and now he is offering Trinity the career she’s always dreamed of. No force on earth can stop a guy like that, and Trinity is directly in his path…
It’s not every day a career opportunity like this is thrust into your lap, or you into the path of the impossibly handsome guy offering it! Trinity should be celebrating, but when she is cornered into an intimate Friday night dinner at Levi’s house, her potential new boss, no one could blame her for feeling this new job opportunity was more like an indecent proposal.
If she takes the job, can she keep her temptation at bay?
(Her Secret Addiction: Sample chapter)
~ Chapter 1 ~
The Reclamation
I wipe the sweat from my face with a small hand towel perfectly aware of Ezra’s presence, even without looking in his direction. He is the crackling energy dancing on the highest clouds during a lightning storm, and at any time he could send a fireball towards you and consume you. I had planned on talking to him straight after the game, but I’m still sweating bullets and I know damn well it’s not from the basketball match we just played.
“Feisty-Miss-Fuckoff.” Merrick reiterates from our earlier discussion on my plans to reclaim my command over the situation I have found myself in with regards to my romantic entanglements, before taking large gulps of his post-game protein smoothie.
“A fucking she wolf.” I reply with a wink before looking over at Ezra who is lacing up his shoes, wishing my insides matched the thud of my words.
“Atta Girl.” Merrick slaps me on the shoulder in approval.
Ezra is yet to play. If I want to talk to him, I will need to hang around until after his game. Ugh. I feel my nerves rising, but I am not running from this. The nerves will pass. Until then, I try and keep myself busy while our team are still lingering. Merrick is already talking about our next game and I’m only half in on the conversation. I can’t help but look back over to Ezra every few moments until he looks my direction catching my gaze. Shit! I drop my head instinctively. Busted. When I finally look up, he is still looking my direction and gives me a slight wave to which I reluctantly reciprocate before pretending to re-join the conversation happening around me.
Merrick hands me his empty container as I pack all my own gear into my backpack.
“Text me later, Baby Girl, let me know how it went. Okay?” He says sticking out a knuckle for me to bump. Very Merrick.
“For sure.” I remain in the same spot and decide I’ll watch the game in progress on the court we just played on, ever aware of Ezra’s team playing on the next court over. I intend to practice my conversation with him in my head, but end up zoning out into the basketball instead, which has gotten to be particularly rough.
I try not to look in his direction as he approaches my spot up in the stands. I’m away from everyone and watching the action in the last two minutes left of play. I don’t want to give much away, but I know he will get under my skin. I mightn’t know much about him, but I know this.
“Trinity.” He is standing, waiting to be acknowledged.
“Ezra.” I respond, my eyes not leaving the basketball being played in front of me as if I’m too glued to tear myself away. I hope that leaves him feeling more awkward about my presence, giving me an advantage.
“Is it okay if I sit here?” He is unsure. Perfect.
“Sure.” He sits down beside me but maintains enough distance that I won’t react negatively.
“Good game?” Small talk. I know he’s dying to know why I’ve stayed behind.
“Yup.”
“I see your team won, congrats on making the finals.” I am amused he hasn’t already cracked so I decide I will continue until he does.
“Cheers.” I lean forward resting my chin on my fisted knuckles, arm propped on my knee. I still haven’t looked at him. He has just played a full game and yet smells divine. Giddy up.
“Are you waiting for a lift home?” He already knows the answer, he’s just rimming around things hoping for me to give something away… anything.
“Nope.”
“Just sussing out the competition?” I almost want to toy with him, he deserves it after the way he pushed me on Friday night. A night that almost went a very different direction. If he only knew… I turn my head slightly and look at him out the corner of my eyes and smirk.
“Why am I here? Is that the question you are so delicately dancing around?” I return my gaze to the game and I can hear him huff a grin.
“Yes.” He shifts in his seat and I think he is watching the game now also, but I don’t look to confirm it.
“Why didn’t you just ask that then?” It’s passive aggressive and I’m still giving nothing away.
“Look, Trinity, if you want me to go, I can. I’m not here to cause trouble.” I can hear the regret in his voice.
“Oh?” I look directly at him and try not to overdo the heat I throw his direction. “Why are you here?” I don’t break eye contact with him while I wait for his response. He is out of his element. Maybe this was a bad idea. But I feel cool towards him, and if he wants this, then he needs to know how to work back into my good graces. He smiles uncomfortably and looks down.
“I can see you are still angry at me.” He looks back into my eyes. “I am really sorry I pushed you, Trinity. I knew you would be uncomfortable with it, but-” he swallows “I never intended to hurt you or give you cause not to trust me.” He goes to get up.
“I’m not angry. I don’t hold grudges.” He sits down again.
“Indifferent?” It’s the smallest crack I can offer him, and he can’t help but try to get through it.
“Protection mode.” He is quiet for a moment.
“Of course, understandable.” I think he’s at a loss and I imagine, scrambling inwardly. I am not going to rescue him from it though. This is his turn. The pendulum swinging back.
“Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me, Trinity?” I can hear the discomfort in his voice. I want to soften, but I need to make sure he gets that I have boundaries and I’m not an experiment. I take a deep breath and look directly at him. His beautiful face in despair, almost makes my heart ache for him.
“I have already forgiven you, Ezra.” I see the tension slowly leave his muscled, tan shoulders as he hears me say it. He seems somewhat in disbelief. “And… thank you for the flowers.” I soften as I say it, so he knows I am being genuine.
“It was the least I could do, Trinity. I don’t regret wanting to know about you, but my timing and the way I pushed you, I really am sorry. I was impatient and pushy, and I have nothing but shame about how I approached it and I totally would understand if you wanted me to leave you alone… I just hope you give me a second chance.” It’s a plea, one last shot at redemption. As I sit here in front of him, I can’t help but see him tied up and at my mercy. Part of me wants him so much and the other dreads the idea of getting close, I detest having to relive my past and avoid it at all costs. I take my time before answering him. This is the kind of guy that all the cards need to be on the table at all times, this much I know, otherwise he instinctively seeks out what he can’t see. A part of me might find relief in this, no guess work, unlike Derek. It will be a challenge in the least. Am I ready to face myself like t
his? I need to give my long-lost emotions a voice if I have any chance of normalcy in an intimate relationship or remain emotionally unavailable and be satisfied with fucking myself with my B.O.B. or random guys I pick up from time to time on weekend outings. The thing is, I see the way that Aly-B looks at Brian, and I know he adores her. I have my single friends but what happens when they settle down? None of us are getting any younger, so I swallow that lump and gather my thoughts to give him a direct answer. I’d prefer to wait until later to talk about this, but he’s a no wait kind of guy.
“IF I gave you a second chance, things need to go slowly, and there needs to be boundaries. I’m not exactly girlfriend material, so you need to be patient and give me plenty of space.” He beams at me with his perfectly white teeth and drops his head shaking it slightly.
“What’s so funny?” I enquire. He looks up at me still wearing his full-face smile.
“You, Trinity. You amaze me. The fact that you might even consider being my girlfriend is beyond all of my expectations.” I panic inwardly, did I say I was going to be his girlfriend? I thought I was suggesting friendship. Crap, what did I just say?
“Let’s not count our chickens before they hatch, Ezra, this is an experiment in friendship before it can be anything else.”
“I am ecstatic that you are putting it in a context that could leave room for the possibility of it progressing into anything else. You have made me the happiest guy alive.”
“I’ve only agreed to a possible friendship though, and even that might not work out.” I try and bring some common sense into the equation.
“No, Trinity, you’ve given me hope, don’t you see? I was a man who was drowning, and you just threw me a rope. Pulling myself out of the water is up to me, but the hope you’ve given me is everything. Thank you, no matter what happens.” He gently grabs for my hand and for a moment I think he will try to kiss it, but he just holds it and smiles before releasing it. I nod to acknowledge his words, the depth of them not lost on me.
“Ok, so, what if we grab some take out and head back to my place to eat, so we can figure out the boundaries.” I want it to be somewhat like a formal agreement, but he erupts into a face splitting grin again.
“Oh, for god sakes, Ezra.” He nudges my shoulder with his and I finally crack and laugh a little. “You wouldn’t look so happy if you knew how much of an asshole I was.”
“I couldn’t care less; you can be my asshole.” He stands up and pumps his hands above his head like he’s won a race. I stand up and sling my backpack over my shoulder and go to push at his side to get him moving in the direction we need to be facing to exit the stands…
About the Author:
Ruby McQueen is an Aussie author, born an only child and raised in the outback by her single father and paternal grandparents.
She was naturally curious about all things and had an untameable thirst for asking questions, mischief, sports and making friends of any animals or critters that crossed her path.
Her appetite for reading and vivid imagination lead to a love of telling stories.
In preschool, she told her teachers (with a straight face) that her 6-foot tall and heftily framed grandfather was a prima ballerina! Her family has never let her live it down...
She now lives on the south/east coast of Australia with her Texan partner, her son, and their 2 super spoiled fur-babies. You can find her reading steamy books out on her back deck, watching YouTube videos on Egyptology, or binge-watching martial arts movies. She has an unhealthy potted plant fetish, but you can lure her out of her mini indoor wilderness by leaving a trail of carb-laden foods...
Ruby would love to hear from you! Connect with her at:
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Acknowledgements:
Gee-Gee.
First and foremost, I wanted to do a shout out to my girl Gee-Gee! You were the very first person I ever shared my novel with.
From humble beginnings, this writing project was born as a creative outlet when I was going through a lot of soul searching in my private life. It was never meant to be shared. Until I told you. And you convinced me to let you read it.
Your encouragement and enthusiasm gave my writing wings. For that, I will forever be grateful! I loved working with you, you turned the mundane into a million laughs. You were my Aly-B, my ride or die bitch, my Butthole…
T.D.
Thank you for volunteering to be a beta/test reader. You became my own personal cheer squad and a valued friend, and I couldn’t have gotten over the slumps I did without you! Thank you for indulging my full nerd out, face blurting word soup sessions! My gratitude is unending…
Big Nasty.
Thank you for being the best sister-in-law a girl could ever ask for!
Your belief in me has been unequivocal. I don’t know what I did to get so lucky in life, but I know that I am when I look at those closest to me.
Thank you for all your feedback and for your brilliant support.
I’m here for you always and forever. (If your Bro ever fucks up, I’m getting you in the divorce!) I mean, I wouldn’t even ditch you in the middle of a Taco Bell incident! LOL that’s how hard I love your face!
You are perfection to me! Never change...
DTB.
I had no idea there was a person out there so right for me.
When I was writing this novel, you were just a faint impression lurking around in my deepest desires. You came from unknown parts carrying that small flame that was just enough to ignite my world and blow it up in the best way. Was is a coincidence your words were the melody to my heart?
For soothing my frayed soul, supporting me, and my most precious little person, for everything you are, I will always cherish you and love you!
You sexy ass, Motherfucker…