by Kasey Martin
Kasey Martin
A Monster’s Obsession
Arrangement Series Book Five
Copyright © 2020 by Kasey Martin
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
Kasey Martin asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
Kasey Martin has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.
First edition
This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy
Find out more at reedsy.com
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Epilogue
About the Author
Also by Kasey Martin
Chapter 1
SASHA
Today my best friend is getting married, and she is absolutely, positively, miserable. I have never in my life seen Raven so unhappy, and we’ve known each other for a very long time. It made me feel bad because I had no idea what I should say to her. I didn’t know all of the sordid details about her shotgun wedding, I’d never even met or seen her groom, but I knew it wasn’t her choice. I wish I could protect my friend like she always did for me, but I’m helpless.
When she called me a few days ago frantically crying, I rushed right over to her apartment. Raven explained to me that she was getting married and wanted me to be her maid of honor. I was thrilled but shocked. Raven Bishops hadn’t had a boyfriend in almost a year. And after her disastrous relationship with Fred, she’d sworn off men. I had no idea where this new fiancé came from or why they had to get married so quickly. However, Raven assured me she would be fine as long as I was there for her. I promised her that no matter what, I’d stand with her. When she told me his last name, I had a sense of déjà vu.
“Don’t cry, Rae. At least he’s not ugly.” I tried to comfort her. The one thing she did like about her groom was his looks. She’d told me how handsome he was and I couldn’t wait to see him. I rubbed circles on her back. It didn’t work as Raven began to sob harder. I could feel the tears begin to well up in my own eyes. Raven is such a sweet person, and she didn’t deserve whatever bullshit her family put her through. She had always talked about her wedding day and how it is supposed to be special, a time of joy, laughter, and love. But all I could see was pain on my friend’s beautiful face.
I grabbed Raven’s hand and held it tightly, lending her as much of my strength as I could. When she took a deep breath, I knew that she would be okay. I smiled and fluffed my afro, our universal sign of black girl magic to one another. Raven smiled for a brief moment, and then she fell apart once more.
It was devastating to watch as she continued to get ready under duress. And even though the Bishops are one of the founding families on the island and more powerful than most, I still offered to help Raven leave. She declined my offer, saying it was her job to help her family. It’s funny how everything was always Raven’s job, and not anyone else’s.
That was the funny thing about my best friend; she had been the protector of everyone else since the day we met. However, she hardly ever stood up for herself, at least when it came to her family. The way her family treated her pissed me off.
Raven and I met when we were in junior high. I was a scholarship student at one of the private schools on the island. Raven and I both tried out and was picked for the cheer squad that year. I only tried out because the art classes at the youth recreational center were only three days a week, and I needed another after school activity because my parents had to work.
I’ve always been a free spirit and outgoing, but when I started attending the Founder’s Academy, I was intimidated. The kids there were all wealthy beyond my wildest imaginations, and they never had to want for anything. I, on the other hand, had to work for everything I needed and wanted.
I was one of the few scholarship students who attended the school and one of the only black students. Although Raven and I are the same dark chocolate complexion, her striking gray eyes and last name made her one of them. And although Raven treated me like I was her sister, she never let anyone say anything about me in front of her; I was never one of them. I would never be one of them.
As Raven finished getting ready, I prayed that whatever happened to my friend, she would find happiness. Raven was one of the sweetest people I’ve ever known, and she deserved to be happy.
I had to clear my mind of the melancholy feelings before I entered the church. As Raven’s maid of honor, I walked down the aisle before her. My gold strapless dress with a thigh-high split was by the same designer as Raven’s gown. My afro was fluffed to the Gods with a gold sequin flower placed at my ear. I pushed my shoulders back and stood tall so that I could represent my best friend. This high-society wedding was full of the important families of Founder’s Island, and they would never see me hang my head.
As I floated down the aisle, I made sure to keep my eyes directly ahead of me. I didn’t need to see the familiar looks of disdain. These people looked down on me because I didn’t come from wealth, and I had the nerve to befriend someone who did. They always expected me to use Raven, but I could never do anything like that. I’m not a user. I take pride in working hard and accomplishing things for myself. My parents taught me that the things you earn, nobody can take.
I continued to walk slowly to the music when my eyes landed on a man standing at the front of the church. I could feel my eyes grow wider from the sight of him. His frame was draped in a dark blue tailored suit with a matching bow tie. His dark curly hair was shorter on the sides and a little longer on the top. Anyone could see that he styled it to look like a beautiful mess, but it worked for him. The hair on his face was just long enough to call it a beard and not a five o’clock shadow, which caused him to look even sexier. But it was his bright green eyes which watched me so intensely that made me shiver.
I could not believe it was him. How in the hell did I not know the one man that I hadn’t seen in two years would be the best man at my best friend’s wedding? What the fuck is Monster doing here? We never talked about family; I had no idea he even had a brother!
&nb
sp; My whole body was vibrating with anxiousness as I reached the front of the church, our gazes locked. His glowing green eyes were fierce with anger, and I know my eyes were shining with shock. There was absolutely no mistaking who he was, and I couldn’t run this time. I had to stand at the altar beside my best friend while Sawyer Nash stared daggers in my direction. I refused to look at him the entire time Raven and Lennox exchanged their traditional vows. When I moved to shield myself from his hot glare, he took a step back to see my face. I did my best to ignore him. I tried to focus on my best friend, but it was no use. I could feel the heat of his gaze so powerfully that I knew that I was in deep trouble.
***
As I continued trying to avoid running headfirst into my past, Raven tried to avoid her new husband. I’m not sure what happened between the church and the reception, but my friend is behaving like a totally different person. She was drinking everything within her reach, and since I’m the maid of honor, I was doing my best to keep her from embarrassing herself.
“Why doesn’t anybody like me, Sash?” Raven’s gray eyes were filled with tears.
“What? I like you.” I smiled at Raven, doing my best to comfort her.
“No. Not you. My husband.” Raven slurred as she pointed an accusing finger at Lennox, who was standing across the room staring at us.
“You’re just a sad drunk, silly. And don’t worry about Lennox. From the way he’s watched you all night, I’m pretty sure he likes you.”
“Really?” Raven smiled drunkenly, and I laughed.
“Yeah. Let’s dance some of this drink out of your system.” I pulled Raven onto the dance floor as Savage began to play.
We danced until I had to use the restroom. I sat Raven at a table and told her not to move. However, when I returned, I saw Raven being hoisted over Lennox’s shoulder, and they disappeared down a hallway. I could only hope that he would take care of my friend because I would really hate to have to kick his ass.
As the guests continued to party the night away, I found a chair to watch the rest of the festivities. Although I hadn’t consumed as much alcohol as Raven, I was still pretty tipsy and needed to sober up before I went home. I hadn’t seen Sawyer since the ceremony, and I was really hoping that he was gone.
“So you thought you could avoid me all night? My sweet Sasha.” The deep rumbling voice vibrated against the shell of my ear. My Monster. The woodsy scent of his cologne tickled my nose and urged me to shift closer to him. But I held myself rigid, mad that I was foolish enough to think I’d succeeded in dodging Sawyer Nash.
“I didn’t realize you had a brother.” My voice was nonchalant. But my nerves were on edge. It had always been something about this man that made me want to run away and snuggle into him at the same time. I had the feeling that he’s dangerous because he exudes it, that’s why I nicknamed him Monster. He never denied or confirmed my suspicions, but he always answered to the name.
“We didn’t do much talking when we were together.” He sat placing one long leg over the other making himself comfortable. I couldn’t be mad at what he said because he was absolutely correct. Talking wasn’t the thing we were good at.
“True.” I shrugged, but the realization that we barely knew each other after everything we’d done still stung.
“I guess that’s why I didn’t know you were from Founder’s and not New York.” Sawyer gazed at me with anger covering his face. He couldn’t be mad at me. We did this to each other. We pretended details didn’t matter, now here we are.
“What is it that you want me to say, Monster… Sawyer? We both knew what it was from the beginning.” I tried to keep my voice level, but the nickname’s slip showed I didn’t have my shit together. Sawyer had always affected me.
“I want you to tell me why you left? I want to know why you asked me not to find you? I want to know why you left a fucking note and didn’t talk to me?” He ignored my use of his nickname, but his questions shook me.
“I told you why I left!” I looked around, hoping that we weren’t garnering attention, and thank goodness everyone was too busy celebrating to notice us.
“No! You fucking did not! That ‘letter’ was fucking bogus, and you know it. We meant more than that, Sasha. We meant more than ‘we are different people, and you need to move on’ I know better shit than that.” Sawyer’s words came out in a growl, and his anger was palpable; the monster was rearing. This is what I tried to avoid. This is why I left a letter instead of telling him face to face why I couldn’t stay. I couldn’t stand to see the disappointment on his face, and I could never tell him the real reason why I left.
“Sawyer, we can’t talk about this here…” Before I could finish my plea, we were interrupted by a shrill voice that I absolutely hated.
“Sawyer! What are you doing? I know you didn’t ditch me for her?” A brunette with a too-tight dress on, and bright red lips interrupted. I frowned at the bimbo. It was typical for someone like Lola Pratt to turn her nose up at me. If she only knew, I was way more Sawyer’s type than she ever would be.
I don’t know how Sawyer and Lola knew each other, but I wanted no parts. I really didn’t want to talk to Sawyer, but I didn’t want him talking to Lola Pratt either. Lola was a grade-a, entitled, snobby bitch. She did her best to bully me in school, but I threatened to whoop her ass, and she backed right off. I might be a free-spirited, easy going, artistic type, but I don’t take shit from people.
“I didn’t ditch you for anyone.” Sawyer returned in a frustrated tone. I could tell by the hard lines of his mouth that he was angry. There were very few times when I witnessed Sawyer’s anger, and it was never directed towards me, but it was definitely a scary experience.
“You promised me a dance.” Lola whined in a baby voice that had me rolling my eyes. I don’t know why grown women thought talking like a child was sexy.
“Don’t move. I need to take care of this, and I’ll be right back.” Sawyer stood from his chair and pulled Lola a short distance away. However, they weren’t far enough because I could still hear their heated conversation.
“I don’t know why you’re slumming it with Sasha Phillips. She’s a nobody.” Lola huffed, crossing her arms over her thin frame. I frowned, bitch. I spent all night avoiding Sawyer, but I could admit that I didn’t immediately leave because I wanted to know what was being said. I couldn’t stand that fake bitch Lola, and she was skating on thin ice.
“Lola, I promise that you don’t want to make a scene.” Sawyer’s deep voice held a warning that Lola obviously didn’t recognize like I did because she continued to talk.
“If you’re going to be moving to the island, you’re going to have to know who to be seen with. And Sasha Phillips is not the who that you need.” I tried to hide my shock at the news that Sawyer would be moving to the island, but I gasped loudly. Luckily Sawyer and Lola were in a heated exchange and wasn’t paying attention to me.
As Lola continued to whine, Sawyer frowned, and although my experience with Sawyer was short, I knew when he was seconds from losing his patience. I was actually surprised that he lasted this long without saying the word fuck in some manner. His behavior was very interesting, and it made me think that he had grown in the few years we’d been apart.
As Lola and Sawyer began to argue back and forth I decided it was time for me to make my getaway, I stood from the table and walked quickly toward the exit. I knew that no one would miss me, Raven was off with her new husband, and Karessa Hale had the reigns for the rest of the reception, so my duty as maid of honor was done. I needed to leave before Sawyer cornered me and made me talk about why I left him. I wouldn’t do that; I couldn’t do that.
However, before I reached my salvation of the door underneath the bright red exit sign, I felt a hand on my shoulder. His green eyes radiated fire as he stared down into my defiant face. It took all of me to leave Sawyer the first time, and I don’t know if I’m strong enough to do it again.
Sawyer backed me up against the wall in the da
rk hallway, and instead of being outraged, my hot ass was turned on. I wanted to slap my palm against my forehead because I was supposed to be running from him. But the memory of how he used to ravage my body was at the forefront of my mind.
He continued to stalk forward like a predator before pinning me against the wall. “What the hell, Monster? You can’t do this here!” My outrage wasn’t entirely fake. I needed to put up some sort of fight because if I didn’t I would be in his bed, legs spread wide, and moaning his name before I could remember why I shouldn’t. I had a weak spot for Sawyer, and I couldn’t afford to be weak.
“Why’d you run? I asked you to wait,” Sawyer’s voice was deeper than it was earlier. It had taken on the dangerous quality that I was way too familiar with. I knew I was in trouble.
“You seemed busy,” I shrugged, trying to hold on to my cool. I wasn’t jealous of Lola Pratt. Forget that cuntwaffle. But it still grated on my nerves that he left me to talk to her.
“I’ll never be too busy for you,” His hand caressed my face slowly, and before I knew it, I was leaning into him. His presence was overwhelming my good sense, and I didn’t want to do anything stupid. Resist him, Sasha. I scolded myself.
Sawyer leaned in even closer, and I was closing my eyes, waiting for his soft lips. Bitch! Snap out of it! You can’t do this with this man… like at all, my conscience screamed at me, and I straightened up and opened my eyes immediately. I was able to run before, but I had a feeling that wouldn’t be an option this time. So, I would have to be very careful around Sawyer Nash.
“Mon- Sawyer, I-I…” I stuttered through my response because I couldn’t tell him the truth.
“We will talk about this, sooner or later!”
“Please, just let me go.” My pleading voice interrupted his declaration. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. I couldn’t do this with him. I wouldn’t do this with him.
Sawyer smirked as if he had a secret, but didn’t respond right away. We stood there, staring at one another in the dark hallway—me on the verge of tears, and him with cruelness dancing in his eyes. The longer we stood there in silence, the longer my body was drawn to his. Sawyer was standing so incredibly close, but he refused to touch me. I thought that I was going to lose my mind. I could feel the electricity throughout my entire body.