“Look what I got?” Lacey waved her iPhone in my face excitedly.
“What am I supposed to be lookin’ at?”
She glared at me with pale blue eyes. “Carlito’s digits, dumb-dumb. I’m gonna get me some quality cock before I high tail it outta here after the summer, and he’s all man, believe me.”
“Gross, Lacey.” I pressed the ignition button and flipped a bitch before I headed to the automated gates. “The guy must be, like, thirty or something. What the hell would you do with a guy who’s my brother’s age and better yet, why the hell does he want you?”
“Because I’m hot and he’s single. Kept tellin’ me how much I reminded him of his mother.”
I snickered. “Um, maybe because you and his mother are both ‘black Irish?’ Other than that, you don’t look a damn thing like her.”
“Okay, act that way but seriously, are you gonna sit here and tell me the only dick you’re gettin’ this summer will be Jason?” Lacey questioned incredulously.
“That would be a hell to the no, dear. However, I don’t plan to get together with some biker. I’m not that desperate.”
The ride to The Point in Lake Tahoe was mostly quiet while Lacey fiddled with my iPod until she found Snoop Dogg’s summer anthem, “Young, Wild & Free.” She sang along and I couldn’t help but laugh. We were best friends for a reason and it was really hard to stay mad at a friend like Lacey. She was the typical teenager but she still cared about me as a person and treated me like we were sisters.
We jammed to the remix of Imagine Dragon’s “Radioactive” with Kendrick Lamar as I pulled into a parking spot not far down from Jason’s truck. A bunch of our peers were gathered around waiting for us to show up with the beer.
“Don’t tell me I was the only one on beer call. We don’t have enough booze,” I greeted Jason as I popped the trunk.
“Hell no. Plenty of booze but we need the extra beer. Brad has a hook up—his cousin’s in town and he’s over twenty-one.”
“What cousin?” I wondered and tried not to get too excited.
“He’s over there, by the lake. The shirtless one with the cross tat on his back.”
I slapped Jason’s arm playfully. “And you didn’t bother to welcome him properly to our tri-cities abode? How very unhospitable of you.”
Jason’s gray eyes looked me up and down lasciviously. “Actually, I was leavin’ that for you to do.”
I shook my head as I walked down one of the paths that led directly to a great view of Lake Tahoe in all its splendid natural glory. The shirtless guy, lightly tanned and with a large Celtic cross tattoo that covered his upper back, turned toward me. He had the most amazing clear blue-gray eyes, cerulean and early morning winter storm clouds mixed together, and intense in their color. His looks were classic although he wore a large onyx stud in his right ear, he still looked preppy and smelled of nothing but money from the designer jeans worn snugly on his hips to the woodsy floral scent of cologne he wore.
He smirked at me before the expression on his face turned into an award-winning smile, and my heart did a flip flop in my chest. I was so freaking done for and I didn’t even know it.
“Hey, I’m Laine.”
“Chantal,” I murmured.
“It’s a beautiful name.”
“You have a beautiful voice,” I replied without thinking.
He wasn’t from around here. I knew that much. His accent was different, it had an east coast twinge to it with a gentle southern flavor. I would guess somewhere along the southeast, probably Virginia since he obviously came from money.
Laine chuckled before he shook his head. “You’re a real charmer, aren’t you?”
The fog cleared from my brain and all I could think of was how immature I probably sounded. I’d just graduated from high school and still spouting off lines I’d heard from Gossip Girl. Way to go, me!
“Sorry, that probably sounded really stupid, didn’t it?”
“No, I actually like hearing I’ve got a beautiful voice. I never thought of it in that way but if it makes you happy to hear it then who am I to deny you?”
I smiled shyly. “Thanks for making my comment sound that much more retarded. I swear I can hold a conversation.”
Laine’s steel blue eyes looked me up and down. “I have no doubt.”
“Listen, I brought beer—do you want one?”
“Why would I have a beer when you’re not drinking one?”
My eyes found his as I licked my lips playfully. “I’ll have one with you. I know our crowd isn’t the most conventional but seriously, you must have rolled your eyes pretty hard when you were invited to this high school graduation get together. I mean, you’re over twenty-one…why the hell would you want to hang around a bunch of eighteen and nineteen year olds?”
Laine shrugged his shoulders as he broke eye contact and looked at the lake. “For the young wild girls of course.”
It was my turn to laugh and I wondered if I should let him get away with the subtle Bruno Mars dig. “Young? Yes. Wild? Depends on your definition.”
I didn’t realize we’d begun to walk until we fell into step with one another, side by side. “Well, you have a boyfriend, don’t you?”
“Yep. His name’s Jason, and he’s one of your cousin’s best friends. Unfortunately, I don’t hold out much hope we’re going to survive past the summer. I’m not being coy, just being realistic about my present situation.”
“Then why the hell are you talking to me?” He paused and so did I as he picked up a couple of pebbles and began to throw them into the clear blue water. “I mean, even if you think you’re gonna end it with him, you do realize you’re still cheating? It’s more than just an impropriety—it’s having any sort of feelings, emotions, and thoughts about someone other than the person you’re with at that moment.”
I smiled again as I shook my head. “You’re too good, you know that? What were you? A psychology major?”
“Double major in psychology and political science,” Laine stated matter of fact.
“Whoa. So, my guess was right? Are you from a Virginia suburb in the metro DC area? I had you pegged for someone who came from money and there’s no place like Washington DC where there’s plenty of money to be found.”
He laughed, low and throaty but said nothing to my comment.
“Oh, is your upbringing and where you come from so top secret you can’t give me a hint?”
Laine turned toward me. “We’ll talk again. Enjoy your time with your boyfriend. Good bye, Chantal.”
I opened and closed my mouth, unable to formulate any words.
Had a man just left me by myself on a beautiful clearing of Lake Tahoe? Was I stuck with my high school boyfriend for the duration of the evening?
“Whoa…who the hell was that?” Lacey wondered lasciviously as she handed me a Bud Ice.
“Brad’s cousin. You should know more about him than me.” I glared at my best friend as I twisted the cap off and swigged from the bottle.
“Never met the guy in my life.” She shrugged in an offhanded manner. “Maybe Brad had a few photos of him and his family lying about but I can’t really tell you. I wasn’t exactly looking at family memorabilia when I used to hang out with him. We were more interested in doing the horizontal shuffle.”
I laughed out loud and glared at my best friend with a rueful gaze. “Just great. I would have to meet a great guy who happens to be educated and better than our crowd on our last day of school.”
“Yeah, our last day of high school but the first day in the rest of our lives.” Lacey shrugged again. “Will you lighten up, for God’s sake? Just because you met him today doesn’t mean his impact on your life will be any less proficient.”
“Ha-ha. I bet I’ll never see the guy again.” I mused before I took another swig from my beer and buried our little flirtatious banter deep into my subconscious.
Life was always easier when I didn’t think about the great guys that’d gotten away from me.
>
Coming to online retailers in e-book and paperback on April 21, 2014
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Selene Chardou is a world traveler and a professional liar.
Ms. Chardou’s writing is all about hot romance and exciting times with the wild, damaged, out of control, rich and famous set in the world of Contemporary Romance.
She is currently working on a vast array of books about politicians, good girls gone bad, bikers, gangsters, fighters, lovers, and anyone else she finds remotely interesting. When not writing, she enjoys daydreaming about her next trip to France, jet-setting across the country to author signings and playing taxi driver to her school-age daughters.
Ms. Chardou currently resides with her two children and their multitude of stuffed animals in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Contact & Resources
Website: Novels That Rock
Blog:The Realm of Selene Chardou
Goodreads Author Page: Selene Chardou
Follow Selene Chardou on Twitter
Like Selene Chardou on Facebook
If you would like to email Selene Chardou, she can be reached at:[email protected]
Published & Upcoming Books by Selene Chardou
DC Affairs (New Adult/Contemporary Romance/Politics)
Book 1
Book 2 (April 28, 2014)
Book 3 (May 26, 2014)
Book 4 (June 30, 2014)
Book 5 (July 28, 2014)
Book 6 (August 25, 2014)
The Covet Duet (New Adult/Contemporary Romance/Women’s Literature)
Covet (April 21, 2014)
Capture (Summer, 2014)
Take Him Now: A Novella (Fall, 2014)
The Rough RidersSeries (Romantic Suspense/Contemporary Romance)
Deadly Seduction (Gisela Jackson & Cillian “The Killer” Cox’s story)
Naked Dirty Love (Trey Lennon & Kyra Hughes’ story) [June 9, 2014]
Dangerous Attraction (Ronan “Puck” Cox’s story) [To Be Announced]
Dangerous Temptations (Maeve “Misty” Cox’s srory) [To Be Announced]
Unbreakable Hearts (Quinn “Tech” Cox’s story) [To Be Announced]
Love Unexpected Series (Romantic Suspense/Contemporary Romance)
Love TKO (Torin Duffy’s story)
Love TKO: Out For The Count (Kieran Duffy’s story) [Fall, 2014]
Good Girl Gone Bad (Fiona Duffy’s story) [TBA]
One More Kiss (Shane Duffy’s story) [TBA]
Stripped To The Bone (Devin Duffy’s story) [TBA]
Love Stoned (Seamus Duffy’s story) [TBA]
Scarlet Fever Series (New Adult/Contemporary Romance/Women’s Literature)
Rock My Heart
The Will to Love
Jaded Faith (Fall, 2014)
Grant’s Muse (Winter, 2015)
One More Night Trilogy (New Adult/Contemporary Romance/Women’s Literature)
Falling Into Lust
Falling Into Us
Falling Into Love
The Lovers Duet (New Adult/Romantic Mystery & Suspense/Contemporary Romance)
Out From Under
In Too Deep
Above The Fray (September, 2014)
Young, Rich & Talented Trilogy (New Adult/Contemporary Romance/Women’s Literature)
Rock Me Out (Chyna Bleu’s story, To Be Announced)
Rock Me Sideways (Damian Phillip’s story, To Be Announced)
Rock Me In (Ava Martin’s story, To Be Announced)
Novels & Novellas by Elle Chardou
The Ties That Bind Trilogy (Contemporary Romance / Romantic Suspense with erotic and BDSM elements)
Killing Time
Killing Heartache: A Novelette (Book 1.5)
Killing Time (The Bonus Collection)
Killing Desire
Killing Me Softly
The Ties That Bind Omnibus Collection
Seasons of Love & Lust (Contemporary Romance / Contemporary Women/ New Adult)
A Summer to Remember
Falling for Autumn (TBA)
Winter’s Regret (TBA)
Spring Fling (TBA)
Exploitation of Love Series (Contemporary Romance / Contemporary Women)
Reckless Behavior: A Prequel Novella (TBA)
Indecent Behavior, A Novel (TBA)
Undertow Trilogy (Contemporary Romance / Contemporary Women / New Adult)
Undertow
Falling Under (Coming TBA)
Drowning in You (Monika & Dylan’s story, TBA)
The Atonement Series (Contemporary Romance / Contemporary Women)
Atonement, A Novel
Only Love
Only Time (Caitlyn & Liam’s Story, To Be Announced)
Only You (Drew & Aubrey’s Story, To Be Announced)
Crazy in Love (To Be Announced)
The Vamp Saga (Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy)
Mortal Death: Book I
Immortal Lair: A Novella (A Prequel to Death Wish)
Better Off Immortal: Book II
Queen of the Immortals: Book III
Immortal Dawn (Autumn/Winter, 2013)
The Vamp Saga Omnibus Collection (Re-issue To Be Announced)
The Hart Family Saga (Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy)
Hart Attack
Troubled Hart: A Novella (Book 1.5) [To Be Announced]
Change of Hart (To Be Announced)
Superstar Marriages Novella Series (Contemporary Romance)
Lara & the City of Angels
Jenna & the City of Light (To Be Announced)
The Supernaturals Novella Series (Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy)
Darkness Rising
The Dawn of Darkness
The Supernaturals Collection No. 1
Darkness Awakened
The Cloak of Darkness
The Theft of Darkness
Cling to Darkness (To Be Announced)
The Plague (Dystopian Romance / Horror)
The Beginning: Book I
Apocalypse 2013: Book II (To Be Announced)
Table of Contents
Begin Reading
Table of Contents
Dedication
DC Affairs Book 1 Playlist
Chapter One: Sigourney
Chapter Two: Peter
Chapter Three: Sigourney
Chapter Four: Peter
Chapter Five: Sigourney
Chapter Six: Peter
Chapter Seven: Sigourney
Chapter Eight: Peter
Chapter Nine: Sigourney
Chapter Ten: Peter
Chapter Eleven: Sigourney
Chapter Twelve: Russell
Chapter Thirteen: Sigourney
Chapter Fourteen: Peter
Chapter Fifteen: Sigourney
Excerpt from Covet (The Covet Duet)
About The Author
Contact the Author
Novels and Novellas
DC Affairs Page 12