by S. M. West
“Oh my God!” she squeals, wrapping her arms around me. Her warm, soft lips rain on my jaw and mouth. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
When Logan came home for Léa’s funeral, we’d talked about meeting up with them before their North American tour wrapped. They’re in Vermont right now and will be heading to Quebec before going on to the Maritimes.
We are spending the last three months with them, and Maggie doesn’t know it yet, but I’ve rented a place for us in Newfoundland for two weeks before coming home.
“It isn’t even three weeks away; that isn’t a lot of time. What about Léa’s Home?”
She twists her luscious lips, one side ticking up as she gnaws at the inside of her mouth. Her concern is etched on her face.
At first, Léa’s Home had been a dream, but once Caro dove right in with me, developing a facility for those with brain injuries became my mission, especially after Léa’s death and what also happened to my father.
Léa’s Home will offer subsidizing for those who don’t have the money to give their loved ones the care they need. Caro and I know more than anyone else how taxing that can be and how desperate you may be to find the money.
“Caro will manage everything while we’re gone. Besides, there’ll be plenty still to do when we get back.”
“Nick.” Maggie pushes me onto a chair, straddling my lap. “I love this, but are you sure?” She cups my jaw, her fingers stroking my day-old growth.
“Stop.” I kiss her quick and hard. “I want this. We need some time away from everything.”
“I love it.” She threads her fingers into the hair at the back of my neck. “And I love you.”
“Love you.” I kiss her softly.
Her hands lie flat on my chest, and one of mine circles her wrist. Faint, pinkish lines ring her flesh from where I’d cuffed her.
At first, when I realized she was scarred for life, my self-hatred had been something fierce.
If I could take it all back I would. Maggie didn’t blame me, even if I blamed myself. Seeing those red rings would forever remind me of who I’d been and what I was capable of.
Maggie looked at it another way, and slowly, I came to see it as she did. She believes every human is capable of vile and atrocious things depending on the situation. It isn’t for me to regret how I chose to survive, but to use what I learned about myself for the better.
She wears those thin, pink rings around her wrists as gifts from me. I’ve marked her, claimed her, and likewise, the scar from the bullet is the same. She’s claimed me. We belong to each other.
Without realizing it at the time, we freed each other from the past, from things we couldn’t change, and demons still lurking in the shadows that we no longer had to face alone.
We might not make sense to some. I’m everything she ran from. The very thing that scorched her world and put her through unimaginable pain and loss. And she’s too good for me. The unattainable for a guy like me. But we fit and fix each other.
“You might find it boring,” I jest, poking her in the ribs.
“Boring? What are you talking about?”
“You know, riding a motorcycle pales in comparison to being hunted by Russian thugs.”
She tips her head back and laughs. Now we can laugh about it. Her brother is gone, and Drago’s dead. I don’t know how it happened or who did it, and I don’t give a fuck. That is all behind us, although my guard will never be fully down.
Compared to how we met and the first days together, our lives are dull and boring, and I fucking love every second of it.
“This is true. But it doesn’t matter what we do as long as I’m doing it with you.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Besides, you’re the only one I want to be stuck with if madmen are chasing me.”
Her smile glows, and I laugh, victorious every time she smiles.
Acknowledgments
I don’t know where to start with the thank yous. Writing this book was a labor of love. Yes, all my books are, but this one was harder for many reasons, and there were times when I thought I’d just walk away. A lot of this had to do with losing my father this year.
His sudden death stalled my life in so many ways, and most of which I’d never expected, but through it all, I found such love and support from my tribe. The people who touched me and this book are true friends—you know who you are. I don’t know where I’d be without you. You lifted me up and made me feel strong even on days when I doubted it. Thank you.
To my beta readers, T-bird, Stéphanie, Layla, Maida, and Julia, thank you for your awesomeness. And a special thank you to Annette, who not only helped with Maggie’s love of vintage cars, but she’s also one of the sweetest people I know, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
To my amazing editing team, Leanne, Maria and Melinda, thank you for treating my words like your own and making this book sparkle!
To my review team, thank you for reading my words and sharing my books. I appreciate all that you do, and I can’t thank you enough.
Bloggers and readers, thank you for taking the time to read and write a review, your support means the world.
I want to thank Eric Battershell and his talented photography for the gorgeous image that’s on the cover of this book. Johnny Kane will always be my Nick!
And to Kim, there aren’t words to adequately express what you and our friendship mean to me. Girl, you get me! Love you.
Lastly, to my family, love you to the moon and back!
Suzanne xo
Also by S.M. West
Made to Love
Olivia Cassidy is done with love. She had her chance, got married and had kids. She’s now divorced and focused on her career. That’s until Samson Beaulieu, a sexy young chef, sets his sights on her. It doesn’t matter she’s older or divorced with children, Samson wants Olivia, and he’s determined to show her that he was made to love her.
Clutch
Pansy Dobson is misunderstood and looking for a fresh start. She’s not sure what she wants to do with her life, but she’s got to get her act together. Barely a day on the road and she nearly runs over Silas Palmer, a sexy-as-sin rock star. Silas changes everything. He’s walking away from fame and fortune and knows what he wants. Silas wants Pansy, but life isn’t that simple.
Love in Color - Full length, standalone novels with interconnected characters
Red
Tate Conrad is a prisoner. Revenge is all she craves, and with nothing to lose, she teams up with the FBI to bring down her captors. Rylan Wolfe is her handler, and he has his own agenda. They must work together, but as their desire for each other grows, and their trust is challenged, will they jeopardize any chance of success or a future together?
Blue
Carys Wolfe knows what it’s like to have loved and lost. Evan Hart wasn’t only her brother’s best friend, she’d loved him all her life. Her only dream was to spend her life with him. After they finally admit their love for each other, Evan leaves without a word. Now he’s back and he wants her. The thing is, Carys isn’t willing to forgive or forget.
Green
Anna Mari is a pawn, and time is her enemy. For her protection, Davis Cooper is assigned to babysit her, his boss’s sister—the pretty little thing who’s off-limits. Their friendship grows into something more, and while Coop starts to see a future with Anna, she accepts that neither hope nor love can save her.
About the Author
S.M. West writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and whatever her heart desires. She spends most of her time juggling a day job, being a mom, wife, and writing. She's a self-professed junkie of many things, including a voracious fan of music, a born wanderer, a wine aficionado and chocolate connoisseur.
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