“I’m worthy,” I finally sigh.
“Yes, you are.” He leans over and kisses me.
We stay entangled for what seems like hours, but I know it’s not. “I’m hungry,” I finally say.
“Let me take my snowflake home and feed her.”
When we get home, we head to my apartment, where Max orders dinner for us.
We sit cuddled together on the sofa, not really watching TV, not really talking, just enjoying our own company. Dinner arrives and we eat while still watching TV. “I have to go in to work on Monday and tell Peter and Dale I resign.”
“They’ll be happy.”
I flash a look over to Max, and he starts laughing as he’s eating his spaghetti. His laugh turns into a choking fit, and I pat him on the back to help. “That was the funniest look you’ve ever given me,” he says after he sips on his soda. “But I meant, they’ll be happy you’re doing something you love.”
“I know what you meant. I was just playing.”
I finish my dinner and tell Max I’m going for a shower.
“I’ll clear everything away,” he says as he takes my bowl and his to the kitchen.
As I stand under the hot stream of water which is pelting me on the back, I think about what’s happened today. It seems like today is one of the most significant days of my life, apart from the day I walked out on Trent.
In such a short time I’m finally discovering who I am, and what it is I want from my life. But the one thing which will never waiver, is the desire and love I feel for Max. He’s always been there, my beacon of hope from the first time I saw him in the deli, to right now as he’s cleaning away our dishes. He’s always been there, and always will be.
I get out of the shower, dry off and head out to my bedroom, where Max is lying in bed. “Did you shower already?” I ask.
“I ran upstairs and had a quick shower, because I wanted to be here when you came out.”
I crawl into bed, and snuggle against Max.
My heart’s beating rapidly, and I can feel the nervous butterflies flapping around in my stomach. I want to take this to the next level, but I’m unsure on how to communicate it. I lean up on my elbow, and kiss Max’s beautiful, full lips.
Slowly I begin to reach my tongue out, drawing a fine line around his mouth. Max returns my hunger, and soon has me on my back as he hovers over me. “Are you sure, Snowflake?” he asks.
I nod my head, and drag my hands through his hair. “I’m sure,” I whisper.
“Sit up for me,” he instructs. I do and he grips the hem of my t-shirt and lifts it over my head. I’m left wearing just my panties and nothing else. His heated gaze greedily rakes over my exposed breasts. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispers as he darts down and swirls his raspy tongue over my nipples.
Insatiably, he sucks on my right nipple, and when I violently grip his head, he moves to my left one. Inside me something is happening. Pure elation begins to steadily bubble away inside me.
Max’s fingers slowly brush down my stomach, stopping to circle my belly button, then follow the line of my panties. He removes his warm mouth from my breast, and looks up at me. “May I?” he asks and pulls slightly on my panties.
Breathlessly I say, “Yes.”
He moves on my bed, and hooks his thumbs into the sides, then carefully drags them down my body. “I was right,” he says as he stares at my body. “Beautiful.” His mouth connects with my tummy. He licks and laves his way further down until he’s nestled between my legs. “Just relax and feel me.”
I lay back and close my eyes, enjoying Max and what his tongue is doing to me. All thoughts drift away. Nothing but pleasure and joy courses through my veins. I can feel a heat burning through my body, touching every part of me, waking parts I never even knew I had.
My breath becomes erratic, and small moans escape my lips. What is happening to me? Oh God, this is bliss. My body begins to shake uncontrollably as more strangled noises erupt from the back of my throat. “Oh God,” I cry, my voice husky. My hips tilt and gyrate on their own, trying to get more of the delicious feeling from Max’s mouth. “Oh God,” I half shout as I latch onto Max’s hair and drive myself vigorously further into his face.
“Ahhh,” I scream in ecstasy as my body violently spasms in response to Max and his clever mouth.
Max crawls up the bed toward me, and when he reaches my face, his dark eyes tell me everything I need to know. He slides into me and I let out a breath as I accept him.
“I love you so much,” I say.
Max and I are in each other’s arms and Max is drawing figures on my back. “Will making love with you always be this good?” I ask as I kiss his chest.
“No.” Crap, what? “It’ll get better.” He leans down and kisses the top of my head.
I smile and know he’s right. “I’ve been thinking about something,” I say. I hook my leg over his and turn so my chin is resting on his chest.
“What’s that?” he asks while staring hungrily into my eyes.
“I’ve found somewhere else to live, and I’m going to give up my apartment.”
Max’s jaw jumps and I see it tense. “Aha,” he says and lifts an eyebrow at me. I can already tell he’s not entirely pleased with me moving away from him. “Where is this place? And is it safe?”
“It’s not too far from here. I think you’ll like it,” I say as I lean down and pepper kisses across his chest.
“Don’t try to distract me, Lily. Where exactly is ‘not too far from here’?”
“Seriously, Max. You should be happy I’m moving.”
“Why is that?” his voice has a distinct twinge of developing disappointment.
“Because I’m moving to your apartment.”
His look automatically eases and he’s doing his best to contain his huge smile. “What am I going to do with you?” he asks as he flips us and starts nuzzling my neck.
“I have a couple of ideas,” I say as I spread my legs to accommodate his tall frame.
It’s been two years since Trent went to trial and was convicted, and he’s eligible for parole in another eight years. I was given the option to give my testimony via video conference so I didn’t have to face him in court, but I decided I needed to face my fears.
I walked into the courtroom with my head held high, my shoulders squared, back straight, and with all the composure of a skilled surgeon about to undertake surgery on the President. Inside though, I was praying I could keep calm and get the job done. I was nervous and I felt like I was going to be sick, but when Trent called me a slut under his breath as I approached the witness stand, it was then I decided. In order for me to move forward, I must face my past and flip it the bird.
And that’s what I did. I looked at the attorneys asking me questions, I answered them all, and I read from my diary about all the horrible things he did to me. Once I’d finished reading passages of my journal, I looked over and saw some of the jurors were wiping tears away. When I was excused from the witness box, I walked out the same way I walked in. With my head held high and my shoulders back and straight. I had nothing to be ashamed of. He put me through hell, brainwashed me, and kept me prisoner in my own mind by convincing me I was worthless. It didn’t take long for the jury to reach a verdict and convict him.
As I walked past him, I turned, smiled and gave him a nod. Then I walked out, and left my past exactly where it deserved to be.
Max was pacing the corridor, waiting for me outside the courtroom and the moment I made it outside the doors, I collapsed into his awaiting arms. It was by far the most difficult, yet liberating thing I had ever done.
I looked at the man who beat me, and told the court what he did to me.
“Hey, Snowflake, are you going to get up today,” Max says as I lay in bed, reminiscing about the court case.
“I’m thinking about it,” I answer as I stretch and look out our bedroom window to the beautiful city below us. The gold bracelet Max gave me catches a sparkle of light, and I smile
, remembering and honoring our past.
Max places my hot chocolate on the bedside table and lays down beside me. He leans down and kisses my ever-growing tummy. “You know, little man, mommy and I can’t wait until you decide to join us,” Max says to my tummy as he kisses it again.
I lift my arms and place them beneath my head, and watch Max as he talks to my baby bump. The moment I told him we were pregnant, he got on line to find the best OBGYN in the state. Luckily, the second best is someone Max knows through the hospital. It was really cute how he automatically went into this protective mode. Protective of me and of our son.
“I think I want to give work up once Wade is born,” I say to Max. When we were thinking of names Max’s first choice was Wade. Of course, I cried.
“I’ve been telling you the same thing ever since you told me we’re pregnant.” He gets up and helps me sit up in bed. He hands me my hot chocolate and begins getting changed. “I think you should write a book. Miriam can promote it.” He turns and cheekily winks at me.
MML Publications has tripled its sales in two years, and has some of the hottest, most talented new authors around. I’ve found some exceptional gems, and I’ve been able to introduce them to Miriam and get them signed.
I sip my hot chocolate and follow Max’s taut muscles and firm lines as he strips out of his sleep pants and t-shirt into jeans and a shirt. “Stop looking at me like that,” he teases. “I have to get over to Liam’s and help him set up for Sophia’s birthday. Poor Liam’s copping it from Shayne, apparently she’s been quite hard to live with through this pregnancy.” He chuckles, then quickly adds, “Don’t tell her I said that. I don’t want to get Liam, or myself in trouble.”
I smile at him. “I won’t.”
“Anyway, you really should think about writing a book. Give it some thought.”
“Actually I have,” I answer, as I struggle to get up and go to my husband so I can give him a kiss before he goes.
“I’ll be back to pick you up in a couple of hours.” He kisses me on the lips. “But you have thought about a book? Really? You haven’t said anything to me about it.”
I waddle out to the kitchen, where Max has pancakes prepared for me. “Mancakes,” I say as I start to eat them.
“Yep, I know how much you love them. But, tell me about this book.” He leans up against the kitchen counter and picks his mug up to drink.
I finish chewing what’s in my mouth. “Well, I think I have a title.”
“Yeah? What is it?”
“I’m going to call it…Ugly.”
Australia: Reachout – national service. 1800 Respect
U.K: National domestic violence hotline. 0808 2000 247
USA: National domestic violence hotline. 1800 799 SAFE (7233)
Domestic violence affects people we may know who are too ashamed or frightened to speak up.
When you look at the person next to you on the bus, or the train, or even at school or work, ask them if they’re okay. A kind word may be all they need to get through the day or even make the courageous decision to seek help.
Lily’s story completely consumed me. She came to me one night while I was lying in bed. A vision of a blonde-haired teenager popped into my mind. She was huddled in the bath, with her arms wrapped around her boney knees and she was crying. She looked up from the blood-soaked water and she whispered two words to me. “Help me.” From that day on, more and more of her came to me. It took her months to tell me her entire story, but when she finally gave me her soul, I knew I had to write her story for every person, female or male, who’s suffered or is suffering at the hands of an abuser.
Lily, for your heart, I hope I did your story justice.
I must thank some incredible people who’ve been my sounding board for Lily’s story.
To my very good friend Jodi. You were the person I’d call when I wrote a scene I loved, or hated. And you helped me form some of the characters to be as evil as they are.
To Karen, I asked you on the fly to read the story for plot holes and flow. You told me how much you loved it. I’ve included most (insert LOL) of your suggestions, and the story is stronger for it.
To my darling, Cheryl. You praise my talents often, and I thank you for the beautiful confidence you have in me.
To my sweetness, Mandy. You are such a terrific person, who makes me laugh. Thank you for your help.
To Kellie from Book Cover by Design. Amazing. I told you what I wanted, and you got it straight away. You have an amazing talent, my friend…amazing!
To my very good friend, Melinda. Your proofreading skills are exceptional. I gave you my Lily, and you’ve treated her with the utmost respect.
To Editing Vixen. Your work is always outstanding. Thank you for everything. (THAT – hehehe)
To Al. Thank you for your proofreading expertize.
And to my editor, Debi. You’re so much more than an editor, you’re my friend too. You put up with all my ‘Americanizing’ questions, and you always treat my books with so much integrity and respect.
And to all my readers. Thank you for buying my books. I do hope Lily has been able to give you a voice. Because if she can overcome her past, you can open your heart to your future.
Bound by custom or unique by choice.
Margaret X
Chef Pierre
Holly Walker had everything she’d ever dreamed about – a happy marriage and being mum to beautiful brown-eyed Emma - until an accident nineteen months ago tore her world apart. Now she's a widow and single mother to a boisterous little 7-year-old girl, looking for a new start. Ready to take the next step, Holly has found herself a job as a maître d' at Table One, a once-acclaimed restaurant in the heart of Sydney. But one extremely arrogant Frenchman isn't going to be easy to work with...
Twenty years ago, Pierre LeRoux came to Australia, following the stunning Aussie girl he'd fallen in love with and married. He and his wife put their personal lives on hold, determined for Pierre to take Sydney's culinary society by storm. Just as his bright star was on the upswing, tragedy claimed the woman he was hopelessly in love with. He had been known as a Master Chef, but since his wife’s death he has become known as a monster chef.
Can two broken people rebuild their lives and find happiness once more?
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Aus
Smoke and Mirrors
Words can trick us.
Smoke obscures objects on the edge of our vision.
A mirror may reflect, but the eye sees what it wants.
A delicate scent can evoke another time and place, a memory from the past.
And a sentence can deceive you, even as you read it.
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Aus
Grit
***Recommended for 18 years and over***
Alpha MC Prez Jaeger Dalton wants the land that was promised to him.
Sassy Phoenix Ward isn’t about to let anyone take Freedom Run away from her.
He’ll protect what’s his.
She’ll protect what’s hers.
Jaeger is an arrogant ass, but he wants nothing more than Phoenix.
Phoenix is stubborn and headstrong, and she wants Jaeger out of her life.
Her father lost the family farm to gambling debts, but Jaeger isn’t the only one who has a claim to the property.
Sometimes it’s best to let things go.
But sometimes it’s better to fight until the very end.
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Aus
Yes, Master
**** THIS PROLOGUE CONTAINS DISTRESSING CONTENT. IT IS ONLY SUITED FOR READERS OVER 18. ****
ALSO CONTAINS M/M, M/M/F, M/F AND F/F SCENES.
My uncle abused me.
I was 10 years old when it started.
At 13 he told me I was no longer wanted because I had started to develop.
At 16 I was ready to kill him.
Today, I’m broken.
Today, I only breathe to survive.
My name’s Ser
geant Major Ryan Jenkins and today, I’m ready to tell you my story.
A Life Less Broken
***CONTAINS DISTRESSING CONTENT. 18+***
On a day like any other, Allyn Sommers went off to work, not knowing that her life was about to be irrevocably and horrifically altered.
Three years later, Allyn is still a prisoner in her own home, held captive by harrowing fear. Broken and damaged, Allyn seeks help from someone that fate put in her path.
Dr. Dominic Shriver is a psychiatrist who’s drawn to difficult cases. He must push past his own personal battles to help Allyn fight her monsters and nightmares.
Is Dr. Shriver the answer to her healing?
Can Allyn overcome being broken?
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Aus
My Life for Yours
He’s lived a life of high society and privilege; he chose to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a Senator.
She’s lived a life surrounded with underworld activity; she had no choice but to follow in her father’s footsteps and take on the role of Mob Boss.
He wants to stamp out organized crime and can’t be bought off.
She's the ruthless and tough Mob Boss where in her world all lines are blurred.
Their lives are completely different, two walks of life on the opposite ends of the law.
Being together doesn’t make sense.
But being apart isn’t an option
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Aus
HiT Series Box Set
HiT 149
Anna Brookes is not your typical teenager. Her walls are not adorned with posters of boy bands or movie stars. Instead posters from Glock, Ruger, and Smith & Wesson grace her bedroom. Anna’s mother abandoned her at birth, and her father, St. Cloud Police Chief Henry Brookes, taught her how to shoot and coached her to excellence. On Anna’s fifteenth birthday, unwelcome guests join the celebration, and Anna’s world is never the same. You’ll meet the world’s top assassin, 15, and follow her as she discovers the one hit she’s not sure she can complete – Ben Pearson, the current St. Cloud Police Chief and a man with whom Anna has explosive sexual chemistry. Enter a world of intrigue, power, and treachery as Anna takes on old and new enemies, while falling in love with the one man with whom she can’t have a relationship.
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