I can’t help but laugh, because that was the year Salvatore and I had to do a project together for high school. He came over so we could start it and Dad went all crazy on him. He was talking French at him, and telling Salvatore, “If you lay one finger on her, your digits will go in tonight’s pie.” Of course Salvatore is Italian, and he has no idea what Dad was saying. I laughed, gave Dad a kiss and told him we were only doing a project for school together.
“Thanks for the back-up,” I say into the phone.
Salvatore takes a huge breath, “Fine, I’ll be there soon. But if he kills you or me, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Okay, I’ll see you soon.” We both hang up, and I go to the bathroom and get ready for the onslaught.
***
“I’m setting the table inside tonight because it’s a bit cool outside,” I tell Dad as I get the cutlery ready. What I neglect to tell him is I’m setting the table inside because hopefully, the walls will muffle the yelling when Salvatore and I spring our news on him.
“Is Salvatore coming for dinner, too?” he asks as he stirs the pot on the stove.
“Yeah.”
Salvatore spends a lot of his time here. Mum and Dad know we’ve been boyfriend and girlfriend for a long time now, and they’re fine with it. Dad still scares Salvatore, but that’s just Dad being Dad.
As I set the table I look over to the wall of family photos. A photo of Nanna smiling with me curled up asleep on her lap. There’s one of Mum, Dad and me when they got married. Next to it, almost as large, there’s one of Dad and Eva, then on the other side there’s one of Mum, my biological Dad and me.
Mum never let me forget my real Dad, and throughout the year we go visit him at his grave. Sometimes just Mum and I go, but most times Dad comes with us. I also learned Dad’s first wife, Eva, died from ovarian cancer. Dad taught me about her, and we go visit her grave too. At first, some of my friends didn’t understand why we visited her as a family, but soon they accepted it.
She’s as much my Mum as my biological father is my Dad. I may never have met her, but it’s like I know her deep down inside of me.
“Hey,” Mum says as she comes in with four glasses and a pitcher of water.
“Hey, how busy has it been?”
“If your father has another bright idea to buy anything else, I’m going to throttle him.”
I chuckle at Mum. Two years ago Dad decided he wanted to expand from the bed and breakfast, so he bought a small hotel. Mum was so pissed off at him, first for not discussing it with her, but second for convincing her it’ll be great for them. Since then, they bought a second hotel, and a third.
Dad runs the kitchens, and thinks he runs the family, but Mum is pretty stubborn and doesn’t put up with much of his bossiness.
“Hi, beautiful,” I hear Salvatore say as he comes into the dining room. He walks over to me and plants a chaste kiss on my mouth. His background is Italian, so he has those handsome European features – dark hair, broad shoulders and smouldering, deep, sex-filled eyes.
“Salvatore, come help me in the kitchen,” Dad calls loudly. I look at Salvatore, and his eyes find mine. Dad sounds pissed off.
“What’s going on?” I ask Mum.
“Ask your father,” she answers, shrugging.
Minutes later, Dad walks in holding a casserole dish and Salvatore follows him with a basket of the fresh bread Dad was baking. We all sit at the table and dad begins to dish up our servings.
On Dad’s first bite, I look at Salvatore and knock his knee with my hand under the table. It’s now or never. “So Dad,” I start, then dip my bread into my food.
“Oui,” he says, not lifting his head.
“What is it, Peanut?” Mum asks.
“As you know I’ve been working as an apprentice in the kitchen at the hotel.” Salvatore grips my thigh under the table.
“Of course. I employed you.” Dad blows on a spoonful of food before placing it in his mouth.
“I kind of applied somewhere else.” I look down, avoiding Mum’s and Dad’s eyes, though I can still see them in my peripheral vision.
Dad puts his spoon down, sits back in his chair and crosses his arms in front of his chest. Oh man, I’m in so much trouble.
Mum looks up and smiles. I didn’t tell her what’s going on. Well, not all of it, she doesn’t know about this job opportunity I’ve been offered.
“Where?” Dad asks as his jaw tightens. He looks at Salvatore, as if it’s his fault and he’s trying to blame him.
“Um, it’s sort of at a really good restaurant.”
“That is not an answer. I asked you ‘where’?” I swallow hard.
“It’s in the city,” I slowly say, not really telling him which city.
“Who is it? If I find out it’s someone I do not like, you are not permitted to go.” He rubs his chin with his hand.
“I…ah – it’s um…”
“Spit it out, Emma.” He stands and gets his phone out of his pocket and looks at me, waiting for my answer.
“What are you doing?” I ask as I point to his phone.
“I must talk with the owner and ensure they know who you are.”
“Dad, you can’t do that.”
“Oui, of course I can.” He frowns and runs his hand through his hair.
“Pierre,” Mum warns as she continues to eat her dinner, surprisingly quite calmly.
“Well, who is it?”
Here goes. I know he’s going to freak the hell out. “It’s Cupidité,” I say in a small whisper.
Mum’s spoon clanks heavily against the white bowl, and Dad’s mouth pops open as his eyes widen.
“Cupidité?” Dad asks as he slouches in his chair.
“Yeah,” I whisper as Salvatore squeezes my thigh and I beam to my parents.
“Cupidité?” Dad repeats as his wild eyes find mine.
“Yep.”
“But…that’s…but…” For the first time in my life Dad and Mum are speechless.
“It’s in the city…kinda…like Paris. And it’s one of the top twenty restaurants in the world. I’ve been Skyping with them and they offered me a twelve-month probationary apprenticeship. I leave for France in two weeks.”
Mum and Dad both look at each other. Mum’s mouth opens many times, but she never says anything. Dad stares at me. At first he looks angry. But then his features change, his shoulders pull back and he smiles at me.
“We will miss you,” Mum finally manages to say before Dad speaks.
Dad focuses on the table as he grins with joy and happiness. After a long moment, he takes in a huge breath and looks at me, “I thought you were going to tell me you and Salvatore are engaged. Phew, I am happy that is not it. Not that I would mind, in a few years, but I think you are way too young.”
I look at Mum and now it’s her turn to look sheepish and concerned.
“Well Dad, there’s one more thing.”
The End
“Pierre,” Holly says as we lay in bed together. Today’s been an emotional day. We took Emma to the airport and sent her off to study the culinary arts under one of the most exclusive and most talented chefs in the world. Her engagement to Salvatore shouldn’t have been a shock, but it did render me speechless. But I am extremely happy he went with her, because I know he loves her and will take care of her.
“Oui, mon chéri,” I answer Holly as I spoon her gloriously naked body in my arms and kiss down her spine.
“I have an appointment tomorrow with my gynaecologist,” she says softly as she moves her cute, full derrière into my groin.
“I hate that you are going through menopause, but I love all the sex we are having.” I flip her to her back, and hover over her enticing body. Holly’s legs open, and embrace my hips as I slip into her wet and warm pussy.
“Yeah, about that,” she moans as she arches her body into my chest and her nails dig deeply into my back.
“It is alright. I still love you, even with your crazy mood swings.”<
br />
“Good, because I’m not going through menopause.”
My body automatically stills, “What?” I ask, my frame trembling with worry.
Her eyes are filled with tears, and she’s smiling as she attempts to close any distance between our bodies. “There’s nothing wrong.”
“Then what is it?”
“You’ll have to wait for eight months to find out.”
Bound by custom or unique by choice
A FEW WORDS
Wow that was so much fun.
As I wrote this book, I had to stick with the characters’ voices. Pierre was by far one of the most intense personalities who has ever whispered in my ear. If Pierre didn’t like a scene, he let me know it and I was forced to change it.
But along the way there are a few people I need to specifically thank, because none of this would be possible.
To my amazing team who hold my hand through the entire editing stage:
Debi Orton – my amazingly talented editor, who is always there to help me, regardless of what I need.
Editing Vixen – a fantastic proofreader who’s already taught so much.
Al – a wonderful proofreader who picks up the smallest of errors.
My betas – Melinda, Mandy and Tanya. Thank you for being part of my crazy.
My beautiful promotional ladies – Kylie from Give Me Books, she’s been so great at helping me promote myself. Hetty and Heather: although you both have jobs, you always try and help me. Truly beautiful women, and I’m honoured you’re in my life.
My awesome street team – Melinda, Cheryl, Trish, Amy, Maureen, Alicia, Rachel, Shanda, Patricia, Hetty, Shona, Amy, Mandy, and my newest team members, Laura, Claire and Karen.
Amy – AKA Margaret McHeyzer’s PA. Thank you for sending my emails out to the subscribers and for helping me when I need it.
Book Cover by Design – Kellie, she does such amazing work and really understands how my mind works.
Max Henry – an awesome formatter, always willing to do whatever I ask and does an exceptional job.
Sue – the perfect friend to have because she’s always honest and tries to help me improve.
My family: Mum, Andrew, Grace and Olivia.
The countless blogs who have selflessly supported: Give Me Books, Bestsellers and Beststellars of Romance, Panty Dropping Book Blog, Escape Reality With Books, Novels in Heels, Submit and Devour, So Many Books So Little Time, Twisted Sisters, Karen’s Book Haven, and Love Between the Sheets. But I know there are so many more, and I apologize if I’ve not mentioned you. But I do appreciate the time you take to post about something of mine.
I’ve made terrific friends while on this journey. Some people I can just tell how I’m feeling, regardless of if I’m happy or sad. I’ve formed friendships and bonds that will last a lifetime.
Thank you to everyone who’s bought my books, loved them, and left me reviews. I really appreciate it and it’s a humbling experience to know you wonderful people look forward to reading what I write.
I can’t say any more, except a heartfelt thank you.
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Email: [email protected]
ALSO BY ME
GRIT
available now
Jaeger Dalton wants the land that was promised to him.
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.
A LIFE LESS BROKEN
available now (STAND ALONE)
***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?
YES, MASTER
available now on Smashwords, iTunes, B&N
***** 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 Sergeant Major Ryan Jenkins and today, I’m ready to tell you my story.
HiT SERIES BOX SET
available now
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.
Anna Brookes in Training
Find out what happened to transform the fifteen-year-old Anna Brookes, the Girl with the Golden Aim, into the deadly assassin 15. After her father is killed and her home destroyed, orphan Anna Brookes finds herself homeless in Gulf Breeze, Florida. After she saves Lukas from a deadly attack, he takes her in and begins to train her in the assassin’s craft. Learn how Lukas’s unconventional training hones Anna’s innate skills until she is as deadly as her mentor.
HiT for Freedom
Anna has decided to break off her steamy affair with Ben Pearson and leave St. Cloud, when she suspects a new threat to him. Katsu Vang is rich, powerful, and very interested in Anna. He’s also evil to his core. Join Anna as she plays a dangerous game, getting closer to Katsu to discover his real purpose, while trying to keep Ben safe. Secrets are exposed and the future Anna hoped for is snatched from her grasp. Will Ben be able to save her?
HiT to Live
In the conclusion to the Anna Brookes saga, Ben and his sister Emily, with the help of Agent rescue Anna. For Anna and Ben, it’s time to settle scores…and a time for the truth between them. From Sydney to the Philippines and back to the States, they take care of business. But a helpful stranger enters Anna’s life, revealing more secrets…and a plan that Anna wants no part of. Can Anna and Ben shed their old lives and start a new one together, or will Anna’s new-found family ruin their chances at a happily-ever-after?
MY LIFE FOR YOURS
available now (STAND ALONE)
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
SMOKE & MIRRORS
available now (Short Story Collection)
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.
BINARY LAW
(Co – Authored under Pen Name MH Grace)
available now
Ellie Andrews has been receiving tutoring from Blake McCarthy for three years to help her improve her grades so she can get into one of the top universities to study law. And she’s had a huge crush on him since she can remember.
Blake McCarthy is the geek at school that’s had a crush on Ellie since the day he met her.
In their final tutoring session, Blake and Ellie finally become brave enough to take the leap of faith.
But, life has other plans and rips them apart. Six years later Blake and his best friends Ben and Billy have built a successful internet platform company 3BCubed, while Ellie is a successful and hardworking lawyer specializing in Corporate Law.
3BCubed is being threatened with a devastatingly large plagiarism case and when it lands on their lawyers desk, it’s handed to the new Corporate Lawyer to handle and win.
Coincidence or perhaps fate will see Blake and Ellie pushed back together.
Binary Law will have Blake and Ellie propelled into a life that’s a whirl wind of catastrophic events and situations where every emotion will be touched. Hurt will be experienced, happiness will be presented and love will be evident. But is that enough for Blake and Ellie be able to live out their own happily ever after?
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