Under the Sun: A Companion Novella to Beneath Her Skin

by Mikell, Beth

  Donavan couldn’t argue the point of not visiting Kaitlin. He didn’t go out of guilt. Not because he didn’t care. Yet he knew he couldn’t explain that to her older brother who had a weapon pointed at him. “What’s your endgame?”

  T-Bone grunted. “My choice is simple.” He fired his gun.

  Yet Donavan knew him well and anticipated him. He lunged sideways, feeling the burn of the bullet graze his upper arm. He didn’t slow down.

  He flipped his hand up, trapping T-Bone’s wrist, and then knocked his gun away. “Stop this shit,” he said.

  “You’ll pay for ditching Kaitlin,” his onetime friend growled. He threw his body against Donavan.

  Jake sailed backwards, hitting the floor with a grunt. His bounced against the wood floor and his vision swam. Before he could get a punch in, T-Bone used his fists. The light faded, growing dimmer and dimmer.

  ****

  Jennifer remained behind Anderson as T-Bone appeared at the top of the stairs. Knowing this jackass had been the one to threaten her, she wisely kept her human shield. Thankfully, Anderson didn’t lower his weapon. Maybe he had believed her when she had said T-Bone had been responsible for the attacks against her.

  “Where’s Donavan?” she asked, fighting the urge to run up the stairs.

  The other man grunted, taking the steps quickly.

  “Stop right there,” Anderson ordered.

  T-Bone paused on the second to last step. “What? You gonna shoot me? That’s a little below your pay grade, newbie. Stand the fuck down.”

  “I have to clear this up.” Anderson jerked his head to the side. “She says you’re her stalker. Until I speak to Donavan, drop your weapon.”

  Jennifer lunged forward, but Anderson threw out his arm to block her. “Where’s Donavan, asshole?” She didn’t wait for a reply, “Donavan? Donavan, where are you?” She screamed as loud as she could, praying he’d appear at the top of the stairs. She turned her glare on T-Bone. “So help me God, if you hurt him, I’ll kill you myself.”

  He smirked. “Yeah, good luck with that.” He took the last few steps down. “Drop your weapon.”

  Anderson shook his head. “Not going to happen.”

  As if in slow motion, Donavan appeared at the top of the stairs. Jennifer wanted to react or understand the words he yelled, but it was if her mind locked down.

  Gunfire erupted around her. Anderson slammed her to the floor, and her head smacked the tiled surface. Pain exploded against her temple. His weight over her made it almost impossible to pull a fresh breath.

  Was Donavan all right?

  In the next second, Anderson moved off of her. Then Donavan was there. He caught her up in his arms.

  She buried her face into his chest, shaking. Sobs of liberation racked her body, as she clutched at his clothing, twisting the fabric between her fingers. She hardly noticed his soothing words. Or how he squeezed her closer.

  “Jennifer? Red, you’re okay. Look at me, please,” he whispered, taking her through to the living room and sat on the sofa with her across his lap. He pushed stray hair from her face, holding her cheek.

  Clarity burned into her mind. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Anderson place handcuffs on T-Bone. Several more shivers rolled over her body as her adrenaline rush dissipated. “You could have died. You could have...” she trailed off.

  “Shh, you’re safe now,” he said gently, pressing her closer.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too,” he murmured.

  She felt his words straight to her soul.

  Epilogue

  “Are we there yet?” Jennifer asked, eyeing the road ahead. They’d been driving for what seemed like eternity. Of course, that was a lie, yet she was antsy to start her vacation with her boyfriend. Although, they hadn’t officially labeled their titles. She had to assume they were on the path for a great relationship—something new and fresh. Something lasting.

  Jake took her hand, smoothing a kiss over her knuckles. “We’re almost there, Red.”

  A warm sensation swarmed her tummy as his lips heated up her skin. “You still won’t tell me where we’re going? I’d like to be able to share it with Brooke in a selfie,” she said, shrugging. “Ya know, tell her I went someplace fabulous with my new boyfriend.”

  He flashed her a grin. “You’ll have to wait and see.”

  She was quiet a moment. He didn’t take the bait to confirm or deny his new label. “Do you like your title, Commander?”

  Jake chuckled. “Of course I do.” He shot her a quick glance before looking back at the road. “I’m a badass commander.”

  She snatched her hand away, and then thumped him on the arm. “That’s not what I meant and you know it!”

  He gave another small laugh. “I know what you meant, Red,” he said, slowing SUV to signal a turn. “Hold on a sec. I want to show you something. Then I’ll give you all the answers you’re looking for, baby.”

  The thick forest shrouded the path. When the house came into view, Jennifer gasped. It was stunning. The home had a cabin feel, but looked to have recent work completed. Construction debris littered one side of the property as if ready to be carted away.

  Jake stopped the SUV, turning to face her. “This is a ten-acre spread that belongs to the new Mrs. Sinclair.” He cleared his throat. “Brooke holds the property, which has been in the Kindell family since 1901. Legally and according to her holdings, this the only asset she can’t sell.”

  Jennifer looked at the house, then back at Jake. “We get the spend our first vacation together—all alone—here?”

  “It’s more than that.”

  She frowned. “Then what?”

  “I’d like to buy this place.”

  “But you said Brooke can’t sell it.”

  He nodded. “Damon is looking into some loopholes to offload it to me. It might be a while before my name is on the deed, but in the meantime, they’ve made me property manager. I have full control over the land. In my spare time, I’ve been fixing it up.”

  “You’ve had spare time?” She winked.

  He smiled, reaching up to caress her face with his fingers. “I’d like for this to be our weekend home. A getaway house to spend with my girlfriend.” He released a breath. “I’d like for this to be the place where we grow old together.”

  She mushed inside as tears filled her eyes. “Jake,” she whispered.

  “I know we can’t rush anything,” he said quickly, brushing aside her tears. “But I want you to know that I’m committed to you, Jennifer. I love you.”

  “I—” she began.

  He smoothed his finger over her moving lips. “No, wait. Let me say this first.” He drew his finger over her jaw and down her throat. “I had no idea T-Bone was stalking you. I couldn’t believe I’d been betrayed by my best friend. Sadly, he made a point.”

  She shook her head. “No, baby. How can you say that?”

  “Because I stopped visiting Kaitlin,” he said. “He saw me living my life and thought I’d stopped caring about her, but it wasn’t true. I live with my guilt daily, yet I can’t change what happened. So to rectify his anger, he came after you.”

  “His pain was distorted and wrong. He should have dealt with his loss, not sought revenge,” she said. “T-Bone’s life is over now. He’ll be prosecuted for his crimes. I’m sure Kaitlin wouldn’t have wanted that.”

  Jake shook his head. “No, she wouldn’t.” He sighed, grabbing her hand and smoothing a kiss against her palm. “Enough of this. I want to start our life together—wherever it takes us. You’re my beginning.”

  A slow smile tipped her lips. “You’re my forever.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Is that a proposal, Red?”

  “And if it is?” she asked, her heart pounding.

  “I accept on one condition.”

  “What, baby?”

  “We start our celebration now.”

  She cocked her head, thinking of the perfect reply. “Race you to the house,�
�� she said quickly, reaching for the door. She paused, throwing him a level look. “Jake, if you get there first, you strip.”

  He chuckled. “And if you win.”

  Jennifer slid over to him, cupping his face. She pulled him close, brushing his lips over his. “I’ll surprise you.”

  “Go, Red. I plan to take my sweet molasses time.”

  THE END

  About The Author

  Beth Mikell is an avid reader and writer across many genres. She is a native Floridian, yet at thirteen, her family moved to Alabama and as the years turned into several, she traveled to many countries such as Brazil, Turkey, and Iran. When it comes to writing, Beth likes to weave tales about love, loss, and rebuilding hope, either in fiction or poetry. She finds the most challenging part of writing to be the end—saying goodbye is never easy.

  Find out more at www.bethmikell.com. Follow my blog and receive email updates for the latest.

  Newsletter Signup

  Dear Sweet Reader,

  Thank you for taking the time to read Under the Sun. I’d really appreciate it if you could spare some time to write a review for my book. It will help me reach more people. Thank you for your support.

  Best wishes, Beth M.

  Other Books By Beth Mikell

  Shawn Angel Mystery Novels

  On Paid Leave (Book 1)

  Romance Novels

  A Serenade with Beauty (A Kurdish Love Story)

  Second Chances (Romantic Suspense Novella)

  Aftermath (Romantic Suspense Novella)

  Beneath Her Skin (Romantic Suspense)

  Under the Sun (Romantic Suspense Novella)

  Essence (Sci-Fi/Fantasy Novella)

  Love Unplugged (Short Story)

  Knights of the Imperial Elite Series

  The Imperial Arm (Book 1)

  The Atonement (Book 2)

  Armed Judgement (Book 3)

  Knights of the Imperial Elite (Boxed set)

  Immortal Stain Series

  The Nysein: Salvation (Book 1)

  The Nysein: Release (Book 2

  The Nysein: Glimmer (Book 2.5)

  Also Beth Mikell writing as Jessa Ely

  Desperate Whispers

  A Rude Awakening (Love & Lies Book 1)

  A Beautiful Chaos (Love & Lies Book 2)

  The Kale Alpha (A Wolf Shifter Novella)

  *Each story is a standalone, regardless of series*

  **Some books are available on Kindle Unlimited**

  Want more romance?

  Check out my FREE stories on Wattpad. Vote while you’re there. Leave me reviews or comments. Download the Wattpad app for easy convenience.

  Did you miss the beginning?

  Beneath Her Skin

  By Beth Mikell

  Copyright © 2016 by Beth Mikell All rights reserved.

  www.bethmikell.com

  “Beneath Her Skin is an EXCELLENT STORY! The story is UNIQUE! The characters are PHENOMENAL! The description of what was happening in the story and how the relationship developed between Brooke and Damon was AMAZING! This story is not to be missed and it should be put at the top of everyone’s “TO BE READ LIST”!

  I LOVED each and every character in this story!! The constant turn of events was FANTASTIC! I just LOVED every minute of this book!! The story flowed INCREDIBLY WELL from one page to the next!!! The CONNECTIONS made between each of the characters was NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN! There was no way anyone could miss what was going in this story!” –Nerd Girl Official

  Brooke Stone runs a slumping hot air balloon business and pride keeps her from asking for help. Her last flight of the day introduces her to Damon Sinclair. He is mysterious, sexy, and he wants her to work for him. But there is deception at play. Someone is gunning for her, strategically placing Brooke at the center of danger, while Damon uses all his government resources to help her. She is two steps away from a break down, yet her new savior proves she needs a miracle, and she cannot help but hold onto his dust-devil storm, awestruck and seduced.

  No matter their sensual cravings, trouble is coming...and so is the truth.

  Prologue

  Damon Sinclair sat in stunned silence as his dead wife’s attorney, Jim Bartley, dropped a bomb with singular clarity: Olivia had an identical twin sister. The proof lay spread over his desk in black and white.

  How? When? And most importantly, why hadn’t Olivia said anything?

  One year and a half ago, Olivia made the mistake of driving too fast in a rainstorm and lost control of her car, smacking a telephone pole. Her death was instantaneous. What upset him was that she never shared anything as huge as her long, lost sister. Such news made him wonder if there were other secrets waiting.

  “Why didn’t she tell me?” Damon finally managed to squeeze out, staring down at the photo of Brooke Stone, so sweetly the exact image of his late wife.

  Jim cleared his throat. “Honestly, I think she was scared.”

  Damon lifted his gaze to meet the other man. “Scared? Of what?” he hissed. “Olivia was an accomplished woman. Why this?”

  The attorney shrugged. “She never would say. She placed a stipulation in her will for me not to tell you until now—exactly a year and a half in the event of her death.”

  He squeezed his eyes closed, and then opened them to stare at the picture again. His finger traced over the curve of Brooke’s face—so much like Olivia—so beautiful.

  His heart tripped with a pounding surge of excitement. He could not even contemplate the measure of hope and pain flooding him. He wanted to shake Olivia’s shoulders. Wouldn’t she know how such news would affect him? Anger punched him hard in the gut, paralyzing his ability to function.

  “Sir,” Jim began, “Olivia wanted me to give you this letter.”

  The widower glanced up at the white envelope, hanging in the air between them. He gulped hard. His name was scrawled across the front in Olivia’s familiar handwriting, and tears stung his eyes, unable to look at his wife’s attorney.

  “Thank you, Jim. Is there anything else?” he asked, taking the letter.

  “Um… yes sir. At some point, I need to tell Ms. Stone of her inheritance. If you have additional questions, or if I can be of service, please call.”

  Damon only inclined his head, waiting for Jim to leave. Once alone, he took a deep breath and opened the envelope. Much to his surprise, there was not a full-length letter of explanation, but a few simple words scratched across Olivia’s personalized stationery: Take care of her, Damon.

  He slapped the small note down on the desk, as another beat of anger sliced through his heart.

  He always knew Olivia was a product of an unconventional birth via in-vitro fertilization. Whatever screw up the medical clinic had made caused Brooke to be born ten years after Olivia in the most freak of circumstances. The medical reports in front of him did not lie, and certainly not the lawsuit filed by Olivia in the thick stack of reports and evidence. Brooke was indeed Olivia’s twin and she was an heiress, only unaware of the fact.

  From that day forward, Damon investigated, inquired, examined, and researched every facet of Brooke’s life.

  He owned S-Tec Inc., which claimed outstanding advancement in computer and satellite innovation—the largest company of progressive engineering in the world. His business ran projects for the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI—he even had a five-star general on speed dial. Yet Brooke’s presence blew through his heart and soul, straight to the hole in his grieving spirit.

  He knew everything about her, even her shoe size, which was remarkably one size larger than Olivia’s had been. He had Brooke under constant surveillance. He knew all her friends, even what kind of deodorant she used. Nothing was out of his realm of knowledge, but it only increased his desire to meet her. He was driven like a maniac to know the woman.

  Yet he felt he was somehow betraying Olivia’s memory, but then again, her note came back to him… Take care of her, Damon. What was he supposed to do? His heart was in danger.
/>
  Chapter 1

  Brooke Stone flopped down in the break room chair, tossing her light brown ponytail behind her shoulders and popped the lid of her sugar-loaded soda. Not that she drank such empty calories normally, but she had a monster headache.

  Tossing back two Advil, she sipped deeply of the cold soda with a caffeine prayer of please-God-make-the-pain-go-away-soon. She pinched the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes against a slice of gripping irritation.

  Her adoptive uncle, Mr. Donald Stone aka Uncle Duck, had died six months ago, having been diagnosed with lymphoma. Now everything fell on her twenty-two-year-old shoulders. His business and debts became hers by default. Even selling off Uncle Duck’s house had not helped—the money was gone. The business Uncle Duck worked so hard to build, may fold. She might have to sell his life’s dream.

  She ran to the break room, needing a moment to catch her breath after a phone call from a creditor. Smooth and mature, but what could she do to escape the pressures?

  Do this Brooke Stone, do that Brooke Stone! Pay this, pay that!

  Uncle Duck was all she had in the world, and now he was gone.

  “Hey, you okay?”

  Brooke found Jake Martin, one of her crew members and fellow pilot, peeking around the corner. His sandy blond hair fell over his blue eyes, looking fresh in an Ascent Flights pullover.

  She gave a tight smile, not in the mood to discuss anything. “Yeah, I’m reeling from a sudden headache,” she murmured.