Giving her a few more minutes, I walked into the office and grabbed up the 35 mm camera I’d bought last year when I’d surprised her with a trip to Paris—her favorite city. That had been the best trip of my life, not only because I’d stood underneath the Eiffel Tower and kissed the hell out of her, but it had been our honeymoon. Our wedding had been a small event, held at a small church in downtown Dallas. Mila had been her maid of honor and Sebastian had come off the road to be my best man.
I’d finally gotten the girl I never knew I wanted.
I’d finally nailed down the only woman who held my heart in her hands.
Thank God.
I gazed around at the gym. Club Vita had been doing well lately, which meant it was time to get a real home, somewhere closer to Dallas so Nora didn’t have to drive as far to get to her classes at the University of Texas at Dallas. Although I wasn’t sure how much longer she’d be there when her clothing line was doing well. With her dad and Aunt Portia backing her, she’d designed a line of leather and lace shorts and vests that high society girls went nuts over. She’d started out in a couple of Highland Park boutiques and it had grown to include over twenty different exclusive retail places in the Dallas area. Now she had her own web business and was busy working on a floral summer line. I chuckled. Yeah, floral isn’t a word I said very often. She didn’t think I listened to her when she’d talk about her designs, but I hung on the woman’s every word.
“Still waiting,” I called back up, checking my watch. “This place is staying open just for us, Buttercup.”
Her voice drifted down the stairs from the bedroom. “If you’d tell me where we’re going, I could figure out what to wear. Do I need a dress or jeans?” A drawer slammed shut. She was miffed. I guarantee she was up there, trying to suss it out with that big brain of hers.
Earlier we’d been making love upstairs and she’d begged me to tell her what the secrecy was about. I’d come close, especially when she’d promised to put on her Wonder Woman outfit for me. My cock hardened just thinking about her in those red boots and nothing else. Truth was all she had to do was walk in a room and look at me and I’d get this itch to kiss her and make sure she knew she was mine.
“Just wear something I like.” I leaned against the staircase and crossed my legs.
Footsteps came across the floor. “Like this?” She leaned her head over the balcony wearing a white towel draped toga style around her torso. She gave me a low-lidded look and dropped the towel. Her breasts were high and tight, her pink nipples erect, begging for my mouth on them.
“No,” I growled.
“That’s funny. I thought you preferred me in nothing at all. Round two?” she asked, striking a sexy pose against the rail.
“Someone’s waiting on us, Nora. We don’t have time,” I groaned. “Later.” My voice held promise.
She pouted, picked the towel back up and sashayed out of my view. “Your loss. Be down in five minutes.”
I grunted. It’d be more like fifteen.
Later, she came down the stairs, wearing a pair of skinny jeans and a tight Vital Rejects shirt that featured a picture of the band along with the cities they’d booked on their last tour. Sebastian, Spider, and I had designed the shirts and collaborated on most things Vital Rejects. Maybe someday I’d change my mind about not being part of the band itself, but for now, I was good.
Nora consumed me, not music.
Teddy, our old piano player, had left the band as well. With his Asperger’s, he craved routine, so he was back at the piano bar on the weekends, keeping the place packed. Nora and I had just been there last night to see him.
She reached the landing and flew into my arms. I wrapped her up and kissed her, our tongues dueling as we consumed each other. She reached around my waist and cupped my ass and tugged me tight against her. I groaned as I kissed down her neck and made my way to her breasts. I lifted her shirt and tongued her nipples through her black lace bra. “You make me crazy, Nora.”
She hissed and tossed her head back as she palmed my crotch, the press of her hand enough to nearly send me to my knees for her. Lust—and then later love—had always burned hot between us, since the moment she’d showed up at my club with a can of yellow spray paint in her hands. She’d been sexy as hell, a blond-haired princess on a mission to be a bad girl. We’d had a rocky beginning, especially when I’d thought she was seeing Sebastian and then Cuba, but in the end, she’d found her way, and I’d come to my fucking senses and told her that I loved her.
“What are you thinking about?” she said as she gazed up at me, her lips swollen from our kissing.
I pressed my forehead to hers. “That I want to throw you down on this floor and fuck you hard and fast, but we can’t. It’s got to wait.”
She smiled as she straightened her shirt. “I’m being a tease, aren’t I?”
“And I’ll make you pay for it later,” I promised huskily.
We headed out the door and crawled in the Escalade. We’d been driving for ten minutes, and she hadn’t said a word. I sent her a concerned look. “You okay? You’re quiet over there.”
She nodded. “Just thinking about the future.”
I took her hand as I drove through the side streets of Highland Park. “Future so bright, we gotta wear shades, baby.”
“What are we doing at the tattoo parlor?” she asked later with a bemused expression as I pulled into Shayla’s Eye Candy.
I shut off the engine and turned to her. “It’s like this: I have everyone I love tattooed somewhere on me … my parents’ names, Sebastian’s.” I leaned over and pushed a lock of red hair out of her eyes. “It’s past time I added you.”
She sucked in a breath. “Tonight? You mean it?”
I nodded.
Her eyes strayed to the crotch of my jeans. “So no piercing?”
I grinned. “I love you, but I’m not getting that done—yet. Let’s go in and I’ll show you.”
Shayla met us at the door with a wide smile. “I was wondering if you’d chickened out.”
“Not likely. This tat is destined,” I said as Nora walked around the shop, checking out the new pics that hung on the wall. Nora had gotten her own angel wings tattoo here three years previously.
We followed Shayla back to her office. She rummaged around and pulled out a large sketchbook and opened it. With pride in her voice, she showed it to Nora. “Here’s what we’ve been working on for Leo.”
A soft gasp came out of Nora as she studied it, and she pressed her hand to her chest. “It’s beautiful,” she said. A soft smile crossed her face, and I knew she was experiencing the night I’d proposed to her out on our balcony as we’d gazed at the night sky. She traced her fingers over the sketch.
I slid in next to her and took in the drawing of the Orion Constellation, a kaleidoscope of emotions shimmering in me. Just like that group of stars, our love would endure. Shine. Burn bright.
“You like? It’s my poetry for you,” I murmured in her ear. “I wanted to give you your own universe because you’ll always be my star, Nora. Some stars aren’t meant to be in the sky, and you’re one of them. You belong to me.”
Her green eyes gleamed, probably at the possessiveness she heard in my voice, making goose bumps tingle down my spine at how she got me. I’m demanding and cocky and liked my control. And she loved it.
“So where is this tattoo going?” she asked.
I came up behind her, running my fingers over the shape of the wings I knew she wore under her shirt. “On my back. You’ll have your wings, and I’ll have my universe. My declaration that you’ll always be with me, even when we are no more on this earth.”
She leaned back into me, and the feel of her in my arms, the scent of her, the essence of her made the world right. She sighed. “You proved your love to me a long time ago, Leo, but this … it’s us.” Her head rested on my shoulder until our eyes met, our connection electric. She pulled my head down and kissed me.
A deep satisfaction filled m
e as her lips clung to mine. I groaned and clutched her tighter. She was absolutely and categorically mine.
Shayla slipped out the door, but we barely noticed.
“I have a surprise too,” Nora whispered later against my mouth as she faced me. “You’ll need to save a little space on your body for at least one more person.”
I stood there, blinking, not comprehending until …
I placed unsteady hands on her belly. “You mean …?” I swallowed, not able to say the word.
She nodded, her eyes searching, lingering on my face. “Six weeks. I found out Friday, and I wanted to tell you, but you said you had a surprise for me, and well, I couldn’t resist surprising you, too.” Her thumbs brushed my cheeks. “Are you okay? You look like you might throw up.”
Fear hit me, but not for what she thought. “But we got kinda crazy in bed this morning—and then later in the shower. Shit, shit, shit.” My hands tightened on her hips. “Did I hurt you? Do you need to sit down? Do I need to take you to the doctor?”
She chuckled. “Leo Jamison Tate, being pregnant doesn’t make someone an invalid.” She bit her lip. “It’s amazing to think that I’m going to have a baby. Your baby.”
The room spun, and I fumbled around behind me, grabbed a chair and sat down. I scrubbed my hands through my hair. “Fuck—wait—I have to stop cussing, don’t I? I need to set-up a college fund. I need to call Sebastian. You need to tell Aunt Portia and Mila. Your dad. I need to buy us a house and a minivan. I need to—”
Nora sat in my lap, her voice a soothing balm. “Shhh, fate is on our side, my love, it always has been. Whatever comes, we can handle. Together. Good against the bad.”
I cupped her face. “God, I hope she’s a girl and as perfect as you are,” I said, my eyes caressing the softness of her face. I kissed her ring finger, the one with the same matching platinum band that I wore.
“I am most definitely not perfect.” She nuzzled her nose into mine in the way that had become our little trademark.
I squeezed her tight, vowing to never let her go. “As perfect as it gets, Buttercup.”
More Leo and Nora to come in Spider’s book…
The End
MY OTHER BOOKS:
AMAZON
Briarcrest Academy Series
Reading Order:
Very Bad Things
Very Wicked Beginnings
Very Wicked Things
Dear Reader,
Hearing from you is very important to me. Honestly, it makes my day. I love to talk about my characters like they are real people (they are in my head!) and I love to meet new people. So please drop me a line on my website or on Facebook. Book reviews are like gold to indie writers, and you have no idea how we relish each one. If you have time, I’d appreciate and love an honest, heartfelt review from you. Thank you for being part of my fictional world,
Ilsa Madden-Mills, NYT and USA Today best selling author
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NEW YORK TIMES and USA Today best selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills writes about strong heroines and sexy alpha males that sometimes you just want to slap. When she’s not typing away at a story, you can find her drinking too much Diet Coke, jamming out to Pink, or checking on her carefully maintained chocolate stash. She loves to hear from fans and fellow authors. Drop her a line on her website or Facebook page.
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THERE ARE SO many fantastic people in the indie world that made this journey possible. Please know that my gratitude in no way lessens as the list continues.
For my mom who always believed in me. Since I was small, she told me to fly, and I think I have.
For my father, the ultimate storyteller. I know he looks down from heaven and chuckles at the scenarios I’ve managed to come up with in my writing.
For my husband who has stood by me every step of the way. You and me, babe…against the world.
For my author friend Lisa N. Paul—you keep me giggling and are my touchstone in the indie world. I can’t imagine a world with us not being friends.
For Debi Barnes—you are a gem of a blogger and an even better friend. Thank you for all your help with Sebastian.
For Kahlen Aymes—we met in New York and became instant friends. I adore you and your guidance has helped smooth the way in the indie world.
For Rachel Blaufeld—I so wish we lived close to each other! Thank you for always being there.
For Lisa N Paul, Angela Graham, Erin Noelle, and Megan Smith—you ladies are icons of indie, and I appreciate you taking the time to read about Violet and Sebastian.
For all the people who sacrificed time to make my cover one of a kind: Sommer Stein of Perfect Pear Creative and Drew Leighty, the gorgeous guy who graces the cover.
For Rachel Skinner of Romance Refined, my awesome editor.
For Julie Deaton—thank you for proofreading! Glad we met in Atlanta!
For Amanda Phillips—thank you for proofreading! So happy we connected!
For Stephanie DeLamater Phillips of Stephanie’s Book Reports who took my blog tour and cover reveal and made it fabulous; for Heather Davenport of Naughty and Nice Book Blog who worked tirelessly with me. For Lydia of HEA Bookshelf for hosting my release party and making it fantastic!
For Miranda Arnold of Red Cheeks Reads: my wonderful and talented helper. So happy we connected through our love of Very Bad Things. Thank you for all your hard work.
For Ali Hymer: my ST leader and awesome graphics lady. We met in Vegas and I can’t wait to see you again. We will party in Seattle 2016!
For Julie Titus of JT Formatting: the best formatter out there. I appreciate you so much! :)
For the ladies of Sassy Savvy Fabulous PR: Melissa and Sharon and Liz…you really are the best in the business!
For my Briarcrest Academy Chicks: as my street team, you may be last on this list, but you are the BEST. You picked me up when I got knocked down and made me laugh when I needed it the most. I can’t thank you enough for the time and energy you put into getting the word out. Thank you all for every shout out, every graphic you made, every sweet word of encouragement or post. We’ve had some hilarious conversations this past year…I’m still giggling…you know the ones! Very Twisted Things is my love letter to you. Mwah!
If I’ve left anyone out, please forgive me. I promise to make it up in Book 4. And yes, it will be Spider’s book!
I love you all! :)
Stay tuned for an excerpt from USA Today best selling author Megan Smith
Stay For Me: A Love Series Spinoff
Prologue
A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the investigation. If you have any information please contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-555-957-1000.
Chapter One:
Eli
I glance over at the clock on the wall. “Erin, I’ve got to go.” I hate that my sister’s heart is breaking again but there isn’t much I can do about it right now and I’m late. “I have an interview that should have started forty-five minutes ago.”
“Shit, Eli.” She sniffles. “How come you didn’t tell me earlier?”
I chuckle. “Someone called me crying about her breakup and I couldn’t just tell you I’m too busy for you now, could I?” Erin has the worst luck when it comes to the guys she dates. Their egos are too big or they think with their dicks between their legs.
“Ugh,” Erin clears her throat. “Thank you for listening to me. I hope they’re still waiting f
or you when you get there.”
“They will be if they want the job that bad.”
She chuckles although she’s still sad. “Be nice. Thanks for listening. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I pull into the parking lot of Fierce, the club I own with my ready-to-go-pro baseball player friend Cooper Cahill, and spot his on again-off again girlfriend’s car in the parking lot. I wonder why she’s here. Last I knew they were off again. Pulling into the empty space next to her, I climb out of my car and set the alarm. I tap on Jaylinn’s window.
She rolls down the window looking sheepishly. “Hey, Eli.”
I eye her suspiciously. “Jaylinn.”
She sets her phone down in the cup holder and gestures towards Fierce. “My friend is in there interviewing.”
“Layla?”
She nods her head. “Yeah.”
Oh great, I wish I would have known that earlier. Cooper and I want to keep the positions we have open friends and family free. “You want to come in?” I ask, not wanting to leave her out here by herself. Cooper would have my ass if I left her out here and she is a friend after all.
She shakes her head. “No, that’s okay.”
“Cooper’s not coming till later tonight if that’s what you’re worried about. He’s with the team, a meeting or something came up.” I explain trying to ease her reluctance, plus I’d like her to see what Cooper has done with the upstairs of the club.
Jaylinn looks down at her phone, grabs it and climbs out of the car. Once she’s out I shut her door and let her lead the way to the front door of Fierce.
“So, how have you been?” I ask, trying to keep things friendly.
Very Twisted Things (Briarcrest Academy #3) Page 21