by Dover, L. P.
“What are we doing here?”
Tyler smiled and walked to the middle of the room. The hardwood floor was dark cherry, the walls a deep beige with an elegant wrought iron spiral staircase leading to the top loft. It was everything I could ever want . . . classy and modern.
When he turned around, he spread his arms wide. “It’s all yours, Kacey. Well, yours and Bree’s.”
“I don’t get it. How is it ours? The realtor said we were too late.”
Tyler walked toward me and put his arms around my waist, pulling me to him. “You were too late, but I used my magic and persuaded the new buyers to sell it to me.”
Exasperated, I shook my head. “Yeah, but at what cost? You shouldn’t have done that, Tyler. I can’t imagine what you spent. How much do I owe you now?”
With a mischievous grin on his face, he led me toward the spiral staircase and I followed him up. “Well, now that’s what we need to discuss. I figured you would owe me the money for the place, which I know you already have, but then you would also owe me interest.”
“Interest?”
When we got to the top of the stairs, I didn’t realize how huge the loft was . . . and there in the middle of it all, was a bed of cream-colored wool blankets with pillows scattered around. Picking me up in his arms, Tyler led me over and set me down on top, covering me with his body.
“Yes, interest,” he murmured heatedly. He lifted my gray Rushing’s gym T-shirt over my head and tossed it onto the floor. “The removal of this shirt paid for one percent of the interest. Do you want to pay off more?”
Biting my lip, I unfastened my bra and slid my arms out. “How much did that pay off?”
“Hmm . . . let’s see,” he replied, lowering his lips to my breast. Closing them over my nipple, he moaned, suckling it. “That’s another one percent because you taste so fucking good.”
While he licked and sucked my nipples, he slid my shorts down my legs and I kicked them off. Now that I was completely bare, he swiftly got to his feet and took off his own T-shirt and lowered his black gym shorts before spreading me wide again.
“So how much does this pay you back?” I asked. I wrapped my legs around his waist and he pushed inside of me, gently.
He kissed me softly on the lips and smiled. “Unfortunately, that’s where I have to draw the line. You’re only allowed to pay me back two percent a year.”
“But that means I’ll owe you forever,” I gasped and bit my lip.
Thrusting harder, he bent down and sucked that lip between his, never taking his gray gaze off of me. “I don’t see the problem in that, beautiful. It means I’ve got you for the rest of your life.”
Lifting up on his elbows, he reached between my legs and fondled my clit, rubbing it with the pad of his thumb. Arching my back, I groaned as my orgasm started to build and spread throughout my body. Pushing deeper, he knew I was about to come and so he picked up his pace and held me tight, releasing inside of me at the same time I exploded all around him. Breathing hard, he laid on top of me for a minute, and kissed me.
“So what exactly does it mean when you say you’ve got me for the rest of your life?” I asked curiously. We were together and we loved each other, but we hadn’t been together long to really consider our future.
Holding onto me, Tyler flipped over onto his back to where I was now straddling him. He reached behind the pillow, pulling out a small black box, and handed it to me. “I know we haven’t been together long, but I know what I want . . . and I want you.
“You’re my future, Kacey.” I opened up the box and inside was a Las Vegas keychain, with a set of keys on it. He pointed to the largest one. “This one here is the key to this place. Yours and Bree’s names are on the deed already.”
“Tyler,” I breathed as the tears welled in my eyes.
“And this one,” he said, pointing to the other, “is the key to my house. I know I don’t have a ring right now, but I know in time we’ll take that step. I don’t want to wake up another morning without you being the first thing I see.” He lifted his hands to my face and pulled me down to his lips. “All I want is to hear you say yes . . . that a future with me is what you want. I love you, Kacey.”
“I love you, too.”
Kissing him gently, I held the keys tightly in my grip and knew without a doubt what my answer would be . . . what it would always be. As the tears flowed down my cheeks, I made love to him again and again, whispering the same word against his lips.
Yes.
“ARE YOU IN love with him?” Colin asks.
We’d just walked through the door of my apartment, only long enough for me to sit my bags down and grab a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
We were in Vegas because Colin and Bradley had a baseball tournament. Well, that, and to be with my best friend, Gabriella. That’s what I told myself anyway. Deep down, it was because I knew Ryley was going to be there too, fighting. Seeing him again had only awakened what I kept buried inside of me.
I didn’t know what to tell Colin as he stood there looking at me with those bright green eyes of his. The eyes which belonged to a man who was everything I could ever want—smart, loving, caring, and sexy as hell. Not to mention he had a body to die for. Colin was our school’s star pitcher, and on his way to bigger and better things in the MLB.
I still haven’t answered him yet, but if I let the truth come out of my mouth, I won’t be able to take it back. Not even a day ago, I was afraid I was pregnant with Ryley’s child. It was the scariest moment in my life, but what frightened me more was the look in Ryley’s eyes when he thought he was going to be a father. He wasn’t ready . . . hell, I wasn’t ready.
The only problem was, right after I left him for Colin, he went straight back to his old ways with his identical twin. It’s like I was erased from his mind, no longer the girl he fell in love with.
I have too much pride to go back to him, knowing he’ll be whoring around with other women. Colin’s a good guy and he deserves more than a woman whose heart’s divided. I love him a lot, but I’m in love with someone else.
“Ashleigh, please,” he murmurs, taking my hands. “You’ve avoided me all day. Did something happen while we were in Vegas?”
I was never good at lying, and Colin’s always the first person to know when something’s wrong. Sitting down on the couch, I take a deep breath and close my eyes. My stomach is in knots because I know I’m about to break another guy’s heart. Colin’s my safe place, my guarantee at a normal, functional relationship. I just know that if I stay, I’ll never be fully happy. He doesn’t own my heart, but he shares a part of my soul.
I have to make a choice. Opening my eyes, the warm tears fall down my cheeks.
Colin doesn’t speak because in my actions he already has his answer. He lowers his head and slowly lets go of my hands, running them through his hair.
“I don’t think I can let you go, Ashleigh. At least, not without a fight.”
Sighing, I wait for him to lift his head, and when he does I lean in to give him one last kiss. “I’m sorry, Colin, but you don’t have a choice.”
Present time (One Month Later)
“SO WHEN ARE you coming back to California?” Gabriella asked.
When I get the balls to face Ryley again.
But in all honesty, I didn’t know. For the past month, I’d been in Aspen with my family, trying to get away from anything and everything that reminded me of Ryley and Colin. Working in my family’s hotel helped. I loved talking to the tourists and getting them all settled in. It was a good distraction.
I’d been afraid Gabriella would’ve told Ryley by now about my breakup with Colin. So far, she’d kept my secret. Colin, however, refused to give up on me and made sure to keep in touch by calling almost every single day. He’d even visited Aspen twice already. He was my friend before we became lovers, but once you cross that line, it’s almost impossible to go back.
“I don’t know yet,” I admitted. “I’m tempted to stay h
ere for a little while longer. I miss being with my family.” It wasn’t exactly a lie, but it wasn’t the full truth either.
There was something I hadn’t told her, or anyone for that matter. I thought maybe running away to Aspen would make my problems disappear, but I was starting to think it was just going to make them worse. For the past hour, I’d done nothing but trace and stare at the phone number on the paper in front of me. I was just too afraid to call it.
Gabriella’s laugh echoed in the phone, catching my attention. “Well, all I can say is, you won’t believe the shit that’s happened here the past couple of days, especially when I was in Vegas for the fights.”
Perking up, I held the phone closer to my ear. There weren’t any people in the lobby so I had a few minutes to spare. “Oh yeah, like what?”
Anything with Ryley?
Gabriella sighed. “Well, Tyler’s super serious over a girl now. And, get this . . . It turns out, she’s Kyle Andrews’ sister. Who would’ve thought that, right?”
I gasped. Everyone hated Kyle Andrews. “Oh my God, that’s insane. Have you met her? Are you okay with that?”
She snorted. “Yes, I’m okay with it. It was for the best anyway. I miss talking to him though. Anyway, I met Kacey the other day. She’s actually really nice—although, a little quieter than me.”
“Everyone is quieter than you, Gabriella,” I laughed.
“Oh, whatever. Well, now that Tyler won the title, and Kyle’s paralyzed in the hospital, all is right in the world.”
“I’d say so,” I agreed. Nothing like that ever happened at the hotel; it was quiet and drama free. Only in Gabriella’s life was it interesting. “It sounds like you had a lot going on. How are you and Bradley doing? Still just friends?”
“For the time being, we’re more like friends with benefits. We’ve been spending a lot of time together. Colin asks about you all the time though. I actually feel bad for the guy. We did come to the conclusion that something’s wrong with you. He’s noticed a difference and so have I. I think it’s time you tell me what’s wrong. And I don’t want to hear anymore bullshit excuses. I know how to kick your ass, so don’t make me come all the way to Aspen to force it out of you.”
Sighing, I held up the post-it note and closed my eyes. If I didn’t tell her something, I could definitely see her flying out here to live up to her promise. “I’ll tell you as soon as I find out, Gabby. I promise.”
“Are you okay?”
“I don’t know, but when I do know what’s going on, you’ll be the first to know. Unfortunately, it might take a couple of days.”
“Well, just as long as you get it figured out. I want my best friend back. It’s not the same here without you.”
I smiled, but the ache in my chest made the burn behind my eyes build. “I miss you too,” I whispered, trying not to choke on my tears.
“Make sure to call if you need me . . . or if you just want to talk. I’m about to head out to the gym and get some training in, but after that, you know I’m free.”
I nodded like an idiot, knowing very well she couldn’t see me. “I will. Have fun with your training. I’ll talk to you soon.”
We said our goodbyes and I hung up the phone. Still, there was no one in the lobby, so I took a deep breath and picked the phone back up, dialing the number on the piece of paper in front of me. I’d tried calling it before numerous times and always hung up after the first ring.
“Good afternoon, Dr. McCord’s office, this is Lisa, how may I direct your call?”
“Um . . . hi . . . Lisa, I’m a patient there. Or at least, I used to be before I moved to California. I’d like to make an appointment. My name is Ashleigh Warren.”
“Of course, dear, just give me a second.” She typed away on the keyboard and then came back on the line. “Date of birth, please.”
I told her my birth date, which happened to be just a couple of weeks ago. Even though I was only twenty-three, it felt like I had aged beyond my years over the past month. Things that used to be important, just weren’t anymore—not when I had responsibilities looming over my head.
More clacking on the computer keys. “Yes, I see you here. Is this for a yearly check-up?”
Hands shaking, I closed my eyes and cleared my throat. “Not exactly.”
“Okay. And why do you need to be seen? Is this an emergency?”
Halfheartedly, I chuckled and lowered my head to the desk, my laugh turning to tears. “In my life, Lisa, yes I’d say it’s an emergency.” I took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “I think I’m pregnant.”
Acknowledgments
MY EXTREME GRATITUDE goes out to every single one of you: my family, friends, readers, bloggers, and future readers. You all have made my dreams come true and for that I will always be thankful. I hope you enjoy my yummy MMA fighters because I sure as hell enjoyed writing them. What’s not to like about strong and sexy alpha fighters? There will be more to come so make sure you don’t miss out.
About the Author
NEW YORK TIMES and USA Today Bestselling author, L.P. Dover, is a southern belle residing in North Carolina along with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she even began her literary journey she worked in Periodontics enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.
Not only does she love to write, but she loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes, white water rafting, and you can't forget the passion for singing. Her two number one fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime and those songs usually consist of Christmas carols.
Aside from being a wife and mother, L.P. Dover has written over nine novels including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, and her standalone novel, Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read is romantic suspense and she also loves writing it. However, if she had to choose a setting to live in it would have to be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.
L.P. Dover is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency.
OTHER BOOKS BY L.P. DOVER
Forever Fae Series
Second Chances Standalones
Standalone (Romantic Suspense)
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