by Bridle, Dee
He made a surprised gurgling sound and stopped, gasping for air.
I kneed him between the legs and then shoved him off me with a grunt. He was choking now and I ran for my life.
Zac
I pulled into the driveway and skidded to a stop as Ava ran blindly towards me. For a split second, she stopped at the hood of my car and looked at me through the windshield with fear in her eyes, breathing heavy.
Seeing her like that made the blood drain from my face and I jumped out. She was crying and holding her arm.
“What the fuck happened?” I shouted, looking at her and then further down the driveway, seeing Max getting up from the ground.
Pure blinding anger exploded in me.
“Did he fucking hurt you?”
She nodded as she cried.
“Get in the car,” I roared, heading straight for him.
“She came on to me,” gasped Max holding his neck and coughing.
I slammed my fist into his face and blood sprayed out of his nose as his head shot back with the force. He stumbled back and tried to right himself as I went in again with my fist, smashing his jaw.
Max hollered in pain and fell back, hitting the ground. I went for him again, picking him up by his T-shirt and shaking him.
“You stupid motherfucker, I’m going to kill you,” I roared as I reared back and punched him in the ribs.
Every punch was delivered with fighting accuracy, making sure I broke ribs and his nose. No one touched the most precious thing in my life. No one.
Max scrambled up to his car.
“Stop!” he screamed, blood gurgling out of his mouth.
“You have a fucking death wish,” I growled, preparing for the next punch with my fist clenched.
“I’m sorry! I kissed her, that’s fucking it,” he choked spitting blood. “Let me go. You’ll never see me again.”
I grabbed him again and threw him against his car, grabbing his neck hard with my hand.
“You fucking go near her ever again, I will finish you off. We’re fucking done, you hear me? You’re over.”
He gurgled something and I shoved him back hard. His body slipped down the car to a heap onto the ground. I turned back to Ava and strode over to the car where she was waiting. Her eyes were wide and she was still panting as pain smacked me in the chest.
“Are you okay?” I asked, cupping her cheek and focusing on her intently.
I saw the cigarette burn on her arm and swore angrily, needing to go back for one more hit, just for that burn.
Max reversed quickly in his car, nearly hitting the fence as he tried to drive with two swollen eyes. He was going to need a hospital very soon.
I pulled her into me and held her tight, kissing the top of her head to soothe her.
“I’m sorry,” I said with anger still pounding through my veins. “He won’t come near you ever again. He will disappear now if he knows what’s good for him.”
She nodded into my chest and held onto me tightly.
I kissed her head again, my jaw clenched tightly, wanting to roar in anger before it strangled me.
“I fought back this time,” she mumbled into my chest. “I hurt him.”
I cupped her cheek and looked at her, in total admiration.
“My little wild cat,” I whispered.
She smiled slightly.
“You’re my strength. I don’t have to be afraid. I don’t have to be a victim anymore.”
“I will never let anyone touch you again. I’ll organize twenty-four hour security if I have to.”
She smiled, and said, “I have you and that’s enough.”
“I told you, my world is fucked up. You sure you still want to be part of it?” I asked with a wince.
“There is nothing on this earth that I want more,” she replied. “I…I love you, Zac.”
What? I pulled back slowly, staring at her.
She gulped.
“Too soon? You can pretend I didn’t say that yet.”
I didn’t know if I was ready to declare that out loud just yet, but a part of me filled with warmth that she had said it. I answered her with a kiss, taking my time to tease her lips and cherishing what I had in my arms. I knew right then that my world finally felt complete.
Epilogue: A few months later
Ava
The morning sun sent little flicks of light through the moving drapes and I opened my eyes and smiled. It was going to be a beautiful day. I felt the warm breeze from the balcony and quickly got out of bed.
I slipped into Zac’s T-shirt and flung the drapes back, gasping at the view and blue skies. I stepped out onto the balcony and laughed excitedly at the Eiffel Tower in the distance. I was here.
I looked at the street below me, seeing people walking purposefully along the sidewalks, weaving in between cars. I looked at the balconies across from me, full of greenery and I giggled to myself again. I was here in Paris, and he had made it all happen.
I saw movement out of the corner of my eye and turned back to see Zac leaning against the bathroom door, watching me. I gazed with longing, seeing him with wet hair and freshly out of the shower. He gave me a knowing smile, one that I felt all over my body, starting from my toes.
I couldn’t help but drink him in, knowing I would never tire of exploring him. His eyes lit with desire, reminding me of the pleasurable dizzying heights he had taken me only an hour ago.
I tried to hide my delighted smile, but it was impossible as I giggled.
Zac
I grinned at Ava and made my way out to her on the balcony, still wondering how I had gotten so lucky. She was beautiful and all mine. Mine, mine, mine.
I put my arms around her from behind and looked out over Paris, knowing I had made her happy with the surprise trip. I kissed the top of her head, breathing in her vanilla and berry scent with satisfaction. I would never be sated, always desiring her and needing to be close to her. She was my beautiful Ava and she had changed my life.
“Happy Birthday,” I murmured against her neck.
“It’s the best birthday I’ve ever had. Thank you so much,” she said happily turning in my arms and looking up at me.
I caressed her cheek, looking into her eyes, and knowing there wasn’t another place I would rather be.
“I love you, Ava,” I said huskily.
I watched her eyes light up with joy as I leaned in to kiss her lips.
Coming Soon
ESCAPING TROUBLE
Book Two: Noah & Ivy
Acknowledgements
Firstly to my readers – without you my dreams would not have come true! Thank you for your support of an indie author. You all brighten my day.
To my man, who rocks my world like no other. Your encouragement and support has been amazing throughout this entire process. Without you, I would still be writing for an audience of one (me!)
To my beautiful children who light up my life - words cannot express how much I love you.
Thanks to my terror twin – you know who you are…great dirty minds think alike!
Thank you to the most lovely and inspiring editor – Candace Sinclair, editor at www.WordsRU.com
Thanks to Kellie at Book Cover By Design for my brilliant cover. (www.bookcoverbydesign.co.uk)
To all the amazing bloggers out there – thank you for your support – without you, the New Adult indie author world would not spin.
About the Author
Dee can usually be found in her own world in the early hours of the morning, writing while listening to music and breathing life into her characters. She loves to write New Adult Contemporary Romance and understands there is nothing better than a bad boy with a good heart.
Find Her:
www.deebridle.com
www.facebook.com/DeeBridle
www.twitter.com/DeeBridle
Table of Contents
Chapter One: The Party That Started Everything
Chapter Two: You’re Safe Here
Chapter Three:
Good Girls Don’t Make Calls at 2:30 a.m.
Chapter Four: Stay Away From Me
Chapter Five: Driving Me to the Point Of Madness
Chapter Six: No One Is Going To Hear You
Chapter Seven: A Big Ball of Mess Inside
Chapter Eight: Don’t Even Breathe On Her
Chapter Nine: I’m Worth More Than a One-Night Stand
Chapter Ten: All Mine
Chapter Eleven: You Make Me Crazy
Chapter Twelve: Bad Girl
Chapter Thirteen: Temporary
Chapter Fourteen: To Ruin and Damage
Chapter Fifteen: Answers
Chapter Sixteen: Heaven and Hell
Chapter Seventeen: Girls Night
Chapter Eighteen: When It All Went Very Wrong
Chapter Nineteen: Relationship
Chapter Twenty: Exclusivity
Chapter Twenty-One: Coming Home
Epilogue: A few months later
Coming Soon
Acknowledgements
About the Author