T.Y.P.O.
Get Some Series
Frankie Love
C.M. Seabrook
Edited by My Brother’s Editor
Cover by Mayhem Cover Creations Copyright © and 2019 by Frankie Love and C.M. Seabrook
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Contents
T.Y.P.O.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Epilogue I
Epilogue II
Also by Frankie & C.M.
About C.M.
About Frankie
T.Y.P.O.
Take Your Pants Off
A typo in a text brought us together.
Auto-correct gone wrong? It’s never been so right!
Aylee is scared of a couple things: Being in the water for one and being with a man for another.
Good thing I’m the guy who got the message because I can kill two birds with one stone.
Alpha-hole much? Let’s call it confident.
I know what Aylee needs because I have my own demons to conquer.
Turns out falling in love is the greatest fear of all.
Dear You,
Jacque is a white water rafting guide who wants to get you wet.
Dripping wet. Like sopping wet. Gushing even.
Can you handle it? Grab a towel and get ready for the water works.
Time to dive in head first!
Xo, Frankie & Chantel
Chapter One
Jac
“If you two have nothing better to do but stand around, mind helping me with this gear?” I mutter, seeing Terrance and Pax standing by the entrance of the hangar, chuckling at something.
I just finished a six-hour advanced rafting trip and my muscles are aching. I toss the wet life jackets out of the back of my Jeep, ready to call it a day.
“She’s leaving,” Pax says, ignoring me and slapping Terrance on the back. “You owe me twenty bucks.”
“Bullshit,” Terrance mutters, a grin stretching across his face as he points toward the old pink Beetle that moves a few feet then stops. “It’s not a done deal until she actually leaves the parking lot.”
I shake my head at them, squinting to see if I can see who’s driving the car, but all I can catch a glimpse of is a mess of brown hair, and two fists white-knuckling the steering wheel. Most likely a potential client who hasn’t made up their mind if jumping out of an airplane or bungee jumping from a hundred feet over the Colorado River is fun or just plain stupid.
“Have either of you two assholes tried talking to her?” I ask.
Pax and Terrance just shrug, stupid-ass grins stretching across their faces like they’re enjoying watching the woman squirm with her decision to get out of the car.
At Adrenaline Rush, we specialize in fear. Overcoming them, more specifically. We take people to the edge of what they think they can ever do and push them one step farther.
It’s not just about overcoming physical fears, it’s also about overcoming those emotional and psychological fears that hold people back from taking real risks in their lives. Which is why Terrance and Pax making a bet on the girl really pisses me off.
“You,” I tell Pax, who’s one of our part-time skydiving instructors. “Go dry out this equipment. Now,” I growl out when he starts to argue. “Or I’ll take your name off the next two jumps.”
Pax grumbles, but he walks toward the pile of lifejackets and starts to sort through them.
“That was a bit harsh,” Terrance says, one dark brow raised, gray eyes dancing with humor. “We’re just having a bit of fun. It’s been slow today. And Pax is right, she’s not coming in. She’s been sitting out there for twenty minutes. And—” His eyes widen when he glances over my shoulder. “Shit. That’s Aylee Grant.”
I turn, following his gaze, my breath hitching when I see the beautiful brunette that’s just gotten out of the pink Beetle. The woman fidgets with her keys looking toward the hangar where we’re standing, but I know the shadows keep us hidden from her view. And I’m glad, because it gives me a moment to take her in.
The woman is wearing a bright yellow sundress that shows off her sun-kissed shoulders, long legs, and beige, strappy sandals that are completely inappropriate for any of the activities we do here. Oversized sunglasses hide most of her face, but the way she worries her bottom lip between her teeth, I know she’s thinking about getting back in her car and taking off.
“You know her?” I ask, something possessive stirring in my chest.
“Yeah, she’s one of Joanne’s friends.”
“Luca’s Jo?” I ask, my gaze still trained on the woman who hasn’t taken a step away from her car.
Terrance nods. Luca, one of three guys I opened Adrenaline Rush with, is one of the luckiest bastards I know. Not only is he married to his best friend, but they’re already expecting their first kid together.
Sure, most guys my age wouldn’t be jealous of that. But I want to settle down, eventually. I want the whole family thing. The kids. The house. Maybe a dog, or two.
I want all the things I never had growing up.
You’d think that being brought into the world by a junkie mother, growing up never knowing who my father was, then being tossed into the system at the age of four, would have hardened me. And maybe in a way it did. But it also made me realize what I truly want in life.
Love. Acceptance. A woman I can share all my hopes and dreams with.
I rub the back of my neck, knowing if the guys ever heard me talk like that, they’d never let me live it down. But it’s the truth.
I just haven’t found the right woman yet.
Not that I’ve been actively looking. Shit, I can’t remember the last time I had a chick in my bed. And not because there haven’t been offers. There are always offers. Especially after the billboard advertisements that are all over town, displaying the four of us, Terrance, Nash, Luca, and myself - shirtless.
Whatever brings the customers in, right?
But the customer I’m most interested in, the gorgeous brunette in the parking lot, looks ready to bolt. She’s already turning back to her car and opening the door.
“Shit,” I mutter, not knowing why I care if she leaves. But I do. And as I jog across the pavement toward her, I can feel the surge of adrenaline in my veins. I know the sensation, been chasing it since I was a kid. But I’ve never felt it about a woman before.
“This is so stupid,” the woman is mumbling to herself, her back to me. “God, I’m such a—”
“Hey,” I say, my voice making her let out a small yelp and drop her keys. “Shit, sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” I kneel down to reach for her keys the same time she does and our foreheads hit. She starts to fall back, but I steady her before she lands on her ass.
I take her elbow and help her stand, handing her the keys and her sunglasses that fell off in our small struggle.
She’s rubbing her forehead. “It’s okay, I’m just—” Those pouty lips pause, and her eyes widen when her gaze lands on me.
God, those eyes. The softest shade of blue, with a hint of green around the edges, surrounded by dark lashes that make them look almost too big for her face. The woman is even more beautiful than I thought, with a dusting of freckles across the bridge of her no
se and cheekbones. And I can see a hint of a dimple in her left cheek, one that I’m sure is deep when she smiles.
And I want to see her smile. Want to be the one who puts a smile on that gorgeous face.
“I’m Jac,” I tell her, my hand still on her elbow, my body probably too close.
“Oh, um, yeah, I know,” she stumbles over the words, a blush creeping up her neck and into her face. “I’m Aylee.”
“Aylee,” I say her name slowly, a rasp, playing with the syllables across my tongue. “That’s a beautiful name.”
“Thank you.” She’s trembling, but I’m not sure if it’s from my touch, or from her earlier nerves.
“You’re not leaving, are you?”
She winces. “I’m not really sure why I’m here.”
I chuckle. “Well, most people come to Adrenaline Rush for just that...” I lean closer, searching her face, seeing the way her pupils enlarge when her gaze lifts to my lips. “A rush. What type of rush are you looking for, Aylee?”
She swallows, that sweet mouth of hers opening then closing on words that don’t come out.
I know what type of rush I’d like to give her. Maybe it’s because it’s been a long ass time since I’ve given into my carnal desires, but this woman has me all twisted up inside. Shit, I’m about two seconds away from pressing her against her car and kissing her.
She must sense it too, because a small whimper sounds at the back of her throat, and she takes a step back. “Um, I...”
Shit. I’m scaring her. Or rather just intensifying the fear that was already there. I exhale, and try to shake off lust that’s wrapped around my cock, and turned my balls to granite. I shove my hands in my pocket and give her a casual smile.
“Were you wanting to book an adventure with us?”
“I was thinking about it, but I don’t think it’s a good idea. God, it took me half an hour just to get out of the car.”
“You’re here to overcome a fear.”
“Yes. How did you know?”
I shrug. “A good guess. There are certain people who come here looking for what we have to offer. And you don’t look like an adrenaline junkie.”
She smiles then. A real smile. One that causes the dimple in her cheek to deepen. “No. That’s definitely not me. But...” She chews on her bottom lip and glances past me, toward the river. “I think it’s time I start taking chances.”
“You could start by giving me your phone,” I say, reaching past her and brushing her arm as I grab her cell from where she left it on the dashboard.
“My phone?” Color fills her cheeks. “For what?”
I chuckle, taking her hand and brushing my thumb across her wrist, before using her thumb to unlock the device. “I’m giving you my personal number.” I type in my digits, then grin down at her. “In case you want to book an adventure.”
“Oh.” Her tongue darts out across her bottom lip and I have to refrain myself from leaning down and tasting that sweet mouth of hers.
But I’m pretty sure I’ve already come on too strong.
“Thanks,” she says, fidgeting with her phone and getting into her car.
Before I can tell her to call me or ask for her own number, she’s driving away at a speed that makes me think I’ll probably never hear from her again.
Chapter Two
Aylee
“What. Was. That?” I have the air-conditioning blaring on me as I drive down the curving road back to town, and still have to fan myself. The heat of his touch is still on me, like a mark.
Oh God, the man is sexy.
Bulging muscles, light brown eyes almost the same color as his skin, lips that beg to be kissed. I’ve had more than a few fantasies about Jacque Laurent. But I never thought he’d ever notice me. Let alone give me his number.
But Jac isn’t the only reason I’m sweating. I’d gone to Adrenaline Rush to take the first step in overcoming my fear of water. It’s the third time I’d gone. The first, I didn’t even make it into the parking lot. The second, I’d managed to park my car, but I never got out.
This time, I’d actually taken a few steps toward the building. But then that same old panic had filled me. And I was twelve years old again falling through the ice, freezing cold water engulfing me, filling my lungs until I couldn’t breathe.
I take a few steadying breaths now, wishing there was some magic pill to take that fear away.
I’ve always thought of myself as a brave person. Sort of. I take chances. Well, some, or rather one. Opening my consignment clothing store was a huge risk. I’d spent my life savings on the first three months rent, and it had paid off. My quirky little shop has become a popular spot in Barley Ridge, specializing in retro and vintage clothing and one-of-a-kind antiques.
But that’s about as far as my risk-taking has gotten me. There’s always been something holding me back in other areas of my life, including my pathetic love life. It was my friend Jo who’d convinced me that maybe I needed to face my physical fears in order to become more brave in other areas of my life.
So far, neither have worked out too well.
Instead of going home, I head to my store, even though it’s my day off. My younger sister Leila is behind the counter, and she grins at me when I walk through the door.
“Did you finally do it?” she asks, twirling a lavender curl of hair around her finger, then blowing a bubble and popping it. The girl has absolutely no fear.
Unlike me.
“Almost,” I tell her, even though it’s a lie. I’m about as close to white water rafting as I am to jumping into Jac Laurent’s bed. I frown when I see two large boxes stacked against the back wall. “What are those?”
Leila shrugs. “They came this morning. Says fidget spinners or something on the order form.”
“What?” I take the sheet from her, groaning when I read it. “Why the hell would I order five hundred fidget spinners?”
“I was wondering the same thing?” Leila shakes her head at me and laughs. “I swear you need to get your eyes tested. That’s the second wrong order you’ve received this month.”
“My eyes are fine,” I mutter, grabbing the phone, and calling the company I apparently ordered from. Sure, I’m slightly nearsighted, but not enough to justify wearing glasses. Just enough to get me into trouble with orders every once in a while. It also doesn’t help that I’ve never been great at noticing detail. My attention is quickly pulled away to bigger things, like the gorgeous floral dress that I’ve been meaning to hang on the front mannequin.
Distracted by fitting the dress, the woman on the other end of the line has to repeat herself twice before my attention is back on getting the fidget spinners out of my store.
“God, I need a drink,” I say when I finally end the call. Apparently the damn plastic toys are non-refundable.
I think about calling Jo, but she’s married now, with a baby on the way. Most of my friends are. Not that I’m jealous, okay maybe a little, but I’ve never wanted to find a guy just so I can get married and have kids. Sure, if that happens, great. But what I really want is to feel ... alive.
I’ve always held myself back from truly experiencing life. But today, when Jac touched me, it was fire and electricity, an inferno that blasted through me and made me want more.
But the guy is way out of my league, and most likely a player considering how smooth his words were.
What I need is a girl’s night out. So I text my last single friend, Jackie. I know she is always up for a good time.
Me: Hey gorgeous. You, me, shots of Patron at The Barn? Tonight!
When she doesn’t reply right away, I send another quick text.
Me: I mean it! I’ll be there at 7!!
I set my phone down, and finish dressing the mannequin, glancing down when my phone
Jackie: Who is this?
I frown and type in a quick response.
Me: Aylee.
A few seconds later, she responds.
Jackie: I’ll be there.
/> Me: Perfect. I’m wearing my hot pink dress.
I smile, thinking about the last time I wore the dress when we went out. I had on a pair of Spanx but took them off halfway through the night because they were cutting into my tummy. It was torture!
Me: No spanks! LOL!
I shove my phone in my purse and focus on closing up the shop for the night. After chickening-out in the parking lot of Adrenaline Rush today, I am more than ready to shake off my anxious energy on the dance floor.
Chapter Three
Jac
“What are you doing here?” Pax asks me from behind the bar when I sit down on one of the stools.
“Meeting someone for a drink,” I tell him. Not that it’s any of his business. But I know it’ll be all the guys will talk about come tomorrow. Especially when they find out it’s Aylee Grant I’m meeting up with.
I still can’t believe she texted me. And that she was so forward. Not that I mind. I like a woman who knows who she is and what she wants ... it was just a surprise coming from her is all. A surprise that had me jumping in the shower, cleaning myself up, and headed toward The Barn. Not many women get me riled up like this, but Aylee isn’t any woman.
Every time I see her, she is in some gorgeous ensemble. She has fashion sense like no one else in Barley Ridge which means the fact she owns a clothing boutique is very fitting. And tonight she said she’ll be in a hot pink dress, my cock twitches imagining her curvy little body wrapped up in something as sweet as bubble gum.
“You okay man?” Pax asks. “You look tense as fuck.”
T.Y.P.O.: Get Some Series Page 1