I pull her down, kissing her lush mouth, morning breath be damned. “I’m completely sold. When do we get started?”
EPILOGUE 2
Demi – Ten Years Later
“Jamie! Get down from there,” I scream, racing along the beach toward our second-youngest son. He’s the daredevil of the bunch and the one most likely to be caught up in mischief. I slow my pace as I watch my husband scale the back of the lifeguard tower after our naughty child, releasing the breath I was holding as soon as Charlie has Jamie safely in his arms.
“He’s a handful,” Abby says, holding out a chilled bottle of water to me.
“He’ll give me gray hairs,” I joke, accepting the water gratefully. It’s scorching hot today, and I’m jumping up and down continuously, slathering the kids with sunscreen and making sure they’re hydrated.
“Kid for sale,” Charlie hollers, swinging Jamie around and placing him up on his shoulders.
“Dad wouldn’t really sell him, would he?” Jane, our eldest child, and only daughter, asks.
I pull her in close to my side, snaking my arm around her slender shoulders. “Your dad can hardly bear leaving you all at home when he has to go to work every day, so what do you think?”
“He says it a lot,” she adds, her brow puckering as she tries to work it out. Jane is only eight, but she carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. I hate that she worries so much, but it’s who she is, and I can already tell she’s the responsible one in the family, that she will be the one taking care of her brothers and not the other way around.
“He’s only joking, doofus,” Henry says, landing on the sand in front of us. His dark hair is tousled in messy waves falling over his forehead, and his bright green eyes, so like his father’s, twinkle with happiness. “We’re building sandcastles, and I need you because Anderson is not winning today.”
Abby and I trade an amused expression. “They’re more competitive than their dads,” she says.
Over the years, any lingering animosity between Charlie and Kai has completely disappeared, and now, they’re the best of friends, enjoying boys’ nights out and weekend golfing trips in between family time. “I think that’s an intrinsic part of the male DNA,” I quip. “God help us when they’re teenagers.” Abby and Kai have four children too, except they have two of each—two sons and two daughters.
Abby groans. “I’m determined to find a way to halt time before that happens.”
Henry grabs his sister’s arm. “C’mon.”
“I wanna build sandcastles,” Jamie shrieks, wriggling on top of Charlie’s shoulders as they approach.
“You can’t come,” Henry says. “You only get mad and wreck everything.”
“I want to go,” Jamie demands, pouting, as Charlie lifts him off his shoulders.
“How about Mom and I take you and baby Charlie for ice cream?” my husband suggests, knowing full and well that Jamie is a demon for ice cream.
“Go now!” Jamie jumps up and down, clapping his hands.
“One stinky baby coming up,” Vanessa says, walking toward me with the offending toddler held at arm’s length.
I take my wriggling child from her arms, holding him up and sniffing his diaper-clad butt. “Yup. Someone needs changing.” I laugh at the expression on Vanessa’s face as Charlie holds his arms out for our youngest. “How did you ever manage when Ren was a baby?” I ask, referring to her six-year-old son with Jackson.
“It’s different when it’s your own,” she says. “And I’m overly sensitive because my senses are all out of whack.” She rubs a hand over her swollen belly. “You know how much I love that little cuddle monster,” she adds, smiling affectionately at my son. And it’s the truth. Since we arrived at the Hamptons a week ago, she has hijacked the baby most days. I think it’s fair to say Nessa is dying for the birth of their second child. She had some complications after Ren’s birth, and they’ve had some trouble conceiving, so we were all delighted when they dropped the news of her pregnancy.
“I’ll change him,” Charlie says, cradling the baby in his arms and nuzzling his chest with his nose. Baby Charlie gurgles, and my husband continues nuzzling him, melting my heart in the process.
“There is just something so incredibly alluring about a man holding a baby,” Abby says, and Nessa and I nod. “Every time Kai held one of ours when they were babies, my ovaries about exploded.”
“And on that lovely note, we’re off,” my husband says, leaning in to kiss me. “Handcuff the demon to your side,” he jokes, gesturing to where Jamie is attempting to sneak off after his older brother and sister.
“I’m on it.” I scoop the little minx up in my arms, dotting kisses all over his face.
“It’s a pity the others couldn’t make it this time,” Nessa says. “It’s been ages since we all were on vacation together.”
“I know,” Abby says, looping my arm through hers as we start walking toward our loungers. “It’s getting harder to organize it with work and family life, but I’m glad we could still make it work this year.”
“I live for these vacations,” I truthfully admit. “Now that I’m at home with the kids all day, I miss adult company. Not that I’m complaining,” I add. “Because I’m so grateful I get to stay at home with the kids and be there as they grow up, but I miss working.”
“You could help me out if you’re interested?” Abby says, as we plow through the hot sand.
Abby runs her own dance studio from a building she leases in Rydeville town square. “In what way?” I ask.
“My accountant just quit. I haven’t started looking for a replacement yet. If you’re interested, you could work from home or come to the studio and use my office or do a bit of both?”
“That sounds perfect.” I hug my cousin and best friend. “We can work out the details when we get home.”
“Now, this is what I’m talking about,” Jackson says, raising his beer bottle. “To good food, good company, and a kid-free zone for the night.”
We all raise our glasses, chinking them together.
“We should get together more often at home,” Charlie says, sliding his arm around my shoulders.
“Says the guy who regularly bails because he’s got a con call,” Kai jokes.
“We can’t all be world-famous artists with our own schedule,” Charlie replies, grinning.
“I’ll have you know my husband works his butt off,” Abby says. “And he’s got deadlines. His L.A. show is booked for next year, and he’s under pressure to finish several commissions too.”
“He’s only yanking my chain, babe,” Kai says, pressing a kiss to Abby’s temple.
“I know, but it’s no harm to remind people.” Abby is fiercely protective and supportive of Kai’s passion, as she should be. He has really made a name for himself and he should be proud. His work is breathtaking. Truly exquisite, and he deserves every bit of his success.
“I saw that write-up on you in The New York Times,” I tell Kaiden. “Impressive piece.”
“Thanks. The guy was an asshole, and we butted heads a few times, so I wasn’t expecting the article to be great,” Kai admits. “Are you still painting furniture?” he asks.
“Just for pleasure, and only when I have free time.” I had established a small side business for a couple of years after Charlie and I first got married, but I gave it up when the kids were small because I wanted to focus on our growing family.
“My wife has many talents,” Charlie says, a smirk lifting the corners of his mouth.
Jackson makes a gagging sound while sticking two fingers in his mouth.
“My wife’s pretty talented too,” Kai says. “Just last night—”
Abby clamps her hand over her husband’s mouth, muzzling him. “I’m shocked, Charlie,” she adds. “It’s usually Jackson who lowers the tone.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Jackson smirks, raising his beer to his lips as Vanessa rolls her eyes. “And I happen to be pretty talented myself,” he
adds, patting the top of her baby bump, his gaze brimming with pride.
“Oh boy.” I shake my head, smiling at my husband. “You just had to go there, didn’t you?”
Charlie presses his mouth to my ear. “I’m hoping for a display of those talents when we get home.” He nips at my earlobe, and my core aches with longing.
Lillian arrived with her fiancé this evening, and they have taken the kids overnight. I could’ve kissed my sister-in-law when she offered. I know she’s dying to get married and start her own family, so who am I to deny her the opportunity for a trial run?
I whisper into his ear. “Damn straight, stud. It’s not often we have a kiddie-free house, and you can bet I intend to make the most of it.” I slant him my most seductive look. “Why else do you think I brought the special toy chest with me?”
Charlie picks up my glass of wine, thrusting it at me. “Drink up. We’re going home.”
Fifteen minutes later, we’re making hasty goodbyes as my husband hurries me away from the table. Our friends’ catcalls and whistles follow us out the door.
“That was rude, Charlie.”
He palms my ass through my dress as we walk along the path toward our vacation home. “Do I look like I care?” He reels me into his side. “I can’t remember the last time I tied you up and fucked you six ways from Sunday. Shoot me if I’m enthusiastic.”
I stop walking, pushing him into the railing that rims the front of the beach. I circle my arms around his neck, stretching up to kiss him. “Do I still do it for you, babe?”
“Don’t ask stupid questions.” He grabs onto my ass cheeks, pulling me into his erection. “You only have to glance at me, and I get hard.”
I bark out a laugh, as I rock my hips into his. “Slight exaggeration, but I’ll take it.”
He thrusts his pelvis forward, and I see stars. “You’ll take more than that.”
I burst out in a fit of giggles, slowing to a halt when I spot the way he’s looking at me. “What?”
He kisses me deeply, and I meet his lips with the same eagerness until we’re making out like teenagers. “How did I get so lucky,” he whispers when we finally break apart. His fingers sweep across my cheeks.
“How did I?” I agree, my voice dripping with lust. I pin him with a serious expression. “I love you, Charlie. Thank you for this wonderful life we share.”
“I’m the one who should be thanking you.”
An idea pops into my head. “Well, if you insist…” I can’t contain my wicked smile.
“I know that look,” he says, trailing his fingers up my bare thigh. “What naughty idea do you have in mind?”
I glance over his head, and he follows my line of sight, his lips kicking up.
“You haven’t fucked me in a lifeguard tower before.”
“I haven’t,” he agrees, grinning.
“Well, I think it’s time you rectified that,” I whisper, tugging on his hand and leading him down toward the beach.
“And we wonder where Jamie gets his ideas from,” Charlie jokes, lifting me up.
I wrap my legs around his waist, and my arms go around his neck. “I’ll claim credit,” I tease, grazing my teeth along the side of his prickly jawline.
Charlie growls, picking up speed, as he heads for the white wooden structure.
He places my feet on the ground, and I untie my sandals and hitch my dress up so I can climb the ladder.
“My wife definitely has hidden talents,” Charlie murmurs, watching me with an expression that is a mix of hunger and admiration as I move higher.
I look down at his handsome face, wiggling my fingers in a come hither gesture. “Get your sexy ass up here and let me show you.”
He does, and I do, and as we lie tangled in each other’s arms, staring up at the smattering of stars twinkling in the dark night sky, I offer up thanks for this gorgeous man sharing this life journey with me, and I know we have many more happy times to come.
THE END
JACKSON is up next, coming May 27, 2020. It’s currently available to preorder – check your local Amazon store. DREW and SAWYER are coming in 2021.
Want another series to sink your teeth into while you wait for JACKSON? Check out The Sainthood, Boys of Lowell High, my new dark high school romance series. Turn the page to read a sample from RESURRECTION, book one.
The devil came to me in disguise. Too bad I didn’t notice until it was far too late.
Vanessa:
The devil doesn’t always wear an evil mask.
Sometimes, he appears in the most beautiful form.
Like the super-hot bad boy with the dirty-blond hair and a wicked glint in his blue eyes who swept in out of nowhere, stealing all the air from my lungs.
I thought he was my savior.
But he’s my ruination.
And he’s just taken a machete to my heart.
Jackson:
For years, my rage seethed under the surface. Hidden behind a cloudy haze of my poison of choice.
But now, the fog has cleared.
And I’m out for blood.
I will annihilate those responsible for taking my sister from me.
Except he’s not here, so I go for the next best target.
The woman he abandoned.
Until it suited him to drag her into this messed-up elite world.
Sucks to be her.
Because when I’m done with Vanessa, she’ll wish she was dead.
★☆ AN AMAZON TOP 50 BESTSELLER ★☆
Everything changed the night my dad died.
The night I met Saint, Galen, Caz, and Theo.
Those manipulative a-holes set out to ruin me after our hot night together, but they didn’t realize you can’t destroy something that’s already broken. And it only works if the victim cares.
Which I don’t.
Because I’ve been in hell for years, and nothing penetrates the steel walls I’ve erected.
Until The Sainthood decides I belong to them and cracks appear in my veneer. Their cruel games, harsh words, and rough touch awakens something inside me, and now, I’m in trouble.
They draw me deeper into their dangerous world, until I’m in the middle of all the violence and gang warfare, tangled up in all the secrets and lies, and there’s no turning back.
Because they own me.
And nothing has ever felt so right.
I’m exactly where I should be.
But with enemies on all sides, survival becomes a deadly game with no guarantees.
And, sometimes, saints become sinners.
RESURRECTION – SAMPLE
PROLOGUE
Spring Break before Senior Year
Sharp pain penetrates my chest cavity, aiming straight for my heart, like a thousand tiny pinpricks digging into smooth flesh.
He’s gone.
Left this world without any warning.
And I’ll never see him again.
It hurts, and the pain wants to embed deep. To burrow straight through to my soul. To inflict the worst damage imaginable. The pain pushes and pokes at soft tissue, but it’s no good. It won’t advance any further. Because I learned to lock that shit up when I was thirteen years old.
I grab the bottle of vodka from the empty passenger seat of my Lexus SUV, uncapping the lid and bringing the glass to my lips. I chug it like it’s water, feeling lost as the alcohol glides down my parched throat.
This car was the last gift he bought me, a couple months ago, as an early eighteenth birthday present. It’s an LX570 SUV with bullet-resistant glass, an explosion-mitigating floor, and a bunch of other protective features I considered way over the top.
But maybe, there was a reason for it.
The car swerves on the road as I take another mouthful of vodka. The approaching car flashes its lights, the driver angrily shaking his fist as he passes by. I shove up my middle finger, hissing under my breath, even if he’s right.
The car swerves again as I close the vodka bottle, tossing it back o
n the seat. I don’t care if I die, but it wouldn’t be fair to Mom to lose her loving husband and her only daughter on the same day, both from fatal car accidents. I grip the wheel tighter, my eyes stinging with tears that will never fall.
A few minutes later, the car screeches to a halt outside Darrow’s dilapidated house. I jump out, leaving the door open, and race up the overgrown driveway. I raise my fist to knock, but the door swings open before my knuckle makes contact with the worn wood.
“He’s not here,” Rita drawls, bobbing her six-month-old son on one hip while she noisily chews gum. Her gaze rakes over me from head to toe, her lips curling into a sneer at my school uniform. The white knee-length socks, black pleated skirt, white shirt, red and black tie, and red blazer edged in black trim with the school crest confirm my status as a private academy student.
Although, Rita is already aware of that.
It’s one of the reasons why she hates my fucking guts.
The other is because I’ve been screwing her precious brother for the past six months.
“Where is he?”
“I’m not Darrow’s keeper.” She sniffs, wiping her nose with the back of her sleeve. Her son emits a loud wail, his lower lip trembling as he cries out. Poor kid is probably hungry, and judging by the bulky diaper he’s wearing, I’m guessing he needs changing too. He shivers, the cool night air swirling around his naked flesh. “Shut your mouth,” Rita snaps, glaring at the innocent child, and the baby cries louder.
Charlie Page 18