by J. A. Owenby
“Shit.” Zayne pulled out his iPhone, and I sank to my knees next to her. “Does she have a pulse, Claire?” He joined me near her fallen body while he talked to the 911 operator, offering as much information as he had.
“No. Not even a weak one. Zayne, give me the phone. I don’t know CPR.” Fear exploded in my chest. This woman had just dropped dead in front of us.
Zayne shoved his iPhone into my hand and shucked off his tux jacket. He leaned over the body and attempted to resuscitate her.
“Come on, come on.” I stared at the stunning lifeless woman.
A small crowd huddled around us, and when I thought we’d lost her for good, she coughed.
Zayne continued to talk to her, urging her to stay still while the siren lights filled the house. They were in the driveway. In seconds, they flew up the stairs and down the hall. The group of people clapped, then made way for the EMTs.
They loaded her on the stretcher, and Zayne and I hurried after them. I hoped someone at the party would claim her.
“Good work,” I said, grabbing Zayne’s arm again while we descended the steps. “She’s young. I can’t imagine she’s sick, but who knows?”
“I thought the same thing.” Zayne rubbed his chin as we reached the foyer. “I wonder who she is.”
“I bet Pierce knows.” I didn’t miss the lingering expression of worry on his face.
“Hey, what the hell happened?” Vaughn said from behind me. “Are you all right?”
“It wasn’t me. I’m fine.” I stepped over to the side of the room, glancing at Zayne again. He hadn’t moved.
“Something is going on with him.” I nodded in Zayne’s direction.
“I’ve seen that look before. Once,” Vaughn said in a hushed voice. “I’ll talk to him later, but for now, fill me in. People are saying she dropped dead in the bathroom upstairs.”
I took my fiancé's hand and updated him. “I hope we can find out what happened. I don’t think Zayne is going to leave this alone.” I glanced over at my friend, our eyes locking. A nagging feeling wouldn’t let me go. Something was wrong. Very wrong. Whatever it was, I would be there for him just like he had been for me. That was what family did for each other.
“I think we’ve had enough excitement for the night. How about we go home?” Vaughn asked.
“I’m ready.”
We let Zayne know we were heading out, and he joined us. I wasn’t sure where Pierce and Sutton had disappeared to, and I typed out a quick text that we were headed to the house.
A heavy silence descended over us while Vaughn drove. As soon as Vaughn shifted the Mercedes into park in front of the garage, Zayne hauled ass through the front door and took off toward the gym. We followed, then closed and locked the front door behind us.
“Let’s give him some space,” Vaughn suggested.
I agreed. It was apparent he wasn’t ready to talk about it.
Vaughn scooped me up in his arms and carried me upstairs.
“What was that for?” I asked while I pushed the bedroom door closed behind us.
“It’s faster than you in that dress.” He chuckled, then laid me on the bed. The mattress dipped next to me as he lay on his side, facing me.
“I know tonight was packed with excitement, but I’m so grateful we’re beginning our life together. We’re moving into our first home in four more days. You have an engagement ring on your finger, and you’re starting a new job in January. Life doesn’t get better than this.” He caressed my face in his large hand.
I beamed at him. “You’re the love of my life, and I can’t wait to be your wife.” I leaned up and kissed him gently.
“Yeah?” A smile pulled at the corner of his mouth.
“What do you think about a wedding outside in the fall? I think our new property would be perfect for the occasion. I don’t need Italy or France, Vaughn. I just need you.”
He stroked my cheek with the pad of his thumb.
“The first time I saw the acreage, you weren’t with me. I wanted to see it before I got your hopes up, but I didn’t go inside the house. I waited to see it with you. I stood there, lost in the beauty of the trees, the soft breeze blowing, the green manicured grass, and all I could see was you in a white wedding gown waiting for me. I think it’s an amazing idea.”
“Then let’s plan our wedding.” I pressed my mouth against his, excitement bubbling inside me.
“Babe, I lied,” he whispered. “Life just got better.”
Don’t miss Vaughn’s bonus scene! Just click here.
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Love & Seduction
J.A. OWENBY
Copyright © 2020 by J.A. Owenby
All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without permission of the publisher constitutes unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting J.A. Owenby. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Edited by: Adept Editing
Cover Art by: Iheartcoverdesigns
Photographer: CJC Photography
First Edition
ISBN-13: 978-1-949414-03-5
Gain access to previews of J.A. Owenby’s novels before they’re released and to take part in exclusive giveaways. www.authorjaowenby.com
A note from the author:
Dear Readers,
If you have experienced sexual assault or physical abuse, there is free confidential help. Please visit:
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Also by J.A. Owenby
Romance
The Love & Ruin Series
Love & Ruin
Love & Deception
Love & Redemption
Love & Revelations, a novella
Love & Consequences, a standalone novel
Love & Corruption, a standalone novel
The Let Me Love You Series
The Essence of You
Let Me Love You, Book 2 Coming Soon!
Standalone Novels
Where I’ll Find You
Coming of Age
The Torn Series
Fading into Her, a prequel novella
Torn
Captured
Freed
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J.A. Owenby lives in the beautiful Northwest with her husband and cat.
J.A. is an avid reader of thrillers, romance, new adult, and young adult novels. She loves music, movies
, and good wine. And call her crazy, but she loves the rainy Pacific Northwest; she gets her best story ideas while listening to the rain pattering against the windows in front of the fireplace.
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