by Sarah Peis
Some Call it Love
© 2018 Sarah Peis
Published by Hexatorial
Editing: Natasha Orme
Proofreading: Hot Tree Editing
Cover Art: Vanessa Mendozzi Design
Formatting: Champagne Book Design
ISBN-10:0-6481085-0-3
ISBN-13:978-0-6481085-0-4
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s wild imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Epilogue
Preview of Some Call It Temptation
Thank you
About the Author
Other books by Sarah Peis
To cupcakes
“You’re under arrest. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say …. Gun! Gun!”
What started out as a terrible day just got a whole lot worse. Who would have thought that I’d find myself squashed to the asphalt by an overweight, sweaty police officer who thought I was hiding a gun in the pocket of my pants? The same guy who used to copy my history notes all through high school now acted like I was a dangerous criminal, when he very well knew that I have never even so much as stolen a pen in my life.
“Ray, it’s not a gun. It’s—” I stopped myself midsentence. Maybe it was better if he did think I had a gun. If he found out what was actually in my pocket, my humiliation would be complete. I knew waking up in a bed that wasn’t my own this morning was bad luck. It threw my zen off and look what happened. I was getting arrested for something that was entirely not my fault. Well, almost entirely. My bike didn’t smash into him by itself, but it was extenuating circumstances and my actions were entirely justified. I was getting arrested for a simple misunderstanding.
Of course, Officer Ray, as he insisted I call his judgmental ass, reached into my pocket to investigate and pulled out a bright pink dildo. It was new, too. My best friend, Maisie, got it for my last birthday. Since I hadn’t retired good ole Bob, I hadn’t even used this one yet.
“Everyone stand down. No gun, just a vibrator,” the bastard called out to his colleagues who stared, then laughed louder than necessary. To make my humiliation complete, said bastard started waving the vibrator above his head. “If you were that desperate, you could have just called me.”
Did I mention that Ray was also a sleazy slimeball? He stood me back up, my hands now cuffed behind my back and his hands on my butt. By tomorrow everyone and their mother would know about this. He was a gossip queen, and his followers were vast and quick to spread the news. In other words, I was screwed. I could never show my face at the QuickMart down the road again. I should start mourning the loss of the slushies I used to get there.
Make one bad decision, and your reputation is ruined. Okay, maybe a few bad decisions. But everyone’s been there. Nobody’s perfect, right? Things happen. You move on.
But I should probably start where it all began. When the life I more or less loved came crashing down around me and I found myself face-to-face with my destiny—my very hot and very lickable destiny. Jameson Drake. I should have known to run the second he set his sights on me. After all, he was named after a drink that gave me terrible hangovers.
It should also be noted here that I would never lick any part of Jameson ever again. Only if he asked me to. Maybe begged me a little. Without a shirt on.
The first time I made eye contact with Jameson was from across a crowded club. My eyes went wide, and my jaw dropped as soon as I looked into his mesmerizing orbs of perfection. The details are a bit hazy because my brain refused to function other than to tell my eyes to open and close in rapid succession. Since I wasn’t drinking and didn’t approach strangers—stranger danger, right?—I forced myself to look away and get on with my life. Magical moment over, or so I thought.
“Willa? Are you still with us?” Maisie said while she waved her hand in front of my face. “I think she’s gone into a sugar coma.” She turned to the other part of our trio, Stella. “I told her not to drink Coke. She can’t handle all that caffeine and sugar. It’s the combination of death.”
I blinked a few times and studied my shoes. Or more accurately, my kick-ass stilettos that cost me three months of extra shifts at the Donut Hole. But they were worth every cent. The dress I wore was short, shorter than I was used to, and tight, tighter than I would ever wear. It was also blue. But somehow, my two best friends had talked me into letting my hair down for one night, and apparently that meant dressing like a hooker—except for the shoes, because they were all class.
I rolled my eyes at Maisie and flicked her ear. “Stop talking about me like I’m not here. And I can handle my sugar and caffeine just fine.”
They both laughed at me and ordered another drink. We all knew that I definitely was not able to handle sugar or caffeine. The effects were varied and unpredictable. I resentfully pushed the glass of water that Maisie had gotten me out of the way.
“Did you hand in your sociology report yet?” Stella asked. We all went to Winchester University. Maisie and I had been inseparable ever since bonding over our shared love of chocolate milk in first grade. Stella, Maisie’s roommate, moved to Humptulips to go to the university since she lived on a farm in the middle of nowhere.
I stayed around because I couldn’t leave my dad unless I was willing to risk him living in a jail cell for the rest of his life. And that was the best-case scenario. Let’s just say Garret Montgomery did whatever Garret Montgomery wanted to do, even if it included stealing a cop car to get smokes from the gas station down the road.
Maisie used to be engaged to Ray, a local cop who absolutely saw no reason to leave his cushy job behind and move to another city. The crime rate in Humptulips was made up of 80 percent jaywalking and 20 percent whatever shit my dad came up with. So she stayed, went to school, and got ready for her life as a devoted housewife once she graduated. That was until she saw her darling husband-to-be getting too friendly with one of the Bennet twins. She packed her bags faster than you can say pineapple upside-down cake and moved in with Stella.
Stella was the balance to our crazy, the only person who could talk us off the ledge. And, yes, there might have been an actual ledge involved at one time.
I shook my head at Stella’s question about the report, but Maisie nodded. “That would be a yes for me and a no for Willa.” I knew she would have finished the report a week before it was due.
I pouted at her statement even though that’s what my usual MO was when it came to homework. Why do it today when you can procrastinate and write it the day it’s due?
>
“At least I started my research. Writing about the evolution of Thor as part of Norse mythology is harder than I thought. I was a bit hasty making my decision based on the movie and Chris Hemsworth’s abs. Most of the literature is written in Old Norse, and I have to find translations. It’s taking forever.”
I groaned at the thought of the paper I had to write in less than a week. This one was definitely not last-minute kind of work, and I had to keep up my grades to stay eligible for my scholarship. I had done surprisingly well so far, but this class was turning me into a fruit loop. Apparently everyone had to take classes outside of their chosen major, but I was stupid enough to choose something that required hours of research.
“Holy smokes, do you see that guy?” Stella asked, attempting to nod her head inconspicuously but failing miserably. Maisie took a sip of her drink, following Stella’s line of sight and promptly choked on it. “Is that Jameson?”
Maisie narrowed her eyes and nodded. “Definitely Jameson. Don’t get too close or you might get pregnant.” I should also mention that Maisie was a judgmental bitch at times. This was one of those times. “Remember Hannah?”
Of course I remembered Hannah. She tried to be the one to tie down Jameson by proclaiming to everyone and their mother that she was pregnant with his baby. Of course, she wasn’t, because if we knew anything about Jameson it was that he was careful when it came to protecting his independence, and a baby was the last thing he wanted.
The truth came out eventually but not before she’d already done a lot of damage.
I knew Jameson couldn’t keep it in his pants, but nobody deserved to be treated that way. And the gossip mill was still going strong, not letting anyone forget about the incident. It was, after all, one of the most exciting things to happen to this town since Barry Laker painted his house blue.
I stole a glance over Stella’s shoulder and looked straight at none other than tall, dark, and broody. I was confused as to why he would be watching us. In all the years we had lived in the same town, he had exchanged exactly three words with me, three words I would always remember. His deep baritone gave me shivers, and looking at his eyes made me lose all brain function.
Word one was to order a Coke, word two to order a burger, and word three was to ask me for the bill. And I’m not even kidding when I say it was a total of three words. He didn’t do polite, and he certainly didn’t waste his words. He believed in the power of one-word communication.
Maisie nudged me and nodded toward him much more subtly than Stella. “He is definitely watching, and I am pretty sure it’s you he’s looking at.”
I tried hard not to turn my head again and glued my eyes to Maisie instead. “I don’t think so. But I have to head off now anyway. You guys want a lift?”
Stella was talking to someone we knew from class, and if the gleam in her eyes was anything to go by, also her latest hookup.
“I’m good. Lance is around here somewhere, so I’ll just catch a ride with him later,” Maisie said.
“If you’re sure,” I said, knowing the crush Maisie had on her brother’s friend all too well. Maisie waved me off when I did my duty as devoted friend and asked her again if she wanted to come with me. After a round of hugs and promises to meet up the next day, she pushed her way through the mass of people.
I made it outside after receiving a few slaps to the ass, and someone was even so nice as to share their drink with me. The top half of my dress now had a big wet spot down the front, making it look like my tits were leaking. There weren’t many people around, and the fresh air made me breathe easier again. At least I could start my paper early in the morning and maybe have something to show Maisie. I knew she would be on me again tomorrow.
I walked the few blocks to my car and shivered in my thin dress. It was hard to find free parking near the club, and I wasn’t picky where I parked as long as it didn’t cost me anything, a decision I regretted in moments like these when I turned onto the dark side street. At least my car was still there. It wouldn’t be the first time someone broke into it or towed it, leaving me with no way to get back home.
I unlocked the door, thinking about the leftover pizza in my fridge. Lost in thought, I didn’t hear someone approaching until they were next to me, making me jump back in surprise and emit a loud squeal.
The guy put up his hands to indicate he meant no harm, and I immediately recognized Jameson.
“Willa,” he said in his raspy voice.
I stepped back to put some distance between us. “How do you know my name?”
Very smooth, Willa. Just blurt out the first stupid thing that comes to mind.
“Of course I know your name. We went to school together.” Holy caboodle, that was one long-ass sentence for him. Was he drunk?
Okay, now I was ready to get my camera out to document this pivotal moment in my life. The moment the mighty Jameson talked to me. With my luck, I should have really known better than to assume he just came out to corner me in a dark alley to have a chat.
I blamed it on his eyes. They sucked you in and didn’t let go. My brain function shut down, and I think I could feel a little drool on the corner of my mouth. Not my finest moment.
When I stayed quiet and stared at him openmouthed, he took that as an invitation to continue. “Look, your dad owes me a lot of money. He’s not settling his debt, and he put you down as his reserve, so to speak. If he can’t pay, it’s your debt.”
My dream where he came out here to declare his undying love for me came crashing down. Unicorns were crying rainbow tears, and kittens wailed in agony. I should have known better than to assume he was interested in me.
So I yelled. Because it seemed appropriate. And besides, when I’m upset, I yell. It’s never healthy to keep your emotions locked up tight. That shit could give you cancer. Or an ulcer. “Are you fucking kidding me?” I had definitely found my voice again. “I didn’t lose that money, and I have no intention of paying it back.”
“I don’t think you understand how this works.”
“And I don’t think you understand how impossible it is for me to pay off any debt my dad might have with you.” I stupidly decided this was a good point in our conversation to poke him in the chest to accentuate each word.
My finger just wouldn’t stop poking once it made contact with his firm pecks. Holy hotness, he was built. My out-of-control finger wandered down and hit his abs, and they were just as firm. I was pretty sure that was an eight-pack I was poking.
Before I could travel further south, he caught my finger and held on tight.
“I want my money, Willa. $20k is not something I can just brush off.”
When I heard the number, my eyes went wide and I was pretty sure they were bulging out of my head. “$20K? $20K? Twenty fucking grand?”
“It’s not gonna get any less the more you repeat the number.” The bastard looked amused, yet there was nothing amusing about this situation.
I pulled my finger from his hand, already lamenting the moment he wasn’t touching me anymore. My finger was one lucky bitch.
“I know that, jackass.” Oh no, I can’t believe that just came out of my mouth. Bad mouth.
“I think it’s a safe bet to say that you don’t have the money. I hope you know what you’re doing because this is one situation you can’t get out of simply by blinking your big eyes and showing off your tits.”
I narrowed aforementioned eyes and pushed at his chest in anger. “And I think it’s safe to say that you’re an ass. I don’t have the money that I don’t owe you.”
He leaned in until we were nose to nose. “Do you think you are the first one to tell me that they can’t pay me? So let’s skip the bullshit. I want my money, so find a way to get it to me.”
I took a deep breath and regretted it immediately when his scent filled my nose. He was still entirely too close, and his big, stupid arms caged me in, making escape impossible. I also didn’t think my feet would work at this stage. They seemed to like him just as
much as my finger and inched closer instead of retreating.
“I don’t have your money. My bank balance shows $4.37 at the moment. You know why I know that? Because I just had to pay the rent, which means I’m broke until I get paid next week. And it certainly won’t be twenty grand they’ll pay me.” I turned my head to avoid breathing him in again but didn’t quite succeed since he was so close. “And I would appreciate it if you could take a step back and stop harassing me.”
Instead of doing what he was told, he stepped closer until all of him touched all of me. Dear donut gods, please make this stop.
My knees were ready to give up holding my body, and my hands went on another quest. I meant to push him away, but the second they made contact it was all over. Just like my finger, they refused to let go.
Jameson wasn’t impressed with my refusal to pay. Well tough titties, because there was no way I could get that much money.
He was still leaning in too close and said, “I don’t think you grasp the gravity of the situation, sweetheart.”
My mouth was still going strong, refusing to give up the fight even though the rest of my body had. “Oh, I get the gravity just fine. But what you don’t seem to grasp is that you can’t squeeze money out of someone who has less than five dollars in her bank account.”
He studied my face and took a step back. The relieved exhale that came out of my mouth would be heard by the rats in the sewers two counties over.
“I want the money by tomorrow.”
“What? Are you crazy? How do you think I can come up with twenty grand in twenty-four hours?” I motioned to my beat-up old Ford. “Does this scream money to you?”
“That’s not my problem.” He held out his hand. “Give me your phone.”
I pulled my bag closer. “No way. I’m not giving you anything.”
He sighed and took the bag out of my hands. I was too stunned at his audacity to hold onto it. After a quick search, he came up with my phone, and I had to admit I was slightly impressed. It took me a lot longer to find anything in the endless depths of my key-swallowing bag. He typed something in and handed it back to me. “My number, so we can set up a time and place to meet.”