by Emma Slate
“Why so sudden,” Colt demanded in true brotherly fashion. “Are you pregnant?”
“No, you asshole. Some of us use protection. I’m a nurse, remember? I actually know how to put a condom on a man.”
“I don’t need details,” Colt muttered. “And for the record, it was Mia who went off her birth control and let me—”
“Oh, wow, hate to cut this short, but Colt promised me dinner. We’ll see you in a few days,” I said.
I hung up on her and glared at Colt. “Maybe you don’t tell your sister we have unprotected sex.”
He sighed. “Mia, babe, you’re four months pregnant. How else do you think you got a bun in the oven? Huh? Besides, I’ve walked in on a girls’ night. I know what goes down with you all and a bottle of tequila. Men have nothing on you gals.”
The last girls’ night had resulted in Rachel getting pregnant. She still hadn’t forgiven me for it since I’d been the one to make the margaritas. Virgin for me, of course.
“Our girls’ nights are going to be pretty tame for the next few years. Allison has a newborn, Rachel’s pregnant, I’m pregnant, and ten bucks says Joni will be pregnant within a month of her wedding.”
“A month? No way. Three—maybe.”
“She’s thirty five. Her clock is ticking. And she’s wanted little tiny Zip babies forever.”
“Great, now I’m nauseous. Thanks.”
I grinned at him.
He grinned at me.
“Are you happy, love?” I asked him, gently running a finger down his cheek.
“Yeah, babe. I’m happy.”
He took my hand and we walked out of our bed and breakfast out into the misty sixty-five degree weather. We got ice cream and then strolled barefoot along the beach before sitting on the sand to watch the sunset. Colt scooted in close behind me, nestling me in the cradle of his body.
I thought about how nothing good lasted forever, but it was the same for the bad. Life was volatile and mercurial and it liked to kick me while I was down. But it also had the power to lift me up and give me everything I ever needed. And things I didn’t even know I wanted.
As the sun sank into the ocean, I thought of Shelly.
I thought of her smile and her laughter. I thought of Grammie and Mom and Cheese. I thought about them all—the people I’d lost who’d imprinted themselves on my heart.
Life was a journey. Like a river. Always changing course.
Family.
Family got me through the hard times and celebrated with me during the joys.
Family didn’t have to be blood, I realized.
I had chosen mine.
“What are you thinking about, darlin’?” Colt asked, his chin resting on my shoulder, whiskers prickling my skin through my clothes.
“I’m thinking about how lucky I am.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” I turned my head so I could brush my lips across his stubbled cheek. “Let’s go home, Colt. I’m ready to go home.”
•••
Thank you so much for reading.
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Have you met Barrett and Flynn yet? Read the series the started it all, The SINS Series. Keep scrolling for a teaser!
Sins of a King (Book 1)
Flynn Campbell is a king among men.
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He plays Manhattan's elite like pawns on a chessboard.
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He's a man you don't cross, but that's exactly what my brother has done.
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Debts must be repaid.
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But it's not money Flynn wants...
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It's me.
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Suddenly I'm thrust into a criminal underworld, full of seduction and lies.
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Ensnared by danger and power, foreign desires burn within me.
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It's time to embrace the darkness...
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And become a queen.
Sins of King Teaser
Flynn sat in the chair next to the couch that faced me. Leaning forward, he stared into his drink. Finally, he lifted his blue eyes to me.
“Your brother has gotten himself into some trouble.”
“What kind of trouble?”
“Three-hundred thousand dollars worth of trouble.”
I inhaled sharply. That was a lot. “He owes you money?” I guessed.
“Aye.”
“How? Were you in business together?”
“No.”
“Then I don’t understand. How can he owe you that kind of money?”
“It’s not important.”
“It’s not? It’s not like you guys had a friendly bet on a football game. This is serious money.”
He sighed. “Finish your drink.”
“But I don’t want—”
“Finish it,” he commanded, his voice low.
I did as bid, setting the empty glass down on the table. We’d never gotten around to dinner, and a warm ball of liquor resided deep in my belly.
“Your brother made me an offer,” Flynn said. “Your services in lieu of the debt.”
I blinked. “Sorry. The scotch must be doing something to my brain. Services?”
His jaw clenched and he nodded.
“What kind of services?” I demanded, suddenly understanding what I’d overheard at the restaurant. “You’re not interested in my history knowledge, are you?”
I stood up and began to pace across the living room floor. I whirled on Flynn, who had stood too, but was watching me with an indiscernible look on his face.
“You agreed,” I said in realization. “At the restaurant. Andrew asked if you guys had a deal.” My eyes narrowed. “What kind of man agrees to that sort of thing?”
In two quick strides, Flynn was in front of me, looming and fierce. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“So what is this? I work off my brother’s debt in the bedroom? Is that what you were hoping? Keep me chained and bound and—”
Flynn gripped my upper arms, dragging me close to him so we were nearly nose-to-nose despite the fact that he was several inches taller than me. “If I wanted a woman, I wouldn’t have to pay for it.”
“Then what could you possibly want me for?” I asked, still in shock.
Flynn released me, setting me back down on the floor. I nearly stumbled in my heels, but I caught myself.
He gestured to the couch. “Sit down. And I’ll explain.”
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Click Here & Binge The SINS Series now!
Additional Works
Writing as Emma Slate
SINS Series:
Sins of a King (Book 1)
Birth of a Queen (Book 2)
Rise of a Dynasty (Book 3)
Dawn of an Empire (Book 4)
Ember (Book 5)
Burn (Book 6)
Ashes (Book 7)
The Spider Queen
Writing as Samantha Garman
The Sibby Series:
Queen of Klutz (Book 1)
Sibby Slicker (Book 2)
Mother Shucker (Book 3)
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From Stardust to Stardust
Join Slate’s Sinners, Emma’s Facebook reader group.
About the Author
Emma Slate writes on the run. The dangerous alpha men she writes about aren’t thrilled that she’s sharing their stories for your enjoyment. So far, she’s been able to evade them by jet setting around the world. She wears only black leather because it’s bad ass…and hides blood.
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