Corrupted (16 page)

“Marry me,” he whispers.

“Yes.”

His lips smash into mine. He kisses me roughly, groaning against my lips. I shut down. I won’t feel this. I won’t enjoy it. I’ll just be here. I’ll just give my body over. Damon strips us in record time, turning me and pushing me against the kitchen island.

It’s not long before he’s pounding into me. I don’t listen to his words
, I block him out. My body is responding to his every thrust but my mind isn’t. I’m on fire but I refuse to do anything other than let my body feel.

His whispered words of love go unheard, his touch goes unfelt, my mind doesn’t acknowledge him. I come with a cry, Damon following close behind.

“I love you,” Damon rasps, kissing and nipping along my shoulder.

I started a game for justice for my sister. I didn’t know her pain
, I didn’t feel it. I came into that game blind. I’m not now. I lost round one. I won’t lose again. I’m going to marry Damon. I’m going to take away his family, his friends, his house, his money, his businesses, his soul. I’m going to take everything and then I’m going to take more.

I’ve taken his heart, he broke mine. It’s time to play. Time to finish what I started.

I am going to break Damon Hunt.

WARPED

Book Two of the Manipulation Trilogy

Coming soon.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
S

Alicia Taylor
is 28, lives in Derbyshire in the UK with her husband and two step-daughters.

Corrupted is her debut novel
, which she co-wrote with Natalie Townson. This is book one in the Manipulation Trilogy.

Her love of reading led to blogging which led to this - dipping her toes in the Indie author pool.

Natalie Townson
is 31, a mother of one beautiful little boy and lives in Gloucester in the UK with her husband.

Corrupted is her debut novel that is a book one of the Manipulation Trilogy, that she co-wrote with Alicia Taylor. She is currently working on book two of the series which is nearly completed.

Alicia’s Acknowledgements

This is tougher than
I thought it would be. There are so many people to thank who have helped us along in this journey.   First of all, to my Natty Noo Noo. Natalie, you've made this journey so much fun. Considering I've only known you for a little over a year and half is mind boggling. You're my sister from another mister! Thank you for joining me on this terrifying journey. Your excitement has been what has motivated me the most, although at times your excitement led you away from the storyline and I've had to pull the whip out to get you back!

My uncle Andrew, you got me what I needed to be able to follow my dreams. You will never know how thankful I am.  My mum and pops, you've listened to me rattle on and on about this series and have encouraged me, even though no doubt I've chewed your ears off. Your belief in me makes me feel like I can achieve anything. Thank you. I love you both so much. My sister, Aimee, thank you for supporting me and listening to me when I've moaned about everything and anything to do with this series. I love you big little! My nephews, thank you for putting up with crazy Sab. You've heard me waffling on about this book even when I'm hugging and kissing the lives out of you. Love you to the moon and back!

Our beta readers, Emma Keating, Bec Sheldon, Joanne Swinney, Isa Jones, Lacy Almon, Author Amanda Lanclos and Author Bella Aurora - you ladies are absolute diamonds! You've read and reread bits, given us great feedback and put up with lots of nervousness from us. Thank you for all your support.

Becky McGraw, thank you for EVERYTHING! The cover designs are perfect, all the advice you've given us has been truly appreciated, you've made this journey so much more easier for us. You've helped us more than you could ever know. You are a gem!

Alison Higgins - your support and advice on this journey has been priceless. You've helped us immensely. Thank you.

Carolyn Shelly Depew from Write Right Edits - you are brilliant! The speed of which you got through our drafts of Corrupted was fabulous. Your input and advice has been amazing. Thank you for all you've done!

Lastly and by no means least, my husband and girlies - hubster, you've kept me hydrated and fed when I've been lost in everything Damon. Your love and support means everything to me. Thank you for putting up with my moods and lack of presence. Love you, Wallace  ha!

Jaz and Teia - thank you for being the sunshine on a cloudy day. Your smiles brighten my spirits daily. Love you both.

To you, the readers - Thank you for taking a chance on us.

Natalie’s Acknowledgements

Wow where do I start?  I have so many people who I wish to thank.  Firstly, my writing partner in crime Alicia Tay
lor.  Thank you so much for reining me in when I went off in my own world.  I have loved writing this book with you, and I’m so happy you are my friend.  The past year has been so great and I love that I can depend on you no matter what.

Becky McGraw, you are amazing.  You have shown us so much and helped us through it all even when I started hyperventilating, you told me "Don't go all dramatic -- it's going to be fine!!"  Thanks for being a great friend Becky, and for giving me all the help and guidance I needed.  You will never know how much your friendship means to me.

Alison Chaffin-Higson thank you for all your help, advice and support that you have given us.  You are amazing.  Carolyn, our lovely editor over at Write Right Edits, thank you so much for all your work.  I’m so glad you loved the book.  It gives us even more confidence to put our work out there.  Our lovely Beta Readers, Isa Jones, Lacy Almon, Joanne Swinney, Amanda Lanclos, Emma Keating and Author Belle Aurora thank you for all your advice and feedback.  We are so glad you loved the book and are keen for the next

.

To all my family, I love you all so much.  Mam & Dad you are the best parents in the world and I love you.  Thank you for always being there for me whenever I have needed you.  To my brothers Jason, Carl and Ashley, I couldn’t ask for better brothers. To my sisters-in-law, Catherine and Karen love you both.  My Lovely mother in law, Eileen, I love that you share the same love of Westlife with me.  Not only did you give me your son, you also give me the best night ever at the Westlife concert.  You went to coolest mother in law ever!!  Thank you for accepting me into your family and always making me feel at home.  My brothers-in-law and your wives, Scott and Amy, Grant and Zoe and Mark, you are all so important to me and you are just as much my brothers and sisters as my own.  Love you all so much (Scott stop plowing me with rose just because I’m funny when I’m drunk.  I have to be professional now.)

My beautiful nieces and nephews, Kirri, Levi, Josh, Keshia, Morgan, Daisy, Sam, Charlie and baby Bobby you all make me one proud aunty. My best friend forever, Colette,  I love you girlie and I miss you so much every day.  Why did you leave me, come back!  It’s a good job, I love Ben and will allow him to take you away to bigger and better things.

Lastly, to the two most important people in my world.  My husband Ben, I love you so much, I will never love anyone the way that I love you.  Thank you for being an amazing husband and father.  My beautiful baby boy Joseph,  you are my greatest achievement.  As I watch you grow every day, I feel so proud.  I love you baby.

I’m sorry if I have missed anyone.  I promise I will get you in book two.

I hope you all enjoyed our book. Thank you for the support.