Reclaim Me (The Jaded Series Book 2) (35 page)

Acknowledgements

Wow, there is so many people that I want to thank. First and foremost, I want to thank God for giving me the courage and ability to keep writing. This is my second book, and while the process isn’t quite so intimidating this time around, it’s still very scary.

Next, I have to thank my husband and daughter for bearing with me through this endeavor. I never realized writing could be so time consuming. I want to thank you both for being patient and understanding the importance of me writing. I love you both to the moon and back!

Kim, thank you for my wonderful cover and teasers! I also want to thank you for being patient with me during my endless questions and advice. You’re such a dear friend and I thank God every day that he sent me to you!

Hope, my sister and friend. You’ve helped me so much that there is no way I could ever repay you. I love you so much!

My wonderful and beautiful PA and best friend, Christy. I have no idea what I did before you came into my life. You are one of the most kindest and caring people I know. Thank you so much for showing an interest in my work, which lead to you and I becoming such close friends.

To my new good friend, Allison! I am so glad you PMed me that day on FB about your book. You’ve become very important to me and I cherish our friendship. Thank you so much for reading over and taking care of Reclaim Me for me. You’re input and advice has helped me so much!

ANGELS!!! Oh boy, there is so much I could say here. You all have been an amazing support system. Although I may only list a few of you, the ones I don’t list are no less important. I love you all! Nichole, thank you so much for posting all those wonderful JD pictures! Clayr, my Pimping Queen, you rock so damn hard! Thank you!! Tammy, thank you so very much for all the wonderful teasers you’ve made me! Kaila, I have to thank you as well for the wonderful teasers! And the trailer for Shatter Me! Absolutely beautiful! Kaz, my own personal slave driver! Thank you for pushing me to complete Reclaim Me! Stephanie, oh, dear Lord, woman. All I can say is ‘You make me moist’ ;) Cat, Heather, Jessica, Karie, Katorah, Lexy, Lilliana, Megan, Sarah A, Sarah N, Tiffany, and the rest of my Angels, you’ve all become family to me. Thank you so much for the support! I love you all!

I’d like to send out a special thank you to Karen McAndrews, who edited Reclaim Me for me. Thank you for helping make Reclaim Me the best that it can be!

Beta readers, you know who you are. Thank you all so much for reading over Reclaim Me. You all are the best!!

Bloggers! Thank you all so much for helping me get Reclaim Me out in the world. You make it so much easier on us authors and I am so grateful for every single one of you!

To all the others that’s helped me along this journey. If I haven’t mentioned your name, do not fret. I still appreciate everything that you do. No way could I have made it as far as I have without all the help I’ve gotten along the way. Thank you!!

Please enjoy the following recommendations…

Redesigning Fate by

A.M. Wilson

Prologue

Time is running out.  She wasn't supposed to get away.  Why did she fucking get away?  I was too cocky.  Blinded.  Marlena gained the upper hand, along with beating the hell out of my face.  Now, I have two options.  Either go after her, or get the hell out of dodge. 

My foot presses deeper on the gas pedal; the car headed the only direction I know is safe: North.

Canada.

If I can cross the border before she finds her way out of those woods, I'm free.  And, if I’m really lucky, she'll never find her way out.  She'll die like I intended. Like she deserves.  Those woods have a ten-mile radius of tree coverage.  Only one way in and one way out.  There’s a lot of area to cover before she’d hit the gas station twenty five miles down the highway.  She’ll probably pass out from exhaustion and starvation and that would be that.  There’s only one thing left to do before I go. 

Up ahead, the lights of an all-night gas station suddenly illuminate the road, and I yank the wheel to the left, driving the car off the highway and onto the concrete drive.  Grabbing the thick manila envelope beside me, I scrawl the now familiar address onto the front.  No return address necessary.  The large blue mail bin waits beside my idling car.  I roll down my window.  With one last look at the envelope, one final moment of hesitation, I drop the package inside.  Gripping the wheel tightly, I speed away before I hear the telltale
thunk
it landed safely inside.  All the answers to everything are inside that envelope.  I hope the intended person reads it and understands.  I wasn't always this way.  Things weren't always headed down this path.  But a series of wrong choices brought us here.  Maybe a series of right ones can bring us back. 

I may have intended for her to die tonight, but if by some miracle she doesn't, I want everything spelled out for her.  When I see her again, there won't be any more questions.  She won't need answers.  She also won't be able to deny that we aren't so different after all. 

We belong together.  One way or another, we will be together.  It's the way fate intended for us to be.

Available June 2015

The Lost One by

H.S. Strickland

The Intertwined Seduction Series

Prologue

Cade

The pain.

It was unbearable.

I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my fucking chest.

I could literally feel an ache so deep within my heart.

I looked at Dakota then gazed at the picture in her hand.

I couldn’t take it anymore. My legs gave out from under me, and a howl so loud and painful ripped from my throat.

Tears that I didn’t know I could cry flew down my face like a waterfall.

My life had been torn apart with a few simple words.

I would never be the same man again.

I would never forget this pain.

I wouldn’t come back from this. 

Available July 2015

Discovered by

Kim Black

Book One of The Cover Series

Emily

It was Friday and after the workweek, I had, I needed to unwind. Diana, my best friend, had called earlier during her lunch break to suggest a girl’s night out and I did not hesitate to accept. The girls needed to have some much-needed fun! In addition, it would give me a chance to pause my work woes, and I needed that, desperately!

So, the group, which consists of me, Diana and Suzie, gathered at our favorite spot ‘Tanked’. It wasn’t the best bar in town, but there was something about the friendly vibe that the place provided that always cheered up even the most depressed visitor. It had a house band that always killed and most importantly cheap Tequila shots, which I was in much need of tonight.

“Ok, so spill it Em. When I called you earlier you sounded kind of off, so what’s up?” Diana was always in tune with my every emotion, which I loved about her, but also hated it just the same.

I sighed, knowing I could not hide anything from my friends. “They promoted that brown nosing Thomas to Sous-Chef today. I’m not surprised, but honestly, he can’t even boil water, let alone cook at the standards a four star restaurant like Fargo should require.”

Diana reached out and touched my hand, “You’ll get there Em. They cannot waste your talent forever. I say you just continue to be the best line cook you can be, and when the opportunity arises, you’ll get your chance to shine and show them all just how awesome you are. Trust me.”

I could not help but smile at my dear friend’s unwavering optimism, but my smile was short lived, “Yeah. If I were as much of a butt kisser as Thomas was, I bet that would happen, but I cannot do that D. If I will ever make it in this business it has to be because I’m good at what I do, not because I stuck my head up someone’s butt.”

“Well then, I guess we need to get you hammered tonight,” Suzie chimed in, holding her shot glass in her hand.

With that, we all cheered to sucky dead end jobs, brown nosing coworkers, and lifted our shot glasses, the first of many to come that night.

After several shots and a lot of dancing, I was forgetting about my troubles. I was determined to let my hair down and enjoy the rhythm of the music. I did not care that I wasn’t the best dancer, or that I was probably too drunk to even call what I was doing on the dance floor dancing. After a few songs passed, I decided it was time for another round with my friends; but just as I was about to leave the dance floor, a deep, sultry voice crept up behind me and whispered in my ear, “May I have this dance, chérie?” the rich, French voice drawled. I immediately spun around only to find myself staring at the most beautiful man I had ever laid eyes on.
Was he talking to me?

I stood there, mouth-hanging open, as I stared into the unique, soul-penetrating pair of eyes that I had ever seen. At first glance, they were dark gray, but as the lights danced around the bar, I noticed a hint of gold and a lighter shade of gray at their center. There was something about his eyes that put me in a trance, and although I knew I should probably look away, I just could not bring myself to do so - not just yet anyway.

“Will you deny a lonely bachelor a dance with such a beautiful woman?” he asked, never breaking eye contact with me.

I must have looked bizarre, standing there with my mouth agape. It was not until I realized that my throat was dry that I finally pulled my eyes away from his stare, trying to look at anything but those beautiful, stunning, and intense eyes. His strong jaw line was indisputable underneath the five o’clock shadow that shaped his soft pink lips, which had a slight pucker to them.

I had an urge to touch them to confirm their softness, but managed to restrain myself, not wanting to look even more foolish than I already appeared, but licked my lips at the very thought, causing the man’s eyes to widen.

It had been so long since a man had turned me on and yet this man stood before me now, with his muscular frame barely hidden under his dress shirt, managing to awaken parts of me that I had long forgotten existed with just one look.

“Sorry… I’m actually out with some friends tonight.” I was not sure what that really meant since I really did not answer his question.
Crap, I look stupid.

“I mean… I… uh... can’t, ” I murmured, trying desperately to look at anywhere but into his eyes, and failing; I felt trapped.
Where were Diana and Suzie when I needed them?

He smiled, and I caught a glimpse of something in his eyes that was all too familiar. Living in California for the last three years, especially while working at the restaurant, had exposed me to an array of different men. This said, there was one particular type I found most distasteful of all: a man who thought he was exempt from rejection. It was the same overconfident look that my ex, Adam, had sported when we were dating last year. The same look that I had fallen for before finding out that he was cheating on me, and I had no doubt that this man in front of me was no different… a playboy!

As if on cue, he continued, “Surely your friends wouldn’t mind if you chose to dance just one song with me.”

After all that I had gone through with Adam, I felt my blood begin to boil. Determined to project an outward calm I did not feel and keeping my expression devoid of any emotion, I replied with a raised brow, “And what would make you think I would want to dance with you?” Without waiting for a response and keeping my head held high, I turned and walked away from him, adding a sexy little flick of my hair and an extra sway to my hips.

“That should teach him…” I muttered to myself, feeling satisfied that I had finally told his type where to go. Though he was not Adam, it somehow felt like I was berating him too which felt great!

I found my friends at the table staring at me when I walked up and took a seat.

“What?”

“Did you just turn down that total hottie? Tell me you didn’t… Em, please say it isn’t so,” Suzie said as she stared at the dark, sexy, creature.

“I know his type and I ain’t interested, remember Adam?” I said as I snatched Diana’s shot glass from her hand, emptying the contents with one gulp, ignoring her obviously annoyed face. “I don’t need another smooth talking sex symbol with the inability of keeping his penis in check, who thinks that he is God’s gift to women. I’m thankful to Diana for saving me from any further embarrassment and I have no intention of going down that road again, thank you very much!” I continued as I gave Diana a grateful smile.

I was just starting to get over the humiliation I felt when I discovered that Adam was sleeping with a few of the other interning chefs at Tajh
.
Diana had come over to my house, her face ghostly pale and in tears, telling me how she went by Tajh looking for me and found him and two other co-workers getting it on in the kitchen. She told me how she cursed him out and stormed off, coming directly to my place to tell me.

“I’m so sorry Em, I hate that he did this to you, but I’m just glad that we found out when we did
,” I remembered her saying to me, as I cried on her shoulder until I could not cry anymore.

I was beyond sick after that and cried for months. Of course, he tried to deny it when I confronted him, but I was having none of it. It was over! It was the greatest pain I had ever felt, one that I would not wish on my worst enemy, even that brown-noser Thomas. That ordeal caused me to quit my internship at Tajh and apply to Farjo just a little over a year ago.

“But he’s gorgeous. I mean, seriously… if it was me, I’d be in his car heading for his crib already,” Suzie continued, “and he’s still looking at you! Girl, you better snag him up before I beat you to it.”

“Snag away! Tonight I just want to hang out with my girls and enjoy myself, man free…” It was true that I might have been slightly attracted to the man, but that sense of entitled confidence in those determined, focused eyes made me feel unsettled. I had dipped into the pool of sexy, headstrong men before and it only screwed with my life. So, gorgeous or not, I was not about to walk down that road again.

“Don’t listen to Suzie. If you aren’t ready, then take your time,” Diana responded, ignoring Suzie’s deathly glares.

“Well thank God someone understands me.”
What would I do without my best friend?
I thought to myself.

After a few more drinks, and lots of laughter, I was beyond my limit; and from what I could tell, so were the girls. We gathered our things and headed out of the bar.

“Man, I’m going to have such a headache tomorrow,” Diana, slurred as she tried to hail a cab, swaying slightly.

“You and me both, ” I responded as I tried to focus my eyes on my cell phone. Closing one eye, I could just make out some emails from work. I should have probably tried to read them right away, but I really did not want to ruin my night.

“I can give you a lift,
ma belle
,” the smooth voice said from behind me.
The Frenchman… man, he really didn’t know how to take a hint.

It didn’t hurt that his French accent was rich, and thick, and oh so sexy, but no amount of sweet-talking would get him anywhere with me. I was done with men like him. Men who sweet-talked you right out of your panties, made you fall in love with them and then broke your heart into a million pieces, leaving you alone and broken. Never again!

“You’re just so sure of yourself aren’t you? I bet the girls you normally hit on can’t wait to get into your car, huh? Well, not me, sorry buddy,” I fired back at him, not even bothering to turn around.
The nerve of him.

I heard him laugh under his breath and that brought a surge of anger through me. “So you think it’s funny that I’m not falling at your feet? Well, other women might fall all over themselves to get a piece of you, but I will not! I know your type and I’m not interested!”

“I’m sorry if I offended you. It truly was not my intention, but you are absolutely stunning when you’re angry.”

“Really?” I asked, turning around to face him. “That’s your big line. Does that actually work with other women? Am I supposed to just fall in love with you right here, right now?” I asked with my hands balled into fists at my sides. I was not going to let another sweet talking playboy take advantage of me.

“It wasn’t a line
Mon amour
, merely the truth. Can I help it if I find you attractive? I don’t mean to offend you at all.” He stared into my eyes with such conviction that I almost believed him. While my anger at him deflated some, for my own protection I couldn’t afford to believe him. I did not know if I would
ever
again have it in me to trust another man.

I sighed.

I could not remember the last time a man pursued me with such determination. After breaking up with Adam, I dove headfirst into working and made no time for romance. I needed to heal. Now that I had, I was flattered even though I was disappointed the Frenchman was obviously a playboy…. Just a little! I mean, what woman wouldn’t want to be pursued by such an undeniably sensual man? The way his beautiful eyes darkened with desire each time he looked at me left me feeling weak at the knees and my self-preservation slowly crumbled under the weight of his passionate gaze.

Although I knew I could never trust a man like him, I could not deny that a part of me, now pulsating and tingling between my legs, wondered what it would be like to have sex with such an obviously sensual, domineering man... Have him master my body and set my soul on fire.

“Well, I appreciate the offer, but I can’t leave with you,” was all I managed to say. Tempted as I was to give into this sexy Frenchman, I could not allow myself to lose focus.
He’s a player Em, end of story!

“Ah, yes she can,” chimed in an eavesdropping Suzie. She pushed me into the arms of this perfect stranger, my hands landed on his hard sculpted, chest, which instantly sobered me up, and heat raced through my body.

“The hell I am! I don’t know him,” I said, widening my eyes at my insane friend, my hands still firmly pressed against his chest.

“I promise I’ll be a perfect gentleman,
Mon amour,”
he said as he took hold of my left hand.

His hand was much bigger and stronger against my own much smaller one, and while the sudden touch sent a warm tingle racing throughout my body, my brain understood clearly what my body did not, I could not allow myself to become prey to this dark, sexy man. I pulled my hand away, “you’ve got to be kidding me,” I said, trying not to focus on the way he said
‘Mon amour.’
Foreign men and their accents. Why did we girls have to be such suckers for a beautiful man with an accent?

“Excuse us a second?” Suzie said sweetly to the Frenchman as she pulled me a few feet away. “Look, you haven’t dated anyone since Adam and I know that it was hard to get over him, but really Em—look at that man…” she pointed in his direction and continued “men like that come around once in a lifetime. While Adam is plain old vanilla, that man right there is oh so yummy Crème Brûlée,” she said with a pleading look on her face.

An internal battle erupted inside of me, leaving me confused. Here my friend stood making complete sense and yet despite her logic and the growing need at my core, my mind could not allow me to forget the one thing that I knew for sure; he was in fact a
player
. That look in his eyes earlier told me all I needed to know, but for some reason the rest of my body seemed to yearn for him in a way that it had never yearned for another, Adam included.