Tethered
Authors: L. D. Davis
Tethered
By L.D. Davis
Copyright© 2014
LD Davis
Smashwords Edition
Cover Design by
Focus4 Media
Tina Kleuker
This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and situations are entirely a result of the author's over active imagination. Any resemblance to persons living or deceased is coincidental or used in a fictitious manner. No part of this novel may be reproduced without written permission from the author.
Special Thanks to Lorien Vanover, Evelyn Erndt and Karleigh Brewster for editing this monster of a book and for your consistent support.
Thank you, Tina Kleuker for your awesome skills and creating a fantastic book cover, book trailer and so much more. You rock my socks, woman.
Also, I’d like to thank R.L. Mathewson, Amy Bustard, Juliet, and all of the many blogs that have helped me along the way. Thank you so much!
Other Titles by L.D. Davis
Contents
Prologue
I was at my best friend’s wedding reception dancing dirty with her husband. I grinded, I shook, and shimmied, and dropped it like it was hot. He got into it, dancing better than most guys I have ever known, and I’ve known quite a few. I dared a glance at his wife. She watched us while laughing, smiling, and clapping. I loved that she knew that I didn’t mean anything by it. I love that she knew how happy I was for her and that I was not trying to screw her husband.
The song changed and he drew me in for a slower paced dance that didn’t require me to shake my ass. Luke Kessler looked ridiculously happy. He was high off of his happiness. It pleased me, and it also made me sad for myself.
“You look really happy,” I said to him.
“I don’t think it’s possible to feel any happier,” he answered with that big, beautiful smile.
How has Emmy survived these panty dropping smiles?
I bit back my own smile and said “Sweet. Cheesy and corny, but sweet. I’ve honestly never seen Em look so happy.”
Emmy was now dancing with her father Fred. I danced with Fred at my wedding, too. He was the only dad I had when I got married.
“I really like you, Luke,” I said, turning my eyes back to my best friend’s husband. “In fact, I love you as much as a girl can love her best friend’s husband without it being scandalous. But…” I trailed off.
Like Emmy, and especially like her mother Sam, I spoke my mind. Speak first, and worry about the consequences later. My words have caused a great deal of trouble over the years. But maybe this wasn’t the time or place to say what I really wanted to say. Luke has been very good to Emmy, with the exception of a few months not that long ago, but that was kind of her fault. I didn’t want him to think that I doubted him, because I didn’t. But like the rest of us, he was only human.
“But?” Luke looked at me questioningly.
“If you fuck this up beyond repair, I will kill you,” I promised.
“I would rather die than to fuck this up beyond repair,” he replied. I felt his body stiffen ever so slightly under my hands.
“We all say that,” I said quietly. “We would rather die than to hurt the ones we love, but we do. She did it to you.” Under my breath, I said “Hell, I’ve done it.”
Luke frowned and looked at me with puzzlement and I realized with horror that he heard my last few words. He looked at my husband Jerry who was paying us no mind. He was surrounded by adoring baseball fans. Even if they were not Philly fans, they were drawn to the professional athlete.
“It’s my wedding day,” Luke said exasperatingly. “I don’t want to talk about that, Donya.”
“I just want you to always be conscious of your actions, Luke,” I said and looked at him very hard. “It’s very easy to find yourself standing on the wrong side of the line without ever meaning to cross it.”
He looked at me, startled. I suddenly felt like the banquet hall was too small. I kissed Luke’s cheek and pulled out of his arms.
“Just remember what I said,” I said in a rush of air.
I whirled around and raced towards the exit. It was January, in Chicago no less, but I felt hot and my palms were sweaty. It was very stuffy inside the building and I was having difficulty breathing. I promised myself I wouldn’t turn around and look. There was no reason to look.
I won’t look.
I was only a few feet from the door. I turned my head and looked.
It is as if there is a magnet that draws my eyes to his exact location every time. My eyes always find him right away, no matter the circumstances.
He looked stunning in his tuxedo. His deep blue bowtie was hanging to one side and his shirt was unbuttoned a few buttons, revealing the beginning contours of what I knew to be a well-defined chest. His dark hair was a little on the long side. Hair fell across his forehead. It was sexy. His wife hated it. She must not have liked running her fingers through it. His hands were in his pockets as he was speaking to his older brother. He looked casual and relaxed.
I looked away and escaped the crushing pressure of the room.
I dug into the little purse strapped to my wrist and got my ticket for my coat. I thrust the piece of paper at the guy behind the counter and he retrieved my coat a few seconds later. I walked out of the building and away from the few people outside who also dared the cold. I followed a walkway until I found myself on the other side of the building, facing what was probably a very gorgeous garden in the warmer months. It was still pretty, even under the ice and snow.
I looked around and was relieved to find myself alone. The sun was setting and the lampposts were flickering to life. It was cold as cold could be out there, but I needed to get out of there.
I opened my purse and found my hidden cigarette and lighter. I put the cancer stick in my mouth and lit it up. I inhaled deeply, closed my eyes, and let the smoke out slowly through slightly parted lips.
Smoking was the bad habit I picked up during my days as a model. I got lucky. It could have been cocaine, heroin, pills, or so many other things that strung a girl out. I quit smoking regularly when I quit modeling, but on occasion, a cigarette was warranted.
I heard light footfalls behind me. The long invisible tether tightened. I knew who was coming without having to look. I could feel him. My eyes always find him and he always finds me. I stopped questioning it long ago.
One strong arm encircled my waist. I shivered and it had nothing to do with the chilling weather. Fingers plucked the cigarette from my lips and tossed it away. I watched as it landed in the snow a few feet off of the path. It was resilient. It burned on, despite the cold moisture under it.
Another arm closed around me, securing me in an embrace. My head naturally fell back on his shoulder and his cheek naturally pressed against my hair. I breathed him in and his scent settled my nerves better than any cigarette ever has. Feeling his body enveloping mine made me feel safer than I ever have anywhere else.
We stood quietly as the sun set and darkness set in. He kissed the side of my head and I closed my eyes, both relishing and cursing the kiss. His breathing changed as his arms tightened their hold on me. I felt his breath on my neck and I knew he wanted to kiss me there. I hated that I wanted him to kiss me there.
