Tag: romance readers
Tempting Him is live!

TEMPTING HIM (South River University #4)
AVAILABLE NOW & FREE IN KU!
mybook.to/TemptingHim
START THE SERIES WITH STEALING RONAN
mybook.to/StealingRonan
TASTING INNOCENCE
mybook.to/TastingInnocence
BREAKING FREE
mybook.to/BreakingFREE

http://bit.ly/SRU4TBR
Blurb:
When my dad called to lecture me about how it’s time to settle down, quit partying, and
get a job that will actually prepare me for life after college, I agreed. Mostly.
After spring break, I’ll buckle down and be ready to work, but until then, I’m getting my
fill of fun. Which is why when I spot an attractive man sitting alone at a bar, I approach
him with the hopes of being able to tempt him into a night full of pleasure. After all,
being with an older guy is just about the only thing I haven’t done.
When I wake up in his bed with a note that makes it clear he doesn’t intend on seeing
me again, I take it in stride. But when I show up to the job my dad set up for me, it turns
out my new boss, Aleksander Drakos, is the guy who thought he’d be done with me
after a one-night stand. On top of that, apparently he’s a friend of my dad’s.
Trying to remain professional is pointless. Working with him day after day is just too
tempting to not have another taste.




In Kindle Unlimited mybook.to/TemptingHim
Chapter One of Breaking Free
To get a peek at Breaking Free, here’s the first chapter before the book comes out. Warning: Explicit content, meant only for readers 18+.

One
“It’s just one night,” Jayden tells me. “And it’s only two hours away.”
“Yeah, but on our rival’s campus? The fucking Hornets?” I make a face as I shove my foot into my tennis shoe.
“Yeah, I know, but I got a friend who told me about this party. It’s gonna be huge,” he says, spraying some cologne on before checking himself out in the mirror.
“I’m obviously gonna go, but I’m talking shit to every football player I see. You know we play them first this season, right?”
“Yeah, and we’re gonna whoop their ass.”
Jayden’s one of the best wide receivers we have on our team at South River, and I’m the best running back. With our friend Dex as QB, and a well-rounded team, we’re set to win the national championship this year, no problem.
“Marco’s not gonna be quarterback this season,” Jayden says. “Hurt his shoulder.”
“Damn. Who is it now? Luke?”
“Yep, but he’s pretty good.”
“And of course they have Jimmy Watts at receiver now. He’s fast.”
“We’re still the better team,” he says with confidence.
“All right,” I say, shoving my wallet in my pocket. “I’m ready. Let’s go get drunk.”
“My man,” Jayden says with a grin, giving me a fist bump before we leave my place.
We take Jayden’s white Jeep Grand Cherokee and blast music the whole way there. When we pull up to the frat house where the party’s being held, music blasts from inside, pouring out of every open window and door this place has. Cars line both sides of the street, and people are outside on the balcony of the second level, plastic cups in hand and smiles on their faces.
“Who do you know here?” I ask Jayden.
“A few people, actually, but this chick I’m talking to invited me out. Do you know Kristina Mathis?”
I scrunch my face. “I think so.”
“Anyway, she goes to our school, but her best friend goes here.”
“I see.”
Jay checks his phone. “All right. She’s inside. Let’s go.”
We head up the driveway and a few people smile and say hey, mostly to Jayden, who seems to know everybody no matter where we go.
“You’ve been here before, I take it.”
He smiles. “A few times. Dex used to come with me before he got tied down.”
“Oh, so I’m your second choice?” I joke.
“You’re my favorite second choice, though.”
“Whatever,” I say with a laugh.
Inside, the music thumps so loud I can barely hear Jayden when he speaks. It’s only because he gestures toward the kitchen that I know he probably said something about getting a drink.
It doesn’t take long before we spot a couple of the football guys and end up getting caught up in conversation about the upcoming season while we down our beers and take a couple shots. Amongst the shit talking, we also discuss the other teams before Jimmy says something that catches my attention.
“He’s leaving us for y’all.”
“Wait, what?” I ask. “Who are we talking about?”
“This kid, uhh…Hernandez. He was second string last year, didn’t see much play time until the end of the season. He’s good, though, and getting better.”
“What’s his position?”
“Running back.” Jimmy grins. “Gonna be gunning for your spot, Campbell.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, right.”
“Why the transfer?” Jayden asks.
The guys shrug and the topic is dropped, so we go about our drinking. Within an hour and a half, Jayden finds a girl he knows and disappears for a while. I end up playing drinking games with Jimmy and Marco for a while, and it isn’t until my vision begins to blur that I realize my bladder’s about to burst.
“Gotta take a piss,” I tell them, leaving the table.
It takes a few minutes to find the bathroom, but when I do, it’s because there’s a line of four people in the hall.
“Is this the only bathroom?” I ask, my words strung together.
A redheaded girl gives me a once over before answering. “Someone’s puking in the other one.”
I grimace. “And in this one?”
“Having sex, I think,” she says with a shrug, like it’s normal.
I hurry back to Marco since I know he lives here. “Dude, tell me I can use a bathroom on the second floor. You got people fucking and puking in the ones down here.”
“Aw, come on,” he complains, standing up. “Head upstairs, turn right. Second door on the left.”
As he rushes off to handle the bathroom problems, I jog upstairs, trying to remember his directions.
The house is pretty big, but I’m sure it won’t be too hard to find a bathroom. I’m about to open a door when I hear a girl moan Jayden’s name. Well, at least I know where he is.
I try the next door, but it’s locked. “Give me a minute,” a guy yells.
“I don’t have a minute,” I bite back, almost ready to pull my dick out and piss in a deserted plastic cup.
I open all the doors, searching for another bathroom, and get lucky with one tucked away in the corner. As soon as I free myself from my jeans, I hardly get time to aim before my bladder lets loose. Midstream I realize how hot and muggy it is in here, and then the shower curtain is yanked back, and a naked, muscular, wet man stands there staring at me like I’m crazy.
“What the fuck are you doing?” he growls.
“Uh, taking a piss,” I answer, averting my eyes and making sure I don’t pee all over the floor.
Out of my peripheral vision, I see him step out and then hear him snatch a towel off the rack behind me. “There’s three other bathrooms in here.”
“All of them were occupied. Give me a minute and I’ll be outta your hair.”
He steps up to the sink, standing at my side. My eyes flicker to him briefly, gazing just long enough to notice he’s wrapped a towel around his waist.
“Why aren’t you downstairs partying?” I ask, tucking myself back in my pants.
“I’m not in the mood.” His voice lacks any emotion.
I flush the toilet and turn to face him. Water still clings to his bronze skin, and his dark hair is slicked back with one little tendril falling over his forehead.
He’s thick with muscles and tall—bigger than me by a few inches and several pounds, and he’s extremely attractive. His jaw is angular and his cheekbones sharp. When I meet his gaze in the mirror, I realize I’ve been staring at him for way too long. I blame the alcohol. I told myself months ago not to get drunk and make dumb decisions. I’ve been there and done that. More than once.
The last time I got really drunk, I ended up having a brief hookup with my friend Renzo, and then I was embarrassed and ashamed, feeling like I used him to experiment, and it led to several days of awkwardness before we determined we were better off as friends.
However, it solidified what I was curious about—I definitely like guys. But besides Renzo and his boyfriend, Ronan, nobody knows.
It’s not like I think my closest friends will judge me. Ronan and Renzo are gay, Jayden’s bi, and nobody in our circle cares. However, I’m unsure of my other friends, and the guys on the team. Sure, Jay’s on the football team, too, but his personality is more of the I-don’t-give a-shit-what-you-think-of-me type, while I’m exactly the opposite. Plus there’s my family, and I have zero idea how they might react to their only son being gay.
“Are you just gonna stand there and stare at me?”
His deep voice pulls me out of my thoughts. I lick my lips. “Can I wash my hands?”
He takes a step back, but doesn’t leave much room between us. As I hold my hands under the water, I can almost feel him touching my back. My eyes travel up to the mirror as I massage in the soap, and I find him checking me out.
I clear my throat as I rinse off the suds and meet his stare. Warm brown eyes meet my green ones and then he licks his bottom lip.
“You’re not from here.”
“No. I’m from South River.”
Something flashes in his eyes and his lips pull into a tiny smirk. “Hmm.”
When I turn around to look for a towel to dry my hands on, I realize the only one in here is wrapped around his waist.
“Well, I guess I’ll let you get back to it,” I say stupidly, wiping my wet hands on my jeans.
He doesn’t move from in front of the door, so I take a step forward and reach for the knob, my head angling in his direction.
“How drunk are you?” he questions, catching me off guard.
“Uhh…a little.”
His eyes move to my mouth and I wet my lips with a swipe of my tongue.
“Who are you here with?”
“My friend.”
Why am I standing here, so close to him, answering questions? I should just shove him out of the way and leave. Who even is this guy? Why the sudden inquiry?
“Boyfriend?” he questions.
My brows dip in the middle. “No.”
He shifts, turning to face me, his shoulder resting against the door. “Why don’t you come to my room with me?”
I swallow thickly, my eyes trained on his mouth as he talks. Confusion and desire war with themselves as I think over what he just said. Alcohol has already impaired me, so I’m definitely not in the right mind to make sound decisions, but who says all decisions need to be good ones?
“Why?” I ask, frozen in place, my hand on the doorknob.
“To help me forget,” he says huskily, coming even closer.
“Forget what?” I whisper, already leaning in.
“My fucked up life.”
“How do…” I begin to ask how do you know I’m gay, but he shuts me up when he shoves me against the wall and pins his hips against mine.
“You’ve been checking me out since you walked in here, don’t get shy now.”
He cages me in when he braces his arms on either side of me, and my cock comes to life, straining against the zipper of my jeans. I know he feels it when he releases a sexy groan and pushes into me further.
My chest heaves as he slowly leans in, and when his lips brush against mine, any rational thought flees my brain, and I only care about what he tastes like and what his body will feel like under my hands.
This guy, whose name I don’t even know, devours my mouth in the sexiest way. The kiss starts slowly, his lips pressing against mine in soft pecks, and then his tongue slides in, tangling with mine in a sensual dance. As soon as I moan, his right hand grabs the back of my head, his long fingers cradling my neck as his thumb aligns with my jaw. His grip is firm as he deepens the kiss, sucking on my tongue before his other hand travels under my shirt.
“Touch me,” he growls, and it’s then that I realize my arms are frozen at my sides.
I bring them up and splay my fingers across his abs and run my hands up to his chest before I let them travel around to his back, pulling him into me.
He steps back. “That’s not really what I meant.” His hand goes to his towel, and in a half a second, the white cotton material drops to the floor, leaving him completely naked.
“Oh.”
I’ve had one experience with a guy, and that was my drunken hookup with Renzo. Well, we made out one time after, but it was thirty seconds at best. The alcohol-induced encounter was us making out and me sucking his dick. That’s it. No touching, groping, licking, and not much talking if I’m being honest.
He smirks before undoing my pants, shoving them down my thighs. His large hand gropes my erection through my underwear before he pushes those down, too.
When he wraps his fingers around my cock, I close my eyes and drop my head against the wall. “Oh shit.”
“Mm,” he moans, coming closer and nuzzling my neck with his scratchy beard. “You’re already dripping for me.”
“Oh God,” I moan.
“Be a good boy and suck my cock and maybe I’ll let you come next.”
His words send a jolt of desire up my spine. I should probably be offended that he called me a good boy, but something about his tone and the way he stroked my dick when he said it turned me on even more. Now all I want to do is please him so I can get my own release.
I bite my lip as I look into his dark eyes and then slowly drop to my knees. His cock is massive, long and thick, with a few veins straining against the tight skin. He runs his hand through my blond hair and I open my mouth and take him between my lips.
Having only done this once, I’m terrified he’s going to realize how inexperienced I am and put a stop to this. With one hand on his muscled thigh, I use my other one to stroke his length, taking him as deep into my mouth as I can.
He begins fucking my face, gripping my hair tightly in his fist, and the grunts and groans let me know he’s enjoying himself.
My cock throbs and leaks as I hollow my cheeks and suck on his crown before I let my tongue travel the underside of his shaft.
“Fuck.” He grips his erection. “Open your mouth and stick out your tongue.”
I don’t hesitate to obey, something deep inside me loving that I don’t have to wonder what to do next. He slaps his cock against my tongue and then strokes himself while staring into my eyes.
“I’m gonna come in your mouth.”
It’s not a question, so I don’t say anything. I just keep my mouth open and my tongue out, and several seconds later jets of hot cum land on my tongue and chin.
With one hand on the wall behind me, he leans over, giving me every drop of his release. When he’s done, he reaches down and grabs a hold of my neck, pulling me up.
His thumb swipes some of his cum from my chin and he pushes it into my mouth. “Good boy.”
My heart hammers in my chest and my entire body feels like it’s about to burst into flames. When his hand wraps around my cock and strokes, I think I might shatter, but when he leans into me and licks more of his cum off my chin before sticking his tongue into my mouth, I do. I explode and come all over his hand and thigh without any warning.
Tasting Innocence is now available!

TASTING INNOCENCE #2 IS NOW AVAILABLE!!! mybook.to/TastingInnocence
YOU CAN START THE SERIES WITH STEALING RONAN #1 mybook.to/StealingRonan
(But you don’t have to. All books are standalones.)
PREORDER Breaking Free (South River University #3)
Release Date: July 15 mybook.to/BreakingFREE
PREORDER Tempting Him (South River University #4)
Release Date: August 19 mybook.to/TemptingHim




Blurb:
Falling for my best friend’s sister was something I never thought I’d do. Not only have I known Violet for almost her whole life, but Renzo was sure to give all his friends the don’t touch my sister speech as soon as she became a teenager.
After a drunken night when we were snowed in at a cabin, I may have been too flirtatious. I think I freaked her out, because she’s refused to talk about what happened since then. But after a weekend away with friends, me and Violet end up alone, and confessions are finally made.
She’s too good for me—sweet, pure, and innocent. I’m tainted with a reputation that does me no favors. Renzo knows I’ve never committed to anyone. He knows everything about me and the many women I’ve been with, and that’s why I know he’ll never be okay with me and his sister being together.
After a taste of Violet, I know I’ve finally found something worth fighting for, even if I have to fight my best friend.
Cover & Blurb Reveals

This series is an interconnected stand-alone series, taking place in a fictional town in Michigan. They’re all gonna be hot, quick reads that feature some of your favorite tropes.
•𝙎𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧’𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙮𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙 (𝙈/𝙈)
•𝘽𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧’𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙 (𝙈/𝙁)
•𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚/𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙚𝙨-𝙩𝙤-𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨 (𝙈/𝙈)
•𝙎𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩/𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙧 (𝙈/𝙈 𝙬/𝙢é𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙨𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨)
𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑹𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒏 (𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝑹𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚 #1)

Release Date: May 6
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/SRU1TBR
PREORDER STEALING RONAN #1 mybook.to/StealingRonan
Blurb:
Stealing Ronan wasn’t the plan. I’d never imagined I’d steal a boyfriend from my sister, but when I saw him strutting to my couch with his perfect body, gorgeous face, and that mouth—God, that mouth, it was like he was plucked from my wettest dreams and brought into my life just for me.
Lusting after a straight guy who’s dating my sister is a problem in itself, but the bigger problem comes when he’s invited on a family trip with us for Christmas. Just as I thought I was doing a pretty good job ignoring his soft lips and curious gazes, we’re hit with a furious blizzard, leaving me and Ronan locked up together. Alone.
We’re only snowed in for two days, but things heat up quickly, because it turns out I’m not the only one with a fascination.
𝑻𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 (𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝑹𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚 #2)

Release Date: June 10
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/SRU2TBR
PREORDER TASTING INNOCENCE #2 mybook.to/TastingInnocence
Blurb:
Falling for my best friend’s sister was something I never thought I’d do. Not only have I known Violet for almost her whole life, but Renzo was sure to give all his friends the don’t touch my sister speech as soon as she became a teenager.
After a drunken night when we were snowed in at a cabin, I may have been too flirtatious. I think I freaked her out, because she’s refused to talk about what happened since then. But after a weekend away with friends, me and Violet end up alone, and confessions are finally made.
She’s too good for me—sweet, pure, and innocent. I’m tainted with a reputation that does me no favors. Renzo knows I’ve never committed to anyone. He knows everything about me and the many women I’ve been with, and that’s why I know he’ll never be okay with me and his sister being together.
After a taste of Violet, I know I’ve finally found something worth fighting for, even if I have to fight my best friend.
𝑩𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒆 (𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝑹𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚 #3)

Release Date:July 15
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/SRU3TBR
PREORDER BREAKING FREE #3! mybook.to/BreakingFREE
Blurb:
At a party on a rival college campus, I drunkenly stumble into a bathroom just as a tall, muscular man steps out of the shower…naked.
Instead of fleeing, I stay put and end up having the hottest bathroom hookup with someone whose name I don’t know. Because I’m still in the closet, I don’t talk about what happened that night, glad that it was with a guy who doesn’t live in the same town.But come Monday morning, the naked man from the bathroom strolls into the locker room and locks eyes with me.
His name is Dominic and he’s new to campus and trying to take my spot on the team, which makes me hate him. It’s too bad I loved everything he said and did to me the night we met, but I can’t let him get to me with his cocky smirks and filthy words. I have to focus on keeping my position on the team, but I can only think about the positions I want to be in with him.
He’s arrogant where I’m modest. I’m docile where he’s domineering. We’re complete opposites, so it could never work, but being with him makes me want to break free from the chains that have kept me in the closet, because he’s also the firm hand to my wavering confidence and I’m the moth drawn to his flame.
𝑻𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑯𝒊𝒎 (𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝑹𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚 #4)

Release Date: August 19
Add to Goodreads:-http://bit.ly/SRU4TBR
PREORDER TEMPTING HIM #4! mybook.to/TemptingHim
Blurb:
It all started when a girl I hooked up with in the past invited me to have a threesome with her and her boyfriend Vince. Seeing as how I’m bi, single, and open to a good time, I had no qualms about this. However, there were rules.
No kissing or touching Liv’s boyfriend as he was doing this for her and wasn’t interested in being with a man at all.
Fine, I don’t mind this scenario either.
However, one time turns into two, two turns into three, and with each time we get together, he starts looking at me a little different and doesn’t pull away if I brush against him.
When Liv breaks up with him, it effectively puts a stop to our fun, but then I run into him at a bar. After a few drinks, several lingering touches, and an almost kiss, I begin to wonder if he’s as straight as he thinks he is.
Before things can escalate, school starts up, and I walk into my English Lit class and find out that Vince is none other than Vincent Coleman—my professor.
Risking it All is live!

BLURB
Ten years ago, I kissed my best friend.
Six years ago, my life changed and I went from being an unknown kid from a small town to a world-renowned rock star. Before leaving Gaspar, I told Ali we’d still be together. I made promises I didn’t keep, and I lied over and over again. I threw our plans out the window and made a life for myself.
I’ve barely had time to go home, because touring keeps me away. We haven’t been in touch in years, but after this tour, I’m heading home to find the only person who knows my deepest, darkest secret, and beg for forgiveness.
Ten years ago, I kissed my best friend, and his name is Alejandro Barerra. My Ali.
He may never forgive me for the broken promises or for breaking his heart, and I’m afraid he’ll never want to talk to me again, but he’s the only one who knows the real me, and I’m determined to win him back. Even if it means risking it all.
Amazon: mybook.to/RiskingitAll
Goodreads: bit.ly/RiskingitAllGR

EXCERPTS
#1 (Explicit)
Sprawled naked across the bed, I watch Merrick as he grips the bottle of Johnnie Walker and pours a small amount of the amber liquid on my chest. The alcohol drips off both sides, and travels down the middle of my stomach.
Merrick leans over me and licks the whiskey from my skin. “Mm,” he moans, gazing up at me with hooded, lust-filled eyes. “This is the best threesome we could have.”
“The only threesome we’ll have.”
He chuckles. “Someone doesn’t like to share.”
He crawls on top of me, straddling my hips while wearing nothing but his boxers. “Open your mouth for Johnnie.” I do as he says and he carefully pours a sips worth of the alcohol into my mouth. “Now open up for me.”
Merrick frees his erection through the slit in the boxers and scoots up, running the tip across my bottom lip.
I open my mouth and swirl my tongue around the circumference of his cockhead before he pushes in farther.
“Goddamn,” he groans.
He fucks my mouth for a minute before climbing off me. “Mm,” I moan, licking my lips.
“Who tastes better? Me or Johnnie?” he asks teasingly.
“I’m not sure,” I reply, reaching down to stroke my cock. “I may need another taste test.”
Merrick shoots me an unamused look before wrapping his lips around the head of the bottle and swallowing down a mouthful of whiskey.
“Come suck the taste off my tongue,” he commands.
I scramble up and get on my knees, capturing his face in my hands, and plunge my tongue in his mouth. I suck his whiskey-flavored tongue into my mouth, eliciting a low moan from his throat.
“Lay down,” I tell him.
He lifts a brow but lies his large body across my mattress. I yank his boxers down, revealing his impressive erection. I keep to the side of him and steal the bottle from his hand, and pour a generous amount of the liquid onto his stomach. The man is so cut, the alcohol pools in the crevice between his abs.
I drop down and slurp the liquid into my mouth, taking some time to lick up the trails that traveled a little lower.
#2 (Clean)
“Why me?”
He furrows his brows. “What do you mean?”
“Why do you want me?”
“Have you not heard what I’ve told you?” he asks, taking a step forward.
“You’ve said I’m everything to you. Yeah, I heard that.”
“But,” he offers, knowing I have more to say.
I drop my arms and grip the edge of the dresser. “But those are just words. We’ve said a lot to each other over the years. You’ve consistently told me one thing just to do something that completely contradicts it. Why should I believe you now? Or ever?”
“I’m trying to get you to realize I’m not like that anymore. If I say something, I want you to believe it. I’ve had years to dwell on my bullshit. I’ve had so many regrets, and honestly, if I was in your shoes, I don’t know if I’d forgive me. But you’re better than me, Ali. You always have been, and you make me want to be better. For you.”
My heart sings at his words, but I can’t allow myself to be naive. “Let’s pretend I tell you that I forgive you for everything and that you do have a chance. Then what? This is the problem we always had. I let you suck me back into a secret relationship because you weren’t out yet, and that’s still the case. I will not be a skeleton in your closet. I will not be forced to love you in secret.”
He takes the remaining steps to reach me, wrapping his hands around mine. “Tell me I have a chance, Ali. Tell me you’d give us one last shot and I’ll risk it all. I’ll risk everything for you. For us.”

𝕆𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 ℝ𝕠𝕔𝕜𝕤
𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵…
On the Rocks is the first steamy standalone in the Kingston Brothers Series. Pull up a bar stool and prepare to be entertained as two people fall for each other in this angsty, slow burn romance that will have you fanning yourself!
Amazon mybook.to/OntheRocks
𝕋𝕣𝕦𝕥𝕙 𝕠𝕣 𝔻𝕒𝕣𝕖
A risqué game of Truth or Dare has lines being crossed between two long-time friends.
𝘐 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘦.
𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦?
𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦.
A short-lived fling is all she’s expecting, but he’s ready to prove they’ve always been meant for each other.
Amazon: http://mybook.to/TruthorDare
𝔸𝕘𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕤𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 ℝ𝕦𝕝𝕖𝕤
𝗔 𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗜 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲.
•𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯
•𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵/𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳
•𝘈𝘨𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘱
Amazon: mybook.to/AgainsttheRules
Chapter One of Risking it All
Hey, all! I decided to drop chapter one so you could get a little taste of what’s to come. If you’ve read the other books, you might have noticed little hints here and there, especially in Against the Rules. Merrick’s book, in present time, is actually five years after Against the Rules, but we have flashbacks to witness how his journey with Ali began, and how it progressed. Chapter one is the “remember that night” moment he had with Elijah in Against the Rules. If you haven’t read any of the others, no worries, you don’t need to.

ONE
10 Years Ago
Merrick
“So, what’re we gonna do this summer?” Ali asks, taking a sip of beer.
“Shit, it’s not like we have many options. We can have bonfires out at the circle of trees. Go to the mall or the pool.” I take a drink out of my own beer bottle. “I’m fine just hanging out here. Me and the guys set up in the garage and just play music. Maybe we can find some events to play at.”
Ali nods and then puts the joint between his lips and inhales. He’s not real close with Jay, Carlos, or Sky, but they don’t hate each other either. Sometimes he hangs out in the garage when we play, but usually it’s just me and the guys, and occasionally some girls, depending on who’s dating who at the time.
“Your brother’s not home, is he?” he questions, passing me the joint.
“Nah. I think he’s at work.”
Me and Ali sit on the steps leading to my backyard, drinking the beer he swiped from his mom’s house and smoking the joint we got from Leo—the known pothead of our high school.
“You’re lucky you always have the house to yourself,” he says. “My mom’s always up my ass about something. I gotta clean, do homework, cut the grass, help my sister with something. It’s never ending.”
I finish the beer and open another one. “Yeah, but at least you have a mom.”
Ali cringes. “Sorry, bro. I forget. I’m grateful I have her, but … you know.”
“Don’t worry about it. I get it. Elijah makes me do shit around the house, too. It’s not like I don’t have a parent figure. He definitely acts like my dad, so it’s not like it’s easy around here.”
We’re silent for a minute, drinking and smoking, even though we both know we shouldn’t be doing either. We’re only sixteen, but it’s not like we’re the only people doing it. Our school is crawling with kids who are eager to do both. Some do it to fit in or be cool, but I started doing it in the hopes that it would keep certain thoughts at bay.
My parents died when I was eleven, leaving my oldest brother to care for me and my other two brothers. It’s hard thinking about them and knowing they’ll never be around again. Sometimes you need their advice and guidance, especially as you grow older.
I met Alejandro last year, and quickly started calling him Ali. He says he hates it, but I think he’s gotten used to it by now. He decided to get me back by calling me by my last name, but that doesn’t bother me.
Any time I’m not with the band, I’m with him. We became fast friends, and soon after, I started having these feelings … these urges.
Sometimes I want to kiss Ali. He makes me laugh constantly, and his smile makes me smile. My heart has threatened to burst out of my chest when I’ve been in his room and he started undressing. I’m not supposed to think about him like that, but I can’t help it. He’s the first person I’ve felt any sort of attraction to. At least like this.
Sure, I’ve seen guys on TV who I’ve thought were good-looking, but women are pretty, too. I just don’t feel anything when I look at them. I feel everything when I look at Ali.
Me and him can talk about anything. Well, almost. I haven’t told him about this. How can you tell your same-sex friend that you find him attractive? How can you admit to something that you don’t really want to acknowledge yourself?
Yeah, I’m pretty sure I’m gay, and I don’t know how to deal with that. So I drink and I smoke and I try to pretend I’m into girls. That’s what most sixteen-year-olds do, right?
But there are moments, very brief moments, when I think Ali might like me too. Not just as friends, but as more. Maybe I’m seeing things that I want to see. Maybe he doesn’t glance at my lips when I talk. Perhaps that tiny little lip bite he did when I took off my shirt to jump in the pool was meant for someone else.
“What do you think about Mindy?” I ask, drinking more of the bitter tasting beer.
“What about her?” he asks, his voice dripping with disgust.
I laugh. “You don’t think she’s cute?”
“Fuck no!”
“Why not?” I ask, laughing harder. “She’s got dirty blond hair, pretty eyes, and a decent body.”
Ali scoffs. “So do you.”
I sober up, sitting straighter and wondering if I heard what I thought I heard. Did he compliment me? My body? “What?”
His eyes are wide when he looks at me, then he starts laughing. “I’m just saying … that doesn’t automatically mean someone’s attractive.”
It takes a minute before my heart rate slows down. “Oh. Well, she asked me out.”
“She asked you out?”
“Why do you sound so surprised? I am attractive.”
Ali rolls his eyes as he laughs. “Whatever, man. That girl asks out everybody. She’s just a slut.”
“Harsh.”
He shrugs, then takes a sip of his beer while I puff on the joint. “Why do you like her anyway?”
I blow out the smoke as I answer. “She likes me.”
He shakes his head. “That’s not a good reason.”
“Whatever, bro. Who do you like? I saw you with Stephanie the other day. What’s up with that?”
“Nothing is up. She’s just a friend.”
“Have you dated anybody lately? I can’t remember you ever having a girlfriend.”
Ali tenses up a bit. “Girls suck.”
“What are you? Eight?” I laugh.
“You haven’t dated anyone either.”
I think back as I finish the beer. “I went out with Jess.”
“Dude. I was there with you guys at the movies. That was not a date.”
“Okay, well, I made out with Rochelle.”
“Making out is not dating.”
“Why are you giving me shit?”
“You’re the one who brought it up.” He laughs and chokes at the same time, sputtering out smoke.
I finish another beer and he smokes the rest of the joint. We’re both feeling pretty good, laughing at stupid shit, and making plans for the summer.
“You’re right, girls do suck,” I say after a couple minutes of silence, leaning back against the railing.
He chuckles. “I know, but why do you say that now? I thought you were gonna go out with Mindy.”
I watch him until he finally looks up at me. Our eyes stay connected for several seconds, and I start having those feelings again. I want to lean over and plant my lips on his. I want to taste his tongue and run my hands under his shirt and feel his body. I want to tangle my fingers in his long, wavy brown hair.
“I don’t want to date Mindy.”
Stuck in this staring contest, the air around us becomes charged with electricity. His head tilts just slightly, like he’s asking me a question without words. I figure now’s a good time to try to drop hints. If it doesn’t go the way I hope, I can blame it on the alcohol and weed.
My eyes roam his handsome face. His skin is flawless and mocha tinted, and his eyes are like honey. I finally land on his lips. They look soft and plump, and they’re perfectly proportioned. His tongue swipes across the bottom one as I continue to stare.
“Merrick.”
The use of my first name feels different and instantly pulls me out of my daze. “Yeah?”
“What’s goin’ on?”
“Nothing. What do you mean?”
“You’re looking at me like…”
“Like what?” I ask, arching a brow.
Once again he glances at my lips, and there’s nothing about the way he’s looking at me that gives off a friend vibe. He’s looking at me like he wants me.
“Like…” he trails off again.
“Like you’re looking at me?”
We don’t say anything else. Instead, we slowly lean toward one another, each waiting for the other to pull away or ask what the hell is going on. Neither of us stops it.
My lips brush against his. We’re cautious, taking our time. One peck leads to two. And then I put my hand on the side of his face and keep him in place as I slip my tongue into his mouth.
He moans which gives me the confidence to keep going. Our kiss turns passionate, and both my hands cradle his face as he fists the sides of my shirt and yanks me into him.
After a good thirty seconds, I ease away just slightly, but my hands are still on his face and his hands are still on my body.
“Ali,” I whisper.
The back door swings open, and the creaking sound sends me and Ali flying apart.
“Merrick.” Elijah’s stern voice steals my attention.
My heart hammers in my chest. Did he see? He looks surprised. Angry. He crosses his arms and narrows his eyes at me.
“Are you kidding me? You’re smoking weed? I could smell that shit as soon as I got out of the car.” He looks past me and Ali and finds the empty beer bottles. “And you’re drinking?” Elijah huffs, his jaw clenching. “Alejandro, I think you need to go home.”
Ali quickly stands up. “Sorry, Elijah.”
My brother doesn’t say anything, he just steps to the side and lets Ali walk through the house.
I wait for him to start yelling and listing my punishments, but he just stands there and watches me. His anger quickly settles into something else. Disappointment? Concern?
“Go to your room, Merrick,” he says with a sigh.
I stand up and slowly lift my head to meet his gaze. He puts his hand on my shoulder, and I suddenly want to break down and cry and tell him everything. But I don’t. I just walk past him and go to my room.
Cover Reveal
Wow, so I just realized I never had an official post for the cover reveal for Risking it All. Here’s the info, put together by the lovely ladies of Give Me Books.

COVER REVEAL
Title: Risking it All
Series: Kingston Brothers #4
Author: Isabel Lucero
Genre: M/M Rockstar, Second Chance Romance
Cover Design: Robin Harper, Wicked by Design
Release Date: September 24, 2020

BLURB
Ten years ago, I kissed my best friend.
Six years ago, my life changed and I went from being an unknown kid from a small town to a world-renowned rock star. Before leaving Gaspar, I told Ali we’d still be together. I made promises I didn’t keep, and I lied over and over again. I threw our plans out the window and made a life for myself.
I’ve barely had time to go home, because touring keeps me away. We haven’t been in touch in years, but after this tour, I’m heading home to find the only person who knows my deepest, darkest secret, and beg for forgiveness.
Ten years ago, I kissed my best friend, and his name is Alejandro Barerra. My Ali.
He may never forgive me for the broken promises or for breaking his heart, and I’m afraid he’ll never want to talk to me again, but he’s the only one who knows the real me, and I’m determined to win him back. Even if it means risking it all.
GOODREADS LINK: bit.ly/RiskingitAllGR
PRE-ORDER LINKS – $2.99 for a limited time!
mybook.to/RiskingitAll
EXCERPT
“Ali,” I say softly.
His eyes meet mine, and we stay connected for several seconds before I can find words. I want to say so much and have no idea where to start.
You look really good.
I’m sorry.
Please forgive me.
I want another chance.
You’re so fucking beautiful.
I want you.
I’m an idiot.
Are you happy?
Do you have a boyfriend?
Do I still have a chance?
“I’ve missed you.”
He rolls his eyes and looks away. “Sure.”
I lean forward and rest my arms on the table between us. “Come on, man. You were my best friend. You were … everything to me. Of course I’ve missed you.”
“I’m surprised you could remember me with all the women you’ve been with over the years. Who were the last ones? The two in Paris? Oh wait, no. There was another one in Germany, right? Two weeks ago?”
I fall back in my chair and let my arms drop to the sides. “Don’t tell me you believe everything they say in the tabloids.”
“So, you’re telling me none of that’s true?” he asks, throwing me a side eye before looking back at the yard.
“Yeah, I’ve been out with women. Yes, I was seen with two chicks in Paris and one in Germany. But I didn’t sleep with them, Ali.”
He snorts, not believing me. “It’s not like it even matters.”
“I want you to believe me, so yes, it does it matter.”
“I’ve believed you before, and you’ve only let me down.”
I run my hand over my face and lean forward again. “Okay, yes. I’m a fucking asshole, okay? I know that. It lives with me every day. Have I slept with women? Yes, I have. I’ve done a lot of things I wish I didn’t, but you don’t understand what it’s like to be me. I’m having to lie to everybody on a day-to-day basis. I’ve been trying to lie to myself. I wondered if I could be with a woman, so I tried it. There’s women around all the time, and I wanted to get off without having to do it myself.
“It’s not easy finding a man to be with when your face is everywhere. How could I hookup with a guy and be sure he wouldn’t run and tell everybody that Merrick Kingston is gay? So, yes, I’ve fucked some women, and I hated myself the entire time I was doing it. I’ve gotten blowjobs and handjobs from them, too. But those women in Paris and the one in Germany? I was not with them. I haven’t slept with anyone in a long time.”
When Ali looks at me again, his eyes hold a sadness in them. Maybe pity. I hate that. I don’t want him to feel sorry for me. That wasn’t the point of my rant. I just want him to try to understand. I want him to know I won’t lie to him anymore.
“Aren’t you tired?” he asks.
I don’t have to ask what he’s talking about. I know he’s asking if I’m tired of pretending. “You have no idea.”
His lips turn down in the corners. “You stopped calling me.”
“You stopped answering.”
“Well, I was mad at you.”
“Was?” I ask, a little hopeful.
Ali sighs and pins me with a look. “You didn’t tell me you were leaving town. You led me to believe we had a future together. You told me you loved me and you left two days later.”
“Fuck, I’m so sorry, Ali.”
I go to reach for him, but the back door opens. “Lunch is ready.”
Ali quickly stands up and makes his way inside.
ALSO AVAILABLE IN THIS STANDALONE SERIES
#1 On the Rocks
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#2 Truth or Dare
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Free in Kindle Unlimited
#3 Against the Rules
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Free in Kindle Unlimited
Fun Fact Friday

The theme for this Fun Fact Friday is about the Kingston Brothers series.
When I first started “plotting” out this series, they were going to a bit different. I have plotting in quotations because I don’t really plot. I get a general idea and sit down and see what happens.
So I knew their names, but Royce was going to be younger than he ended up, but only by a few years. You know Cillian? Our tatted up tattoo artist and painter? He was going to be a writer! He had a whole different vibe. His previous relationship was going to be delved into a little more and kind of have a love triangle vibe with someone who WASN’T Midge. Wanna know why? Midge was never supposed to get her own book. I didn’t plan for her and Cill to get together until I was almost done writing On the Rocks.
One of the brothers was going to be divorced, but I decided to change that. I’m pretty sure it was Elijah.
I always knew Elijah would have the student/teacher theme, and Merrick was always going to be gay, but his story changed a little. At first I was going to have his love interest have a job that put him on the road with him for a little while. They were still going to have a past together, but I decided I wanted him to be in his hometown when their story took place.
If you read Against the Rules, you might remember this little exchange between Merrick and Elijah. “Hey, man. I’m not judging you. You’re attracted to who you’re attracted to.” And that was just a little hint into his story.
Like I mentioned in the acknowledgments in On the Rocks, the town this takes place in was named after my late father. Stores like Nae’s Gourmet Coffee Shop, Flaky Vicki’s, The Teacup (and Doreen who owned it) and Victor’s specialty soda shop are all named after family members. Small characters were named after family members, too.
Stories the brothers told around the table are things that my kids have done. Well, not all of them. And some were some I did as a teen. Hunter was based on an old ex-boyfriend, who I’m glad is an ex. Haha!
As far as the other stories go, more and more kept being added. In Risking it All, you’ll see the name Chaparral. It’s the town Ali lives in, but it was actually the street me and my husband first lived together on. Box O Tacos was a place in my own hometown, but that was actually called Taco Box. And it was me who ate my cheese sticks the way Merrick did, and I always argued that their strawberry Mountain Dew was better than the strawberry Sierra Mist, though my husband would disagree.
Honestly, there’s so many stories that came from my real life I can’t even keep track.
Have any questions about these guys? The stories? Anything? Leave them below and I’ll answer!
Less than a month to go!
Grab your copies now. The first three are in KU!

Think Again/Chapter One
With a curvy body and long, red hair, she’s my complete opposite. I watch from a chair in the lobby as she makes her way to the hotel elevator. The dress she wears hugs her body in all the right places, and I can’t help but wonder if I could pull off the same outfit. Unfortunately, probably not. She has a slight smile as the brass doors close, taking her to a room upstairs. Something about the way she holds herself screams confidence, and her little smirk tells me she’s looking forward to going upstairs and having some fun. With a sigh, I begin flipping through an interior design magazine that was left on the table in front of me.
I’ve been sitting here people watching for a little while now. Earlier, I had a drink with my friend, Carmen, who works at the bar in this hotel. Considering she spends most of her time here, I understood when she wanted to leave after one drink. Since I wasn’t ready to go home, I found a secluded place in the lobby to sit and relax, not wanting to sit alone at the bar.
I browse through the magazine for a while before my phone vibrates, alerting me of an email from my boss.
Aria,
This time next week I need you to pick somebody up from the airport. This is an important person to me, and one who will hopefully be working with us soon. Once I have flight information, I’ll pass it on, but clear your schedule for next Friday.
Scott A. Monroe
M.D.
Great. I get to play chauffeur to the newbie. I don’t bother sending a response, choosing to drop my phone in my purse instead. Scott already knows I’ll do it, because I don’t exactly have a choice since he’s my boss, and honestly, I really like the man. I’m sure he’ll confirm with me on Monday, anyway.
Having a new person in the office isn’t a bad thing, though. With JoAnn quitting like she did last week, we need help at the receptionist desk of the private practice we work in. I wonder why this person is so special though, and why they’re flying in for this job. I’m sure there are plenty people in Anchorage who could work as a receptionist.
I don’t have time to think about it further, because the red-headed woman is back, catching my attention once again. She exits the elevator, looking almost exactly the way she did when she went in. I expected messed up hair and smeared makeup, but I guess even though she’s only been gone for nearly thirty minutes, she had time to freshen up before leaving the room. She either didn’t have sex or it wasn’t that good and didn’t last too long. My gaze stays on her as she walks toward me.
When she sits down on the couch across from me, I go back to pretending to read my magazine. The scent of her perfume invades my nostrils, and based on the strength of it, it would appear she bathed herself in it. The scent is floral and sweet, smelling like one of those Victoria Secret body sprays. I glance over my magazine at her and notice she’s keeping her eye on the elevators. Waiting. Her thick, red hair falls over her shoulders, covering up some of the major cleavage she’s sporting.
I place the magazine back on the table and gather my purse, figuring it’s time to go. She gives me a friendly smile as our eyes meet, and I return it with a quick, tight grin before walking to the other side of the lobby where they sell refreshments. I buy a bottle of water and a muffin, and while I’m waiting for the cashier to give me my change, I look back at the redhead.
The elevator door dings, and I watch as she stands and begins to walk in that direction, her hips swaying with every step. A man comes strutting out, his bright blue tie is loose around his neck, and his black suit jacket looks a little wrinkled. It appears that the dirty blonde hair on his head has been pulled on, evidence of a romp in the sack. Almost as if he can hear my thoughts, he runs his hands through it, trying to get each hair in place.
The woman approaches him, and he looks a little surprised to see her, but she smiles and shimmies her body up next to him. He smirks down at her and says something that makes her laugh fill the lobby.
“Here you go,” the cashier says, grabbing my attention.
“Thanks,” I respond distractedly, getting my change.
When I look back in the direction of the couple, I find that they’re already stepping outside. I put my change in my purse, take a few bites of my muffin before deciding I don’t really want it after all. After tossing it in the trash and taking a few sips of my water, I exit the hotel and take a deep breath of the fresh air. I need to get home before it gets too late, so I hurry to my car and begin my journey.
The drive from the Embassy Suites to my house takes between fifteen and twenty minutes depending on traffic. At the end of July in Anchorage, the weather is just about as perfect as you can ask for. On some days it’s sixty-seven degrees, on others it’s seventy-five. Believe me when I tell you, sixty anything degrees is extremely warm in Alaska. When you hit negative temps in the winter, anything above forty is pretty good.
Right now, even at six-thirty at night, the sun is shining like it’s midday. It won’t begin to go down until sometime between ten-thirty and eleven. Gotta love Alaska.
When I pull up to my two-story home and into the garage, I’m not surprised to see that my husband isn’t home yet. He’s always late coming home from work, telling me his job as an architectural and engineering manager is never done. Aaron is constantly having to finish up plans before certain deadlines, and when he comes home, he’s usually back to work in his office soon after.
As soon as I enter the house, I take off my shoes and leave them in the mudroom before walking straight upstairs. The large and numerous windows in the house let in the natural sunlight, and give you a beautiful view of mountains and trees in every room.
My achy feet take me to my dresser where I pull out something to change into. As I strip out of my work clothes, I take a minute to look over my reflection in the mirror. My blond hair is tied up into a ponytail, and my nurse’s scrubs are the least flattering things I can wear. Once everything is off, my green eyes look over every inch of my body.
I like to think I’m still in pretty good shape. I’m not curvy like the lady at the hotel, but I’m happy with my body. I don’t have huge boobs or a lot of ass, but I think I’m well-proportioned.
I often have to tell myself I’m good enough, but you know, self-doubt always creeps in. I try not to compare myself to other women. There were times where I’d see one woman and think to myself, “Oh, I wish I had her toned legs.” Then another woman would walk by and I’d think, “Oh, I’d love to have her boobs.” Now my thought process is: Fuck it. I am who I am. There are still times when I think I’m not good enough, but I’ll get to the why of that later.
I put on some yoga pants and a tank top, opting to take a bubble bath later, and choosing to eat dinner first. I’m not in the kitchen too long before I have a large bowl of grilled chicken salad prepared. As I’m scooping the mixture onto make my plate, I hear the garage door open.
Aaron strolls into the kitchen a minute later and drops his briefcase on the island.
“Hey. Want some food?” I ask him.
He eyes the bowl of salad and makes a face. “No. I’m gonna grab a shower real quick.”
“Okay. How was work?”
“Work was,” he pauses and lets out a long sigh, “work.”
I give him a small smile and nod.
I’ve been married to Aaron for three years, but we’ve been together for nearly seven. I was just twenty-one when we began dating, and he was twenty-five. Aaron was charming, handsome, funny, and a romantic. He was so easy to fall for.
I was working at a coffee shop while going to college, and he was one of my regulars. Every time he came in, he flirted with me, and eventually began bringing me a single flower with each visit. He didn’t ask me out right away, though.
Every day I anticipated his visit, hoping that that day would be the day he’d ask me out. One of my co-workers kept telling me to just ask him out, but my pride wouldn’t let me do that. I thought I was giving him enough signals without throwing myself at him completely.
Aaron looked like he stepped straight out of a magazine every time he walked into the shop. His perfect smile melted me, his dazzling hazel eyes hypnotized me, his blond hair was strategically in place, and he was always dressed immaculately.
After about a month and a half, he finally asked me out. I fell hard and fast. We were the happiest, most affectionate couple, and our friends gave us shit about it all time. Sickeningly sweet is what they called us. My girlfriends were mad that at such a young age, I was already “tied down” and not wanting to go out with them anymore. I didn’t even care. I didn’t miss the single lifestyle. I had Aaron, and we were happy.
Janna would always tell me I should think twice about settling down so fast, and reminded me constantly that I had only had one boyfriend before him. My co-worker, Mel, would always try to convince me to stay single like her so we could go out together.
I figured they were jealous. Everybody wanted an Aaron, if not Aaron himself, and I had him. I wasn’t going to let my happily ever after slip through my fingers.
Perhaps, I should have thought twice, because like the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.
I walk around the kitchen island and toward my husband. I remove his already loose, bright blue tie, and then his wrinkled black suit jacket.
“I’ll put these in the laundry room,” I tell him. “Bring me the rest after your shower.”
He gives me a hasty kiss on my cheek. “Thanks.”
I watch him disappear upstairs and I’m left alone with the smell of the red-headed woman’s perfume on his clothes.
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He thinks he’s getting away with it.
He thinks karma won’t come back to get him.
He needs to think again.
Men think women are vindictive, and maybe they’re right. But when we get to the point of being cold, calculating, and vindictive, it’s because they pushed us there.
Not only is my husband unaware that he’s pushing me too far, he also doesn’t realize that I just met a man who’s ready to catch me.
I think he’s just my new co-worker.
I think it’s just innocent flirting.
I think I’ll be able to keep my morals.
I need to think again.