The Dirty Dozen: Alpha Edition

by Kay Maree

  “Fine. Explain your apology.” She accepted the water and took a few sips while she followed his steps back to the chair by the bar.

  “I’ve never believed in anything but sex. Sex was real. It was tangible. It was quantifiable. It was real, where everything about feelings of love wasn’t. I have been with more than my fair share of women, but I didn’t have any attachment to them.”

  “You’re talking about me, right?” Ava said sadly.

  “Well, yes. You and every other woman I’d been with until Tempest.” He got a water for himself. He wasn’t sure if he was saying this right or if he should just call security and then tell Tempest what had happened. “I was rather shitty to you, and for that, I apologize. Not because you didn’t listen to what I said about what we were doing or just ignored it, but because I’ve been in your shoes. I’ve felt a little of what you were going through.”

  “You think you have.”

  “The truth is, we only had one night, and we didn’t do much talking. I’m not sure how you feel so strongly, but that’s not for me to justify. The fact is you felt slighted and wronged, and I didn’t value what you were feeling. I’m with Tempest now, and I hope that doesn’t damage your friendship. I don’t want her to feel guilty because she is with me. I don’t want her to have to choose between us.” Zane wasn’t sure his words were getting through, especially when she stood up.

  “She has been my friend longer than she’s been yours, and I have a little dirt on you that will make her wonder what kind of man you are.” Ava’s smug smile shouldn’t have worried him, but he’d not been a saint at all. Would her words break the fragile bond he and Tempest were trying to cultivate?

  “What do you need to tell me?” Zane didn’t know which one of them was more shocked to see her. It was like she appeared out of thin air.

  “Oh, umm, I was going to talk to you about it later.” Ava looked down at the floor.

  “You were trying to shake Zane down? What were you going to get?” Tempest moved to stand in front of Ava as she waited for an explanation.

  “I wasn’t trying to shake him down. Gees, what are you a gangster?”

  “I watch too many shows with lawyers in them.” Tempest took a quick glance Zane, before returning her attention back to her friend.

  “If I wanted something, it would be my friend back. We barely talk, and because of who your boyfriend is, we can’t talk about him. You used to be one of my favorite friends, and I don’t see you.”

  “What do you think you have on him?”

  Ava shuffled a little before she spoke. “I know how into your career you are and how you don’t like people giving you a leg up just because you want to be known for your work, not from climbing up the latter on your back and or knees.”

  “Yes, I said that.” Tempest was trying to get this story out, but Zane could tell Ava was getting on her nerves.

  “The charity you did with Zane. He knew he was working with you before the announcement on the day of the matchup.”

  Tempest swung around and pinned him with a glare. “Is that true? Be clear and careful with your words right now because I know that we spoke about this, and you told me something different.”

  “Let me explain.” Zane stood up and walked toward Tempest.

  “I told you I had dirt on you.”

  “The fact that you didn’t tell me but wanted to lord it over Zane doesn’t put you in a good position to gloat. I’m not sure what kind of friends we are. You wanted me to use my pussy as a weapon for some non-existent slight on your honor and I was so into this guy I’d have taken any excuse to do it.” Tempest put her hands to her temples, and Zane wanted nothing but to make sure her stress didn’t escalate so high she got a migraine or something. “I have to leave.”

  Tempest’s eyes were squinted like she was in pain, and he just couldn’t let her leave not knowing the truth.

  “Wait.” He didn’t say it loud in case her headache had started. She didn’t answer him, but she’d stopped walking. He moved toward her and gathered her in his arms before bringing them both down on the couch. “I want to explain myself before you go off to think or try to distance yourself from me. I’m calling in my win right now. I know it was so you would listen to me in the bedroom for a week, but I’ll trade that for you to hear me now.”

  She had her eyes closed and her face against his neck, but he felt her small nod.

  “We had to choose a designer based on the portfolios they’d chosen. They asked me to take part as a local designer who had an international following. It was pretty much guaranteed that I would be the one who got the bid because of my standing. However, I chose the portfolio I thought had the best range, insight, and uniqueness. Here is where it gets hairy.”

  The scoff at the door reminded him that Ava was still there. He’d forgotten all about her.

  “Shut it, Ava.” Tempest practically whispered.

  Zane gave her a look that he hoped told her he didn’t want to call security, and if she would stop she could hear the explanation as well.

  “When I’d met you at The Book Bar, you said you had to get home because you had a big day tomorrow. I wondered then if you were in the challenge.”

  He took a minute to stroke her back in case this was the last time she’d allow his hands to be on her.

  “I asked Lyric if you were in the challenge, and if I’d chosen your work. She’s a big fan of yours and knew both answers.”

  “She wasn’t supposed to tell you that. It was supposed to be a secret.”

  “Lyric is a big fan of my work as well, and I can be quite charming when I want to be. That’s not the point.” He cleared his throat and started again. “I’m not willing to say that if the answer wasn’t what I wanted it to be that I wouldn’t have gone further, but when you asked me, I told you the truth. I’d picked your work blind.”

  Tempest picked her head off his shoulder and looked at him. He hated that her beautiful chocolate brown eyes were watering, but it didn’t appear that she would leave him.

  The door slammed, and Ava left.

  “It was my magical pussy that made you want to work with me, isn’t it?” She kissed the corner of his mouth quickly.

  “I’d only had a taste, but the allure of that being real was intriguing.” He gathered her to him. “The truth is I’d never met a woman like you. I’ve been fascinated by the myth of you for a while. It’s like I was a Loch Ness monster, and I heard tales that there was someone else just like me, but a woman.”

  “So, we are matching Loch Ness monsters?” Her expression was quizzical but amused.

  “That sounded way cooler in my head than it did coming out of your mouth.”

  “Things like that can happen.” Tempest put her hand on his cheek and rubbed a bit before she remembered. “I brought you lunch.”

  “Are we celebrating?”

  “Yes. It’s almost our third week anniversary. We completed the charity event, and the world is ours.”

  “Those all sound like amazing reasons to celebrate.”

  “I even got you a gift.” Zane stood up and walked to his desk, bringing the bag Tempest had set down with the food in it. He sat back down with Tempest and rolled out his creation.

  She looked at the dimensions and moved the paper around. “This is too small to be a house. There are no bedrooms in it.

  “It’s a she-shed. I’m making it for you in the back yard.”

  “In my back yard?

  “In the back yard behind my house.” Zane opened up the box with the food in it and forked up some of the tostada to bring to her mouth.

  She chewed the food, but she didn’t blink.

  “I need to come clean on that one. I want you to move in with me, and I was going about it by giving you something that would make you want to stay there.”

  Tempest smiled like she’d won the lottery. “So, this is you asking me to move in.”

  “Yes.”


  “Then, this is me saying Yes.”

  EPILOGUE

  TEMPEST

  3 months later

  “Are you sure you want to go through with this? The woman is pissed, and I can’t say I blame her.” Zane sat on the barstool next to her. He rubbed her back like she needed easing.

  “It’s been three months. I get she’s mad, but I have to try this.” She tried not to lean into the big warm hand that was rubbing the base of her back and soothing her nerves.

  “Do you want me to come and talk to her with you?”

  Tempest looked up at him and could tell from his expression that he was serious. “I don’t think that would work well since you’re the reason that we aren’t talking. Well, you and the fact that I fell for you.”

  “I know you don’t want me to go with you, but I want you to know that I would. Regardless of if she’d like it or not, or if it would help or not. I’d be there for you… for anything.” That was one reason they were together. He just got her even when she wore a mask. It was like he was immune to her bluster and could take her bluntness. That wasn’t a combo she’d seen in a man before.

  Leaning over, she kissed the side of his mouth. It wasn’t a sexy kiss, but one of thanks.

  “The night I propositioned you was one of those nights where I questioned my sanity, but I couldn’t stop myself. What came after… I’ll always be grateful for. I have no regrets and I don’t want you to have any either.” He put his forehead on hers. “If you think you can fix this, then I believe you. After the way I changed for you, I halfway believe you really do have special powers.”

  She backed away from him with a smirking smile. “I do have special powers. You can believe that all the way.”

  “I’ll let you show them to me again after this, but for now… your friend is waiting for you.” Zane stood up and helped Tempest off the stool. “I’m here if you need me.”

  Tempest faced him as she took a few steps backward. “Always Prince Charming.”

  “For you, yes.” He gave her a nod that felt like a hug, and she spun to say her piece.

  Ava sat at a table seen from the bar, but she wasn’t sure exactly when she’d gotten there. The look on her face was a sneer, and it was hard to see her sweet-hearted, optimistic friend looking more bitter than Tempest had ever seen her.

  “Looks like you turned him around as I’m sure that sweet little scene was not for me,” Ava said as Tempest sat down in the chair across from her. “I get that you’re happy, and I get you’ve found love. I heard his explanation before I walked out so… okay. I get it, but I know why you called me down here just to rub my face in your happiness.”

  “I didn’t.” Tempest moved her chair closer to Ava’s. “Do you see that guy over there talking to Zane?”

  “Ummm, the billionaire Benjamin Campbell? Yes, I see him.”

  “He was dumped by his fiancé right before his wedding a few months ago, and the woman is now getting married to someone else, but get this... She invited him to attend.” Tempest knew that Ava liked tea more than all the English people in the world. She knew the woman wouldn’t be nonchalant about that.

  “Really?”

  “Yes. The man I heartbroken, but he wants to go to the destination wedding to prove he’s not pining for her.”

  “Good move. I’d do the same thing.” Ava said before calling over the bartender. “I’ll take a dirty Shirley, and she’ll have an extra dirty martini?”

  “Thank you for the drink and I knew you’d feel that way.” Tempest didn’t feel the slightest bit angry that the side-eye directed toward her wasn’t the friendliest. That would take time. “I have a proposition for you.”

  “What you want me to sleep with him, so he’d fall in love with me?”

  The hostility was deep. Lying still and taking it wasn’t her strength, but in for a penny… in for a pound.

  “I was thinking the opposite. You go to the destination and not sleep with him. Show me how it’s done. No sex, no fun, just go as friends, let the family and friends see he’s happy and moved on. Then, come home.” Their drinks came, and they both took a few healthy sips.

  “What does this prove?” Ava asked, squinting her eyes at Tempest.

  “I just want you to see what happens. Maybe you’ll fall in love with him, or he’ll fall for you. There is no guarantee, of course, but I’d like you to see how the best-laid plans can go awry. If you can stay with him for the thirty days of the vacation and wedding, and nothing happens, then you’ve shown me. We don’t have to speak at all, but if you feel something, you’ll see how difficult it is to control your attraction. Then, we get back to the business of being friends.”

  “Who says you can control friendship either?” Ava pouted and took another sip.

  “I guess you’re right. Maybe I’m wrong for asking you to try, but I feel like we’ve changed spots. You were the one who was searching for forever and when you asked me when I would find love, what did I say?”

  Ava gave a tight smile and shook her head before taking another sip of her drink. “You’d say, ‘How about never.’”

  “You think Benjamin Campbell is my forever?”

  “I don’t know who your forever is, but I know you need to think more about love than anger. It’s changed you. I’ve changed you, and I’m so sorry.”

  “Who is supposed to pay for this thirty-day excursion?” Ava seemed to warm up to considering the trip.

  “Well, Benjamin, of course. That will be one expensive trip especially since he will be paying for your clothing, food, travel, and pocket money.”

  “So, I’m an escort?” Ava drank the rest of her drink down. “I guess I’m in.”

  Tempest gave thumbs up to Zane who lifted his drink to them. When she turned back to Ava, she was shaking her head.

  “The two players have hooked up to become playmates. Hell has definitely frozen over.” Ava said with a small smile.

  “That just means that anything can happen.” Tempest stood from the table. “Let me introduce you to your fake boyfriend.”

  “Lead the way.”

  The End…for now.

  Want to find out if Ava is up for the challenge? Look for

  What About Forever in 2020

  About the Author

  Leela Lou Dahlin has loved reading for as long as she can remember and writing for just as long.

  Molding letters into words, words into chapters and chapters into spicy romances with a sidecar of sweet.

  An RN Case Manager with 5 wonderful children by day and writer by night she enjoys meeting amazing characters and watching them fall in love.

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  https://thedahlingirlblog.wordpress.com/

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  His Warrior’s Heart

  ANN MICKAN

  HIS WARRIOR’S HEART

  Copyright © 2019 by Ann Mickan

  The right of Ann Mickan to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her under the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000

  All rights reserved. This publication (or any part of it) may not be reproduced or transmitted, copied, stored, distributed or otherwise made available by any person or entity (including Google, Amazon or similar organisations), in any form (electronic, digital, optical or mechanical) or by any means (photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without prior written permission from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

  Blurb

  Someone called me a warrior the other day and I laughed in their face. Obviously, they don’t know me very well. I’m more of a lover than a fighter, and I’m definitely no gla
diator. But then again, who really knows what a man is capable of when it comes to the people and things he loves.

  In my whole life, I’ve never really let many people in, and even less so over the last five years. Now my worlds centred around Caleb and making sure he is safe and happy, and providing him with a solid future. I guess, in that respect, I might just be a warrior after all.

  ~*~

  Warrior can mean anything from “a person who is known for being involved in warfare,” to “someone who fights in battle and is known to have courage and skill,” even “someone who is engaged in some struggle or conflict.” Each of us, on any given day, has the opportunity to be a warrior. Sam Cullinan never knew he had that warrior spirit within him until he was faced with a battle to protect what mattered most to him.

  PROLOGUE

  It’s often been said that life wasn’t meant to be easy, but there are times when I wish it could be, or at least not so bloody hard.

  I mean, seriously, there are days when it seems the whole world is out to get me. If it’s not the bank, it’s some government department, and if it’s not them it’s Mother Nature or even my own mother. I can cope with all of that, after all, the bank and government people are just doing their jobs, for the most part, and providing I meet their deadlines and requirements they pretty much leave me alone. Mother Nature seems to be a bit of a bitch who’s hell-bent on grinding us all into the dirt, but until she gets over herself and decides to let it rain again, we just have to get creative with how we manage our farms and be patient. My mother, Carol, means well and I really do appreciate everything she does for me, just sometimes I wish she wouldn’t fret over Caleb and I so much. We’re doing okay, all things considered, I just wish she, and everyone else, could see that.