by Kay Manis
Oh, shit. I’d left my purse back with Hindley, only shoving money in my pocket, not my I.D. I looked back at the line that was now twenty people deep.
“Nah-toe, nah-toe,” Abbi begged. Well, fuck! There was no way I could hold up the line to run back to the grandstands. Abbi would have a shit-fit.
“She’s cool,” a deep, rich voice rang out beside me. The hair on my arms stood on high alert as my raw, animal desire kicked in. I turned my face to see who was speaking, not at all surprised to find a man whose very presence screamed Sex-on-a-Stick.
He was tall, but then who wasn’t compared to me? I was only five-foot-one on my best day. His hair was jet black and wavy, like mine, but cut short so the natural curls were barely visible, unless you gawked at him like I was currently. He had a strong jaw littered with stubble that you knew he kept just for effect, and it was working. The gray T-shirt he wore was semi-loose, but underneath I could make out a buff chest, rock hard, with biceps that stretched the sleeves to their max. His jeans were black and form fitting, but not skin tight like those stupid skinny jeans pop singers wore. Even though he hadn’t put much effort into the ensemble, he still looked like a model that had just stepped out of a GQ Magazine.
Every part of him was sexy as hell and the buzzing between my legs made me realize it had been way too long since I’d had sex.
Everything about this creature was deliciously enticing, but it was his eyes that really captured my attention. They were each a different color, and at that moment, locked on mine. At first, I was thankful because it gave me the opportunity to study them without looking like an obsessed psycho. One eye was hazel green with golden bursts shooting out from the center, the other a dark blue with chocolate brown flakes scattered around the pupil. I’d never seen eyes so foreboding, yet so cordial and soothing, all at the same time. I could sense from the glow deep within their unique colors, a connection of kindred spirits that mesmerized me in a way that should have sent me running for the exit.
“Nah-toes! Nah-toes!” Abbi cried again, waking me from my lurid thoughts.
“All right already, Squirt. Um, forget the Heineken,” I offered up to the attendant, but it was too late. A clear plastic cup was sitting next to the nachos filled with a familiar amber liquid. “I thought you needed my I.D.?”
He nodded toward the mystery man. “If Pete says you’re good, I believe him.”
Pete? Who the fuck was Pete and why was his word golden?
I turned to face this mystery man, who, with two words, had approved my request for alcoholic refreshment, afraid that my mouth may drop open at his raw beauty. “Uh, thanks, I guess,” I said, trying to avoid direct eye contact at all costs.
“Need a holder?” the attendant asked, waving to the drinks and nachos. I’d completely forgotten only one of my arms would be free while holding Abbi. How the hell was I going to carry all of this shit and her too?
“I have it,” Mystery Man offered, reaching over me to take my beer in one hand and the nachos in the other.
God, his scent was divine, a sensual mix of the outdoors, hickory smoke and honey. What the fuck kind of combination is that? Sounds like an ad for barbecue sauce. Well, he was definitely a condiment I’d love to dip myself into.
“Don’t you need to order?” I asked, trying to avoid his face.
“Pee-tah, Pee-tah,” Abbi cried out, reaching for Mystery Man, nearly falling out of my arms.
“Nachos or Abbi?” he asked me, as if I had an imminent choice to make. God, his voice was just too sexy to be legal. His eyes remained fixed on mine, awaiting my decision.
“How do you know Abbi?” I asked, still overwhelmed by all my senses, which were on complete overload. I mean, come on—his scent, his voice, his face, his eyes. Shit!
Without answering my question, he set my beer and nachos down and slid his large man-hands under Abbi’s arms, scooping her up from my grasp and shaking her high above his head, the shrill of her laughter ringing through the basement of the stadium. His face transformed from sultry and mysterious to jovial and playful in a nanosecond, his lips curving up into a smile revealing teeth so white they could light up the entire arena.
Holy fuck, this dude was hot. I couldn’t remember being this instantly attracted to anyone ever. I thought that only happened in those sappy-assed romance movies. Snap out of your lust-filled erotic fantasy. This asshat just took your baby girl right out of your hands and you have absolutely no idea who he is.
The momma bear in me erupted as I reached up, trying to take Abbi back from his death-like grip. Who was I kidding? The man was a giant, and with Abbi held up so high in the air, it would have taken a fire-engine ladder for me to reach her.
“Give her to me,” I commanded, but he remained unfazed by my demand. “Now!” I shouted, listening as my own voice echoed like a shotgun, causing the entire concessions line to snap their heads toward us.
Immediately, Mystery Man brought Abbi down, but refused to surrender her to me. Instead, he held her close to his chest, his face wrinkled with disappointment because I’d interrupted their playtime. I shoved my hands out toward Abbi, but she shook her head and curled up in a tight ball, hiding her face in his neck. I envied the little shit for being so close to this dude, but he was really starting to piss me off. “Abbi, come on,” I tried to coax. “Mommy will be worried.”
“Pee-tah go,” she argued, pointing back to the arena.
“Looks like you’re stuck with the nachos and drinks,” Mr. Sex-on-a-Stick said, his smug laughter surprising me. The sound should have infuriated me, but instead, it made my body burn and the juncture of my legs throb. Fuck! Not now, Di Grazio, this is your baby, for Christ’s sake. Go get that motherfucker. Before I could think straight, he was halfway up the ramp to the arena and I had to run to catch up with his long strides.
“Miss, don’t forget your food!” the attendant hollered.
I dashed back to the concession stand, scooping up the food and drinks. “Wait!” I shouted, turning around to chase after the sexy man-devil who’d just kidnapped my baby. Instead I ran smack dab into a lean, hard body and I gasped in shock as the beer splashed all over both of us. It was Mystery Man
“Shit!” I shouted.
“Shit!” Abbi repeated with perfect clarity. Oh, double shit! Hindley was gonna kill me if she ever heard Abbi say that. What the hell are you worrying about? Her dad’s favorite word is fuck. It was probably the first word she learned. I howled at the thought of Abbi screaming ‘fuck’ and Hindley having a field day ripping Rory a new asshole.
“Is spilling beer all over me funny to you?” Mystery Man’s voice was low and irritated, any trace of playfulness gone. What? Was he serious?
“Fuck you, asshole, you’re the one who stole my baby,” I spewed, my eyes colliding with his in a myriad of emotions as his face contorted and he lurched back in disgust. I knew I should have chosen better language being in public and in front of Abbi, but this fuckwad deserved it. He was the one that ripped Abbi out of my hands and then planted his beast of a body in front of me.
After staring into his hypnotic eyes for what seemed like an eternity, I drew my attention away from his face, his features morphed into shock from my outburst. My eyes landed squarely on his shirt, which was soaking wet and solidly stuck to his abs. His body underneath was just as I’d envisioned, rock hard and all man. The dude lit my crotch on fire without even striking one match. Now I felt like the asshole.
“Sorry,” I whispered, trying to save my own ego.
“It’s all right,” he said smugly, tugging at his shirt and fanning it in the air, trying to help dry the stain. This guy was obviously not used to such sordid language. What are you talking about? The dude’s an X Games competitor. He knows Rory fucking Gregor. It was true, he probably was used to foul-mouthed dudes, but not chicks. Oh well, welcome to the world of Dana Di Grazio.
After I’d taken in my fill of this sexy hunk of a man, my eyes focused on my own shirt, horrified to discover
my chest completely soaked and my nipples hard pebbles. I reached to cover my boobs, turning another shade of red at the realization that my hands were full, one holding nachos and the other a half-empty cup of beer. I had no way to cover my protruding nipples. Shit! Be cool, maybe he didn’t even notice.
Slowly, I lifted my head, not surprised to find his eyes fixated on my shirt, his gaze lingering on my puckered nipples. I wanted to die of embarrassment right there on the spot. Or maybe it’s the most aroused you’ve been in a long time. His eyes lifted, connecting with mine, and I drew in a sharp breath as the burning hunger within him spread through my body like a nuclear reaction. He was just as needy for me, no matter how disgusted he’d been by my earlier outburst. His focused eyes and flared nostrils left no doubt in my mind.
“We better get you back to Mommy.” Mystery Man broke the silence, shaking Abbi out in front of him, her infectious giggles reverberating through the underground area.
My eyes settled in on his plump ass as it sauntered up the ramp, leading us back to the skate park. The view from behind was every bit as delicious as the one from the front and I knew I was in trouble. Deep trouble.
To read more of Dana and Peter’s love story purchase Extreme Sacrifice: X-Treme Love Series, Book 3
Available now!
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Purchase the bundle pack
X-Treme Love Series, Books 1-4
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You’ll receive Hindley and Rory’s complete story in:
Book 1: Extreme Risk
Book 2: Extreme Devotion
PLUS, you’ll also receive Dana’s story in:
Book 3: Extreme Sacrifice
Book 4: Extreme Trust
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Read the Entire X-Treme Love Series
HINDLEY & RORY
Extreme Risk, Book 1
Extreme Devotion, Book 2
DANA & PETER
Extreme Sacrifice, Book 3
Extreme Trust, Book 4
GENEVA & BERK
Extreme Attraction, Book 5
Extreme Courage, Book 6
HINDLEY& RORY
Extreme Promise, Book 7
Extreme Gift: The New Arrival, Novelette 7.5
* * *
CAROLINE & PAUL
Extreme Beginning: The Prequel, Novella
Also Available by Kay Manis
X-Treme Love Series:
Extreme Risk
Extreme Devotion
Extreme Sacrifice
Extreme Trust
Extreme Attraction
Extreme Courage
Extreme Promise
Extreme Gift: The New Arrival
Extreme Beginning: The Prequel
* * *
Season of Love Short Story Series:
Second Chance Heart
Dance with Me
Fall for You
Kiss Me at Midnight
* * *
Sumner Brothers Series:
His Frenemy
His Regret
His Fling
His Best Friend
His Strategy
Their Forever
His Second Chance
Acknowledgments
I found out when you write a book, there are a lot of people to thank along the way. So here goes…
Kimberly, my daughter (a girl who’s more like me than she’ll ever admit) — You were the first person to believe in my abilities as a writer. My intense, late night therapy sessions with you really are the reason I’m still writing. I can’t thank you enough for making me believe in myself. I love you, shoogie and wish you much success in your own life. I hope I can be there for you as much and as often as you have for me.
Tony, my husband — You’ve been my best friend since we met, and one of my biggest supporters throughout this process. Your belief in me boosted my confidence and made me take this crazy-ass journey into the unknown world called writing. Your support has allowed me the freedom to pursue a dream I never even knew existed. I love you.
Lorrie Anson, my editor — You’ve made me a better writer in spite of myself. You’ve also become one of my best friends. Words can’t express how much your friendship means to me. I truly am blessed to know you. And equally as blessed that you put up with all my psycho bullshit.
Julie, Melody, Christina C. Stacy, Christina B., Jessica, Elisabeth and Jane, my Beautiful Beta Bitches — You girls helped me find the voice within me that I never knew existed. Thank you for giving up your spare time to help me make my series the best it could be.
Resources
The first two books in the X-Treme Love Series deals with tough issues facing some of us today. I didn’t want to leave you, the reader, hanging, especially if you or someone you know is going through the same situations as Hindley and Rory. Below is a list of resources to help guide you should you need it. And please feel free to contact me any time and I’ll be happy to talk to you. Just visit my website for contact information.
wwww.kaymanis.com
Don’t suffer alone!
CHILD ABUSE
National Child Sexual Abuse Helpline
Darkness to Light
www.d2l.org
1-866-FOR-LIGHT (1-800-367-5444)
* * *
National Child Abuse Hotline
www.childhelp.org
1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
* * *
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
National Domestic Violence Hotline
www.thehotline.org
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
* * *
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
www.ncadv.org
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
* * *
SEXUAL ASSAULT
National Sexual Assault Hotline
www.rainn.org
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
* * *
SELF INJURY
S.A.F.E. Alternatives
Self Abuse Finally Ends
www.selfinjury.com
1-800-DONT-CUT (1-800-366-8288)
* * *
Safe Haven
www.self-injury.net
* * *
To Write Love On Her Arms
www.trloha.org
* * *
ADULT LITERACY
American Library Association
Adult Literacy Program
www.ala.org/advocacy/literacy/adultliteracy
* * *
America’s Literacy Directory
www.literacydirectory.org
About Kay Manis
In addition to being an author, I'm also a wife and mom. My family lives in the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin, Texas.
We began homeschooling our daughter in seventh grade (she's off to college now, boo hoo). I'd never enjoyed English in high school, but once she and I started language arts lessons, I realized I was actually pretty good at crafting words and stories.
In January of 2012, after listening to me blather on and on about the millions of book ideas floating around in my head, my daughter finally reached her limit and said, "Just write it, Mom!" They were the four most important words to my new career and a catalyst for everything I've done since. I can't thank her enough for her motivating words and her belief that I could do more with my talents.
I am blessed to have a family that supports all my wild and crazy ideas. They give me the time and the encouragement I need to write and publish the stories that still float around in my head every single day.
I hope you enjoy my books as much as I enjoy writing them. I've always said, as long as people keep reading, I'll keep writing.
Please feel free to contact me at:
www.kaymanis.com
