by Monica James
Nick sniffs—the big softie.
“We needed time to get over the past and focus on what’s important—the future. And I want that future to be with you. I now know that you were right. You would have been my rebound kiss, and I would have been yours. But no more…”
Before she has a chance to reply, I round the table and press my lips to hers. She gasps, stunned, but that soon turns to a moan when I conquer her mouth with a feral possession. I don’t care if she’s seeing anyone or who that guy was the night I saw her six long months ago. All that matters is now.
We kiss as though the world is going to end, but as she duels with my tongue, I know this is just the beginning. I thread my fingers through her hair, angling her so I can dominate her—mind, body, and soul.
When her familiar scent of strawberries and cream assaults my senses, I growl and almost pin her to the table. However, Nick clears his throat, reminding me that I am molesting Carrie in a room full of people.
I pull away, which is nothing but a sin, and rub my nose with hers. “Sorry, I had to do that. I know you’ve probably moved on…”
But she presses her finger to my lips. “It’s always been you. The guy you saw me with, he’s in my cooking class. Just a friend.”
“Cooking?” I ask, unable to stop my smirk.
“Yes, it’s time to try something new.” A double-edged sword. “Besides, photography shouldn’t be learned, it should come from here.” She presses her hand over my racing heart. “Just how your book did.”
I’m unable to mute my gasp. “You heard it?”
She nods. “All of it.” So she was here all along. She heard my admission that I love her. So what she says next seals our fate for good. “And my answer would have been…I love you too.”
And there it is…my reason to smile.
“So what happens now?” she asks.
My loins stir, but there is the small issue of the fact we’re not alone. I look down at Nick, who rolls his eyes. “Jayden will be back in fifteen minutes,” he announces to the crowd. “For the inconvenience, you all get a free copy of his book.”
Whether everyone cheers in celebration of a free paperback or the fact I have finally found my true north, I’ll never know. But I bend down and kiss him quickly. “Thanks, mate. I owe you.”
He wipes his lips wildly, shaking his head, but there is nothing but happiness behind his smile. “Just be quick.”
However, when Carrie slips her hand into mine, I know that’ll be an impossible task. “Make it twenty.” I don’t wait for him to argue. Instead, I lead Carrie through the crowd, who congratulate us as I make a beeline for the back room.
The moment we step inside, I lock the door and lean against it as I watch in utter desire as she undresses. “So does our story end in a happily ever after?”
“I don’t know,” I reply, unbuckling my belt. “You’ll have to read it and find out.”
When she’s completely bare, I smash my lips to hers. “But for now…I promise to give you a different kind of HEA.” And I make good on my word. Twice.
So how does our story end? Well, what you hold in your hands is our story, and how we wrote…
Read other books by Monica James
My wonderful husband, Daniel. I love you. Thank you for believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.
My ever-supporting parents. You guys are the best. I am who I am because of you. I love you.
My agent, Kimberly Brower from Brower Literary & Management. Thank you for your patience and thank you for being an amazing human being.
My publicist—Nina Bocci. Thank you for organizing my life. Your support means the world to me. Thank you for always being there.
My editor, Jenny Sims. What can I say other than I LOVE YOU! Thank you for everything.
My proof-readers—Rosa Sharon from iScream Proofreading Services and Lisa Edward. You guys are the best!
Sommer Stein, you NAILED this cover! Thank you for being so patient and making the process so fun.
Christina and Lauren, Tina Gephart, Elle Kennedy, Lisa Edward, SC Stephens, Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward, Adriane Leigh, Pam Godwin, Natasha Preston, Beverly Preston, Natasha Madison, Len Webster, K. Bromberg, Rachel Brookes, Debra Anastasia, Stina Lindenblatt, Sylvain Reynard, J.L. Drake, Jay McLean, Heidi McLaughlin, Audrey Carlan, BJ Harvey, K.A. Tucker, Kylie Scott, Mia Sheridan, Helena Hunting, Tijan, Kimberly Whalen, Gemma, Louise, Heyne, Random House, Kinneret Zmora, Hugo & Cie, Planeta, Art Eternal, Carbaccio, Fischer, Harper Brazil, Bookouture, Egmont Bulgaria, Brilliance Audio, Hope Editions, USA TODAY/ Happy Ever After, Buzzfeed, BookBub, Love Letters Convention—Berlin, Aestas Book Blog, Hugues De Saint Vincent, Nikki McCombe, Mary Matta, Romance Writers of Australia, Paris, New York—Thanks for the support and laughs.
To the endless blogs that have supported me since day one—You guys rock my world. A special shout-out to: Donna Cooksley Sanderson, Ria Alexander, Melissa Teo, Amy Jennings, Mindy Guerreiros, Gel Ytayz, Melissa Gill, Jennifer Spinninger, Vanessa Silva Martins, Cheri Grand Anderman, Lauren Rosa, Kristin Dwyer.
My reader group; My Sinners—sending you all a big kiss.
My beautiful family—Mum, Papa, my sister—Fran, Matt, Samantha, Amelia, Gayle, Peter, Luke, Leah, Jimmy, Jack, Shirley, Michael, Rob, Elisa, Evan, Alex, Francesca, and my aunties, uncles, and cousins—I am the luckiest person alive to know each and every one of you. You brighten up my world in ways I honestly cannot express.
Samantha and Amelia— I love you both so very much.
To my family in Holland and Italy, and abroad. Sending you guys much love and kisses.
Zia Rosetta and Zia Giuseppina—you are in our hearts. Always.
My fur babies— mamma loves you so much! Buckwheat, you are my best buddy. Dacca, I will always protect you from the big bad Bellie. Mitch, refer to Dacca’s comment. Jag, you’re a wombat in disguise. Bellie, you’re a devil in disguise. And Ninja, thanks for watching over me.
To anyone I have missed, I’m sorry! It wasn’t intentional!
Last but certainly not least, I want to thank YOU! Thank you for welcoming me into your hearts and homes. My readers are the BEST readers in this entire universe! Love you all!
Monica James spent her youth devouring the works of Anne Rice, William Shakespeare, and Emily Dickinson.
When she is not writing, Monica is busy running her own business, but she always finds a balance between the two. She enjoys writing honest, heartfelt, and turbulent stories, hoping to leave an imprint on her readers. She draws her inspiration from life.
She is a bestselling author in the U.S.A., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, and The U.K.
Monica James resides in Melbourne, Australia, with her wonderful family, and menagerie of animals. She is slightly obsessed with cats, chucks, and lip gloss, and secretly wishes she was a ninja on the weekends.
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