by T. K. Leigh
Just when I’m about to head back into the bedroom to finish packing, I hear the door open once more. I freeze, barely breathing. Soft footsteps pad into the room and stop for a moment. Maybe two. Then they retreat, the door opening and closing again.
I wait a few minutes to see if he returns. When he doesn’t, I peek into the room. Confirming I’m alone, I hurry to the bedroom door and lock it before heading to my suitcase to finish packing. As I approach, I stop in my tracks. On top of my haphazardly packed clothes sits an origami dove.
A soft smile pulls on my lips as I pick it up, examining it. It’s something we did whenever we got into an argument, which usually revolved around Jessie. It was our way of apologizing to each other. Our way of reconciling.
I don’t think that’s in the cards anymore.
Once I’m dressed and all my things are shoved into my suitcase, I request an Uber, praying the service isn’t down as an aftereffect of the blackout. Thankfully, it goes through. I fire off a quick text to Chloe to let her know.
Requested an Uber. Will be here in ten. Meet me by the front gate.
All I can do is hope she’s awake. Worst-case scenario, she can find her own way to the airport.
When my phone buzzes, I glance at the screen.
Okay. Just packing up.
Shoving it into my purse, I do one last check of the room. Apart from the mussed-up sheets, it looks exactly as it did yesterday when I first stepped over the threshold, blown away by the posh surroundings. Longing fills me at everything I lost in the past twenty-four hours. Then again, two days ago, I never expected to see Asher York. I’ll just forget I saw him. Leave whatever happened in this godforsaken city.
My bags in hand, I open the door and step into the hallway, pausing to listen for any indication that Jessie may be in one of the common areas. Thankfully, I don’t hear him. I don’t hear anything.
With quick steps, I make my way to the lower level as quietly as possible, keeping my eyes forward as I dash toward the front door. The second I’m outside, I exhale, my muscles relaxing. This scenario reminds me of having to sneak out of my high school boyfriend’s house when his parents unexpectedly returned from a weekend trip before either of us anticipated. But this is worse. I knew who I was running from then. Now, I’m not sure.
I head down the walkway, slipping out of the open gate, and peer down the street for our car. Within moments, I sense Chloe approach.
“Hey, Iz.”
“Hey, Chloe.” I shift my eyes to hers, smiling a small smile. She doesn’t have to say a word. I can tell things between Lincoln and her ended as spectacularly as between Asher and me. And she can probably sense there were quite a few fireworks on our end this morning.
We both shrug at the same time and say, “Vegas.”
Our laughter surrounds us as we hug each other. This is what I need right now. To laugh with one of my oldest friends. To feel her understanding. To give her the comfort she needs, too.
“So you’re not going to see him again,” I state.
She pulls away. “What choice do I have?”
I nod, more than aware of her reasoning for not wanting to see Lincoln again, even if they do live in the same city. She’s so used to people disappointing her, she assumes no one would want to be with her if they knew about her mother.
“You’re not going to see him again?” she asks after a beat.
I face her, my eyes brimming with tears. I could finally tell her the truth of what really happened all those years ago and get her opinion. But would any of that matter? Regardless of whether Jessie actually did cheat on me, as I led everyone to believe, nothing could ever come from this thing with Asher. I’ll always be his brother’s ex-fiancée. As he just demonstrated, he will always choose Jessie over me. As he should. After all, I’m just someone he knew once upon a time.
“What choice do I have?”
Thank you for reading MIND GAMES! I hope you enjoyed this little taste of Izzy and Asher. Their full story is coming soon. Pre-order your copy of Dangerous Games today.
Asher York.
Talented musician.
The voice of an angel.
The body of an Adonis.
And the man I happened to have a one-night stand with in Vegas.
Pre-order today!
While you wait for the release of Dangerous Games, this is the perfect time to get caught up on the rest of the series, if you haven’t yet. Check out Dating Games today.
My rules for being a Manhattan billionaire's fake girlfriend... No kissing. No fooling around. No falling in love. What can possibly go wrong?
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Dangerous Games
Pre-order Izzy & Asher’s story here.
Asher York.
Talented musician.
The voice of an angel.
The body of an Adonis.
And the man I happened to have a one-night stand with in Vegas.
No big deal, right? What happens in Vegas… Well, you know how the saying goes.
Did I mention he’s also my ex-fiancé’s older brother?
I walked away, hoping my momentary lack of judgment would stay in the past.
Boy was I wrong.
Now Asher is back in my life, and that flame I’d hoped would flicker and die after our months apart still burns bright.
But can I put my heart on the line, knowing this man has the power to obliterate it? Can I allow myself to come between two brothers?
There’s only one way to find out.
Let the games begin…
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Also by T.K. Leigh
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
The Beautiful Mess Series
A Beautiful Mess
A Tragic Wreck
Gorgeous Chaos
Chasing the Dragon (Deception Duet #1)
Slaying The Dragon (Deception Duet #2)
Vanished (A Beautiful Mess series standalone)
The Vault
Inferno: Part 1
Inferno: Part 2
Inferno: Part 3
Inferno: Part 4
Standalones
Heart of Light
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
The Redemption Series
Promise
Commitment
Redemption
The Dating Games Series
Dating Games
Wicked Games
Dangerous Games
ROMANTIC COMEDY
The Other Side of Someday
Writing Mr. Right
MATURE YOUNG ADULT
Heart Of Marley
For more information on any of these titles and upcoming releases, please visit T.K.’s website:
www.tkleighauthor.com
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When I stepped on that flight to Rome, I never could have imagined the man sitting across the aisle from me would tilt my world on its axis.
He claimed it was fate that brought us together.
But I never believed in such notions.
That was something for the dreamers, the romantics, not someone as practical and pragmatic as I.
Fate had nothing
to do with me walking in on my soon-to-be husband in a compromising position with his secretary.
Fate had nothing to do with me hopping on a plane to Rome, effectively standing up my former fiancé on our wedding day.
And fate certainly had nothing to do with the handsome stranger sitting across the aisle from me, one who would open my mind and heart to things I never thought possible.
Because if fate is real, she's cruel and unforgiving.
I thought I'd left my past behind when I stepped onto that plane.
I was a fool to think I could ever truly escape my past.
Not when it's so viciously intertwined with my present.
Acknowledgments
I was never supposed to write this book. I know. I know. I’ve said that before. In all reality, the best books are those we, as authors, never saw coming. The storyline here may sound familiar, since this was the launching point of Chloe and Lincoln’s story in Wicked Games. But people were curious about Izzy and Asher. So at the end of Wicked Games, I mentioned I’d be publishing Izzy and Asher’s story next — Dangerous Games. Well, this isn’t that. But to write Dangerous Games, I needed to go back and really figure out what happened between them during the blackout… And before then. Originally, this was just going to be a short little novella for my mailing list. But as we all know, I can’t write a short book to save my life, so while I did give my mailing list a sneak peek at early chapters of this, I decided to publish this story for everyone needing a little Izzy and Asher fix while they wait for Dangerous Games to be published.
Writing a book, even a shorter book, requires an army. And I have an amazing army. A big thanks to my hubby, Stan, for putting up with my mindless ramblings as I talk about plot points, not letting him getting a single word in while I work things out. And on that same note, I couldn’t do this without my two amazing nannies, Karissa and Bree, both who take care of little Harper Leigh as if she were her own, allowing me time to write.
A big thanks to my amazing editor, Kim Young, who I’m sure is now used to my crazy publishing schedule, especially deciding to release a book at the last minute (like this one). She’s the only woman I’ve ever trusted with my book babies and I couldn’t be happier to have found her.
To all my blackout girls… Why am I still writing about this dang blackout? This is the last blackout story. I hope… But honestly, this blackout is the reason there is an Asher and Izzy. And I couldn’t imagine not having an Asher and Izzy. So thank you!
Thanks to my incredibly amazing PA, Melissa Crump. Dude. You da best. I’d be lost without you. Or at least have a lot more gray hair than I already do. Love you.
Another big thanks to my betas. I know I didn’t have you read this one, but thanks for NOT reading it even though I’m sure you’re salivating for your Izzy and Asher fix. But I need your eyes fresh and minds blank for Dangerous Games.
To my BFF A.D. Justice… This author biz would suck without your honest feedback about everything. (And thanks for telling me I’m not crazy for wanting to change titles.)
To my fabulous admins… Thanks for keeping everything under control while I hide away and write.
To my review group — thank you so much for taking the time and reading all my books before release. Your passion and commitment to reading and supporting not only me, but so many other authors, is truly humbling and inspiring.
Last but not least, thanks to you for picking up this book and taking a chance on me. I hope you’ve enjoyed this little taste of Izzy and Asher. Their “real” story is coming very soon.
Peace & love,
~ T.K.
About the Author
T.K. Leigh is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Beautiful Mess series, in addition to several other works, ranging from fun and flirty to sexy and suspenseful. Originally from New England, she now resides in sunny Southern California with her husband, beautiful daughter, and three cats. When she’s not planted in front of her computer, writing away, she can be found training for her next marathon (of which she has run over twenty fulls and far too many halfs to recall) or chasing her daughter around the house.
T.K. Leigh is represented by Jane Dystel of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret Literary Management. All publishing inquiries, including audio, foreign, and film rights, should be directed to her.
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