Copyright © 2021 by M.A. Heard.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotation embodied in critical reviews and various other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
The resemblance to actual persons, things, living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.
Cover Designer: Sybil Wilson, PopKitty Design
Cover Model: Tristan E.
Photographer Credit: Wander Book Club Photography
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dedication
Songlist
Synopsis
Tempted Heir
Family Tree
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Epilogue
The Heirs
Trinity Academy
Enemies To Lovers
Connect with me
About the author
Acknowledgments
Dedication
To Leeann,
Do you have any idea how much you mean to me?
Thank you for being by my side every step of the way while writing all 18 books of this epic series.
You’re the best PA in the world.
Songlist
Click here - Spotify
Hold on ~ Chord Overstreet
Till I Fall Asleep – Jaymee Dee
Don’t Deserve You – Plumb
Never Alone – Jesse Bonanno
Settle Down – Matthew Mayfield/Amy Stroup
Gravity – Tyrone Wells
Who We Are – Tristan Prettyman
Synopsis
Christopher Hayes and I have always been close. He’s my best friend. My person. The one who knows all my secrets.
He’s the most sought after bachelor.
Me? I want nothing more than to have my own child.
The instant Christopher finds out about my date with the sperm bank, my best friend takes it upon himself to choose the donor.
Only, no sperm out there is good enough for my eggs.
Then Christopher makes me an offer I can’t refuse. He’ll be my sperm donor.
The last thing I expected was for my best friend to turn into an unrecognizable alpha the instant I said yes.
Christopher Hayes, rich and handsome,
Kissed the girls and made them cry.
When Dash wanted to play,
Christopher decided it was time to stay.
Tempted Heir
THE HEIRS
Book 7
Contemporary Romance in a series of interconnected STANDALONES.
“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” ― Emily Bronte.
Family Tree
CHRISTOPHER MILES HAYES
↓↓
Carter HayesDella Truman
FatherMother
Godmother: Jamie Truman
Godfather: Rhett Daniels
Best Friend: Dash West
DASH MARCELLE WEST
↓↓
Jaxson WestLeigh Baxter
FatherMother
Godmother: Willow Reed
Godfather: Marcus Reed
Best friend: Christopher Hayes
Christopher Hayes, rich and handsome,
Kissed the girls and made them cry.
When Dash wanted to play,
Christopher decided it was time to stay.
Chapter 1
DASH
Dash – 20; Christopher – 22
Looking at Josh, I wonder what I ever saw in him. Sure, he’s attractive, and he comes from a good family, but that’s where it ends. His demands and need to control my life is suffocating.
Turns out he’s nothing but a narcissist.
“Just leave,” I bite the words out. Josh has been going on and on about my friendship with Christopher, and it’s the one subject that’s not open for discussion.
“Leave?” He laughs as if it’s an absurd request. “You have no fucking idea what you’re doing. Don’t push me, or I promise you’ll regret it. We’ve been dating for a year, Dash. You’re willing to throw that away for Christopher? It just proves my point!”
Crossing my arms, I glare at him.
Josh claims guys and girls can’t be friends. Considering that my best friend is a guy, I disagree.
Actually, Josh has a problem if I talk to any guy. At first, it felt good to have a guy be jealous over me, but I can’t stand it anymore.
“Christopher is my best friend,” I snap. “You knew that when we started dating. I will not be told who I can and cannot be friends with. You’re controlling my entire life, and I won’t stand for it.”
“I have to control everything you do because you keep fucking up. Christ, you’re choosing Christopher over me after all I’ve done for you,” he says again, his features tight with anger. “He’s brainwashed you. It’s because I love you that I’m trying to help, baby. Why can’t you see that?”
This is why the fight started while we were having dinner at a restaurant. Now we’re back at the suite I share with my friends while attending Trinity Academy, and I just want to end things with Josh.
Lately, our relationship only revolves around us fighting about Christopher. It all started when Josh told me he didn’t like the fact that I was sharing a suite with three other guys. One of them being my cousin, Ryker, mind you. He said it was only a matter of time before I cheated on him.
Things just went downhill from that point.
Don’t wear that, it makes you look slutty.
Don’t eat that, you need to watch your figure because you know how much I love it.
You’ll study in my suite so I can make sure you’re actually studying.
Wear your hair up, not down.
Those shoes make you look too tall, wear flats.
Little things became big things, and here we are.
I’ve had enough. Screwing with my life is one thing, but I won’t have Josh insult Christopher.
“I won’t stand here and listen to you badmouthing Christopher. You forced me to choose,” I defend my actions. “Let’s see…” Exasperated, I hold out my hands. “The guy I’ve been dating a year who’s trying to control me, or my best friend since freaking birth?” The front door opens, and Christopher and his brother, Tristan, come into the suite just as I say, “That’s not a hard choice to make, Josh. I’ll choose Christopher a million times over the likes of you.”
A slap reverberates through me, sending me sprawling over the tiles. In absolute shock, my hand flies to my throbbing cheek, and only then it sinks in that Josh actually backhanded me.
Oh my God.
Because of the shock, I can only blink as I watch Christopher lunge at Josh. Christopher’s fist connects with Josh’s cheek, making his head snap back from the force. Tristan is right there with his older brother as they begin to beat the living shit out of Josh.
I�
�ve seen Christopher and Tristan angry before, but right now, they look downright murderous.
Ryker comes out of his room and runs to where I’m still on the floor, stunned out of my mind. Taking hold of my shoulders, Ryker pulls me up to my feet, and then his arm wraps around me. I gasp as the reality sinks in while Josh grunts from the fierce blows Christopher and Tristan are delivering.
It’s the first time anyone has hit me. I’ve never even had a spanking from my parents.
Ryker begins to pull me down the hallway as he asks, “Are you okay?”
I can only shake my head as pin-prickles creep over my skin, making my cheek sting more.
Ryker ushers me to my room, and when he shuts the door behind us, it mutes the sounds coming from the living room.
He rubs his hand up and down the length of my back. “What happened?”
My tongue feels numb, and again I lift my hand to my tender cheek. “He hit me.” The words sound weird, as if they don’t belong on my lips.
I feel Ryker tense, but before he can say anything else, the door to my room bursts open. The moment my eyes lock with Christopher’s, the bubble of shock pops. A sob escapes my lips, and I begin to shake my head, unable to believe what just happened.
Christopher grabs hold of me and wraps me against his chest. I gasp against his shirt, and my body begins to tremble. Lifting my arms, I fold them around his waist.
I can’t believe Josh hit me.
It’s absurd.
“I’ve got her,” I hear Christopher say to Ryker. “Go help Tristan get rid of Josh. Make sure that bastard leaves Trinity tonight.”
“Okay,” Ryker answers as he squeezes my shoulder, and moments later, I hear the door shut behind him.
Christopher has seen me at my worst, but this is… the lowest point of my life.
Another relationship went to hell because of my friendship with Christopher. Every guy I’ve dated felt threatened by him.
How do you explain to potential boyfriends that your best friend is a guy? No one can understand that, and it makes dating near impossible.
“I’m sorry,” Christopher murmurs, his arms tightening around me.
I shake my head, taking deep breaths of his earthy scent to help me calm down.
Pulling a little back, I use my fingers to wipe the tears from my cheeks. My breath quivers over my lips as I say, “It’s not your fault.” Shrugging, I can feel the tears building again. I take a couple of seconds to breathe through them. “It was bound to happen.”
Tonight was also not the first time Christopher beat up a guy because of me. It’s as if it’s becoming an unhealthy pattern. I meet a nice guy, and before I know it, he turns into a bastard who Christopher has to fight off.
I’m so done with it all. None of this is worth the chance of finding love.
Christopher moves his hand up to my face, his fingers brushing softly over my cheek. “I meant I’m sorry I didn’t react quicker.”
Glancing up, my eyes lock on his brown ones. They’re still dark with anger, and his mouth is set in a harsh line.
Again the shock of what happened vibrates through me. Unable to believe it, I whisper, “Josh actually hit me.”
Christopher’s hand slides behind my neck, and leaning down, he presses a kiss to my cheek. “He’s an asshole. Okay?”
Feeling Christopher’s tender kiss makes me feel small and vulnerable. All I want to do is hide in his arms where I know I’ll be safe. It feels as if the foundation my life has been built on has been shaken, and he’s the only stable thing left.
“Take a shower while I make coffee,” he says. When I don’t move, he takes hold of my hand and tugs me toward the ensuite bathroom. “Shower, Dash. Put on comfortable clothes. It will help you feel better.”
“Okay,” I whisper, while a foreign fragility strips me of my confidence.
God. I’m pathetic. One hit and I’m shaken to my core.
CHRISTOPHER
Dash looks like she’s about break at any moment. Beating the shit out of Josh didn’t help ease my anger one fucking bit.
The last thing I expected when I walked into the suite was for a guy to hit my best friend so damn hard, it sent her flying. I’m still stunned.
The image of Dash skidding over the floor flashes through my mind, and it makes me want to wrap her against my chest where no fucking guy can ever get to her again.
Rage burns in my chest, and unable to leave Dash to shower, I reach for her facial wipes. Pulling two from the pack, I begin to remove her blotchy make-up. With every wipe, it reveals her way too pale skin. Except for the fucking red mark on her cheek.
I should’ve killed the fucker instead of only beating him unconscious.
Fucking bastard.
I knew there was something off about him. I’ve warned Dash, but she always tries to see the good in people.
I’m angry at myself for letting Dash date the piece of shit. I should’ve listened to my gut and protected my friend.
Fuck.
She got hurt because I didn’t do anything.
When her face is clean, I pull her to the closet, and taking hold of a pair of sweatpants, I crouch before her. I get her to step out of the heels and then slide the pants up her legs and under the dress she’s wearing.
It has life returning to Dash, and I stand back and glance away as she unzips the dress. I hear the fabric drop and keep my eyes on the wall.
“I’m decent,” she whispers a moment later, her voice sounding small and fragile.
Taking hold of her hand, I pull her out of her room and go to mine. I head straight for the bed and tossing the covers back, I say, “Get in.”
Once Dash is lying down, I pull the covers over her. I walk to my closet and quickly strip out of the jeans and sweater before pulling on a pair of sweatpants.
Climbing into bed, I pull Dash closer until her cheek is resting on my chest. I press a kiss to her hair, then ask, “Better?”
“Yeah,” she whispers, but then she brings her hand up to cover her mouth as a sob shudders through her. “Sorry.” Her voice sounds strained, and it fucking breaks my heart.
Turning my body toward her, I hold her tighter while pressing another kiss to the top of her head. “I’m sorry. I should’ve protected you,” I grind the words out before I promise, “It will never happen again.”
The door to my bedroom opens, and Tristan comes in. “He’s taken care of.”
“Thanks,” I grumble.
He comes to sit behind Dash, and placing a hand on her side, he says, “You deserve better than that piece of shit.”
Dash nods against my chest, then mumble, “Thanks, Tristan.”
My brother’s light blue gaze locks with mine. The same anger swirling inside of me simmers in his eyes. We both got our tempers from our father. It’s just harder for Tristan to control his.
Ryker comes to stand in the doorway. “Dash, can I get you something to drink?”
She pulls away from me and sits up. “Water, please.”
Tristan’s eyes drop to my left hand, then he says, “Bring an ice pack for Christopher.”
“Sure.” Ryker disappears down the hallway.
I glance down at my knuckles. They look a little raw, but I’ll be fine. I rinsed off the fucker’s blood before I went to Dash’s room, not wanting her to see it.
Dash takes hold of my hand and lightly brushes a finger near the bruised skin. When Ryker comes back, she takes the ice pack from him and gently presses it to my knuckles.
I place my right hand over hers, then say, “Have some water. I’m fine.”
Dash pulls her hand from beneath mine and takes the bottle from Ryker. After she’s had a couple of sips, she gives Tristan and Ryker a wavering smile. “You don’t have to hover around me. I’ll be okay. I’m just going to sleep.”
She sets the bottle down on the bedside table, then scoots back down under the covers.
Tristan stands up and takes a deep breath before he turns to leave.
&
nbsp; When the door closes behind them, Dash turns onto her side, so she’s facing me. Seeing the tears making her green eyes sparkle like emeralds, I drop the ice pack on the floor so I can wrap my arms around her again.
Dash looks like a doll with her silky blonde hair, fair skin, and eyes the color of dark green leaves. Since I can remember, Dash has been at my side. Being two years older than her didn’t mean shit to me. I’m fiercely protective of her… and tonight, I failed her.
Never again.
What we have… it’s hard to put into words. She’s the other half of me. It’s like we share the same soul. When she hurts, I hurt, and right now, it feels as if my heart has been dug out of my chest.
So why aren’t we dating? The answer is simple. When I was fifteen and Dash thirteen, we made a stupid pact to never date each other. Our friendship is everything to us. It’s all that matters.
But I’m starting to regret the damn pact we made.
“Dating sucks,” Dash whispers, pulling me out of my thoughts. “What happened to all the good guys?”
I begin to brush my hand up and down the length of her back. “You have me.”
“I know.” She lifts her head, and a smile tugs at the corner of her mouth. “But it’s not the same thing. At the rate I’m going, I’ll either end up marrying a narcissist that tricked me into thinking he was a decent guy, or –”
“That will never happen,” I grumble, a frown forming on my brow. “I’ll kill him long before you say I do.”
She lets out a chuckle, but the sadness in her eyes kills me. “Orrrr, I’ll end up miserable and alone.”
I lift an eyebrow at her. “Again… you have me.”
Dash lets out a sigh as she rests her cheek on my chest again. “Yeah, but I want to get married one day. I want a happy marriage like my parents have. I want kids.”
When she’s had time to heal from this, I’ll talk to her about the stupid pact we made. There’s only one problem. If Dash can’t love me as more than a friend, I’m fucked.
Tempted Heir Page 1
