Redeeming You: An Enemies-to-Lovers Cocky Boss Romance (Only You)

by Vic Tyler

  There has been no greater joy than to become one with you, and if fate permits it, I’ll fill you with my love for the rest of my life until you’re dripping with it.

  My nightmares are of your smile, your lips, your eyes, your touch. Everything I crave, and everything I fear losing. You drive me mad every time you breathe.

  And if I die, my greatest regret will have been not telling you how much I love you.

  I’m not a man of many words, but you have the power to make Shakespeare of me.

  You should, as Hemingway once said, “know I’m not impatient. I’m just desperate.”

  Hopelessly in love with you,

  Desperately yours,

  Benji Reed

  Hello Maria love,

  Benji’s fine. He got food poisoning. Pretty bad, but he’ll live. He was sweating a storm when he insisted on writing you a letter. I didn’t read it, but I figured I’d slip in a little note telling you he’ll be a–OK.

  Nick

  Dear Maria,

  Fuck off, Grant. Stop reading my girlfriend’s mail. It’s illegal, and I’m sending the FBI your address.

  Benji

  Maria,

  It’s been a while since I wrote a letter because of that catastrophe when I was sick.

  And I’ve had a lot of time to think about things.

  This whole long distance thing isn’t working for me. It’s annoyingly difficult, and I realized my feelings have changed since I left.

  It’s been on my mind, and I’ve put it off for a while because I thought maybe it was a passing phase. Nick told me not to be impulsive and warned me to think about it more.

  We’re just incredibly different people, and after everything, even you should know you deserve better than this. You’re too good for the likes of me.

  I told you I’m selfish, right?

  So even though I don’t deserve you, I’m going to monopolize you.

  You’re going to be stuck with this good–for–nothing man, hopefully until death do us part. Otherwise, this letter is going to be fucking awkward.

  I’m dropping this off in the mailbox right before I board the plane back to New York.

  Nick is letting me go back for the Nat Geo progress meeting for the mid–assignment update, but if I’m going back to America, I’m going to see you first.

  And when we go to change your name from Michele Ariadne Lennox to Maria Lennox,

  I want you to think about whether you’ll change it again from Maria Lennox to Maria Reed.

  I mean, not for a long time. It’ll be pretty far in the fucking future.

  But… think about it.

  (Although if you say yes now, I’m going to be tempted to sign that marriage registration form and consummate our marriage right then and there.)

  I can’t imagine the rest of my life without you, let alone whatever may come after it.

  Eternity is not long enough for us, but

  since forever is the best we can do, I am

  Forever yours,

  Benji Reed

  FROM THE AUTHOR

  Thank you for finishing Redeeming You!

  Your opinion matters!

  Whether you loved, liked, or weren't crazy about Redeeming You

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  Reviews are the bread and butter to all authors (and I am crazy about my carbs!).

  Hearing your thoughts helps other readers find the book and us authors for our future work.

  It is so, so, so important — more than you can possibly imagine.

  Something as simple as you writing a few sentences totally makes my day and gives me the warm fuzzies inside. :) So share the love!

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  VIC’S SCRIBBLES

  This is my debut novel, and I hope you enjoyed it!

  When I first started writing, I agonized over what exactly I wanted to write and immortalize on paper (or screen).

  Benji and Maria slowly but surely took shape, and in the end, I just told their story as it happened. They hold a very dear place in my heart now, and I’m already agonizing over how I’m going to move on to write my next work! But I’m excited about it, and I hope you are too!

  I couldn't have done this without many people, so a big shout out to everyone who supported me throughout the making of this book.

  To CommendablyYours, the awesomest beta reader ever! All my characters send their kisses and hugs to you. After all, your input is invaluable to their very being. <3

  To my ARC team! Your words are so precious and meaningful to me and your support irreplaceable. Thank you for all your diligence and kind words! It totally makes my day when you ask me when my next book is coming out. <3

  Rain, thanks for listening to me and pushing me to finish. I don't know what I'd do without you!

  And to all who've worked with me behind the scenes, xoxo.

  Thank you!

  visit my WEBSITE

  join me on FACEBOOK

  read with me on GOODREADS

  tweet me @ TWITTER

  Support me on Patreon!

  Or talk to me DIRECTLY

  at LoveVicTyler@gmail.com

  More Books by

  Vic Tyler

  The Only You series

  Standalone books about sexy men, strong women, and the feelings they try oh–so–desperately to fight.

  Adoring You

  (novella)

  Synopsis  Excerpt

  Redeeming You

  Unchaining You

  (coming soon)

  Synopsis  Excerpt

  ADORING YOU

  Buy now on Amazon

  Just when I think I have it all, I meet him…

  I have everything I ever wanted.

  International fame. Broadway glory. Glamour and stardom.

  What more could a girl ask for?

  Certainly not a man who ignores my presence…

  An accident put me in the path of the world–renowned musical prodigy, Peter Lennox.

  Literally.

  I certainly didn't mean to fall on him. Or for him.

  But that doesn't mean he should pretend like I don't exist.

  The only thing on his mind may be his work and his music, but I'm determined to make my place in his heart.

  As long as he doesn't break mine first.

  ***

  Reviews

  "Adoring You was a dazzling love story that captivated me and made my heart melt over and over. I love Tyler’s message about passion, love, and life. It was a short, but there was also a lovely emotional depth weaved throughout the novel. It’s a story you’d want to savor and share.

  This was truly a pleasant, irresistibly swoony, and deliciously satisfying read."

  Sincerely Karen Jo, blog

  "A slow build romance, it was sweet and sexy and proves that love at first sight is possible."

  Fiona Fog, Goodreads

  "It's sweet and a little sexy and a whole lot romantic. It's a short read but full of love."

  KeriLovesBooks, Goodreads

  UNCHAINING YOU

  Coming May 23, 2019

  If he hates me for what happened 8 years ago, just imagine how he feels now…

  Do I feel bad for hooking up with the one who broke my heart?

  … No.

  Should I feel bad about blackmailing him for a job?

  … Probably.

  But to be fair, I need the money.

  Life’s kind to some people.

  Exhibit A: Devon Leo

  Hot, brooding loner in high school → hot, brooding, billionaire tech tycoon who’s an international mans!ut.

  Exhibit Me: Skylar Kay

  Your everyday average nobody → college–dropout, moonlighting–stripper nobody who’s dr
owning in debt.

  The least he can do for breaking my heart is give me a job.

  Yeah, the one I blackmailed him for.

  I just didn’t think the job was for a position under him.

  I’ll have to be careful not to get under him. Again.

  Because this time, his reputation isn’t just on the line.

  My heart is.

  Two more books in the Only You series to be announced at a later time.

  EXCERPT FROM

  ADORING YOU

  “Who is that?”

  Jorge Espinoza raised an eyebrow at me.

  “Who?”

  His voice boomed from one end of the lobby to the other.

  After a hard jab to the ribs from my elbow, the handsome Chilean man quieted with a grunt, rubbing his side.

  Dammit, Jorge.

  A ripple of curious faces turned to look our way. Masking my gritted teeth with a breezy smile, I playfully slapped Jorge’s arm, pretending to laugh at something he didn’t say.

  With nothing to see, people disinterestedly looked away, resuming their conversations and mingling.

  Immediately, Jorge and I glared at each other, tension sparking between us. He should’ve considered himself lucky that my opera gloves padded the attack, otherwise my bare, bony elbows would’ve done a lot more damage.

  In the periphery of my vision, I saw that the man that I had been inquiring about didn’t so much as glance towards us. Which seemed a little strange. There was no way he didn’t hear Jorge. He’d have to be deaf not to.

  But just in case he decided to act on some delayed curiosity, I casually turned to face away from him, my eyes glazing over the bobble of coiffed and gelled heads of the ladies and gentlemen clad in their sophisticated black tie attire.

  It was like a sea of satiny penguins floating around with flutes of champagne in one or both flippers – I mean, hands – as they waited for the doors to the auditorium to open. The long stretch of lobby was complete with tall cocktail tables with intricate centerpieces that the crowds weaved around like a maze. Pristinely clear windows spanning from floor to ceiling surrounded the sides, although there was no audience peering into our little enclosure. Animal Planet has never been classier.

  Tonight was my first public social appearance after my Broadway debut, and I could think of nowhere better to introduce myself to high society than right here at the acclaimed Spring Gala of the New York Philharmonic.

  After all, my opera debut had been across this very plaza at the Metropolitan Opera House – a stroke of luck when the singer for Frasquita in Carmen got pneumonia and was incapacitated for months, so I was ushered in from being an understudy to a billed singer.

  Well, not lucky for the unfortunate soprano I had replaced, but I made sure to send her the fluffiest pillows for her hospital room and a year’s supply of peppermint and eucalyptus tea.

  Broadway was a second stroke of luck when my friend, Lena, suggested I audition for the acclaimed lead role of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera. I hadn’t expected anything to come of it, but when, to even my surprise, I got the role, I became famous overnight.

  Even though I knew I’d see my name in lights one day, I hadn’t expected it to be so soon. Michele Deveraux, in picture and name, was plastered, pinned, and printed everywhere. My name was on everyone’s lips and in everyone’s ears, whether they liked it or not.

  There were, of course, the others who whispered behind my back, without any bother to be quiet, either. The operatic purists raised their noses at me, spitefully jeering about how disgraceful it was for an opera singer to have sold out. To play on Broadway of all places, can you imagine that?

  And that is why they’re stuck as nobodies in an art that struggled to conform to modern tastes. Some of us aren’t allergic to innovation.

  But that didn’t stop them from sidling up to me with poisonously sweet smiles, cooing and purring to get in my good graces. Now that I was a household name, I was not only a threat and rival but a golden ticket to fame, fortune, and open doors. Their two–faced machinations were amusing to say the least, and I admit I’ve done my fair share of teasing to see how low they’d kneel for the opportunity on stage. Shame they didn’t realize that I wasn’t the type to share the spotlight anyway.

  But the only spotlight that truly mattered to me was here.

  New York City.

  Home sweet home.

  I had been away for weeks now, busy with interviews, performances, and the like. Now that I was back, I hadn’t realized how much I missed it here. Some things never change.

  And thankfully, some people never change. Like Jorge. While a few of my so–called friends had suddenly undergone a personality change after my newfound fame, Jorge welcomed me back with a bottle of wine, some choice words, and an all–too–manly slap to the back, which I returned with equally feminine jabs.

  He was already used to the fame and attention, having become one of the youngest assistant conductors ever in the New York Philharmonic. Not to mention, the man was tall, dark, and handsome. Not much mystery to him, but I suppose the transparency added to his charm. What you saw was what you got, and especially in this industry, it was a refreshing change of pace.

  We were equally rambunctious and lively, a great pair at parties and gatherings, but we were much too alike for comfort. We shared the stage well, but both of us enjoyed being our own center of attention too much to be anything more than friends.

  But struggling for centerstage was hardly ever an issue since Jorge and I drew our own separate crowds wherever we went. Even today, after being at the gala for only an hour, nearly everyone had offered me at least a word of congratulations, if not eager to draw me into a conversation.

  Which only brought to my attention the one particular person who had hardly paid me any mind.

  I glanced back at the mystery man, even though I was still facing the other way. With a light nudge to Jorge’s arm, I leaned in to speak quietly to him.

  “Who is that man over there?” I muttered, glancing over my shoulder and jerking my chin towards the person in question.

  Jorge opened his mouth to speak when I hissed, “Quietly, or else I’ll drive my heel through your foot this time.”

  He grumbled and lowered his voice, which wasn’t all that quiet, but at least the sound wouldn’t travel beyond the few people within our radius.

  “Peter?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. He snorted, “Didn’t you read the program? That’s Peter Lennox, the guest conductor for the evening.”

  Jorge looked at me, seemingly waiting for a response or a reaction of some sort, but I didn’t answer. Because that would be admitting that I had, in fact, not looked at the program.

  Yes, it was petty. But I was feeling bitter that I hadn’t been asked to sing at tonight’s Spring Gala. I refused to even look at her name on the roster. Andrea Botticelli. The budding mezzo–soprano and I debuted around the same time and were, quite unfortunately, often compared to one another. She was a gaudy and ostentatious person in her own right, but her performances were exaggeratedly boisterous to hide the lack of refinement in her technique.

  Even if I hadn’t been a front contender, it was preposterous that the New York Philharmonic didn’t ask the veteran voices of the classical musical world to feature in the gala tonight – the esteemed prima donnas I deigned to join the ranks of one day. But instead, they went with that two trick pony with the excessive vibrato.

  “Am I supposed to know his name?” I sipped bubbly champagne from the flute in my hand.

  Jorge shook his head incredulously. He looked at me with patronizing pity etched on his face. “Sweetheart, if you want to stay relevant in this business, you better learn his name. Like, yesterday. Haven’t I mentioned him before? He’s one of my closest friends.”

  He might have. Jorge talked so much I found it difficult to listen to everything that came out of his mouth.

  “And why should I know his name?” I asked curiously.

&nbs
p; “For the same reason you should and do know mine,” Jorge scoffed. “He’s one of the best conductors of our generation. We graduated from Juilliard together. While I went for my Master’s afterwards and then onto the New York Philharmonic, Peter traveled all around the world. He’s either guest–conducted at almost every notable orchestra or trained under their conductors.”

  “If he’s so esteemed, how come I haven’t heard of him?”

  “Maybe if you got your head out of your own ass once in a while, you would’ve,” Jorge chuckled.

  His lungs blew out an “oof” as I elbowed him again. With a mischievous glint in his eye, he ruffled my head with his huge hand, messing up my painstakingly styled, perfect chignon. He cackled as I hissed at him.

  As I grumbled and patted my hair, Jorge scratched his manicured beard. “Peter likes to fly under the radar. He’s not interested in the glitz and the glamour like us, darling. He spends all of his time in front of music scores and listening to recordings. While he’s not widely known by the media, he’s highly regarded within the tight circles of our people.”

  He emphasized the last two words, looking pointedly at me.

  I ignored him, still adjusting my hair, and he continued, “If you didn’t know him before, then get to your research, little grasshopper. That man is a force to be reckoned with. Unparalleled in how he recreates and interprets the music. You want new, fresh, innovative, and controversial? That’s him. A true artist.”