Becoming Eve (The Becoming Series Book 1)

by RJ Moore

  When I have no more tears to cry, I tilt my head back, looking up at Ian. “You love me?” I ask again.

  “So much,” he says as he wipes the last couple tears away with his thumbs.

  “I love you too.” I half sob and half laugh. Clearly I still have tears left, for they start falling down my cheeks again. I knew I’d had strong feelings for Ian for a while, I just didn’t think we would profess them to each other while having it out with my crazy parents in the house.

  Ian picks me up off the floor, carrying me to the couch. Sitting down, he puts my legs across his lap. “I’m sorry for the way things turned out. If I overstepped my boundaries—”

  I shush him, shaking my head. “You didn’t. I’m sorry you were subjected to that.”

  He grips my chin between his fingers. “I’m not. I am so proud of you, Evie.” When I bite my bottom lip to stop myself from smiling, he runs his thumb over it. He bends his head down and I meet him halfway. His lips softly brush mine before I loop my arms around his neck, deepening our connection. I feel his tongue slide between my lips, claiming my mouth.

  I kiss him desperately, trying to express every feeling that’s coursing through me. Needing some air, I break away so I can lean back against the couch. The day has been an emotional rollercoaster. I’m so thankful Ian was here today.

  “I don’t know what I would have done if you weren’t with me.”

  “You would have done exactly what you did today. You are not the same person you were before. You are one of the strongest and bravest people I’ve ever met—you just need to realize it.”

  I lean in, sweeping my lips across his mouth. “I’m beginning to.” I spend the rest of the night lost in his kisses.

  Six Weeks Later

  “Oh my God! I’m going to die!” I’m panting, squeezing Ian’s hand with all my might. The pain is unbearable and I know I’m not going to live through this.

  “Eve. Look at me!” Scarlett says in a very stern voice. “You’re not going to die. I know it hurts, but I need you to breathe.” I close my eyes, trying to will my body to stop hurting.

  I woke up this morning with mild pain. Scarlett said I was in the beginning stages of labor, but not far enough along to stay at the birthing center.

  I followed her instructions to do as much walking as possible as it could help speed up the process. Going back to Ian’s parents’ house, I walked up and down their stairs until my legs started to ache. When the contractions started to intensify, Ian rushed me back to the center.

  Scarlett checks to see if I am dilated, but according to her, I am still not ready. “Eve, trust me. The first time can take hours. When I had Conner, I was stuck in the hospital for over nineteen hours. It was miserable.”

  I wince when another contraction hits. “Are you sure these are normal? They hurt so bad I can barely walk.” I lean forward, bracing my hands on my thighs.

  Holy shit, these hurt!

  She chuckles. “Trust me. You won’t be able to breathe through the real contractions. You’ll feel a difference when they come. That’s when you need to come in.”

  She has an amused expression on her face, tempting me to smack it right off her. I’m not a violent person, but the pain is making me testy. Ian starts rubbing my back, trying to soothe me, but it only makes me more irritable. I gently push his arm back to his side, trying to muster up a smile so he knows I appreciate his effort to make me feel better.

  We slowly walk out and he asks, “Do you want to go back to my parents’? Walking the stairs is supposed to help.”

  I cringe thinking about walking up and down any more stairs. My legs can’t take it anymore. “Ugh, no. How about the farmer’s market?”

  Grasping my arm, he leads me to the truck. “The farmer’s market it is, then.” Throughout the entire trip there, he keeps sending worried glances my way. I don’t blame him, since I am panting loudly, clutching my stomach. Coming to a stop, I carefully step out while Ian rushes around to help me.

  I only take a break to have a look at some of the handmade baby hats and headbands. I have to keep stopping every few feet, bracing my hands on my thighs to breathe through the pain. People stop, asking me if they need to call an ambulance. I waved them away and keep moving. I’m determined to have my little girl today.

  By the end of the day, all the venders have packed and gone. Ian continues to stay by my side while I make my laps. I almost fall to my knees when I finally understand what Scarlett was trying to tell me. The mother of all contractions rolls through me.

  Seizing Ian’s hand for support, I pant, “It’s time!” I hustle as fast as I can to the truck, praying I don’t have her in the vehicle. I may have watched a video of a woman giving birth in a car on the way to the hospital—probably not the best thing to do now that I’m in the same situation as her. By the time we reach the birthing center, I’m almost to the point of screaming from the pain.

  Scarlett rounds the corner, running to my side. I can no longer walk so I’m lifted onto a wheeled stretcher. I squeeze my eyes shut, yelling out, “I need the epidural—now!”

  I feel my dress being lifted as Scarlett checks me. I sense her move up toward my face before I hear her whisper in my ear, “You’re not getting an epidural. The baby is coming now.”

  A cold breeze runs along my skin as the stretcher is rushed down the hallway into the room. I don’t open my eyes, praying to make it through this, but the pain is too intense. There’s no way I’m going to live.

  “Oh my God, I’m dying!”

  Scarlett voice is stern when she grits out, “No you’re not!” I feel myself being lifted from the stretcher to a bed, then a splash of water hitting the floor. “Her water just broke. I can see the head.”

  I feel like I’m being split in half when a horrible burning sensation sets in. “It’s the burning ring of fire!” I scream out. There is no way a person can take this much agony. I hold my breath, wanting it to be over already.

  “Ian! Get her to open her eyes and breathe. She needs to push.”

  “Evie, sweetie. Look at me. You’re doing so good. Just open those baby blues for me.”

  I do as he says, hanging on every word he’s chanting in my ear. I bear down and push with all my might. I’m to the point where I don’t think I have any strength left to push when the pain is suddenly gone and I hear the sweetest noise.

  “Congratulations Eve. Your baby girl is beautiful.” She places her on my chest and she immediately stops crying. She is so perfect with her little button nose and blue eyes.

  Ian kisses my forehead. “You did so good, Evie. She’s beautiful, just like her momma.”

  Scarlett takes her from me to clean her up. I realize that everything happened so fast I’m not even lying straight on the bed. A nurse giggles, joking that I almost didn’t make it to the bed. She helps me get in the center of the bed, cleaning everything up. As soon as I’m situated and clean, the door flies open to Lacey rushing in with Jane and Lloyd trailing in after her.

  Scarlett carries her over swaddled in a pink blanket and places her on my chest. The whole room swarms around me, trying to catch a peek at her.

  “Well.” Lacey gives me an impatient look. “What’s her name?”

  I laugh. Since they like to give me so many surprises, I figured it was only fair to keep the name to myself. I smile down at my resting baby. “Charlotte Grace.”

  “It’s perfect.”

  I look up to Ian, who’s standing above me with pride in his eyes, and say, “I love you.”

  Bending down to kiss me, he whispers, “I love you more.”

  Want more of Eve and Ian? Don’t worry, their story doesn’t end here. The next book, starring Lacey and Quinn, is coming soon. Here’s an unedited, subject to change, sneak peek at their story.

  Prologue

  Quinn

  My eyes follow the long bare legs as they strut past me. Being New Year’s Eve, it’s cold as shit outside, but do these women care? Fuck no. They take any
chance they get to dress slutty. Not that I’m complaining.

  Leaning back in my chair, I finish the rest of my warm, flat beer out of my red solo cup. I can’t whine too much though; free beer is free beer. I don’t usually come to these crowded parties but since work is so slow, I had nothing better to do.

  Plus, I haven’t gotten laid in almost a month.

  A different set of bare, sexy legs stop in front of me. Toned, long, tan. Probably a fake tan but who in the hell cares? I let my gaze skim up her legs, past her skinny waist, finally pausing on her full, perky tits that are on full display.

  “Did you come here alone?”

  Speaking of getting laid.

  I finally take a look at her face, framed with long, dark hair. She’s hot, undoubtedly because she caked on ten pounds of make-up. I put on my charm, smiling to show off my dimples that women find so irresistible. Add in my black wavy hair with grey eyes and it’s almost too easy.

  I lean forward, resting my elbows on my legs so I can trail my finger across her smooth thigh. “As a matter of fact, I did.”

  She moves closer to me, forcing me to lean back. Taking advantage, she lowers herself into my lap. I can smell the alcohol coming off her breath, her eyes glazed over. This chick is hammered. I usually stay away from the really drunk ones, but say fuck it when she thrust her boobs out, rubbing them against my chest.

  She presses into me, tilting her had back to whisper in my ear. I pretend to pay attention when a flash of blonde hair catches my eye. My gaze searches until it lands on no other than the girl that invades my dreams night after night.

  Lacey Masters.

  The girl off limits.

  My best friend’s little sister.

  I’ve known Lacey my whole life, practically growing up with her since I’m best friends with her older brother. She went from the little girl, endlessly following me and Ian around, to waking up one day, sexy as hell. Ian must have noticed how she’d grown up because he declared her strictly off limits, which included for me as well. We had our work cut out for us, protecting her from every guy that turned in her direction.

  Just then I see her stop, smiling at some douche that walks up to her, putting his arm around her waist.

  Oh Hell no.

  I stand quickly, causing the chick on my lap to stumble off. I grip her arm to steady her, feeling like a dick for almost dumping her on her ass. She instantly latches onto my arm, sticking to my side like super glue.

  I grit my teeth when I see Lacey backed against the wall, the same douche caging her in between his arms. I have to stop myself from growling when she gives him a come-hither look.

  “Why don’t you go find a room upstairs while I go get us some drinks?” I pull the side of my mouth up, attempting a half smile. Her face lights up in excitement before bouncing away toward the stairs.

  Spinning around, I march over to where Lacey is still flirting. After dodging my way through the crowd, I stop right next to her, standing to my full 6’2 height. Crossing my arms, I add a little flex to go with it. The asshat pulls his arms to his side, taking a step back from Lacey so he can face me. I tower over him and have twice the muscle mass so when he squares up to me, I’m not intimated in the least.

  “Quinn?” I look over at Lacey when I hear her surprised voice. “What are you doing here?”

  I inch closer to her, closing the gap between us and lean my shoulder against the wall. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

  “Hey dude, can’t you see we’re talking?”

  I raise my brow at him, putting a bored expression on my face. “I can see that you’re standing there, and I’m talking to her. You can leave now.” Lacey’s mouth drops open and I have to smirk at little. There’s not much that can leave that sassy mouth of hers speechless.

  Shoving off the wall, I loop my arm around her shoulders, not even looking back at the guy. “Walk with me.” This house is packed full of people as I lead her down the hall. I really have no idea what I’m doing but if she’s off limits to me, then she’s definitely off limits to other guys, especially that cock sucker back there.

  Opening a door, I see it’s a laundry room but it’s vacant. I pull her inside, shutting the door behind us. She whirls around, facing me with an astonished look. “What the hell was that?”

  “That was me, saving you from a loser like him.” She crosses her arms, pursing her lips in a pout.

  Jesus, I want to kiss that mouth.

  “You don’t know the first thing about him. We were just talking.” She blows out a frustrated breath, “Why are you and Ian always doing this? Cock blocking me around every turn?”

  Off limits or not, I stride over to her, backing her up until she bumps the washing machine. Her blue eyes widen when I grip onto her waist, hoisting up on the top of the washer. Grabbing her legs, I pull her snug against me. Taking a fist full of her hair, I get nose to nose with her.

  “If you wanted a cock, all you had to do is ask.” She inhales at my crudeness before licking her lips. I know I shouldn’t be holding her in this position. Alone. Drunk. Wanting to taste those lips. Saying such dirty things to her. But my alcohol induced brain doesn’t care.

  A split second later, my mouth crashes down on hers. At her gasp, I take advantage, sliding my tongue inside. She only hesitates for a moment before kissing me back fervently.

  Wrapping her legs around my waist, she clings to me with those amazing thighs of hers, not wanting me to move.

  Don’t worry, sugar, I’m not going anywhere.

  My hand snakes under her shirt, skimming up her toned stomach. When I cup her breast, she throws her head back, groaning. That long, sexy neck of hers is too tempting not to taste. Dragging my tongue up the length of her throat, I latch my mouth under her jaw. She whimpers out my name, almost making me lose the little control I have left.

  “We shouldn’t be doing this,” She gasps out.

  She’s right. We absolutely shouldn’t be doing this. Ian would castrate me if he caught us like this. I need to stop but I can’t. I’ve dreamed endlessly about Lacey. Fantasized about being able to touch her and here she is, wrapped around me.

  “I know,” I manage to utter out before I claim that tantalizing mouth again. I push her shirt up, pushing my hand under her bra.

  Jesus, she’s perfect.

  Right as I’m about to see if they taste as good as they feel, the door swooshes open. Lacey jerks back, righting her top. I don’t move from my spot, too pissed that someone just interrupted my fantasy come true. Turning my head, it’s no other than the drunk girl I ditched earlier.

  Shit.

  This just went from bad to worse. My eyes shoot to Lacey’s to see the lust being slowly replaced with the clarity of what we just did. It’s on the tip of my tongue to yell at the chick to get out, but I know this is for the best. As much as I dreamed of being with Lacey, this is not the way it should be. I would regret it, she would hate me, and Ian would flat out kill me.

  Movement draws my eyes toward the the door. The chick is still standing in the door way and when her eyes meet mine, she smirks.

  “I went upstairs to wait for you like you said but when you didn’t show, I came looking for you.” She glances at Lacey who is still wrapped around my waist and smiles, “I see you found another to add to the party.”

  I look back to Lacey, raising my brow with a smirk. “Well?”

  Her face darkens in anger, which I knew it would. I need to put an end to what I started and if being a dick is what works, then a dick I will be. I leave the smirk on my face but brace in case she decides to deck me in the face. Lacey is one of the boldest, sauciest people I’ve ever met. It’s one of the sexiest thing about her.

  Her lips seal shut and her nostrils flare. She shoves me backward, pushing me even further when she kicks me in the leg. I grunt, stumbling back as she slides off the washer.

  “You’re a freaking pig!” Taking a step toward me, she gives me once last shove before stomping out of the room. Th
e chick in the doorway simply moves out the way as Lacey storms by her.

  I sigh, shaking my head. It’s going to take a lot of work to fix the friendship between us now. I’ll just make sure I’m sober when I try. The drunk girl walks in, shutting the door behind her, and sashays up to me, locking her arms around my neck.

  “So, just us then?”

  I’ve always wanted to write a book, but had no idea how big the book world really is. I am overwhelmed with all the support of other authors, bloggers, and readers. It makes such a huge difference, especially when writing your first novel. I have made so many new and amazing friends that I know I’ll cherish forever.

  To my husband, Kyle, for being the biggest supporter of all time. He would stay up late with me, listening to all my crazy rantings, and ideas for my book. He was always willing to watch our girls while I went off to write at the coffee shop. I absolutely love him, and don’t know what I would do without him!

  To Christine Kuttnauer for beta reading my book! I endlessly voiced messaged her, and she for some reason didn’t block me. She really helped improved my writing from when I first began! You’re amazing!

  To Sara Ney, who introduced me to Christine. Thank you so much! I don’t think I would have been able to complete my book without you. You added me to so many different author groups, and helped me so much along the way, answering all my hundreds of questions.

  To Andee Michelle, for also beta reading for me. Our writing trips to the coffee shop are amazing. You also stick by me to answer my endless amounts of questions! I owe you so much for your help and support.

  Andrea Johnson. I cannot express how thankful I am for your help with promoting my book, and teaching about author takeovers!

  Marisa-rose from Cover Me Darling. Thank you for doing such an amazing job on my logo, cover, and formatting. Everything is perfect!

  Caitlyn with C. Marie Editing. I fell in love with the work you did. Thank you for making my book come to life!