Dance for Me

by J.C. Valentine

  “When did you start seeing her?” Ransom’s voice is quiet, filled with a mixture of regret and worry.

  “The beginning of summer, nine months ago. It was right after I returned from New York.”

  There is something in Rebel’s voice that hints at a deeper story, but Ransom speaks up. “Nine months,” he murmurs. He looks up at me again, his dark eyes hardening. “That explains a lot.”

  Yes, it does. He stands, turns away, and begins pacing.

  “Maybe we should sit down together and compare notes,” Rebel drawls, and from the look on his face, I get the impression that in his anger, he’s looking to drum up trouble. “I wonder who she’s more responsive to, you or me.”

  “This isn’t a fucking contest!” Ransom shouts. It’s enough to shock my system, and I shoot to my feet, claiming their attention.

  “I’m not staying here for this.” I need to leave. Get out of here. Go home where things are simple and there isn’t a war ready to break out in front of me. Right now, I feel like someone is playing a joke on me. Is Annie in a back room somewhere, ready to pop out and tell me I’ve been Punked? There’s no sign of Ashton Kutcher or a camera crew anywhere, so I have to assume that this is my life. I’m a stripper and a whore and a liar and it’s all finally caught up with me.

  I grab my clothes from where I left them—in a pile on the hallway floor. The bathroom is right there, so I lock myself inside and tear Ransom’s shirt over my head. I am dressed in a matter of seconds, but it’s trying to dial the phone with shaky fingers that holds me up. When I finally manage to type the number in without making any mistakes, I cry with relief.

  Annie answers on the second ring. “Joe?” I sniffle, and her voice fills with concern and a touch of panic at not knowing what’s wrong, but I don’t have time to explain.

  I give her the address and ask her to hurry. She doesn’t ask questions, but I know they’ll come in time.

  Drawing in a steeling breath, I force myself to leave the room, and make a beeline for the exit. Ransom and Rebel are facing off in the living room, and I bypass them, hoping to go unnoticed. I get caught up fumbling with the multitude of locks, cursing and on the verge of tears, when Ransom’s hand stops me. The heat of his skin on mine is a comfort I can’t afford to fall into.

  “Don’t try to stop me,” I snarl, yanking my hand away.

  His expression is pained. “I wasn’t going to. But if you wait a minute, I’ll call you a cab.”

  I stay stuck in his haunted gaze long enough to drown before self-preservation kicks in and I force myself to break away. “Annie is on her way.”

  He nods solemnly and then reaches past me to turn one of the locks. The door creaks as it swings open and the fresh slice of air that leaks in makes my lungs inflate as if they’re starving for oxygen.

  “We’ll talk soon,” he promises me. My nod is automatic and before any more words can be exchanged, I escape through the door.

  This time, I’m the one walking away.

  It should make me feel strong, empowered. But the only thing I feel is the heavy weight of sadness that has settled on my shoulders.

  Annie is waiting in her car, parked along the curb outside the building. Her eyes widen when she sees me, and I know I must look like shit. She doesn’t comment as I climb into the passenger seat, only pausing long enough to ask if I’m okay.

  My answer is simple, my voice dead, even to my ears. “No, but I will be.”

  Whatever happens tomorrow or the next day, I will be okay…because I have to be. I am Josephine Hart, and I was built to stand on my own.

  To be continued…

  COMING JULY 7, 2015

  LIE TO YOU, Book Two in the Forbidden Series

  I thought he was the one. I thought we were headed someplace great. I didn't know anything.

  My mystery man is no longer such a mystery. He's still commanding and headstrong, playing my body and mind like an instrument, but I'm finding there are layers to him I never could have dreamed. What I've learned since that fateful night in his apartment has me reeling. Now, though, the truth has taken a backstage to other, more pressing matters.

  While I struggle to make a choice that will determine the direction of my future, lies that I thought had been carefully hidden away are coming to light. My head is such a mess I don't know what's up or down anymore. Will I be able to sort it all out, or will the life I've worked so hard to build come crashing down in a pile of secrets and lies?

  Add “Lie to You” to your Goodreads now.

  Read more books by J.C. VALENTINE

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  USA Today Bestselling author J.C. Valentine is the alter-ego of Brandi Salazar, whose enjoyment of tales of romance spurred her to branch out and create her own.

  She lives in the Northwest with her husband, their wild children, and far too many pets. As a university student, she studies literature, which goes well with her dream of becoming an editor. Brandi entertains a number of hobbies including reading and photography, but her first love is writing fiction-in all its forms. Connect with JC on Facebook!

  Acknowledgements

  I usually don’t make many changes to these things because, well, why mess with perfection?

  To my usual suspects:

  My sister from another mother, Kim- You are the best! What has it been now, two years? I never could have imagined that I would be friends with such an amazing woman as you. You read everything I throw at you, you’re my sounding board, and you help keep me sane. It is such a pleasure to have you as my assistant and I am truly blessed to call you my friend. You are the one who gave me the idea of a naughty professor. Brainstorming with you was so much fun and I had a blast writing this story. I hope it’s everything you imagined it would be.

  Mitzi- What can I say, except you’re such a wonderful woman who is also an unexpected friend and gift in my life. I’ve said it before, and the same is true now: I love our talks, and I love your passion for books, especially mine *grins*. You rock!

  My Valentines! You ladies rock my socks off. I love our little family and as always, I am confident in saying that you’re the best team a girl could ask for. You all pimp so hard! Thank you!

  To all the people that take the time to connect with me: Every message, every comment truly means the world to me. I read every one, so keep ‘em coming!

  To my readers: You’re the best. You’ve stuck by me from the beginning, when I wasn’t even sure anyone was paying attention. I am continually blown away by your enthusiasm for my stories and your endless support.

  I could never forget my darling hubby. You’re my inspiration behind all of these delectable men. You’re my rock, my one true love. I love you!!

  Dance for Me

  Forbidden Series Book One

  By J.C. Valentine

  All rights reserved. This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook is copyrighted material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any form without the prior permission of the publisher, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly. Thank you for respecting the work of this author.

  Dance for Me by J.C. Valentine

  Copyright © 2015 by J.C. Valentine

  Cover design by Arijana Karčić, Cover It! Designs

  Edited by Mitzi Carroll.

  Dance for me is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and events portrayed in this book either are from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, establishments, events, or location is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. Please do not take offence to the content, as it is FICTION.

  Trademarks: This book identifies product names and services known to be trademarks, regist
ered trademarks, or service marks of their respective holders. The author acknowledges the trademark status in this work of fiction. The publications and use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Title Page

  Books by J.C. VALENTINE

  About this Book

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  About the Author

  Acknowledgements

  Copyright Notice

  Connect with J.C. VALENTINE

  Connect with J.C. VALENTINE

  AMAZON Author Page

  Website | Mailing list | Facebook | Twitter