Never Gonna Tell

by Sarah M. Ross

  Marco looks between her and his grandfather, taking a long pause before finally nodding his head. “Yeah. I would like that. To hear your side, that is.”

  The mood lightens a bit as we head out. Marco and I take a separate car from my parents to the restaurant. He was only cleared to begin driving again yesterday, and I’m happy to spend a few minutes alone. He starts the car but pauses before putting it into drive.

  “You know, Reagan, I never would have survived without you. I owe you so much. My life, my future—it’s all because of you. I have hope again, and for that alone, I can never thank you enough.” He leans over, taking my hand into his own and pressing his lips to mine. The kiss is soft, but the passion behind it could fill an ocean. Every emotion he’s trying to convey in that one kiss is palpable, and it brings tears to my eyes.

  My lips part, inviting him in farther. His tongue slips into my mouth, slow dancing with my own as his hands run down my body. I moan into his mouth, running my fingers through his hair.

  “I love you, Reagan. I know I’ve only really known you for a short time and I probably shouldn’t be telling you this so soon, but if I’ve learned anything it’s that life is too short to play games. I love you more than I ever knew was possible and I want to spend forever showing you just how much.”

  I lean back, staring into his eyes. The love and passion that’s swirling in them is almost palpable, making my heart swell. “I love you, too, Marco. So, so much.”

  I crush my lips back to his, letting my body show him just how much love I feel for him. If I had a thousand years it wouldn’t be enough time to fully convey the depth of my love for him.

  I lose track of time as Marco kisses and tastes every inch of exposed skin on me, and several areas that aren’t exposed. After what seems like hours just losing myself in him, I pull back, wishing I didn’t have to.

  “People are probably waiting for us and wondering where we are.”

  Marco kisses the slope of my neck, enticing a moan out of me. “Let them.”

  Ugh. I so don’t want to protest, but I know my dad will send a search party any minute if we don’t get a move on. I sigh, sitting up and straightening my dress. “Trust me, I want that more than you know. But my dad. And your mom.”

  Marco nods reluctantly. “I’m picking up right where I left off the second we’re alone tonight.”

  I smile wickedly. “I’ll hold you to that.”

  “Is that so? And where exactly would you like me to continue. Maybe right here?” His tongue traces the contour of my ear.

  “Maybe,” I groan.

  “Or right here?” He sucks my bottom lip, making my eyes close in bliss. “Tell me, Reagan. Where exactly is your favorite spot?”

  “Mmm. You’ll just have to keep guessing. Because I’m never gonna tell.”

  “REAGAN WILCOX?”

  I step forward, smoothing my navy business skirt before extending my hand to the woman in front of me. “That’s me. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She’s only a few years older than me, but I still feel nervous.

  She smiles. “You, too. We’re very excited to have you here as part of the Mizzou Maneater. Everyone in the office can’t stop raving about your feature in the Chicago Sun Times last month. I mean, for a freshman to get a front-page feature story in a major publication like that? It’s practically unheard of.”

  I look down, failing miserably at hiding the blush I’m sure has crept onto my face. “Thank you. I was honored that they accepted my story.”

  The woman shakes her head, leading me into an office. “Well, you had a great story to tell, and your writing was just beautiful. You’ve got natural talent. One that we hope to make great use of over the next few years.”

  “I’m beyond happy to be here.” I chuckle, taking a seat. “I’ve dreamed about attending The University of Missouri since I was a little girl. Your journalism program here is the best in the country, and I’m very excited to learn from such amazing professors.”

  She flips through my file. “And I hear that your boyfriend is attending as well?”

  It’s odd having so many people know all the sordid details of my life, especially people I’ve barely met. After spending years in the shadows, it’s been an adjustment getting used to being in the spotlight.

  After the Chicago Sun Times picked up my story and ran it as a feature, detailing the events of our saga, the fire was further fanned by the AP, which ran it across the country. The story went viral, making it onto the morning news programs, and we even had an invitation from Jon Stewart to talk about it on The Daily Show.

  Marco and I declined all offers, though having been a fan for so long, turning down The Daily Show was hard. We decided that we didn’t want fifteen minutes of fame. We just wanted a lifetime together. I won a scholarship from my top school, The University of Missouri, and both Marco and Charlie also were accepted. The two have become very chummy in the months since what we’re now calling “The Incident” and even decided to room together—though Charlie knows he’ll probably be kicked out a lot if I’m coming over.

  “He is. He’s going to pursue a degree in business management so he can take over his aunt’s restaurant one day.”

  “That’s wonderful. You both beat the odds, that’s for sure.”

  “I’m very thankful and blessed.”

  She stands. “Well let’s not delay things any further. Let me show you to your desk. As a freshman, you’ll be given a lot of grunt work to start, but I have a feeling you’ll rise in the ranks fairly quickly. You ready to get to work?”

  I can’t keep the smile off my face, realizing that everything I ever wanted is coming true. “I was born ready.”

  THE WRITING JOURNEY is in no way something one can embark on alone. It is a journey built with hundreds of hands helping guide you along the way. Those hands do everything from offer moral support, listen when you’re sure this book is the worst thing you’ve ever written, laugh at the crazy ideas, read draft after draft, and even non-book related things like change a poopy diaper and make dinner so I can get a little more writing time in. There are not enough words to properly say thank you to each person who lead me to this moment right now. But I will try to anyway.

  My biggest, heartfelt thank you goes to my husband, who took over a lot of daddy duty in order for me to finish this book. He tolerated a dirty house, lack of clean clothes and no groceries in the fridge, and never once complained about everything I asked him to do. Thank you, babe, for everything and more.

  Heather Hildenbrand—girl, I seriously don’t know if I could have finished this book without you pushing me, inspiring me, and motivating me every step along the way. Thank you for never doubting me even when I doubted myself.

  My team, without who this book would not be here. My editors, Tawdra Kandle of Hayson and Kristina Circelli of Red Road Editing. You gave me so much more than just an edit and critique. You helped bring this story to life. You both never cease to amaze me! My cover designer, Regina Wamba of Mai I Design and Kelsey at K- Keeton Photography for creating this beautiful cover. Julie Titus of JT Formatting, for squeezing me in with little notice and giving me such a beautiful end product.

  KP Simmon of Inkslinger PR. What can I say? You’re dedication, friendship, and love mean more than I could ever say and I am so, so very thankful that I have you in my corner.

  My fabulous PA, Sarah Geiger. Thank you for never giving up on me even when I’d disappear for what felt like months at a time. Your help and support have been invaluable and I owe you big time for never dropping the ball and always motivating me to get back on my game.

  My amazing street team, you guys are always there when I ask something of you, and even more times when I don’t. Thank you.

  My mom, who read and re-read and then read again. Thank you for putting up with my thousands of questions and calling you a million times to ask just one more thing.

  My beta readers: Raine Thomas, Sarah Geiger, Mandie Stevens, Rachel Flores, and
MaryAnn Inabinet. Thank you for taking hours of your time to read and share your thoughts to make this book better.

  Finally, my readers. Thank you to each and every person who gave me and my story a chance by buying this book. I could never do this without you. The opportunity to do what I love, every single day, is a blessing I do not take for granted. Thank you for buying, reading, sharing, blogging, tweeting, and reviewing. It means the world to me and I am forever grateful.

  SARAH STARTED HER obsession with reading at an early age, often sneaking BabySitter Club and Nancy Drew books into math class. She would read any book she could get her hands on. Her love of reading quickly evolved into a love of writing and stories began to pour out of her.

  She grew up in Pittsburgh, graduated from The University of Pittsburgh with a degree in English, and taught eighth graders to love reading as much as she does for several years. Sarah will always be a proud member of the Steelers' Nation, but couldn't take the cold and moved her frozen tush to Florida where she now lives with her husband, daughter, and two cats. You will find her now with her trusty Kindle in hand and toes in the sand!

  Sarah's debut novel, AWAKEN, released in January, 2012. Other novels include AVENGE, ATONE, ECHO OF AN EARTH ANGEL, INHALE EXHALE, and NEVER GONNA TELL.

  Books by Sarah M. Ross

  Patronus Series:

  Awaken

  Avenge

  Atone

  Avowed (coming soon)

  Earth Angel Trilogy:

  Echo of an Earth Angel

  Fate of an Earth Angel (coming soon)

  Stand Alone

  inhale, exhale—a New Adult Contemporary Romance

  Never Gonna Tell—a Young Adult Romanic Suspense

  Going For Broke – A Young Adult Romance (coming soon)

  Connect With Sarah

  Website - www.sarahmross.com

  Email - sarah@sarahmross.com

  Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/SarahtheAuthor

  FaceBook - http://www.facebook.com/SarahtheAuthor

  Instagram - http://instagram.com/authorsarahmross/

  Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5447785.Sarah_M_Ross