Bait

by Jade West

  I nod. “Yeah.”

  And it’s just as well really, seeing as we’re technically three months away from our six-month wedding date.

  We haven’t booked it yet, it’s all in theory.

  But soon.

  As soon as we can.

  Serena is moving out at the end of the year, down into Jake’s place to get it in order before his psychiatric hearing in the spring. I’m supposed to be moving in in her stead.

  And it’s stressful, and complicated, and intense, and wonderful, and fast, and scary and…

  Everything.

  It’s everything.

  “Breathe,” Leo says on instinct. “It’s going well.”

  And it is going well. Cameron waves again before he tosses another handful to the birds.

  Leo moves in close, his lips a ghost on my ear. “Have you given it any thought yet?”

  I play dumb. “Given what any thought?”

  But he sees right through me. His fingers slip through mine and squeeze.

  “Don’t be a tease. You know you’ll have it coming to you later if you don’t watch it.”

  I’m counting on it.

  “I need someone,” he continues. “You know it’s a good move, for both of us.”

  And I do know it’s a good move. Even though it’s a big one.

  The guys at work have been so good to me for months. I’m going to miss the holy shit out of them when I leave.

  Still, at least now Sarah’s finally managed to sink her sexy minx claws into pink-shirted Jack, there should be some double dates on the cards.

  And Diva’s. We can still do Diva’s.

  “I mean it,” Leo whispers. “We need someone. I’ll have to recruit if you don’t want it.”

  But I do.

  I really do.

  “I want thirty days holiday, minimum,” I say and he rolls his eyes.

  “You do, do you?”

  I nod. “And lunch at my desk, courtesy of my hot new boss every lunchtime.”

  He smirks. “I’ll see what he can rustle up.”

  “And I want him to wear a tux, every day. Every. Day. Except maybe Christmas Eve where he can dress up as Santa.” I laugh to myself. “You’ll have to get some of that silly white spray for your beard.”

  He tips his head. His eyes glint at me. “You wanna watch it with these requests, Abigail. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up naked in the middle of the office when you least expect it. Regularly.”

  I raise my eyebrows. “Is that a threat?”

  “It’s a promise.”

  I laugh as I hold out my hand. “Then you have yourself a deal, partner.”

  He grabs it in his, and as always the rose on his hand takes my breath. Just like it did that day in the petrol station. “Welcome to your new job, Miss Summers.”

  His breath is warm on my mouth, his forehead on mine as Cam waves to the ducks on the pond.

  “Tonight,” he says, and my skin prickles.

  “The hills?”

  He nods.

  My cheeks burn.

  And then Cam comes running back over to us. I’m grinning as Leo scoops him up high.

  “Say, champ,” he says, and his eyes are twinkling. “How about we invite Abigail along with us for dinner? You can show her your turtle, right? She likes turtles.”

  Please say yes. Please, please say yes.

  I feel like I’m a gladiator in front of a tiny emperor, my fate balanced in his hand as he decides if he wants to see me fight again.

  Cameron nods.

  I grin like a lunatic.

  And as he tells me about his turtle, in the sweetest little voice I’ve ever heard, I know I’m going to love him forever.

  Just like his dad.

  Tonight’s the first night I don’t have to drive over from Hereford when Cam’s long in bed.

  The promise of the chase thrums in my belly right through dinner.

  I see it reflected right back at me in Leo’s eyes.

  He’s waiting outside once I’ve changed my shoes into more sensible heels. He takes my hand as he leads me through the darkness and all the way up to the top of the ridge.

  I’m smiling into the darkness even as the wind whips my face.

  I feel him at my back. Feel the swell of him against my ass.

  This shit never gets old.

  My monster is magnificent, hot as hell and as vicious as he’s ever been.

  His voice is liquid satin, dripping with nightmares and virgin tears.

  My heart is thumping like crazy.

  I feel crazy.

  And I love him for it.

  He presses his mouth to my ear.

  I hold my breath.

  Wait.

  Every muscle holding tight for the moment.

  Until it comes.

  And in that moment I’m alive.

  “Run,” the monster says.

  And, fuck, how I do.

  THE END

  Acknowledgments

  Wow. This book was really something for me. One of those soul books that reached in deep and death-gripped my insides until I was done.

  As always, there were so many people who helped me along the way.

  *Clears throat*

  John Hudspith, my amazing editor. I love you and you are awesome. I couldn’t do this without you. This is all.

  Letitia Hasser from RBA Designs, just WHAT THE HELL with this cover? How gorgeous can you possibly make something?! You have magic powers, and I LOVE them.

  Wander Aguiar for the gorgeous photo, and Andrey for being so helpful in helping me acquire it so smoothly.

  Jonny James for being the absolute hunk of pure gorgeousness that’s actually on the cover. Thank you for the way you look so awesome half-submerged in a swimming pool in a tux. That rocks. It helped me write. For sure.

  Also for being so polite and sweet and humble – these are a set of traits that are possibly even more gorgeous than the tux. It is close, though, not gonna lie.

  To Jon at Read Owl Book Trailer (who also happens to be my other half) – I’m very proud and super impressed by the Bait trailer. It is magnificent, and I apologise for being an epic pain in the ass during its creation.

  My PA Tracy, for always having my back when I’m in the middle of the craziness. I count on you and you always come through for me. Thank you.

  My author buddies, who have been super amazing on this project – Isabella Starling, Leigh Shen, Willow Winters and Jo Raven. I love you all.

  Isabella, yes, I’m mentioning you again. Having you in my life has made it a better place. You inspire me, you amaze me, and I’m so proud of you. I’m honoured to call you a friend. And you are ALWAYS welcome in my house. *Please come again soon… please…*

  To all my other author buddies, who make me smile every day. You know who you are by now.

  To my beta readers – your enthusiasm means everything. Of course, of note – as always – is the incredible Louise Ramsay, who I always count on so much for early feedback.

  To my friends, who barely saw me throughout the creation of Bait, and who put up with my incessant book talk so patiently. Maria, Dom and Lisa, particularly – I love you all.

  To the bloggers, reviewers, my book group members and all of you amazing people who support my work. I couldn’t do this without any of you. I am, and will forever be grateful to all that you do for me.

  And to my family – Mum, Dad, Brad and Nan – who it pains me so much to be away from when I’m buried deep in a project, your support always means the world. I count my blessings every day for the fact that I have you on my side.

  About the Author

  Jade has increasingly little to say about herself as time goes on, other than that she is an author, but she’s plenty happy with that fact. Living in imaginary realities and having a legitimate excuse is really all she’s ever wanted.

  Jade is as dirty as you’d expect from her novels, and talking smut makes her smile.

  She lives in the Wel
sh countryside with a couple of hounds and a guy who’s able to cope with her inherent weirdness.

  Find Jade (or stalk her – she loves it) at:

  http://www.facebook.com/jadewestauthor

  http://www.twitter.com/jadewestauthor

  http://www.jadewestauthor.com

  Sign up to her newsletter here, she won’t spam you and you may win some goodies. :)

  Also by Jade West

  Buy Me Sir

  Dirty Bad Strangers

  Call Me Daddy