by Elisa Leigh
Copyright
Holding Onto Kinsley
By Elisa Leigh
© Elisa Leigh 2018.
All Rights Reserved
In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without permission of the publisher is unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for brief quotations used in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used ficticiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental.
The use of actors, artists, movies, TV shows, and song titles/lyrics throughout this book are done so for storytelling purposes and should in no way be seen as advertisement. Trademark names are used in an editorial fashion with no intention of infringement of the respective owner’s trademark.
This book is intended for adults only. Contains sexual content and language that may offend some. Suggested reading audience is 18 years or older. I consider this book as Adult Erotic Romance.
ASIN: B07D6FJQNR
Edited by Melinda Grier
Contents
Copyright
Contents
Holding Onto Kinsley
Dedication
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-One
Twenty-Two
Twenty-Three
Meet the Author
Other Books by Elisa Leigh
Acknowledgments
His Sweet Treat Excerpt
Steel Daggers MC #1
Holding Onto Kinsley
Maverick
There's something missing, has been for a while. When my best friend asks me to help out his band when the lead singer quit, I jump at the opportunity. I've never felt a rush like I get when I get on stage and strum my guitar. That is until I see her and everything around me fades. She's the one I wasn't looking for. Now that I've found her there's nothing in this world that will keep me from holding onto her and making her MINE.
Kinsley
I have no business thinking about the man on stage. I've got a baby at home and an ex I never want to see again. I need to stay focused, but he's the sexiest guy I've ever seen, and he keeps staring at me, making me hope for things I shouldn't. Tell that to my heart that has already given herself away.
Holding Onto Kinsley is book one in the Holding On series. This is an insta love romance with a Happily Ever After. Each book is a standalone book but will have interconnecting characters. Holding Onto Becca is book two in the series and will be out late summer 2018.
Dedication
To my readers who keep coming back for more and my first timers who decided to give me a try. I have a lot of love and respect for all of you. You are the biggest reason I keep writing.
Thank you for your support,
xoxo Elisa
One
Kinsley Ellington
As I’m getting ready for work, Becca comes into my room. Leaning against the door jamb, she eyes my reflection in the mirror, while I pull my hair into my classic Kinsley messy bun. She is probably looking for the tell-tale signs of my tears. God, I hope she doesn’t hear me at night.
I stopped crying in front of her a month after I moved in. She was starting to get depressed from all of the darkness I was bringing into the house with my shit. Now, I save my tears for the shower. Tears of shame, rejection, loneliness, and exhaustion.
I stare back at her. She doesn’t break my gaze but keeps staring, looking for something. Something she can’t find. I try giving her a smile, but it’s hard to make it real. I turn my head to avoid looking into eyes that see so much of me. I clear my throat of the tears that are trying to break through. “I’m trying Becca.”
She shakes her head and gifts me with one of her amazing smiles. “I know babe. God, do I know! This year has been anything but easy for you, but…” She trails off.
I know she has sheltered me and made my burdens her own. This girl. She has my heart. Whatever I have left of it, she’s got it. “Here, I made this for you.” She shoves a CD into my hands, and I look at her.
“Thanks, Becs. Thank you for everything. Without you with me on this, I don’t know…”
“Oh no, you don’t Kinsley. You will not sell yourself short. You are amazing and would have done fine on your own, and you know it. Just because your parents don’t see it, does not mean it isn’t true. I’m glad I could be here to help and be a part of this journey with you. You and Sadie are my family.”
Launching myself at her 5’4 frame, with her being only two inches taller than me, she falls to the ground and takes me with her. I kiss her cheek and hug her tight. “You are my sister Becs, Sadie’s Auntie, and our family. We love you.” I blow a raspberry on her cheek, and the heavy is broken.
Laughing, she pushes me away. “Get off of me hooker.”
I roll off her and get to my feet, while I hold my hand out to help her up. She grabs my hand to stand and then pushes me back into the bathroom. “You better finish getting ready for work. Ms. Sadie and I have a girl’s night planned and you being here a second longer is cutting into our time.”
Suddenly, we hear a loud giggle coming from the living room. I left Sadie to play in there, while I get ready for work. Becca winks at me and moves to make her way to her munchkin. I laugh because at six months my daughter has her Aunt Becs wrapped around her chunky little fingers.
Becca is not the only one in love with my daughter. Momma J and Pops, who are Becs parents, unofficially adopted me, when I came to town a little over a year ago and are BIG Sadie Ellington fans. I can’t say how grateful I am for our new family. I never felt as if I belonged before them.
I once thought what Liam and I shared was love. Maybe not a tremendous all-consuming love, but a nice, comfortable love. The kind of love that would last and be worthy of a big family, a 50th anniversary, and summers at a cabin on a lake.
∞∞∞
Liam and I played together when we were babies, or so the story goes. Whenever our parents would get together, which was a few times a month, I would follow him around. When his family moved away, he was ten, and I was six. We lost touch and didn’t see one another for a long time.
His family moved back to Connecticut when I was a junior at Vanderbilt majoring in Elementary Education, hoping to be a teacher. I went home for winter break, and Liam was there at a dinner my parents hosted. And as they say, the rest is history.
We started dating and became engaged a few months before I graduated. We had a quick engagement and ended up getting married a couple months later.
I was happy with Liam, he treated me well or what I thought was well. He was the first and only serious relationship I ever had. I dated a few guys while away at school, but nothing serious. I even saved my virginity for the person I would fall in love with. The night I gave it up, I thought it would be magical. Instead, while not downright awful, I couldn’t figure out what the hype was about.
Liam did not want me to work. He said my place was in the home taking care of it and getting
ready to be a mom. I guess it didn’t matter I was only twenty-two and wasn't prepared to be a mom yet. It didn’t matter I went to school to do something I was passionate about.
I figured this was one of those things I had to “compromise on.” According to my mother, “If you are going to keep a man like Liam O’Sullivan, you will have to compromise on a few things to be a good wife. Don’t make me regret helping you get this man Kinsley Dear.” I always hated when she called me that, ‘Kinsley Dear’ as if she really cared.
∞∞∞
Shit, why am I taking a walk down memory lane? I am not that girl anymore. Shaking my head, I spray myself with my favorite scent, Coconut Lime Verbena from Bath and Body Works. It reminds me of summer and the many times I came to visit Becca when school was out. Sliding on my hot pink New Balance runners, I grab my phone and walk into the living room.
“Alright, kiddos. I’m out. Don’t wait up for me.” I bend down and kiss Sadie on the head and ruffle Bec’s hair. “Take care of her, yeah Becs?”
Smiling like always, she nods her head. “Of course, Kins. We are going to play with blocks, maybe roll around on our bellies, and then have a nice bottle of the good stuff.”
Laughing at my best friend, I grab my purse and walk out the door to my Jeep Cherokee settling in for the ten-minute drive. Rolling the windows down, because it’s early June and about seventy-eight degrees. It is not too hot, and I love the feel of the wind on my face.
Taking out my Lumineers CD, I pop in the mixed CD Becca made me and immediately love the first song. Roar by Katy Perry starts, and I turn it up loud while belting out the hard to hit notes. Roar turns into Stronger by Britney, followed by Brave by Sara Bereilles.
Two
Kinsley
I pull up to On The Boat Dock a few minutes before my shift starts, and Taylor Swift’s Stay Beautiful comes on. God, I love this song and sing along getting lost in the words and music, not realizing I have attracted an audience.
As the song finishes, I look towards the restaurant, while getting ready to roll up my windows and turn off my Jeep. The most gorgeous guy I have ever seen is standing there staring at me.
He is crazy tall. He’s got to be at least a foot taller than my 5’2. Faded blue jeans mold to his muscular thighs and a tight black t-shirt covers, what I’m assuming is an amazing upper body. What he could not cover are his muscular, tattooed arms. His ink looks really good, starting somewhere under his sleeves and ending just above his wrists.
Following his chest up, I find a stubble covered chin, full kissable lips, and a strong jaw. His deep green eyes are studying me. When our eyes connect, and he smirks, I look away. God, I’ve never had a reaction like this to a man, not even Liam.
I am about to go into work, a job I need to support my baby, and I’m sitting here salivating over a man. I really need to get my head together. I turn away, embarrassed I had been caught staring. There is too much going on in my life to add lusting over a stranger to the mix, although he is a beautiful stranger. His dark hair is short on the sides and a little longer on top in a messy style, which has me itching to run my fingers through it. Licking my lips, I shake my head at the image of us tangled up together.
Rolling up my windows and shutting off my jeep, I get out and start walking towards the entrance. The closer I get, I notice my beautiful stranger is still standing in the same spot staring at me. Shit, he isn’t my anything. Ah hell, why am I having a strong reaction to this man?
Quirking my eyebrow at him, I continue walking by and notice he has a guitar case in his hand. Hmmm, I wonder if he will be the entertainment for tonight. Smiling because I know even if he isn’t very good, he will definitely entertain the female guests.
When I open the door, the cool air from the restaurant blasts me as I make my way to the bar. Momma J is busy pouring a beer for a customer. I continue to the back and put my purse away, then head back out to the bar to start setting up. After I finish restocking the bottled beers, I look up, and Momma J is giving me a weird look. “What has you all happy tonight Kinsley girl?”
I smile and shake my head at her. “Just in a good mood. Becca made me one of her famous mixed CDs.”
“Oh, come on. Could it have something to do with the sexy lead singer, who came trailing in, right behind you a few minutes ago?”
I look up at the stage and see him talking with Griffin and the guys while setting up for tonight. The way he stands, talking with the others radiates control. Secretly, I cannot wait to hear him sing. I wonder if he will sound as good as I imagine. When he looks over at me, he winks and then goes back to his conversation. I look away embarrassed I am caught staring, yet again. “Who?” I ask caught in a daze.
“The very one you’re eye diddling right now.”
“Momma J! I am not eye diddling him. How dare you, I’m a mom, and there isn’t any kind of diddling going on.”
“Don’t you go all Yankee prude on me miss thing. I thought we worked that out of you months ago.”
I stick my tongue out at her and keep working, not daring to look back at the stage. Even though that is all I can think about doing.
Momma J throws her arm around my shoulder and pulls me into her side. “He has had you in his sights since he walked in Kins. You’re trapped now sugar. I’ve seen that look before, and he’s got it.” She says low so no one else can hear.
“What look is that?” I say, finally getting the courage to look at him. When I do, he’s staring at me with a hunger I have never seen before. The intensity sends chills running down my back, and my breath catches in my chest.
“The one that says your his. It’s not often I see you smiling these days. The only thing that makes you smile is when you’re with Sadie-”
“Who’s Sadie?” A warm presence to my left and a gravelly voice asks. Looking over, I see a pair of familiar tattooed arms. I follow those arms up to his unshaved face and stare. Up close he is even more beautiful if that can be possible. How could God make a man look this good? It really is not fair.
He clears his throat, causing the fog to disappear because he asked a question. I look at Momma J because I cannot remember what he said.
She laughs. “Kinsley girl, this is the new musician I was telling you about, Maverick. He will be playing here on Friday and Saturday nights. Maverick this is one of our bartenders, Kinsley.”
Turning I stretch out my hand to show I am more confident than I appear. I start to shake his hand “It’s niii…” Yeah, that’s as far as I get. He grasps my hand and starts rubbing his thumb lightly over my wrist, causing all thoughts to leave my brain, and I stutter over my words. My eyes zone in on his hand surrounding mine and I think ‘Shiiit, this is so not good.’ He laughs. Oh. My. God!
The sound shoots straight through my body as a pulsing need through my core. Seriously? He has a sexy laugh too? Clearing my throat, I ask what I fear has happened. “Did I say that out loud?”
Continuing to laugh he says, “Yeah Sweetheart.”
I need to be as far away from this man as possible because I am feeling far too much around him. Deciding to retreat, I try and pull my hand away. Only, he grips his hold tighter on my hand and does not let me go, which freaks me the hell out. I stop struggling immediately because I will never let a man have control of me again.
Staring at the ground, I say firmly, “Please let me go Maverick.”
Suddenly, he releases my wrist, and I start to back away. But, before I can, he grabs my shoulder lightly. Looking at his hand I can tell his intent isn’t to harm me, but I am still uncomfortable with the touch. His opposite hand moves to my face, and his index finger lifts my chin, causing me to look into his green, sincere eyes.
His friendly eyes are studying mine intently, probably wondering why I am freaking out. I imagine he has not had a reaction like this from a woman before.
He continues to study my face while running his thumb lightly back and forth over my cheek. Slowly closing my eyes, I absorb his gentle touch.
Liam had never touched me as sweetly, asshole. I should have known better. I lick my lips nervously, wondering what to do now.
“Sweetheart, I will never hurt you.”
Jesus, this man sees way too much of me. Looking away I whisper, “I did not think he would either.”
Turning my face towards his, he slowly leans downward, so our noses are almost touching. With his eyes on mine, he says, “I’m not him darling. I know you don’t know anything about me yet, but I could never break such a beautiful soul. It would hurt my own to shut out the light shining from yours.”
I nod at the pretty words, though I wish they meant more I know that is all they are. When he releases me, I take a step away from him. I am not scared anymore, but the intensity of our few words is a lot to take in.
“I have to go finish setting up, Kinsley.” Nodding, I turn to walk away, but he grabs my hand and squeezes it lightly. “I’ll talk to you later, okay?” Squeezing my hand again he releases me and me high tail it away from him.
∞∞∞
Maverick Sutton
Dear God in heaven. I have never met a more perfect creature than the woman, who is at the moment, running away from me. Kinsley, fuck. Her name has me shaking. She’s a tiny little thing with more than ample curves. When she first walked by me, I couldn’t keep my eyes off her thick ass. My hands are tingling with the need to touch her.
When she got out of the jeep and started to make her way into the restaurant, I took in her small height, which could only be 5’1, 5’2 at the most. Her huge tits fill her On The Boat Dock t-shirt nicely, while her short shorts cup her big ass revealing the most perfect one I have ever seen. God, I am drooling over this girl. She looks maybe twenty-two or so, which is legal. Thank Christ.
She walked into the restaurant and left me staring after her, standing in the parking lot like an ass. Damn, I’ve never had a stronger reaction to a woman in my life. Walking to the bar, I heard Momma J talking to her about someone making her smile. Whoever, it is apparently isn’t doing it for her, because she was staring at me like she would devour me any minute.
