Forsaken

by Bec Botefuhr

  FORSAKEN

  All rights reserved. This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any form without prior written 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 distribution, circulation or 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.

  Forsaken 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.

  Copyright © 2013 Bec Botefuhr

  Published by Bec Botefuhr, Jan 2013

  Books in this Series

  Witness Protection (Book One)

  Forsaken (Book Two)

  Join my Facebook page “Author Bec Botefuhr” to get updates on more of my work!

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  For everyone who believed in me, who knew that I could do it even when I didn’t believe it. My family, friends, co-workers and everyone who said “You can do it.” Thank you.

  For my husband’s patience and love, and for not hitting me over the head for all the hours I have spent working on my novels. For my gorgeous daughters who are the best children a Mother could ask for.

  For all my fans, for their encouragement and belief, for their kind words and amazing hearts. You all make this possible for me.

  PROLOGUE

  My sister Sandy sighs, as she lounges back in a blue and white sun chair, “Oh sweet sun, sweet sun.”

  I moan, closing my eyes and breathing in the warm scent of salt and fresh air. “Oh yes, it’s awesome.”

  “I can’t believe your wicked sweet boyfriend went right ahead and dumped us off here, with his credit card.”

  I snort a laugh, “Oh, he will be checking on us somehow, don’t you worry. We won’t be getting away with anything.”

  Sandy lifts her sun glasses and peers around. “Coast is clear, let’s go shopping.”

  I grin wickedly at her, “Soon.”

  “Oh come on Maya! I am shriveling up here.”

  “Sandy, do you want Ryder’s credit card or not?”

  She pouts, “Point taken.”

  “Besides, vitamin D and all that,”

  “Vitamin D my ass!”

  I laugh and sit, stretching my aching body. I stare around at the beautiful sandy beach; bodies are strewn out everywhere, just enjoying another day in Miami. Not the most beautiful place in the world, but certainly one of the hottest. Ryder dropped us off here while he did some more investigating on our lost parents. I wasn’t complaining, oh no, not an ounce.

  “Alright,” I say standing and tying up my hair, “Let’s roll.”

  “Woo, finally,”

  Sandy leaps up, letting down her beautiful, blonde hair and pulling on a yellow summer dress. I shake my head at her, always looking like a beautiful doll no matter where she goes. I pull on my dress and sandals, and we both begin walking towards the shopping complex.

  “So, how do you think he’s going?” Sandy asks, stopping to pick up a hot dog.

  “Not sure, I think he has some strong leads. Ryder won’t spill much.”

  “Tough, old macho man he is.”

  I laugh, “Sandy, stop being nasty. Ryder is gorgeous.”

  “I never said he wasn’t gorgeous.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “I like Nate the most, why are all the gay ones…gay?”

  I snort, “That made no sense.”

  “It did in my mind.”

  “I know; Nate’s beautiful.”

  She sighs, “Uh huh…”

  “Don’t dream little sister, he is taken.”

  “With the ken doll?”

  I burst out into a fit of giggles at her impression of Nate’s new boyfriend, Trey. He does, in fact, look like a Ken doll. Tall, bronze, blonde and next to Nate he truly makes an impression. Together, they are every woman’s fantasy. There’s just something about blonde men, with bronze skin and killer smiles.

  “Trey is not a ken doll.”

  Sandy gives me a look, “Totally a ken doll.”

  I pinch my fingers together, leaving a touch of a gap. “Ok, maybe just a little.”

  “There we go.”

  I hook my arm through my sisters and we stroll down the streets of Miami, so happy to be together safely. Sandy has lived with me since our attack with the murderer last year. We live right down from Ryder and Nate, which can be both frustrating and fun. Everything for the moment is as it should be. Perfect.

  CHAPTER 1

  MAYA

  Sandy picks up a pair of blue, strappy heels. Her eyes go the way all women’s eyes go when they lay them on a pair of gorgeous heels – dazed.

  “They are so gorgeous,”

  “Get them,” I say simply, picking up a pair of silver heels and inspecting them.

  “Um, sister, they are three hundred dollars.”

  I shrug. “Ryder said go crazy.”

  “Is he rich?”

  I rub my chin and think for a long moment, I am fairly sure the man is loaded. “Yes, I think so. I never asked.”

  “I can’t…”

  “I will say they are mine then, come on.”

  I take three pairs of shoes to the counter and pay for them, and then we head out to find a café for lunch. We sit at a small table, covered with a red and white table cloth. I scan the menu, and order an iced tea and baguette when the waiter stops by our table. Sandy has the same. While we are waiting for our lunch to arrive, Sandy leans forward on the table, resting on her elbows, and gives me a long, hard look.

  “Do you miss Nate?”

  Nate has been away with work for the last two months and I have missed him like crazy. Trey went with him and it’s awful lonely without them around. Nate is my best friend, and the only other person in my world, aside from Ryder, that I trust whole heartedly.

  “Every day,”

  “Will he be back soon?”

  “I don’t know, I think so.”

  While he is on my mind, I pull out my phone and punch in his number. We text each other every day, and I have grown used to the gesture. I even find myself looking forward to it.

  M: Hey there cowboy, I was just thinking about how much I miss u, bubba xo

  I smile at the message; Nate started calling me bubba about a week after I moved into my new apartment. After catching me curled up on the couch in a teddy bear blanket, that was mine from when I was a child, he decided I looked so childish and small, that the name bubba suited me. My phone beeps almost right away with a return message.

  N: Hi there beautiful girl, I miss u 2. What is happenin?

  M: Spendin up on the big man’s card.

  N: Uh oh, did he let you out with his plastic?

  M: He said go crazy…how’s Trey?

  N: All good, we r doing well. I am in need of some serious female company tho.

  M: Come home, we can snuggle.

  N: I will do my best.

  M: Love u cowboy, talk later x

  N: Love u 2 bubba.

  I smile, feeling better already. I shove my phone back into my pocket, and give Sandy a weak smile. She knows how much I miss Nate; she knows how close we are.

  “He will be home soon.”

  “I know; I just miss him. It seems so different without him around.”

  “He will be b
ack…”

  My phone rings again, causing me to jump. Sandy rolls her eyes and sips her iced tea, I am fairly sure I hear her mumble ‘popular’ under her breath. I pull the phone from my pocket, and see Ryder’s name on the screen. My heart does a silly little flip flop; the man still knows how to affect me. I press answer, and put the phone to my ear. In a sultry voice, I purr, “Hey there, handsome.”

  “Hey baby, how you doin’?”

  His voice gives me goose bumps and I feel my skin tingle. He has that rich, masculine voice that has most women swooning.

  “Good, we stopped for lunch, how’s work going?”

  “Busy, listen, I want to catch up with you two in about an hour. Where can we meet?”

  “Is all ok?”

  “Yeah beautiful,”

  “Ok then, meet us at the beach where you dropped us off?”

  “Have you been spending all my money?” he chuckles.

  “Only about fifty percent,” I laugh.

  He snorts, “Behave.”

  “Or what?”

  His voice grows husky. “You might be in a public place but I can make you squirm in minutes, is that what you want?”

  “Yes,” my voice comes out far more thick and lusty than I anticipated.

  “Stop,”

  “You stop.”

  “BOTH OF YOU STOP!” Sandy laughs, shoving her fingers in her ears.

  I laugh lightly, “I should go.”

  “Yeah baby, but remember…there is always later.”

  “I count on it.”

  I hang up the phone and grin at Sandy.

  “You two are terrible.”

  “You will be there one day soon with some lucky man.”

  She wrinkles her nose, “Ugh, I doubt it.”

  We finish up eating and make our way back to the beach where Ryder dropped us off. When we are close, I see Ryder walking towards us. I smile instantly, it’s hard not to. He is so devastatingly beautiful. His hair has gotten a touch longer in the past months and it blows in the breeze as he walks. His aqua eyes stand out even from here. He is dressed in black jeans, with a thick black belt, a black shirt and heavy black boots.

  “God Maya, he still looks good no matter how many times I look at him.”

  “Ohhhh yeah,” I say, pulling my bottom lip into my mouth.

  I am about to pick up my pace and run towards him, when the car beside him comes to life and the door opens. Out steps Trey and Nate. My heart thumps wildly in my chest, oh no…he didn’t. Ryder grins at me, clearly having had this planned. I squeal - high pitched and very girlish - before running full throttle towards Nate who is grinning like a Cheshire cat.

  When I reach him, I literally leap into the air and land on him. My legs wrap around his waist, my arms around his neck and I kiss him furiously, giving him five or six smacking kisses on the lips. Ryder is used to Nate and I kissing, and it doesn’t seem to bother him. Some people find it odd, but that is only because they don’t understand how we are together.

  “Hey bubba,” he laughs, squeezing me tightly, “Surprise.”

  “You cheeky devil Nate, I thought…when you text me…oh.”

  I hug him close, pressing my cheek against his and breathing in his scent. How I have missed him.

  “I missed you, sweetheart.”

  “Oh cowboy, me too.”

  I let my legs slide off his waist, and then I swipe away my tears so I can take a good look at him. His hair is a fraction shorter, but is still that beautiful blonde. His brown eyes are round, happy and definitely in love. He looks great, relaxed even. He is wearing a dark blue shirt and light blue jeans, both make him look completely stunning.

  “You look good Nate.”

  “You too beautiful, Ryder has been keeping you in tip top shape.”

  I grin at Ryder who winks at me.

  “Hi Trey,” I grin at the dazzling blonde man standing beside Nate.

  “Hey Maya, how are you darling?”

  “I am well, have you been taking care of my main man here?”

  He grins, and gives Nate a very saucy look. “I have.”

  Trey looks as gorgeous as Nate, except his eyes are a clear blue and his hair is a touch lighter; definitely a Ken Doll. I finally pull away from Nate, and I turn to grin up at Ryder. I lean forward and press myself against him; he leans down and goes to kiss me, but uses his palm to wipe my lips first.

  “Ryder!”

  His lips turn up in a devilish smirk. “Sharing is NOT caring. I am not kissing you after you kissed Nate.”

  “Where’s your sense of adventure?”

  He winks at me, then presses his lips to mine and takes me in for a deep, hot kiss.

  “I see nothing has changed then?” Nate laughs.

  “How are you Sandy?” Trey asks Sandy, who is smiling at all of us.

  “I am good Trey.”

  “Good to see you again little sister,” Nate grins, hugging her.

  She giggles. Oh Sandy, Sandy, Sandy.

  “Right, come on you lot. We have a hotel booked for the night, we are leaving tomorrow,” Ryder announces, wrapping his arm around my waist.

  “Oh yeah? Are we going out tonight?” Nate asks Ryder, but he is grinning at me.

  I clap my hands and leap up and down, excitement flooding me, “Oh hell yes we are!”

  Ryder grumbles and shoves Nate. “Slow down you two, Jesus.”

  We both pout at Ryder who puts his hands up in defeat.

  “Alright, we will go dancing, you bunch of kids.”

  “Aw baby, are you taking me dancing?” I croon.

  Ryder grips my chin, his eyes sparkle. “Careful beautiful, I have a car right next to you that I am happy to use.”

  I flush, “I might make you wait some more.”

  He gives me a lazy smile, “You ain’t making me wait baby, I have already waited two weeks.”

  I laugh and run a single finger down his chest, “Poor baby.”

  “Careful,” he growls, swatting my backside.

  Ryder and I haven’t been intimate because he was away for a week, then I had a wonderful monthly visitor for the entire next week. That in our history of sex, is a long, long time. I must admit, I am feeling it.

  “Alright, well let’s go back to our rooms,” I say suddenly, and Nate gives me a devious look.

  “Keen for something?”

  I blush. “What, no…”

  Ryder laughs and takes my hand. “Let’s go. Sandy I got you a room all to yourself.”

  Sandy’s face lights up, “Oh my God, are you serious?”

  He winks. “Deadly.”

  “Oh, wow!”

  She skips to the car cheerfully and we all follow. When we arrive at the flashy hotel, I gape. It is huge and definitely five star. Ryder never fails to provide one hell of a time when we go away; he always takes care of us.

  “Holy sweet Mother…” I stammer.

  Ryder takes my hand and pulls me towards the elevator, “Like?”

  I beam, and refrain from jumping up and down like a giddy child, “LOVE!”

  The inside of the hotel is gorgeous, exactly like in the movies. Young boys dressed up in suits, rushing around with big, golden trolleys to fetch people’s bags. Others are parking cars or escorting people to their rooms. The interior is gold designed, with gold carpet floors that have black swirls throughout. Huge chandeliers hang from the roof and right in the middle of the reception area is a huge water display.

  “We are taking the first elevator,” Ryder announces, “Nate, show Sandy to her room. We will rest up for an hour or two, and then meet up at the bar.”

  Sandy grins at me, knowing exactly what Ryder is up to. Nate does the same, but he nods to let Ryder know he understands. Ryder drags me to an elevator that is empty, and shuts the door. As soon as it begins moving, he slams me against the wall and slants his mouth over mine. I groan and grip his hair, tangling my fingers through it. His tongue slides into my mouth, and I nearly drown with emotion.

&n
bsp; “We have three minutes,”

  He grips my leg and jacks it up over his waist, and then he yanks my panties aside, swiping his fingers through my flesh and growling. He unbuckles his belt, and reality hits. Oh…I thought he meant touch…not…fuck.

  “Ryder, we will be caught!”

  “That’s the best part, baby.”

  Excitement floods me; it is very erotic and thrilling. That door could open at any moment and we could be caught. Ryder pulls out his cock and I lick my lips, desperate to feel him. He leans down and then thrusts upwards, impaling me with one long thrust. I whimper; the full feeling is quite overwhelming. Ryder snarls and bites down onto my shoulder. He thrusts hard and fast, not taking anything slowly. I moan and my head falls back to slam into the wall behind us.

  “God, fuck, I have missed fucking you,” he pants, thrusting faster, harder.

  “Oh. Ryder. More.”

  I grip his arms, his teeth graze my neck. I know I won’t get a chance to come, though my body desperately wants to. Ryder is moving too fast, and I know his release will come before mine. I also know as soon as we are in the room, I won’t have to worry about that. Pleasure is rising in me all the same; my body is coming alive with each thrust.

  “Going to come,” Ryder bellows, then I feel him spurt hot and hard inside me. I feel him pulsing, feel his release pouring out.

  The elevator dings just as he is lowering me off his hips. With a quick movement, his jeans are done up and my dress is down. The elevator opens and an old lady comes in. She stares at us both, with a truly fowl look. Ryder winks at her, then takes my hand and leads me out.

  “Mam,” he grins with another wink, “Enjoy the ride. Careful, it’s a bumpy one.”

  “Ryder!” I cry, after glimpsing the woman’s horrified expression.

  “Probably made her day,”

  “Oh sweet Jesus, what am I going to do with you?”

  Ryder chuckles, then leads me down the hall and opens the door to our room. I look around in awe at the modern hotel suite. It is beautiful. I am speechless. The room is huge, with a king sized bed, couch, television, balcony, kitchen and a spa…oh a spa. I leap up and down, and wrap my arms around Ryder’s neck.