by Layla Hagen
"Shut up," Chase says.
We all do as the door to the terrace opens and the girls come in. Jess is first, carrying her three-year-old daughter, Sarah, in her arms, followed by a highly pregnant Serena, who's talking to Hazel. Dani comes in last. She's wearing a strapless, short white dress that looks gorgeous on her tan skin and hugs her slim curves deliciously. When she looks up at me, she takes my breath away. Yeah, she still does that five years later, and I’m sure she always will. My girl turned twenty-four today, and we've all gathered here to celebrate. We've had the cake already, and now it's time for her to open her presents. They're all piled up right next to the couch, except mine. It's in the pocket of my jacket, waiting to finally rest on her finger. I've waited long enough for this, and twenty-four seems the perfect age to propose to her. I've wanted to do it since our freshman year at college, but I knew we still had a bit of growing up to do. Dani worked at the chocolate factory during college, and after graduating, she became the right hand of the CEO. I founded my company during my second year at Stanford. I won't lie, I didn't build it up all on my own; I've had lots of help from James and Parker. But I've learned that taking help doesn't mean I’m weak. It means I’m smart.
Almost unconsciously, I pat my pocket, wondering if Dani will like her ring. I asked James and Parker for tips when I went shopping for it because they bought decent rings for Serena and Jess. At least they both seem happy with their rings. They all look the same to me: big, white, round stone in the center. Turns out James and Parker were as clueless as I was. They pointed me to the shop they bought it from, owned by a friend of theirs. They also pointed me to the same personal shopper who helped them pick theirs. I look at Dani's ring finger again. Yeah, that diamond will fit her just perfectly.
***
Dani
"Anyone else want a second piece of cake?" I help myself to a second serving, watching Jessica trying to braid Sarah's hair. Parker watches them from afar with a dreamy smile; Jess and Sarah wear light pink dresses. The fabric is identical, but the design differs. They look freaking adorable.
"No, thanks," Hazel says. "If I eat anything else, I'll explode."
"Mommy," Sarah asks loudly, looking at Hazel crestfallen. "Why do all these people talk so funny? Didn't they learn how to spell proper words at school?"
"Ah, we're all just lousy Americans," Chase says.
"Sarah, you can't say that," Jess admonishes her. "It's rude."
"Mommy, you are saying it wrong. It's ruuuuuude." Her little mouth curves to form the long u. I bite my tongue to stifle a laugh.
"Ah, that lovely moment when your daughter corrects your accent." Jess plants a huge kiss on her daughter's cheek. "Off you go, your hair's ready." Sarah runs right into my presents pile and starts playing with my gift boxes. Jess and Parker both stand up, but before they can stop her, I motion them that it's all right.
Damon walks up to me, leaning from behind to whisper in my ear, "Can I get another piece of cake?"
"Not until you give me my gift."
"How do you know it's not in the pile?" he asks. I turn around to face him. "You haven't opened the presents."
"I know it's not," I reply. He's hiding something. I've known it since we arrived here a few hours ago. The others are in on whatever he's hiding. They smile at me for no apparent reason like they're all enjoying a private joke or something.
"Let's take a walk."
"Okay." A light flutter settles in my stomach as he takes my hand and leads me outside to the terrace. The mid-July sun burns intensely, making my skin prickle with heat. We descend the staircase to the beach, tossing our shoes aside before we step onto the sand. "I don't see you carrying any gift," I tease.
"It's a small package." Leaning in, he drops his voice to a knowledgeable whisper. "Strong essences are kept in small bottles."
"You bought me a perfume?" I inspect his jacket, looking for the contour of a mini-bottle. It's hard to disguise my curiosity.
His face splits into a grin. "I love this about you."
"What?" Caught off-guard, my eyes snap up to him.
"Your curiosity." He drags his fingers down my cheeks. "The way your eyes light up when you look at me."
My insides melt and I fidget in my spot, sinking half an inch in the sand. Damon takes a step back, dipping his hand into the inside pocket of his coat. I expect him to snatch out a miniature perfume bottle, but his next move whips my breath away. He drops on one knee at the same time he whisks a small jewelry box out of his pocket.
"Not perfume," I whisper, my legs suddenly weak.
"Dani Cohen..." His voice quivers slightly. "You’ve meant everything to me almost from the day I met you—”
"Surely not. I insulted you that first day."
Damon smiles, cutting through my rambling. "They were good insults; I deserved them. Besides, that's why I said almost. Now, can I finish the question?" he asks. I nod, a strange sensation overcoming me. It's like I've just drunk an entire bottle of champagne by myself and all the bubbles have cumulated low in my stomach. "You will always mean everything to me. Will you marry me?"
The bubbles inside suddenly burst, filling me with euphoria. I stare as he opens the lid of the box, revealing the most beautiful ring I've ever seen. The stone is an emerald, like the color of his eyes. Tearing my gaze from the ring, I look at Damon, drinking him in. I love this man more than anything in the world. Every day, I learn to see the perfection in his love and the beauty in his mistakes. He is mine, and I am his. It's only when I see apprehension creeping in his eyes that I realize he's still waiting for my answer.
"Yes, yes, yes." Once the words are out of my mouth, the euphoria explodes, painting a wide grin on my face. As he slides the ring on my finger, a vision of a mini-me wearing a dress similar to mine, like Jess and her daughter do, flashes before my eyes. "I don't want to ever take it off." I’m practically squeaking.
"You're not supposed to."
"Let's go tell the others. Oh, wait, they already know, don't they?"
Rising to his feet, Damon grins, sliding his arms around my waist and planting a soft kiss on my lips. I’m surprised to discover I’m trembling slightly.
"Nervous?"
"Like it's our first kiss all over again."
"Mmm," he murmurs against my lips. "I remember how delicious that first kiss was." A look of mischief takes hold of his features. "Do you remember what else we did that day?"
Smiling, I turn to look at the beckoning waves of the ocean.
"Skinny-dipping," we say together.
Dear Reader,
If you want to receive a FREE copy of my full-length romance Found in Us (retail price $3.99), please click HERE.
***
THE END
***
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Other Books by Layla Hagen
Titles in the Lost Series
Novella Lost
Lost is a FREE is a prequel novella to Lost in Us and can be read before or after.
Whatever might help him forget his past and numb the pain, James has tried it all: booze, car races, fights, and then some. Especially women. College offers plenty of opportunities for everything. . . Especially when you have a trust fund to spend.
Serena spirals deeper and deeper into a hurricane of pain. But no matter how far she falls, there’s no redemption from the overwhelming guilt.
Two souls consumed by their pasts fight to learn how to survive. But all hope seems to be lost.
Until they meet each other.
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***
Lost in Us
The story of James and Serena
Serena has learned to live with her past, locking her secrets and nightmares deep inside her. But when her boyfriend of six years abruptly leaves her, she's catapulted back into pain, nursing a broken heart. When indulging in mountains of chocolate doesn't work, Serena decides the best way to deal with her shattered heart is to indulge in something else. A rebound . . .
The night she swaps her usual Sprite for tequila, she meets James. The encounter is breathtaking. Electrifying. And best not repeated.
James is a successful entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. A man who has amassed a fortune by taking risks. A man who has shunned commitment completely, and still does. He's the exact opposite of Serena. But sometimes opposites attract. Sometimes they give in to burning passion. Sometimes opposites are perfect for each other.
James is everything her damaged soul could want. His kisses are intoxicating, his touch out of this world. He makes her forget. He grants her peace from her pain. But as they grow closer, Serena discovers she isn't the only one with a past. James carries the scars of a past much darker than hers. One that has left him damaged, hurt, and wary of love. A past that gives him the power to shatter her.
Now James and Serena must find a way to mend one another. Or risk losing each other forever.
***
Found in Us
The story of Jessica and Parker
Jessica Haydn wants to leave her past behind. Hurt by one too many heartbreaks, she vows not to fall in love again. Especially not with a man like Parker, whose electrifying pull and smile bruised her ego once before. But his sexy British accent makes her crave his touch, and his blue eyes strip Jessica of all her defenses.
Parker Blakesley has no place for love in his life. He learned the hard way not to trust. He built his business empire by avoiding distractions, and using sheer determination and control. But something about Jessica makes him question everything. Not only has she a body made for sin, but her laughter fills a void inside of him.
The desire igniting between them spirals into an unstoppable passion, and so much more. Soon, neither can fight their growing emotional connection. But can two scarred souls learn to trust again? And when a mistake threatens to tear them apart, will their love be strong enough?
***
Withering Hope
USA Today Bestseller
Aimee’s wedding is supposed to turn out perfect. Her dress, her fiancé and the location—the idyllic holiday ranch in Brazil—are perfect.
But all Aimee’s plans come crashing down when the private jet that’s taking her from the U.S. to the ranch—where her fiancé awaits her—defects mid-flight and the pilot is forced to perform an emergency landing in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
With no way to reach civilization, being rescued is Aimee and Tristan’s—the pilot—only hope. A slim one that slowly withers away, desperation taking its place. Because death wanders in the jungle under many forms: starvation, diseases. Beasts.
As Aimee and Tristan fight to find ways to survive, they grow closer. Together they discover that facing old, inner agonies carved by painful pasts takes just as much courage, if not even more, than facing the rainforest.
Despite her devotion to her fiancé, Aimee can’t hide her feelings for Tristan—the man for whom she’s slowly becoming everything. You can hide many things in the rainforest. But not lies. Or love.
Withering Hope is the story of a man who desperately needs forgiveness and the woman who brings him hope. It is a story in which hope births wings and blooms into a love that is as beautiful and intense as it is forbidden.
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Caught In Us
Copyright © 2015 Layla Hagen
Published by Layla Hagen
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.
Published: Layla Hagen 2014
Cover: Cover it! Designs. https://www.facebook.com/CoverItDesigns
***
Acknowledgements
There are so many people who helped me fulfill the dream of publishing, that I am utterly terrified I will forget to thank someone. If I do, please forgive me. Here it goes.
First, I’d like to thank my beta readers, Jessica, Dee, Karen and Janet. You made this story (and those before it) so much better!!
I want to thank every blogger and reader who took a chance with me as a new author and helped me spread the word. You have my most heartfelt gratitude. To my street team. . .you rock !!!
Last but not least, I would like to thank my family. I would never be here if not for their love and support. Mom, you taught me that books are important, and for that I will always be grateful. Dad, thank you for always being convinced that I should reach for the stars.
To my sister, whose numerous ahem. . .legendary replies will serve as an inspiration for many books to come, I say thank you for your support and I love you, kid.
To my husband, who always, no matter what, believed in me and supported me through all this whether by happily taking on every chore I overlooked or accepting being ignored for hours at a time, and most importantly encouraged me whenever I needed it, I love you and I could not have done this without you.
<<<<>>>>
Table of Contents
Chapter One: Dani
Chapter Two: Dani
Chapter Three: Dani
Chapter Four: Damon
Chapter Five: Dani
Chapter Six: Damon
Chapter Seven: Dani
Chapter Eight: Dani
Chapter Nine: Dani
Chapter Ten: Damon
Chapter Eleven: Dani
Chapter Twelve: Dani
Chapter Thirteen: Dani
Chapter Fourteen: Dani
Chapter Fifteen: Dani
Chapter Sixteen: Damon
Chapter Seventeen: Dani
Chapter Eighteen: Damon
Chapter Nineteen: Dani
Chapter Twenty: Damon
Chapter Twenty-One: Dani
One year later
Chapter Twenty-Two: Dani
Chapter Twenty-Three: Dani
Chapter Twenty-Four: Damon
Chapter Twenty-Five: Dani
Chapter Twenty-Six: Damon
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Dani
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Dani
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Damon
Chapter Thirty: Dani
Chapter Thirty-One: Dani
Chapter Thirty-Two: Damon
Chapter Thirty-Three: Dani
Chapter Thirty-Four: Dani
Chapter Thirty-Five: Dani
Chapter Thirty-Six: Dani
Epilogue: Five years later
Other Books by Layla Hagen
Acknowledgements
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