by Jess Bryant
“I don’t.” Maya cut her off with a shake of her head. “I don’t want to know.”
A hurt look crossed Nova’s face, “Even if its good?”
“You woke up screaming barely an hour after your head touched the pillow. It’s not even eleven o’clock. What good news could you possibly have for me?”
“I didn’t know I screamed.” Nova was still chewing her lips, “I’m sorry about that. I think… I think I was just surprised more than anything. I wasn’t scared. I’m sorry if I worried you.”
“It’s fine.” Maya sighed heavily and played with her sister’s hair for a moment, “I always worry about you. It’s fine. But if you’re okay, I’m going to go back to bed.”
“Wait.” Nova caught her hand as Maya stood to leave.
“I told you already, I don’t want to know whatever it was that you saw. I don’t believe in fate the way you do. I can’t. I have to believe that whatever comes of my life, after everything we’ve been through, that I’m the one that gets to choose how it turns out.”
“I know but…”
“No buts, Nova. Go back to sleep.” She made her voice firm and had already turned back to the door when her sister snorted.
“That’s the thing, neither of us is going back to sleep. Not tonight.”
She spun around, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Nova shrugged. Maya opened her mouth to ask her sister what sort of game she was playing but before she could utter a single syllable a loud banging noise broke through the silence. Maya jumped a little and Nova tried to hide a smirk. The noise came again and this time, Maya recognized it for what it was.
“Who’s knocking on our door at this hour, Nova?”
“You told me not to tell you.” Her sister grinned this time and Maya had to take a deep, calming breath when the knocking came again, harder this time.
“Nova, tell me what’s waiting for me on the other side of that door.”
Her sister smiled, slow and soft, her eyes twinkling when she gave another shrug, “Your fate.”
“Nova.” She growled a warning but her sister held her hands up innocently.
“You asked so I told you the truth. Your fate is waiting for you on the other side of that door. Go and open it, Maya. You won’t be disappointed. I promise.”
She narrowed her eyes at her sister and then, when the knocking continued, she cursed under her breath and went to see for herself who was bothering them this late at night. Her fate? Yeah, right. It was most likely one of their siblings looking for a babysitter or one of Maya’s friends too drunk from a night out to find their way home and hoping to crash on the couch. No matter who it was, she was going to tell them to piss off because she was in no mood for visitors and Nova’s words had made the hair on the back of her neck stand up.
“I’m coming!” She growled as the banging continued but when she threw the door open, all the air rushed out of her lungs.
It wasn’t one of her siblings. It wasn’t one of her friends. It was a stranger… but he was so much more than that.
Her gut clenched and her heart galloped in a way that it never had before. She thought her mouth might have fallen open but couldn’t seem to think enough to pull it back shut. She stared in awe at the man standing on the other side of the door, the one that Nova had called her fate, and she silently cursed herself for opening the door even as she breathed in his intoxicating scent.
He was like no one she’d ever seen before. Tall and broad shouldered with biceps that looked like they were stretching the limits of the simple gray t-shirt he wore. There was ink there, colorful lines and markings that circled his pale skin and twisted down to his wrists. It was beautiful. He was beautiful.
“I’m sorry.” He spoke first, dragging her out of her reverie and his voice was smooth like honey, “I was looking for someone but… I uh… I think maybe I have the wrong place.”
Maya forced her eyes back to his face. Bright, emerald green eyes met hers and were filled with the kind of heat that was already beginning to spread through her veins. Thick lashes that would make a woman jealous flitted over them hiding his thoughts from her and he cleared his throat, pushing a big hand through the unruly copper tresses that grew long on his head. He had matching reddish stubble on his strong, square jaw that framed lips that looked pillow soft. When he licked them nervously she nearly moaned.
No. No, no, no.
Maya shook away the rush of need that had threatened to drown her and forced herself to use her own voice, “Who were you looking for?”
“Zoey. I uh… I’m looking for Zoey Leery or, well… I guess her last name isn’t Leery anymore. It’s… Kent I think though, hell, it’s been so long, maybe she’s married and it’s something else.”
The mention of Zoey made Maya narrow her eyes suspiciously. This was Zoey’s apartment. This man had the right address. He was just a few years too late. Zoey had mated Michael’s brother Rafe and moved out to the cabin at the lake years ago. She went by Zoey Hudson now but Maya didn’t dare reveal that information to this stranger.
She put her hands on her hips, “How do you know Zoey?”
The handsome stranger scratched his stubble covered jaw, his intense green eyes darting over her from top to bottom before he gave a slight shake of his head as if he needed to focus. Maya understood. The pull between them was magnetic. She could feel it in her every muscle, every nerve, every cell of her being yearned to be closer to this stranger. But she fought it and considering he appeared to be human, she thought he was doing a damn good job ignoring it himself.
“I uh…” Those green eyes darted down the hallway and then, finally, they came back to Maya’s and stayed on her face, “My name is Zander Leery. I’m Zoey’s brother.”
To be continued…
The Crescent Wolves are getting their own series in 2020.
Acknowledgments
Maren – I feel like I say it every time but it has to be said. This book wouldn’t exist without you. I swear I used to know how to write without someone pushing me and cheering me on and telling me every day that the words will come when they’re ready but I can’t anymore… I’m basically a toddler who couldn’t dress myself without your input now. Never leave me.
Tarrah – You have a way of making even the worst days better. I don’t know what I would do without your light in my life. You are funny and kind and so, so supportive. I feel extremely lucky to be able to call you friend and I thank you so much for telling me to keep going on the days when it got too hard to make words go from my brain to my fingers. You’re amazing.
Lesley – You’re my number one cheerleader and my best friend. You know I love you but just in case all the heart emojis didn’t convince you, I put it in actual words, in a book no less. So hopefully this time you remember to read these acknowledgements at the end of the book. I love you.
Sara - You’re a lifesaver. Seriously, I don’t know what I would have done with this story without you. Probably tossed the whole thing in the garbage bin and then whined about it for a really long time. I’m glad you helped it survive that fate. You’re the best.
Dee - You are my Arthur. I bow to your skills. Always.
Laura, Shay, Lisa, Ace – You’re the greatest support system a girl could ever need and I adore you all.
Valerie, Jenny, Nicole and the rest of my amazing book babes and bibliophiles – You asked for this book, repeatedly, and so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your continued support and acceptance. You make every day fun. Thank you.
Xoxo, Jess
About the Author
Jess Bryant is an avid indoorswoman. A city girl trapped in a country girl's life, her heart resides in Dallas but her soul and roots are in small town Oklahoma. She enjoys manicures, the color pink, and her completely impractical for country life stilettos. She believes that hair color is a legitimate form of therapy, as is reading and writing romance. She started writing as a little girl but her life changed foreve
r when she stole a book from her aunt's Harlequin collection and she's been creating love stories with happily ever afters ever since.
Jess holds a degree in Public Relations from the University of Oklahoma and is a lifetime supporter of her school and athletic teams. And why not? They have a ton of National Championships! She may be a girlie girl but she knows her sports stats and isn't afraid to tell you that your school isn't as cool as hers... or that your sports romance got it all wrong.
For more information on Jess and upcoming releases, contact her at [email protected] or follow her on her many social media accounts for news and shenanigans.
Also Available From Jess Bryant
The West Brothers Series
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Something To Talk About
Too Good To Be True
Stand-Alone
It Had To Be You
Call Me, Irresistible
Stay A Little Longer
Bomar Boys Series
No Regrets
No Apologies
No Fear
Anthologies & Co-Writes
Rounding Third: A Baseball Anthology
Fated Mates Duet
Unbreakable Bond
Unbelievable Faith
Call Me, Irresistible
A Fate, Texas Novel
Impulsive. Irresponsible. Impossible.
Lemon Kelly lives in a world that is fast, loud and a little bit crazy. She left her small hometown for the bright lights of Nashville and has been living her dream ever since. She's traveled the world and plays her music for crowds of adoring fans. She has everything she ever wanted. Only the wants of a 17 year old girl vary greatly from the needs of a grown woman. Is it selfish to want something more, something like the love she writes songs about?
Can a girl have two dreams? Or will she have to give up one to get the other? And if so... which? Fame or a family of her own?
Stable. Solid. Safe.
Shane Lowry likes his quiet, controlled life. The always responsible small town deputy is a father to his three daughters first and foremost. Nothing comes before them. He had to grow up fast and early and he's long since stopped letting silly things like lust control his actions. He doesn't even date. So why does he find himself so drawn to the lively girl next door turned country music superstar that is the complete opposite of what he should want in a woman?
If he lets her in, she'll shake up his entire world. He knows it. But is that a good thing or a very bad thing?
The sparks between them are undeniable. The pull irresistible. And if they take a chance they just might find what they've both been missing.
*Call Me, Irresistible is a standalone, full length, contemporary romance novel set in Fate, Texas with a guaranteed HEA. It is intended for audiences 18+ due to language and sexual situations. If you enjoy the quirky characters in this little town, try other releases by Jess Bryant set in Fate such as the West Brothers Series.*
It Had To Be You
A Fate, Texas Novel
Austin Evans is a playboy, a flirt and a charmer. He’s dated half the female population of Fate, Texas and figures he’ll get around to the other half before he ever decides to settle down. Fate, however, has other ideas. Because one night with the prim and proper town doctor isn’t nearly enough. He can’t get her out of his head, doesn’t want her out of his bed and if he can convince her to give him half a chance he’ll keep her in his life forever.
It was supposed to be one night. One night of passion. One night of scorching hot, mind-blowing, earth-rocking fun. It was a one night stand that somehow turned into two nights, then three and four… and Victoria Sands knew better. Of course she knew better. She was a good girl, a smart girl. She knew better than to continue seeking him out, knew better than to keep falling into his arms, knew better than to let her heart get involved, but when it came to Austin her logical, rational brain never stood a chance to her body’s desire.
They’re complete opposites. She’s the town princess and he’s the boy from the wrong side of the tracks. She grew up in the mansion on the hill and his mother is the woman that cleans it. She thinks everything through and he goes with his gut instinct. The one thing they have in common is that they’ve never felt anything like the sparks that flare between them.
But is that enough to build a life on? A family on? And what about forever?
