Dirty Dix (Hard Love Romance #1)

by Monica James

  What did I just agree to?

  I just signed my soul over to Lucifer herself, and I don’t know what to do. There is no way I can do what Juliet is proposing. I can’t. I can’t touch her the way she wants me to because I’m no longer that man. Madison has changed me, and I’ve never felt so alive. But what other choice do I have?

  Juliet has the power to destroy my personal life and my career. Even if her claims fall on deaf ears, they’ll plant the seed of doubt, and once planted, my reputation will be ruined. This is not a forgiving world we live in, especially when you live amongst rich, judgmental pricks.

  At floor fourteen, I realize I’m fucked.

  My sordid past has come back to bite me in the ass, and I’ve got no one to blame but myself. I could blame Lily, or my mother’s death, for behaving like an immoral whore, but that would be a cop-out, an excuse. I did the things I did because I liked it. If the tables were turned and I was the one facing the judgmental chair, I would diagnose myself as being an addict of the worst kind.

  I’m addicted to sin.

  My body is dripping in perspiration and shaking in rage as I shoulder open the door and frantically search the foyer for Madison. The moment I see her, my heart sinks in regret because I see her leaning against a wall, crying.

  Has Juliet had second thoughts and gone ahead and told her what a filthy bastard I really am?

  “Madison?” I anxiously call, charging over to her.

  She quickly turns my way and I hold my breath, unsure of what I’ll see reflected in her eyes. But I exhale softly when I see only relief and happiness flash across her troubled face.

  “Dixon,” she cries, meeting me halfway. “Did you take the stairs?” she sniffs, looking at my disheveled state.

  “Ah, yes. The elevator was taking too long, and I couldn’t wait to see you. Why are you crying, angelo?” I ask, brushing away a tear away.

  She lowers her face, and I raise her chin with my fingertips. “What’s wrong?”

  “I…I thought you had second thoughts.”

  “About us?” I ask, horrified.

  “Yes,” she confesses, a tear spilling down her cheek.

  “Why on earth would you think that?” I coo, wiping away her tear.

  “Because of Beth,” she sadly admits. “She’s toxic, Dixon. Everything she touches turns to shit.”

  “Well, you’ve got nothing to worry about,” I affirm, pulling her into my arms. “She will never touch me,” I conclude, meaning every word.

  “What did she want to talk to you about?” she muffles against my chest.

  “It’s not important. The only thing that matters is you. It’s been a big night, I’ll take you home,” I say, needing to get as far away from Juliet as possible.

  “Can I stay at your place?” she asks, nervously.

  Normally, I would be overjoyed at her confidence, but now, I just feel undeserving. But how can I say no? “Of course,” I reply. “I would like nothing more.” Still in my arms, I can’t help but ask her, “Why Beth?”

  Madison sniffs, wrapping her arms tighter around my waist. “Apparently her mom named her after Juliet Capulet. The reason for this, according to Juliet, was because she was exceptionally beautiful and would capture the heart of any man. Friend or foe,” she adds, and I can’t help but snicker at Juliet’s arrogance.

  “Anyway, Mary and I decided that Macbeth was a better-suited Shakespearean character for her. And when I say Macbeth, I mean Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is ambitious, manipulative and evil. And she’s also in cahoots with the witches. Therefore, Beth stuck, as it’s better suited than Juliet.”

  “I think you’ve chosen well,” I spit, while Madison pulls away, looking up at me curiously. I don’t elaborate. I do, however, ask her, “What’s my nickname?”

  She thinks about it for a moment and smiles. “You’re just Dixon.”

  “Really? I don’t get a special name?” I question with a staged frown.

  Madison reaches up, and lays her palm against my cheek. “Your name is special enough,” she sincerely confesses, while my heart shatters into two.

  Act V

  35

  Choose Wisely

  DIXON

  In life, you’re given a choice to do good, or to do evil. And whatever choice you make, impacts your entire future.

  If I knew then what I know now, would I have chosen differently?

  Looking down at the sleeping angel beside me, I know the answer is yes. I would have done so many things differently. But that’s the thing about hindsight: no one has a crystal ball to predict if your decision was the right one to make. You simply have to live with the consequences and deal with the life you’ve chosen to live.

  So choose wisely, my friends, because once you’ve chosen…there’s no turning back. So, what choice did I make?

  There was only ever one choice to make.

  My hand was forced and now…I’m driven to sin.

  What greater punishment is there than life when you’ve lost everything that made it worth living?

  Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare.

  A letter from Monica

  Thank you, merci, danke, toda, grazie, obrigado, salamat po, and arigato! No matter what language, I wanted to thank you so very much for reading this.

  I am honestly so blessed to have incredible readers such as yourself welcome me and my characters into your heart and home. There are so many amazing components to writing, and one of my most favourite parts is to read what YOU the reader thought. I’m constantly wondering if you laughed, cried, swooned, and let’s not forget, almost dropped the book and screamed NO HE DIDN’T when I did. If you loved Dixon and his sinful gang, I would absolutely love to hear from you. Sharing is caring as they say, so I would be so very thankful if you could take a few moments and leave a short review. And just between you and me, so would Dr. Mathews ;)

  To keep in the loop with the latest news on my releases and not miss an iota of juicy goss, just click on the link below to sign up for a newsletter:

  Monica James New Releases Email

  Thank you once again for reading my book, and stay tuned for Book 2: Wicked Dix… coming soon.

  If you thought Dixon Mathews was deliciously bad in Book 1, you better strap yourself in because we’ve only skimmed the surface, my friends. In the words of Dr. Mathews, “Who wants to be good, when it feels so good being bad?”

  All my love,

  Monica James x

  @monicajames81

  authormonicajames

  monicajamesbooks.blogspot.co.uk

  Also By Monica James

  A Hard Love Romance Series

  Dirty Dix

  Wicked Dix COMING SOON

  I Surrender Series

  I Surrender

  Surrender to Me

  Surrendered

  White

  Something Like Normal Series

  Something Like Normal

  Something Like Redemption

  Something Like Love

  Acknowledgments

  I thought with practice, this part of writing would become a lot easier. I thought wrong.

  Thank you to Bookouture for taking a leap of faith on something and someone they believed in from the very beginning. Claire Bord, thank you so much for being one of the most patient, most professional, and most kindest person I’ve ever met.

  To my amazingly brilliant rock star Agent, Madeleine Milburn. Maddy, you are a SUPERSTAR! From the moment we connected, I knew you were the one to champion my work. I remember you promising to shout about this book from the rooftops! And you did. You have done this, and so much more. You are one in a billion million trillion, and I so look forward to a long and successful career together. I can’t wait to give you a big hug in person.

  Thank you to the exceptional staff at the Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency, especially Cara Lee Simpson. Cara, I really appreciate everything you’ve done! No question ever remains unanswered, and I really want to thank y
ou for being so patient and compassionate with me. Your assurance during my mini freakouts is greatly appreciated! I couldn’t have done it without you!

  My go to word girl, Toni Rakestraw. Toni, I don’t know how many times I tell you this, but I love your guts. Thank you for shaping me into the writer I am today. My book would just be words without you.

  Kim Nash you are freaking amazing and I love you to bits!! I wish I could bottle your humour because whenever we chat, I can’t stop laughing! Thanks for the makeup tips, too!

  Jay McLean – you’ll forever be my number 1 cooch! Thanks for all the chats. Your advice, honesty, but most of all, your kindness, makes you one of the most sincere and genuine people I know. What you see is what you get, and what I see, I like...I like it a lot.

  Kendall Ryan – thank you so much for your advice and for helping me out. Before my baby was unleashed on the world, you were there to offer your guidance, and for that, I will forever be grateful.

  My fellow authors and friends: Lisa Edward, Tina Gephart, Beverly Preston, Beth Michele, Nina Levine, Steve Genis, Kylie Scott, Carmen Jenner, Kathy-Jo Reinhart, Christina Lauren, Whitney G, Kirsty E Moseley, Natasha Preston and Jacinta Maree, Heidi McLaughlin, CJ Roberts, Rachel Brookes, Justine Elvira, Ilsa Madden-Mills – thank you for the inspiration, chats, and friendship.

  Extra special thanks to Lisa Edward and Melissa Stewart-Allum for taking the time to read the first draft. I appreciate the feedback.

  Ariana McWilliams – I seriously would be still trying to organise my cover reveal for I Surrender if it weren’t for you! Thank you for everything, girl. I’m so happy we finally got to meet! You and Scott are the nicest people in this entire world, and I cannot wait to see you again next April! Let the bromance continue!

  You amazing bloggers! There are so many of you who have helped me spread Dixon Domination across the globe. I honestly cannot thank you enough! You guys are rock stars! THANK YOU!

  Bethany MacNicholl and the girls Mindy, Lynne, & Angela from Talkbooks – I have girl crushes on each and every one of you.

  A special thank you to my kitty rock star, Lisa Pantano Kane at Three Chicks and Their Books. I know you’ll be visiting me on Cat Island one day soon!

  An extra special FLUFF thank you to Annie Gabor and the girls Lexy, Jamie, & Jocelyn from All Is Read – Lexy, you can creepily stare at me ANY TIME! And Annie, KIDNAP ME! I don’t eat much!

  My beautiful family – Mum, Papa, Fran, Matt, Samantha, Amelia, Gayle, Peter, Luke, Leah and Shirley. I am the luckiest person alive to know each and every one of you. You brighten up my world in ways I honestly cannot express.

  Papa and Mum – you are my inspiration. I love you so much.

  Gayle and Peter – Thanks for the constant support. I’m so lucky to have you guys as in-laws. And thanks for the lemon meringue!

  My wonderful husband, Dani. You’re my rock star. I am so proud of you.

  Fran – thanks for being my helper. Next time, we’ll figure out how to put up the banner! Bring on the buffet!

  Samantha and Amelia – Your smiles brighten this world. Auntie loves you so very much.

  Louise Mercer – I’ve known you for more than half of my life. You are my sista 4 life and I love you so much. Let’s open Cat Island soon!

  Gemma Cawley – You’re my number 1 PLL, devil climber, phoebe smelling, mermaid screaming, kitty sock wearing, Zac Efron, Harry Potter, coconut drinking, red liquorice eating, Panic! at the Disco dancing buddy and I love you to bits.

  Nicole Smith and Stacey Kingston – without your magical touch, I would be a broken old women with terrible posture and wearing my shoulders as earrings.

  Extra special thanks: Karli Roderick, Yvonne McBroom, Vicki Ballanytne, Jane Ashton, Jaz Menta, Amy, Lauren, Sandy Borrero, Vilma Gonzalez, Natasha Giagnacovo Rochon, Bianca Smith, Lynnette Stallone, Romance Writers of Australia, my cousins; Michael, Rob, Elisa, Evan, Alex, and Francesca, and my aunties and uncles.

  My fur babies – mamma loves you so much! Buckwheat, I hope you and Gertrude number 5 live happily ever after. Dacca, I will always protect you from the big bad Bellie. Mitch, refer to Dacca’s comment. Jag, you’re a wombat in disguise. Bellie, you’re a devil in disguise. And Ninja, thanks for watching over me.

  To anyone I have missed, I’m sorry! It wasn’t intentional! So to make amends, this part is for you! Please insert name for your personalised acknowledgment.

  Monica James thanks _________________________ so very much! She’s owes you a coffee and a billion hugs.

  Love M x

  Last but certainly not least, I want to thank YOU! Thank you for reading this.

  Published by Bookouture - an imprint of StoryFire Ltd.

  23 Sussex Road, Ickenham, UB10 8PN, United Kingdom

  www.bookouture.com

  Copyright © Monica James 2015

  Monica James has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events other than those clearly in the public domain, are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN: 978-1-910751-52-7