New York was everything it had promised to be—fast-paced, flashy and expensive. Too bad, all I could think about was Jack and the way he begged me at the clinic to talk to him. He looked so sexy lying there in the treatment room without a shirt on. Maybe I should have gone out with him for a cup of coffee, but after he’d left my house without so much as a goodbye, and then didn’t even call or text, I knew I couldn’t put up with him. He was too much bad boy for this girl.
Maybe Natalie was right—I was interested in Jack because I was looking for excitement. The kind of excitement that would piss off my dad. I’d rejected that idea when she’d suggested it to me on the plane, but the more I thought about it, the more sense it made. I didn’t want to believe that my attraction for Jack was based solely on rebellion, but perhaps there was an element of truth in that. During these next two days, I intended to put him out of my mind and think about myself for a change. I needed a break from my normal life, or at least that’s what Natalie told me. I was glad I’d taken this trip with her to get away from the drama and chaos back home.
“Mollie, you’re such a dork. You trust too easily and think everyone you meet are good people. You need to realize, some guys will use you, abuse you and toss you away. You’ve got to stand up for yourself.”
“I do! I didn’t cave in and go to lunch with him. I didn’t even tell him about this trip. I just walked out.” I thought about the day of the cookies, and how Jack had thought that his mom was the root of the problem. “I mean Jack thinks I’m done with him because of his mom and I told him no, it was because of him. I think that’s kind of standing up for myself, you think?” I looked out the window and saw the lights of New York coming into view. I’d never been to New York before and I sure didn’t want to mess up this trip because of some guy.
“And Nat, I know if people don’t want to change, they aren’t going to. Take his mom, for instance. What I did was stupid and naïve and that poor woman may never change. Yeah, she’s an alcoholic and has major issues, but Jack isn’t Nellie. He’s got a spark—he’s got a future. I mean, do you know what would happen if Stockton liked him? Everything would change for him.” I smiled at my friend with all the belief I could muster.
Natalie leaned on my shoulder as we were sitting in the airplane, waiting to disembark in New York and whispered to me, “Do you hear yourself, Mollie? It’s always about someone else. What about you?” I didn’t know how to answer her because, quite frankly, I wasn’t sure where the fault was in my logic. An hour later, we were in a luxurious hotel room in the middle of New York City. The phone in the room had already rang a few times and Natalie’s new clients were anxious to take her to dinner, so I was glad that I was going to have some time to myself. Natalie promised that we’d go for drinks when she got back, to which I happily agreed as I ran the hot water in the massive tub. This was going to be a treat.
I climbed in and reveled in the warm water as it slowly covered my skin. As I stretched out and lay back, I felt my worries and troubles melt away. I felt at peace, the events of the past few crazy weeks were gone, and it was just the bubbles and me. I didn’t plan anything, I didn’t think of anything. It was so nice to just lie there and relax—until my cell phone jangled on the table beside me. I peeked at the display and saw that it was Jack, so I sank further down into the bubbles and let it ring. As badly as I wanted to fix him, I knew I couldn’t.
A few hours later, Natalie returned to the room, ready to party. As always, she looked like a million bucks, but I was running behind. I was not the fashionista my friend was, but I managed to find a cute outfit in my closet. It was my version of the little black dress, except it was dark, navy blue but I loved the cut. It suited my short, hourglass figure without making me look too plain—was and we were in New York, so of course I couldn’t wear flats. I strapped on a pair of blue velvet shoes, and after consulting Natalie on accessories, we stepped out into the NYC nightlife. One of her clients had sent us a car and we were given the royal treatment and taken to New York’s hottest new nightspot, Le Chic.
I’d never been to a club that had a waiting list, but apparently, in New York, the best ones always did and as if it was the most natural thing ever, Natalie gave her name to a guy with a clipboard and earpiece. He consulted his list. We stepped through the velvet ropes ahead of everyone standing in line and were led inside by a handsome bouncer. My heart thumped along with the music. I was definitely a small town girl in a big city club. I felt a little intimidated, but at the same time excited about the sights and sounds inside. Natalie turned and smiled at me as she grabbed my hand and we strutted up the lighted stairs to a private room that overlooked the dance floor below. It was an amazing sight and I couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear. We paused to snap a couple of selfies and the bouncer nearly freaked out. He explained to us that selfies weren’t allowed because apparently, celebrities frequented the club and they liked their privacy.
Even though she’d never been to Le Chic, Natalie ordered our drinks like a local and soon we were laughing with new friends in our VIP area and challenging one another to dance.
A deep, sexy voice next to me said, “Hi, I’m Parker. Would you like to dance?” I turned to look at the beautiful man standing next to me, and I almost choked on my drink. If this is what guys looked like in New York, maybe I’d be staying a little while longer. He was tall, muscular, had a head full of dark, wavy hair, and his dark eyes were like melted chocolate.
“Um—I just got here, so I’m—” I felt Natalie kick me gently under the table. I looked at her and pretended I didn’t feel it. “I mean, sure.” I stood up, set my drink on the table and followed Parker down the stairs, giving Natalie a cheesy smile as I left. “By the way, I’m Mollie. Nice to meet you.” Maybe New York wasn’t so bad after all, though I secretly hoped he was a disaster on the dance floor, but he wasn’t. Despite his height and muscular frame, he was graceful and he knew how to lead. A slow song came on and he pulled me closer to him. He smelled like a god and I felt my insides tingle, but when I touched him, all I could think about was Jack. Jack smelled better than this god. In fact, he felt better too.
We’d only been dancing for a few minutes when Parker leaned down and whispered in my ear, “You ready to get out of here, babe?”
“What?” I yelled, as I pulled away from him. “No, I don’t even—oh God No!” I was furious and stormed back to the table where Natalie was still sitting. “Don’t make me dance with anyone else! That douche bag just asked me to leave with him—like I’m a piece of ass!”
“Wow! He did? And he’s so gorgeous!”
“Yeah, a gorgeous dickhead! Let’s blow this place, I’m tired.”
“Already? We only just got here.”
Now I was annoyed, hadn’t she been listening? “Okay fine, you stay. I’m going back to the hotel. I needed a break from the man candy bullshit, not a proposition.”
“I’m not staying here alone. I mean—damn Mollie. Ruin a girls fun why don’t you?”
Oh my God! And she tells me I need to get a backbone! “Natalie, you can stay. I’m not feeling it here.”
“It’s Jack, isn’t it? You’re still thinking about him aren’t you?” She took a sip from her margarita.
“Natalie, are you listening to me? That Parker asshole just asked me to leave with him, like I’m some cheap whore. I’m not staying here.” I picked up my purse and jacket and headed toward the door. I knew we had a car waiting but I’d just get a cab. I’d leave the car for Natalie, they were her clients anyway.
By the time I got back to our room, it was only about eleven, and I snagged a premixed margarita out of the mini bar and downed it. The room was nice; it was more like a semi-suite with a little sofa, table and chairs, a TV in the front and a twin bedroom in the back. The most amazing thing about it though, was the breathtaking view of New York City from the balcony of our Fifth Avenue hotel—it really was the city that never sleeps. I stood there for a while and watched the lights and traffic b
elow me, then changed my clothes and put my favorite jammies on. I made a cup of coffee then went back out and sat there with my phone and my tablet. It was a clear night, and from 23 floors up, it was surprisingly peaceful. I felt bad for leaving Natalie the way I did, but she was with her work associates and I was just a third wheel, even if she was my best friend.
I looked at my phone; I had three missed calls from Jack. I guess now would be as good a time as any to call him back if I was going to do it. Maybe we could have that chat he was talking about. I hesitated a minute, did I really want to open this can of worms again? Maybe if I forgot about him, I could get on with my own life and meet a real man. One who wasn’t so damaged. Dang, Mollie! That’s pretty bitchy of you to throw him away like everyone else has.
I picked up my phone and swiped his number. Part of me wanted him to answer and another part just wanted to leave a message—“Hello? Mollie?”
“Hi Jack, how’s it going?” I wanted to be home right now, closer to him. I don’t know why, but I just felt homesick and got teary-eyed for a minute.
“I’m good, and I’m glad you called. Are you okay? You seemed to be really upset yesterday and I just wanted to say I’m sorry for everything.”
“I’m alright. I’m in New York with Natalie and—”
“New York? What? When are you coming home?” I could hear the desperation in his voice.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be home the day after tomorrow. It’s not a long trip, but I just had to get away. How are you and your mom?”
“Same, but what I wanted to tell you yesterday was that Stockton called. You remember I told you about them? The professional racing organization?”
“Yeah,” I said as I twirled my hair in my fingers. “What did they say?”
“Mollie, they’re going to give me another chance. I’m going to see them at the end of next month and all I have to do is stay out of trouble, test clean and win the race.” I could almost feel him grinning through the phone. “I’m excited. Will you go with me? To the tryout’s I mean.”
“I don’t know. I mean, I’ll try, but—”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry for how I treated you. I’m sorry that my mom’s a bitch. I’m sorry Mollie. I really want to be with you, if not as a boyfriend, then at least as a friend. I know I shouldn’t have made love to you, then left. I was scared, Mols. Please forgive me.”
“Wow, Jack. I don’t—I don’t know what to say.” He’d left me speechless for a second and then I remembered what Grammy had said. See what’s in his heart and right now, he was baring it all to me. “Uhm, sure! Yes, I’ll go with you. Just do what they ask, especially the stay clean part,” I sighed, then hesitated. I knew how hard it was for druggies to get clean on their own. I’d learned all about it in school. “Jack?”
“Yeah?”
“I bet you can kick this druggie thing if you get some help. I know a lot of people have.”
“Yeah, Mollie, I have to. I’ll do anything; I just want to get right with you, my mom, everyone.”
Okay, and Jack, I forgive you—” I heard a loud crash from his end of the phone “What’s that? Jack?”
“Cops! Ho—hold on!”
I could hear scuffling, a man’s voice and things being thrown around. “Jackson Robert Fitzgerald,” the man said, “you’re under arrest for the attempted murder of Mollie DuBois—”
I heard more scuffling while Jack yelled “What? Murder? I di—”
“Don’t fuck with me boy! Put your hands behind your back.”
“Nooooo!” I screamed into the phone. “Jack? Tell them no! Jack! Jaaaack!”
— Continued in —
Fueled Obsession 3
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Acknowledgements
I’d like to thank my lovely readers again for your support. Y’all rock! Without you, there would be no reason for me to keep writing these books. You’re all wonderful and I so appreciate you from the bottom of my heart.
I also want to thank my incredible Facebook fans, newsletter subscribers, beta readers and advance copy reviewers. I so appreciate all your help in making this story a success.
I also want to thank my PA, Chris. Without her taking care of things, I’d never get much writing done and also big thanks to my editor, Cindy and cover designer, Barb who somehow make my words and ideas sparkle.
About The Author
Amanda Heartley is an Amazon bestseller and author of the sinfully sexy erotic romance series, Oceans Apart, Fueled Obsession, Southern Heat and Destiny Undone.
She was born and raised in Oklahoma and subsequently transplanted into the hustle and bustle of Southern California. She's a country girl at heart with an insatiable weakness for sexy men and feisty women.
At home, she plays Mom, chef, ninja, taxi, and nurse hanging out with her four wonderful children and three loveable mutts. You can find her drinking a green smoothie, relaxing in the back yard, writing another steamy story.
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Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2014 Amanda Heartley
Published By: Heartley Publishing
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of the trademarks is not authorized, associated with or sponsored by the trademark owners.
License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook 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 recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
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