SAXON
by
Chantal Fernando
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty One
Chapter Twenty Two
Chapter Twenty Three
Chapter Twenty Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
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.
CHANTAL FERNANDO
Published August 2014
Cover design © Arijana Karčić, Cover It! Designs
Edited by Jenny Sims
SAXON 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.
Trademarks: This book identifies product names and services known to be trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of their respective holders, The authors acknowledges the trademarked status in this work of fiction. The publication and use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Copyright © 2014 Chantal Fernando
ISBN-13: 978-1500551131
ISBN-10: 1500551139
All rights reserved.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Ari at Cover It! Designs for your talent and help with everything and anything. I kind of love you.
Thank you to my beta readers: Kimberly Brower, Stephanie Knowles, Kara Brown, Flavia Davids and Stephanie Felix.
Rose and Tash at Forever Me Romance- Thank you so much for all that you do for me.
Kitty Kats Crazy About Books- Thank you for everything!
Thank you to all the blogs that help promote me—I appreciate it more than I can express.
Last but not least thank you to my family and my three sons.
I love you all
Dedication
For Aileen.
Because that’s what friends are for.
Prologue
I can feel his eyes on me, tracking my every movement. Does he have to make it so obvious? It’s hard to ignore him, because I do feel that connection between us. I’m not so far in denial to lie about that.
The heat, it’s there.
Oh it’s there alright. It’s scorching. It’s an inferno.
And it’s going to burn me alive.
Why couldn’t it be anyone else? Why him? I turn my head and see him sitting there, his back against the wall. He is so handsome, it actually hurts.
My pulse starts to race.
His lips quirk, indicating he knows he has my attention. My date returns and sits opposite me. He starts to talk, but I have no idea what he’s saying, because my eyes are still on Sax. His gaze darts to my date, hurt and anger flashing in his brown eyes before he is able to mask it. My teeth sink into my bottom lip as I make up my mind. I offer him a smile, which I know he’ll understand. I’m about to tell my date I need to leave when Sax lifts his drink to his mouth. As I see the initials tattooed on his knuckles, I remember. I remember why he isn’t for me, and my shields rebuild right before my eyes.
Saxon Tate is forbidden. And I can never allow myself to even consider going there.
Chapter One
Tee
“Can you please wear some different jeans? I can almost see your ass crack,” Ryder complains as he sits at the table, mouth tight with disapproval.
“These are your girlfriend’s jeans,” I point out, raising an eyebrow. I had somehow managed to squeeze into them—they must be like the jeans from that travelling pants movie. “And trust me, no other man is complaining.”
“That’s the point,” he grumbles, biting into the cake Layla baked him. I had offered to deliver it to Ryder’s house, but not just because I was a nice person and loved my cousin.
The truth was, I had an ulterior motive and wanted to sweeten him up, so to speak.
“How’s the cake?” I ask him, leaning my elbows on the kitchen countertop.
“Fuckin’ amazing,” he says around another mouthful.
“Good,” I reply, thrumming my black painted fingernails on the table.
He puts the slice of cake down and narrows his eyes on me. “You want something don’t you?”
I gasp, acting affronted. “Can’t a girl just drop by and visit her favourite cousin?”
I put my hand over my chest dramatically and pout my lips.
Ryder flashes me a crooked grin in response. “What is it you want, Tee?”
“You mean besides your soul?” I reply in a creepy tone.
“Yes, besides that. My first born kid maybe?”
I scrunch my nose. “I don’t like kids that much—you know that.”
He stares at me and waits for me to speak, an amused look on his face.
“When you go on tour, can I borrow your car?” I ask, batting my eyelashes at him.
He stills. “You want to drive my car?”
“Yes…”
“My brand new Aston Martin Vanquish…”
“Yes.”
He starts laughing. “No way in hell, you’re a crazy driver.”
My jaw drops. “I’m still a good driver though! I’ve never had a crash.”
Knock on wood.
Well there was that one time… but he doesn’t know about that.
He raises his eyebrows. “Really? What about that time in Scotland when you…”
“Oh my god! I can’t believe Lexi told you that! What happened to hoes before bros?” I grumble.
“Did you just call my woman a hoe?” he asks through laughter, pulling out his phone—probably to message Lexi. I roll my eyes and purse my lips, deciding it’s enough with the nice act.
I take out my phone and send him a picture message. He opens it, and his eyes widen.
“You wouldn’t…”
“Oh I would,” I reply, unable to stop my smug grin.
He shakes his head, eyes twinkling. “Resorting to blackmail huh?”
“I’m a lawyer, it’s what we do,” I reply, tucking my hair behind my ears.
Ryder frowns. “I’m pretty sure that’s not what lawyers are meant to do.”
&nb
sp; “Hey, I don’t tell you how to do your job…”
Ryder laughs.
“Does that mean I get to drive your car?” I ask him. I’ve wanted it ever since I saw it. I even named him ‘beast’.
“I’ll be good to beast I promise!” I blurt out.
“My car is female!” he argues.
We stare at each other and then burst out laughing.
“What about your car?” he asks.
“My car is fine. I just want to drive yours,” I pout.
“Fine, you can drive her while I’m on tour, but if anything happens to her…”
“It won’t!”
And if it did I’ll just blame it on Lexi. He wouldn’t get mad at her for anything.
“Why can’t I ever say no to you girls?” he grumbles, cutting another slice of cake.
“Because you love us.”
“Some more so than others,” he replies, his lip twitching.
“I know I’m your favourite, it’s okay,” I say, then whisper, “I won’t tell anyone.”
His shoulders shake as he laughs.
“How’s your mum?” he asks when his laughter subsides.
Her usual over-bearing self. “She’s fine.”
“She was saying you don’t drop by her house much?”
I sigh heavily. “We don’t get along well, you know that.”
“She’s still your mother,” he points out. Like I don’t know that.
“Well, if this is turning into lecture time, I’m out of here. I’ll be back before you leave to pick up the beast,” I say, kissing him on the cheek.
“The car is female!” he complains.
I say bye and walk out of his house. Humming a song, I’m almost to my car when I see a familiar face.
Saxon Tate.
My heart races at the sight of him.
My best friend Lexi’s ex-boyfriend, and one of the best looking men I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing in person. He is dreamy. He exudes sex appeal.
Oh, the things I’d do to him if I had the chance…
Unfortunately he is also not one of my favourite people, seeing as he cheated on my best friend and once broke her heart.
Sure, it all ended well.
Lexi is now happy with Ryder and has forgiven Saxon, but what’s the saying?
Once a cheater always a cheater.
I’d be stupid to even consider going there.
I’d also never sleep with the ex of a friend. It’s a little weird, not to mention Lexi is like a sister to me.
So many reasons not to go there, yet…
I’ve noticed how Saxon looks at me. I’m not a naïve girl—I know when a man is interested in me. It’s not an ego thing, it’s just a feeling. I can tell by the way he always watches me or tries to make conversation.
Like right now, for instance.
Saxon has also let me know he’s interested.
He has even asked me out in the past.
And I say no each and every time.
Not because I don’t want to, but because I do.
I, Tenielle Crawford, the most stubborn and proud woman on the face of the earth, have a secret.
A weakness.
And he’s standing right in front of me.
His eyes devour every inch of me, and I let them.
I even like it.
Damn him!
“Saxon Tate,” I say in greeting, trying to keep my voice even. I stare into his soft brown eyes, then take in the rest of his facial features. Sharp cheekbones, full soft lips, and a jaw full of stubble. I zone in on his pierced eyebrow then back to his eyes.
Such long, thick lashes.
I clear my throat.
Show no weakness.
I try to see myself as he would see me. Black hair, caramel-coloured skin from my mixed Sri Lankan and Australian heritage, a tight white top showing a lot of bare stomach, baggy ripped boyfriend jeans and black combat boots. My usual attire when I’m not at work.
“Tenielle Crawford,” he replies, checking me out. “How have you been?”
For the first time ever, his brown hair isn’t spiked up. Instead, it frames his face, curling around his ears. “Did you run out of hair gel?”
He laughs, his warm brown eyes twinkling. “As a matter of fact I did.”
I tilt my head to the side. “I like it.”
He grins back at me. “You took out your piercings,” he says, pointing to my eyebrow. I did in fact, take out all my facial piercings except for my nose ring. He has his eyebrow pierced—the one without the scar. It looks good on him.
“Yeah, I had to get a real job,” I reply, pouting. I don’t exactly look how a lawyer is expected to look, so I tried to tone it down a little when applying for a job.
“Law firm, right?” he asks, seeming genuinely interested.
“Yep,” I reply, smiling. “Criminal law.”
He nods. “Your cousins are all so proud of you. I am too.”
I smirk. “Thanks, I actually enjoy it.”
He drums his fingers on his jean-clad thigh. “Good.”
We stare at each other.
“Listen,” he says a little hesitantly. “I was wondering if I could take you out sometime.”
He stares down at me, patiently waiting for my response.
“Ummm…” I try to think of an excuse. The only one I can come up with is that I have to wash my hair—which let’s face it, is kind of lame.
“Look, I know you don’t like me much,” he says, grimacing. “But a lot of time has passed and I’m done waiting.”
A lot of time has passed.
The whole Lexi/Saxon/Ryder fiasco seems like a lifetime ago. Lexi and Saxon used to date until she found him cheating on her. Then, I met her overseas, and we became best friends. When she came home with me to Perth, she fell in love with Ryder. Ryder didn’t know Lexi was Saxon’s ex, and when Saxon found out shit hit the fan.
After it all blew over, Saxon started to show his interest in me. I tried to ignore it—because it was an extremely uncomfortable situation.
“How do you know that?” I ask him. I choose to ignore the rest of his comment.
He raises his scarred eyebrow. “You haven’t exactly hidden it. How about the fact that you’ve been giving me evil looks ever since you met me, or the fact that I know it was you who spray painted ‘dickhead’ on my new car.”
He knew it was me?
I school my expression, trying to act casual.
“You also have called me a cheating bastard on a few occasions,” he continues.
I clear my throat. “I won’t be talking about that incident without my lawyer present.”
He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “The past is the past. Lexi and I are cool with each other, and for some stupid reason, I can’t stop thinking about you.”
Stupid is the right word.
“We’ve had this conversation before Sax. Lexi is like a sister to me, so it’s a little weird for me,” I try and explain. “You’re fucking hot, don’t get me wrong, but I’m sorry, I don’t think going out with you is a good idea. We can try to be friends though?”
His eyes flare at the word friends, as if it is offensive to him. “Friends?”
“Yep, friends,” I reply.
“I’ll take what I can get, so friends it is then,” he finally replies, his gaze lingering on my lips and betraying his words.
“Sounds good to me,” I reply, looking away from him and pulling out my keys. “I guess I’ll see you around then?”
Time to make my escape.
I freeze when his hand comes out and gently touches a lock of my hair. “I like the shorter hair on you, it’s sexy.”
I had recently cut my hair into a bob, shorter at the back, longer at the front. It was severe but sexy, especially when I wore my dress suits for work. I also carried around a briefcase to finish the look, even though there was never anything important in there.
“Thanks,” I whisper, then clear my throat. He steps e
ven closer, so close I can smell a hint of his cologne.
He smells delicious.
The closer he gets to me, the more I have to fight the urge to kiss him.
Those soft lips were made for kissing. Just not me apparently.
“Asking as a friend, you are single right now, aren’t you?” he asks softly, his eyes not leaving my face.
“I am single,” I reply, bobbing my head.
“Good,” he whispers, tracing a finger down my cheek. “I’ll call you. Friends do that, right?”
I nod again, stunned silent by his touch and the electricity shooting through me. He takes my keys from my hand, and opens the car door for me before giving them back. He kisses me on my cheek as I’m just about to get in.
“Drive safely,” he says, then turns away and walks to Ryder’s door.
What the hell just happened?
*****
I drive back home in a daze. I don’t like the fact that a man has so much power over me, even if he hasn’t realised it just yet.
Why him?
It’s something I’ve said a million times before. He is the drummer for Morning Alliance, has groupies, plus his history with Lexi. He has her initials tattooed on his knuckles! I wonder why Ryder hasn’t demanded he remove them. Why does he still have them? As a reminder? Or does he still have feelings for Lexi? Maybe it’s one of those loves that never goes away. Your first love usually is, isn’t it?
Either way, I can’t go there with him.
I can’t—and I won’t.
I know Lexi doesn’t care, because she has spoken about it to me before.
“Saxon is always staring at you Tee, he’s enthralled. Maybe you should give him a chance?”
I look at her like she is fucking crazy.
If Saxon wants to be friends, then fine. I can do friends.
I smirk at that.
I definitely can’t do this friend. No, no, there will be no doing. But I can stop with the bitchiness. I probably shouldn’t have done that to his car either. If he knew it was me, why didn’t he call me out on it? Ryder would have kicked my ass. My other two cousins Trey and Jet would have as well. At least they would have tried. Not physically, of course, but they would have given me lecture after lecture. I really don’t like seeing their disappointed faces. They know it and use it against me. I walk into my house when my phone beeps with a message.
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