by Bec Botefuhr
My heart breaks. I suck in a ragged breath, though it doesn’t feel like it reaches my lungs. I snap the phone closed, not needing to hear anymore. I rush out into the main office, determined to find out the truth. When we get out, I spin around to Marcus and in a voice so hoarse I say, “Show me my file.”
“What?” he says, confused.
“Show me my file!” I scream.
“Sierra…”
“Show me, Marcus, or so help me god…”
“I don’t have it, I don’t keep it here…”
“Is it true?” I scream. “You employed me because you saw my history? You knew I was a submissive and things went wrong. Did you just employ me to make me your little project, Marcus?”
“No…it wasn’t…”
“Did you know about my past?” I scream.
“Yes.”
“Did it factor into why I was chosen?”
“Yes.”
“Fuck you, you bastard!” I scream, my hands tremble.
“Sierra, let me just explain, it wasn’t just…”
I slap him so hard his head turns to the side. He winces and my hands tremble.
“I trusted you, I let you into my heart. I thought you were better than Ben, but you’re not, are you? At least he was upfront about what he was. You…you lied…you have been lying to me just to get your own satisfaction. Tell me, Marcus, did it feel good to fix me? Is it everything you ever dreamed?”
His face is pained and he’s gripping his cheek. “Sierra, no…it’s not like that. It was never like that.”
“Really, what was it like then?” I scream.
“I won’t lie, I saw the report and it sparked my curiosity but it wasn’t the only reason. You are smart, talented, you had good grades…”
“Oh save it!” I cry. “Don’t you dare try to make this about me being smart and having good grades. We both know that’s a fucking lie.”
“Sierra, just listen to me…”
“Marcus?”
We both turn to see Chayne standing at the door, her eyes bloodshot. I don’t know how much she heard, and right now I don’t care. I swipe angry tears from my cheeks and shake my head, unable to function or think properly.
“You’re leaving me?” she whispers. “Really leaving me? I thought you were…just threatening me.”
“Chayne, don’t pretend you didn’t know this was coming…” Marcus begins.
“You’re really going to do it? For her? After everything I’ve sacrificed to save this relationship?”
“Sacrificed,” Marcus growls. “You’ve sacrificed nothing, you’ve cheated on me, broken my heart and ensured that if I leave, you get a massive amount of my fortune. This was never about anything more than money to you. In fact, I believe you never truly loved me.”
“Marcus, how could you think that?”
“Save it,” he growls. “We both know this has been over since the night I walked in on you having one off with a stranger in our bed and how you felt before that, I honestly don’t know what I believe about that anymore.”
“You’ve been cheating too!”
“Only after that,” he snarls. “I never would have laid a hand on another woman before you betrayed me. Never! I loved you and you god damn know it.”
“I love you too Marcus, please, don’t leave me. You can’t leave me, I have nothing!” She wails.
Now she’s crying and trembling. Is she truly that hurt over Marcus leaving her? Or is it just the fact she will lose her lifestyle? I don’t understand but I know I can’t stay here and deal with this. I’m done. I walk towards the door.
“Sierra!” Marcus yells.
“We’re done, Marcus, if you want to sue me for breaking my contract, go right ahead. I’m leaving.”
Then I step out the door to him calling my name over and over, and then the sound of Chayne cutting him off with her angry screams. I can hear them arguing the entire way down the hall. Surprisingly, the guards are kind and help me out to a car. Just before I get in Marcus comes running out the front door.
“Sierra, wait!”
I don’t, I slip into the car and close the door, locking it. Marcus slaps his hand on the screen, but I have to turn away, I can’t look at him right now and see that pain on his face. It’s intense, broken and will be my undoing if I look back. I have to do this, we should have never started this to begin with and now I have to be the one to walk away. Marcus needs to make a choice, and if he never does, then I know I’ll never return.
I peer out the window as the car drives away, not looking back at the man standing helplessly, watching me. I can’t. I can’t look at him. As we pull onto the street, I finally let myself crumble. My head sinks to my hands and my stomach clenches so angrily it hurts. I’ve never felt heart break before, not like this. The idea of walking away is too much, the idea of never seeing those chocolate brown eyes again is too painful. I let the tears fall heavily down my cheeks, knowing I had to do this.
I look at the White House once more before it disappears into the distance, then I let the body wracking sobs tear from my throat as my heart makes its final break.
CONTINUE MARCUS AND SIERRA’S STORY IN RED, WHITE AND BEAUTIFUL. RELEASED JUNE/JULY 2013.
Look out for my other June/July releases. I have three or four books coming out, including the fourth and fifth Dark Brother books that will be Ace and Bull’s story. If you haven’t read my other work, please go and check them out now on amazon.
The Witness Series
Witness Protection & Forsaken.
The Biker Rockstar Series
Phoenix Rockstar, Heart Song & Chief’s Angel
The Dark Brother Series
Dark Poison, Dark Desire & Dark Endings
STAND ALONES
Racing for Freedom.
Now here is a snippet of my lovely friends Dawn Martens and Chantal Fernando’s new book Kade. If you haven’t read their first book Chase, get reading so you can read this one when it comes out.
KADE - Chantal Fernando and Dawn Martens.
Prologue
I’m at my usual hunting grounds. It’s a typical weekend for me, drinks, dancing- and looking for a little action. People may call me many things, or think certain things about me. Maybe they are right, but I couldn’t care less. Men get to do it, why shouldn’t women? We have our needs too. One day I will settle down, but until then I don’t see why I can’t have some fun. I’m dancing, getting lost in the music when I look over and see someone’s eyes on me. He is just what I’m looking for tonight, just my type. Longish wavy blonde hair, pale blue eyes and tall, maybe 6’2 or so, with a lean, toned build. Fuck he is gorgeous. He looks a little like Jax Teller from Sons of Anarchy. I know his type, and he is perfect for what I have in mind, which is a one night stand. No commitment, no drama, just a good time. He makes his way through the dancing bodies, his steps sure and purposeful. When he stops in front of me I almost forget to breathe. He really is something. Fuck Nikki, don’t start being shy now. I shake my head, and give him a sultry smile. Time to get down to business.
“Hello there handsome, wanna fuck?” I purr boldly.
His smile is cocky, knowing. “A girl who plays no games, I’m intrigued. Follow me.” He grabs my hand, making our way out of the club. We climb into his Hummer and drive in silence to his house. I notice it’s a very nice house, modern and tasteful.
He jumps out of his car and makes his way over to my side, but I’ve already hopped out of the car. He frowns, his eyebrows furrowed. “I would have opened the door for you.”
“That’s okay handsome, but I’m a big girl, I can open my own door,” I say frankly.
“Before we go any further, I’m Kade.” He says, and then looks to me expecting me to give him my name.
“I prefer to just call you handsome. We don’t need names tonight,” I answer him honestly.
“You’re not gonna tell me your name?” He asks disbelievingly.
“Nope, now are you gonna take me in th
ere and fuck me or are we gonna stand here all night making small talk?”
He hesitates for a moment before pulling me towards him and crashing our mouths together. We fumble to the front door and he unlocks it in between kisses. I’m herded down a hall and into his bedroom. I take a quick glance around, and see a massive bed four poster bed, a chest of drawers, and four huge mirrored sliding doors. Well, that makes things a little more interesting.
We quickly undress ourselves, frantic to get into bed. I take in his body, which is amazing. In fact I don’t think I’ve seen one like this outside of movies. He practically throws me on the bed, and leans over me, pinning me down. “You are so fucking hot,” he mumbles for kissing me hungrily.
We fall asleep afterwards. Well, he does. I’m not staying the night, even though he asked me to. Staying the night involves a certain amount of intimacy. When I hear him snore, that’s my cue to leave. I sneak out of the bed, the room, and then the house. Calling a cab, I wait outside for a few minutes before they show. I glance at the house once more as the cab reverses, and I can’t help but feel a pang of regret.
Pushing the feeling away, I look forward.
Chapter One
I’m still living at home, not ideal, but it’s close to my school and very convenient for me. My parents are pretty cool. They are older than most parents; they had me in their late thirties. They were both married to different people before, I don’t really know all the details about what happened to their first marriages, but I have a feeling they were together before they were both divorced. It was a love at first sight thing, or so I’m told. I’m in my room trying to figure out what to wear tonight. It’s another Friday night, and I want to go out and party. I haven’t been with anyone since that guy Kade, and I don’t understand why I can’t get him off my mind. There was just something about the way he looked at me, touched me, and kissed me. It was like we didn’t just fuck.. It was something more. I’m having a flashback of that night when my mom walks into the room.
“Hey sweetie.” I hate that she still calls me that.
“Hey mom. What’s up?”
“I just wanted to ask you if you’re being safe. Should I buy you more condoms?” Yup, that’s my mother, open and realistic.
“No mom, I’m still good.” I laugh.
“Okay, just want to make sure you are protected.” She says smiling at me. Why her and dad got together, I’ll never know. He is strict, and mom is easygoing. I guess opposites do attract. Dad still thinks I’m a virgin. I don’t know why, he knows I have fun, but he chooses to pretend otherwise, ignorance is bliss and whatnot.
“You going out with Layla tonight?” My mom asks.
“Yeah, I was just about to text her now.” Mom loves Layla. Always has. Layla is the calm to my storm. I can get riled up easily, but not Layla. It takes a lot to get her going, and even then she doesn’t pull out punches; unlike me, Layla is the epitome of a lady. I have the temper of the redhead I am and I’ve been in more fights than most guys I know; I’m not proud of it, but it is what it is.
“Oh that’s good. You girls have fun. Dad and I are going to the office for a bit. Got some work that needs to get done.” She comes over and gives me a quick hug and a kiss on my cheek before leaving.
I take out my phone and text Layla.
N: Come to my place tonight! Let’s go clubbing. Get ready with me. XX
L: Okay I’ll be at yours in an hour
I love Layla, she’s like a sister to me. We met in the second grade when my family had just moved here from Canada. That’s right, I’m Canadian bitches! My dad is from Australia. Dad met mom at some business event, and that was that. When they got married, they stayed in Canada for a few years, and after a while they wanted a change. Plus dad’s company offered him a raise and moving bonus if we went back to Aussie. So we all made the big move to Australia, and I started school and met Layla. That was that, the start of the Nikki and Layla era.
“Layla!!!” I give her a huge hug. She smells like strawberries and coconut.
“Hey! Having trouble finding something to wear tonight?’ She says staring wide eyed at the massive pile of clothes on my bed.
I shrug, “I think I have it sorted. I need to get laid tonight. Need to look sexy!” And I do. I need to get Kade off my mind. You know what they say, to get over someone you gotta get under someone new.
We get ready, have a bite to eat, and then we head out in a cab. The men better watch out, because we are dressed to kill.
******
I haven’t heard from Layla, but I did hear from that hottie who took her home. Eventually Layla messages me her address, telling me to head over. When I see the address I do a double take, thinking I must be reading the message wrong. There is no way in hell. Well, fuck. Layla lives with Kade? This is not good. I think of making an excuse not to go over there but I already said I was on my way over. I need to handle this. I pull into the driveway of the familiar house, and groan loudly. It’s such a small world. I cannot believe my bad luck. I make my way to the door, feeling nervous as hell. When Layla opens it, with a huge smile on her face, I feel a bit better. We walk into the lounge area and I take a seat, hoping Kade isn’t home.
“Okay, spill.” I demand.
“We just made out. I stayed the night at his house.” I gasp. Wow. Chase seems like a good guy. “Which also happens to be my house. THIS house.”
Holy shit. I feel my eyes go huge. This really is fucking crazy. Come on, both of our coincidences are insane. I burst out laughing. Moments later Kade himself walks in. Oh no. I put a blank expression on my face and act like I have never met him before.
“Care to share what’s so funny?” he says in that sexy voice of his. He plops down on the couch next to us, and his eyes widen slightly when he notices me. I gulp. I hate lying to Layla, but this is just too much crazy, even for me.
“Where the hell have you been hiding this one Layla?” I attempt to purr.
I see Kade’s eyes narrow on me thoughtfully, then he smirks, understanding what game I’m playing, “I was about to ask Layla the same thing.”
“This is Nikki’s first time here!” she laughs, and I bristle at that because it’s not. “But Kade, meet Nikki. Nikki, meet Kade. And feel free to continue to eye screw each other like I’m not even here.”
That got Kade’s attention. “Eye screw?” He laughs. “You can’t even say eye fuck. You are adorable, Layla.”
I grin at Layla. She is so innocent. “Isn’t she just! So where’s Chase?”
She pouts her beautiful lips. “At work,” I gesture towards Kade, “that’s his baby bro.”
“No shit.” Holy shit, this just keeps going and going. The universe hates me. I know it. “Good genes much! So Kade, what do you do with yourself?”
We make small talk for a bit, and I see another guy come in, his name is James. He’s hot too, and I can’t help it when my eyes stray to his sexy lip ring. Damn this family. Layla and James start talking when Kade comes close to me and whispers. “So, your name is Nikki? I’ve been dying to find out what it was since that night.” He grins. “I like it, care to share your full name?”
I may as well tell him because I know that if I don’t Layla will. “Nicole Jaymes Heath. You?”
“Kade Alexander Steele.” He says without hesitation.
After a while, Kade gets up, quickly grabs my hand, and begins to lead me to his room. The minute his door closes, his mouth is on mine. We kiss each other frantically, for a long while. His hands slowly twisted themselves into my hair, pulling me closer with each gentle tug. When he moves his hands up my dress, that’s when I pull away.
“Stop Kade,” I say softly.
“Fuck, do you know how long I’ve been trying to find you? I have our night burned into my head. I want you again Nikki.”
I can’t help the faint smile on my lips. “That night was good.”
“Good? More like fucking fantastic!” He growls.
I giggle in agreement. “H
ow about no; we can’t do this because Layla lives here now! Just think about how awkward it would be for her!”
“Oh come on Nikki, we’ll be good together,” He encourages huskily.
“Again, no. Now let me go,” he stares at me a while longer, contemplating.
After a few moments he says “I always get what I want Nikki, remember that.” He lets me out of his embrace and I quickly retreat. As I open his door he whispers “I can still remember your smell, your taste.”
I know exactly what taste he is talking about.
I walk out of the room, my face red. Kade follows behind me, and I am aware of him, of his every move.
Shit.
