Taming Lo: A You and I Novel

by Melissa Toppen

  “I swore right then and there that I would never love again. That I would never give over that kind of power to another. The power to destroy me. That's why I got this.” He says, holding out his left wrist, revealing the CTR initials.

  “It's her initials.” I say weakly.

  “It is.” He nods. “It was my reminder. Everyday I would see that tattoo and I would remember that pain. I found myself looking at it over and over again after I met you, trying to recapture that pain again so that I wouldn't let myself feel what I felt for you from the very first moment I laid eyes on you. I fought it, or at least I tried to. But it never did me any good. From the very beginning you have had a hold on me that I don't even think you're aware of. I am yours Lo. If you'll have me, I will always be yours.” He says, holding out his right wrist.

  I blink rapidly through the quickly forming tears in my eyes, trying desperately to make out what he's trying to show me. After what feels like several minutes, but is likely only a few seconds, his inked skin starts to come into view.

  I gasp and cover my mouth when I realize that on his right wrist, matching the one on his left are the initials LEH. My initials. “Dax.” I get out weakly, reaching out to trail my fingertips along the still fresh tattoo. His skin is raised and red and I can tell the new ink is less than a few days old.

  “I have representation of my past. I only thought it was fair that my future be represented as well.” He tilts my face back up to meet his gaze.

  “I love you Lauren Elizabeth Hannock. I love you and I want you to be mine. I know it won't be easy. I know we still have so much to learn about each other. But there's is nothing I want more in this world.”

  “Do you know why I came to your apartment that day?” I ask, not waiting for a response before continuing. “I came there to tell you I was wrong to push you away. I came there to tell you that I had fallen in love with you and that I wanted to be with you.” I say, meeting his emotion filled gaze.

  “I'm so sorry.” He breathes, pulling me into his arms. “I'm so sorry for hurting you. I'm sorry for everything. I love you Lo.” He says into my hair, tightening his grip on me. “Do you hear me?” He pulls back, his hands clamped down firmly on my shoulders. “I love you.” He says, his voice so low it is barely audible as he releases my shoulders and his hands find my face.

  “I love you too.” I admit, finally allowing my emotion free as a tear falls down my face. He wipes it away with the pad of his thumb and then leans forward, gently pressing his lips to mine.

  “You and me.” He breathes against my mouth.

  “You and me.” I agree, wrapping my arms around his neck and allowing him to pull me flush against his body, my feet leaving the ground as his lips find mine again.

  I savor the moment, the feeling flooding through my chest, the heat coursing through every inch of my body. For the first time, I let myself feel it all. The love. The pain. The fear. The happiness. It all blends together into one terrifying and yet blissful concoction.

  What happened in my past is finally being left where it belongs; in my past. I know that by loving someone the way I love Dax, there will always be risk. But I trust him. Even though I can't explain it, deep down I believe him when he says he will never hurt me.

  “Just one more thing.” I finally pull away from his mouth, working hard to catch my breath and calm my rapid heartbeat.

  “Anything.” He smiles, slowly lowering me to my feet, making sure that I feel his massive erection as I slide down his body. Heat immediately floods my cheeks and quickly spreads throughout my entire body but I refuse to let that distract me.

  “Are you busy next weekend?” I ask, smiling sweetly up at his incredibly handsome face, my fingertips playing lightly against his chest.

  “Why do you ask?” He cocks his head to the side, leaning down to place another quick kiss to my mouth.

  “Because I happen to be the Maid of Honor in my sister's wedding next weekend and I could really use a date.” I say, laughing when a bright smile breaks across his entire face. “How do you feel about Indiana?” I scrunch my forehead.

  “Indiana.” He says, leaning forward until our noses are almost touching. “As long as you're there, it's my new favorite state.” He smiles against my mouth before pressing his lips to mine once more.

  Epilogue

  Lo

  One Year Later...

  “Are you sure about this?” Dax laughs from his spot next to me, tangling his fingers in mine as the tattoo artist prepares to ink my skin for the very first time.

  “Aren't you?” I ask, turning my face towards him. “You aren't planning on getting rid of me anytime soon are you?” I joke.

  “After all the money we just spent on the wedding?” He shakes his head. “Not a chance.” He laughs when I hit him with a playfully shocked expression.

  “Shut up.” I smack at him, laughing. “If it's just the money you're worried about, perhaps I should have a dollar bill tattooed on my wrist instead.”

  “Hell no.” He says, leaning towards me. “You're mine now Mrs. Riley and I want the whole fucking world to know it.” He smiles, turning his attention to Luis, the tattoo artist. “Make it nice and bold.” He laughs when I hit him with wide eyes.

  Luis just smiles and continues prepping my arm. Though he seems nice enough, he is not much of a talker. He's a middle aged guy, maybe mid-forties. He has tattoos covering almost every inch of his body. His large frame, bald head, and piercing covered face, only make him that much more intimidating.

  I really have no room to complain. Dax tried to convince me to wait until we were back home so he could take me to his guy, but I just couldn't resist the temptation when we came across this little shop while out exploring.

  It's not everyday that a girl gets to marry a man like Dax Riley, or gets to spend two incredible weeks in Puerto Rico either. I feel like this is the perfect way to mark the occasion. Especially since we leave tomorrow.

  The second the needle hits my skin, I jump, having not prepared myself for it to hurt quite so much. Dax immediately laughs at my reaction and shakes his head.

  “Baby.” He crinkles his nose at me in the cutest way.

  “I am not a baby.” I whine.

  “No?” He questions, laughing when I scrunch my forehead in discomfort.

  “Don't be an ass. This hurts.” I have to resist the urge to reach over and slap him.

  Given that a man is currently covering my wrist in permanent ink, the last thing I need is to have some random scribble running up my arm because I couldn't stop myself from taking a swing at my adorable and yet, infuriating husband.

  “The last time I checked....” He leans down to my ear and speaks so low that only I can hear. “You like a little pain.” My cheeks immediately flush crimson and a flood of heat washes over my entire body as his breath tickles my neck.

  “Mean.” I pout, the second he pulls back, his bright smile telling me he knew exactly what his little statement would do to me. I'll give my husband one thing, he definitely knows how to turn me on.

  “It's only mean if I don't follow through later.” He promises, his eyes narrowing in on my face. The tattoo artist clears his throat causing both of us to burst into laughter. Clearly we are not being nearly as discreet as we thought.

  “Sorry man.” Dax leans back in his chair, my free hand still wrapped in one of his. “She's insatiable.” He laughs louder when my eyes go wide.

  “Oh my God.” I shake my head. “Please ignore my husband. He thinks he's cute when he tries to embarrass me.”

  “Trust me.” Luis laughs, placing the needle back against my skin. “I've heard worse.” He says, turning his concentration back to my wrist.

  ****

  “So, what do you think?” I ask Dax, holding my wrist out for him as we exit the shop less than an hour later.

  “I think I like seeing my name inked on that gorgeous skin of yours.” He gives me a seductive smile.

  “Me too.” I admit, lookin
g down at my arm where DAX is inked in small cursive letters across my wrist. While getting the tattoo was less than pleasant, I have to admit, I rather enjoyed sharing the experience with the man at my side.

  Every moment since I met Dax has been an incredible roller coaster. We have shared more ups and downs than most couples do in a lifetime and yet somehow, we have managed to come through it all stronger than ever.

  Dax entwines his fingers with mine and gives me a sexy lopsided smile before turning his attention forward, leading me back in the direction of our hotel. These last two weeks have been the best of my life and while I am so sad to see our Honeymoon come to an end, I am also more than ready to return home and start my life as Mrs. Dax Riley.

  Peering up at my stunning husband's profile, I can't help the smile that spreads across my face. I never dreamed that I would find what I have found with Dax. A love that knows no boundaries. A trust that has no doubts. A life full of promise.

  For the first time since I was a child, I find myself eager for the future. Ready for whatever life throws my way. Because at the end of the day, I know that as long as this incredible man is by my side, there is nothing I can't face.

  “You're staring again.” Dax laughs, catching me looking at him out of the corner of his eye.

  “Just enjoying the view.” I smile wider, squealing when he stops abruptly and spins me into his arms.

  “Well then by all means Mrs. Riley, stare away.” He says, leaning down and taking my mouth with his, right in the middle of the busy sidewalk.

  A few people mumble complaints as they step around us but Dax pays no attention and only deepens the kiss, showing the world once and for all that I am his, and he is mine...

  The End

  Taming Lo Playlist

  A special thank you to all these amazing artists for their gift of music

  that inspires me every single day.

  Woman Woman- Awolnation

  Bad Reputation- Kelly Clarkson

  Heart Stops- Secondhand Serenade

  Where We Land- Ed Sheeran

  Tight Rope- Kelly Clarkson

  Gold- Imagine Dragons

  Take Your Time- Sam Hunt

  Jailbreak- Awolnation

  If I Have To- Avery Wilson

  All I Want- Deanna Johnson

  I Of The Storm- Of Monsters and Men

  Flashlight- Jessie J

  Fly- Avril Lavigne

  Gravity- Sara Bareilles

  Acknowledgments

  There are so many incredible people to thank that I honestly don't even know where to begin. It is not possible to name each person individually that has supported, influenced, and helped me throughout this amazing process of creating the You and I Series. I found myself falling in love with each character as I created them and I knew well before finishing Bentley and Anna's story, that I had to give Lo her own story as well. There is something so incredibly strong and beautiful about Lo. So thank you to everyone who has taken the time to let all of these characters be a part of your world. I will never be able to express how very much that means to me.

  As always, I have to thank my husband, children, and family for their love, patience, and support. Each and every one of you has impacted my life in more ways than you could ever imagine and I love you more than words could ever say.

  Myra, thank you for sharing this journey with me. Thank you for always supporting my writing and for believing in me when I didn't believe in myself. You truly are someone I could not imagine doing this without. Wine glasses up..... Cheers girl!

  Melissa's Mavens- You girls ROCK! I have the BEST street team ever! For you to take so much of your own time to support and share my work means more to me than I will ever be able to express. You don't do it for monetary gain but simply because you love my work and that is beyond incredible!

  Angel, Anita, Cassandra, Alisha, Amanda, Christina, Dena, Erin, Kelly, Olivia, Lisa, Lorena, Rachel, Tobi, and Myra--- THANK YOU! Thank you for being amazing beta readers. Thank you for being amazing street team members. Just THANK YOU!!

  Thank you to all the wonderful blogs and authors that have taken the time to read and review my work and for all of your amazing feedback. I am so blessed to be a part of such an amazing community. Your support and kind words mean so much to me. Don't ever stop doing what you do! Blogs are the backbone of successful writers. I personally would not be where I am today without all the amazing Authors and Bloggers that have helped me along the way.

  Last but not least, to my readers, THANK YOU. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU. Because of you, I get to live my dream of being a writer every single day. This past year has been so full of ups and downs but one constant has remained, your unwavering support and love. Thank you for taking the time to read Taming Lo. Lo is a character that is near and dear to my heart and I hope that you enjoyed her story.

  We are only blessed with so many moments on this earth, I hope you make each and every one count. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't do something. Always follow your dreams. Never settle for less than what you truly want. And never believe that there is anything you can't do.

  Dream Big. Love Bigger

  XOXO

  Melissa

  Available Now

  If you haven't read the YOU AND I SERIES yet,

  Don't forget to pick up your copy of

  YOU AND I ALONE

  YOU AND I TOGETHER

  and

  YOU AND I FOREVER

  ~Find out how Anna and Bentley fell in love and where it all began for Lo and Dax~

  To view a complete list of all Melissa Toppen's books

  please visit

  www.amazon.com/author/melissatoppen

  Or for additional information on upcoming projects visit

  www.mtoppen.com

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