by S. E. Hall
I take one last taste and step back, chest heaving in cadence with hers. “Safe trip home, gorgeous.”
“We’ll see.” She bounces her shoulders in carefree dismissal. “Hang on.” She walks on her knees to bridge the gap I created. “Your tie’s crooked, Boss.”
Coming next in the Finally Found novels…
Thatcher King’s story!
S.E.Hall, lover of all things anticipation and romance, is the author of The Evolve Series: Emerge, Embrace, Entangled, Entice and Baby Mama Drama, as well as the stand-alone novel Pretty Instinct. Her co-written works included The Provocative Professions Collection: Stirred Up, Packaged and Handled, One Naughty Night and full-length novel Matched with Angela Graham as well as Conspire, a romantic suspense with Erin Noelle.
S.E. resides in Arkansas with her husband of 18 years and 3 daughters of the home. When not writing or reading, she can be found "enthusiastically cheering" on one of her girls' softball games.
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EVOLVE SERIES
Emerge
Embrace
Entangled
Entice
Sawyer Beckett's Baby Mama Drama Guide For Dummies
FINALLY FOUND NOVELS
Pretty Instinct
Pretty Remedy
CO-WRITTEN BESTSELLERS
WITH ANGELA GRAHAM
Matched
Stirred Up
Packaged
Handled
Handled 2
One Naughty Night
WITH ERIN NOELLE
Conspire
Pretty Remedy Playlist
Red Nose–Sage The Gemini
Over The Rainbow–Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
The Fear–Ben Howard
Dark Horse–Katy Perry
In The Air Tonight–Phil Collins
Fancy–Iggy Azalea
Black–Pearl Jam
I’ve Got This Friend–The Civil Wars
Broken–Seether
The Blower’s Daughter–Damien Rice
Clocks–Coldplay
Lover, Lover–Jerrod Niemann
Never Stop–SafetySuit
This part never gets any easier; it’s almost as hard as the blurb. I’m so scared that once I start on specific names, I will forget someone… and I don’t ever want to do that. So many people are important to me, people who help in little, big, and sideways every single day. If I named them all, the acknowledgements would be longer than the book.
So let me just say—if your name isn’t in here, it doesn’t mean I don’t acknowledge and appreciate everything you do for me. I hope I tell you “thank you” so many times you get sick of hearing it and let you know what you mean to me.
Julie Fleming- this world lost you tonight. You will be greatly missed, every single day. Your warmth, love, kind heart and thoughtfulness touched so many. I will never forget the many special things you did for me, and your Elite family, to let us know we were loved. Your precious husband and children will be prayed for daily and asked how we can help ease their pain; we promise. XOXO Mama and Elite
Jeff—I wouldn’t eat or have clean clothes, the utilities wouldn’t get paid, and who knows where the kids would be if it weren’t for you… so I think it’s safe to say: I couldn’t pursue my dream of writing without you. You provide more than support. You carry me over your shoulder, walking barefoot over shards of glass covered in snow uphill both ways, through life. I love you.
Girls—Thank you for loving me for the mom I am. No, I’m not like her mom or that mom, or… any mom you know really. But I love you, I’d die for you, and everything I do is for you.
My family—It’s been a rough year. The next one may hold a few suckholes too, but I know I have you, so I’m gonna keep on keepin’ on. Thank you. I love you all.
Amy Lynn—I love you, little sister. I didn’t tell you that enough until recently. I’m proud of you and am here for you, anything you need. As long as I have breath, you are not alone—and I will help you fix it. (As long as you keep typing. Just kidding.)
Lyndsey Gene, Amber Jean, and Rachelle Jones—THANK YOU for helping me knock this one out! Your love of crooked lines, hand edits, and my meltdowns mean the world to me. I couldn’t have done it without you. I love you all! xoxox
Angela Graham—I’m better for knowing you—a better writer, friend, and person. Knowing I have you in my corner, a phone call away, is a comfort for which I’ll never be able to repay you. I love you very much; you’re my best friend. I love writing with you, talking about anything and everything… and you always know what to say. I sincerely wouldn’t have made it these last few months without you; you’re now my “say what I need to hear” phone call, the one on my side no matter what.
Hilary Storm, Erin Noelle, and Ashley Suzanne—you’re so special to me, so different, but each an intricate part of what makes me whole. I love you all and am so very thankful to call you friends. Hilary always gives it to me straight up, followed immediately by “let’s make it happen, what can I do?” Erin is always kind, soft, and shining the sun on it, whatever it is. Smoopy keeps my heart pure. And Bat Ashley—my go-to for “how do we laugh about this shit?” The one who says random funny stuff (that only I understand) until I forget to cry. I love you, girl, always.
Toski Covey—To this day, you believe in me. You “get me,” and I love you for it. I always feel better after one of our calls… and then I stop and realize, we just covered, like, seventy-eight topics in an hour. That’s awesome. You’re my short lil’ oink human, TCo, I love you. Thank you for ALL you’ve done for me. I wouldn’t be the same, my books wouldn’t be the same, without you.
Sommer Stein—I love you, sis. You’re amazing, always putting up with my bat-shit crazy, disorganized self with love and a beautiful vision no one else could emulate. Thank you. xo
Jill Sava—Jillsy, I don’t have enough or the right words. Basically, I adore you and I think you’re one of the most amazing people I have ever had the honor to know. I draw inspiration from you every single day, and I sleep better knowing “Jill’s got this shit.” You’re… the exception to all I thought I knew. I love you. Thank you.
Cyndi Shortcake—Thank you for all your help, your sweet lil’ voice, your seldom seen but funny as hell when it is big bad angry voice, and for being my friend. I love you very much!
Carrie “Cookie” Horton—I love you, Cookie! Your help has been so appreciated, thank you! You’re a good lady, and I’m lucky as hell to have you! You’ve been in my life for a while now, and I’m beyond blessed every single one of those days. xoxo
Angela Doughty (Cupcake), Tabby Coots (TabbyCat), Bethany Castaneda (SheSaw), Kellie Montgomery (MonkeyButt) and Michelle Shock (you down with a nickname if I give you one? LOL)—Ladies, you are one fine ass army of awesomeness!!!! Each of you are there to help me with anything I need, anytime, and never ask for anything in return. I love you girls so much and want to make sure you know I appreciate it and I thank you! xo
ELITE—I know, and I swear I’m about to cry because I didn’t list every single one of you by name. But I know your names, and where you live, and your birthdays, and your kids’ names, and I love you, all of you. NO ONE ROCKS LIKE ELITE ROCKS!!!!! This group—you love each other, you’re kind, you lift one another up… I couldn’t be more blessed by each and every one of you. THANK YOU xoxoxo Mama
Rhett’s Beta Readers: Michelle Grad (my heat-seeking missile), Linda Cotter, Jennifer Flory, Van Wyk, Toski Covey, Carrie Horton, Cyndi Lane, Jill Sava, Lacy Daniel, Kelly Adamo, Angela Doughty, and Kailie Sarkissian… thank you, ladies, for helping bring Rhett to life, telling me what I needed to hear, and supporting me. I appreciate you all so much! xo
Tracie Short and Sandra Macom—my
Darlin’ Duo. I love you both so much. If I don’t hear from you for more than a few days, I feel like a limb is missing. Here’s to Tits, smoke benches, MY TREAT AT SUBWAY DAMMIT, and that .10 ticket!!!!! xoxoxxo
My Angel, Nicole Kelsey—You take my breath away. I literally think you are an angel amongst us. I didn’t know humans really had the capacity to be THAT selfless, kind, and compassionate. If I could be anyone else, it’d be you.
Ena Burnette—I love you, girl! Thank you for all your love and support these years! xoxo
Author Love—Thank you, ladies! xo ONE LOVE!
Brenda Wright—I’m sorry. LOL—I owe you about a thousand of those. (Please see the part above about being disorganized.) Thank you, girl!
Cassie C, Madeleine F, Monkeybutt, Jill S and Katherine H—Thank you for overlooking the scattered mess I am and making the words… pretty.
Erin Roth—Always has my back. Thank you girl! xo
And to the readers, bloggers, and other authors who continue to support my books, lend an ear, and share the love… THANK YOU!
The Meet Your Mate Mixer is, not surprisingly, a clever name for a let’s-see-who’ll-get-sloshed-and-hook-up-first-to-boost-ratings free-for-all. It’s made up of sixteen very attractive, single-for-the-most-part young people with a beach sunset in the background, bump-n’-grind music pumping, and a table filled with free alcohol as far as the eye can see.
Oakley’s off to the side with a few of the other guys, and judging by his animated facial expressions and Heisman moves that he’s telling them all about himself, one great play at a time.
So far, Jasmine and I have stuck together. We’re sitting on one of the white velvet couches—totally appropriate, and often found on a beach—each nursing our first drink.
“Should we dance, or try to mingle?” she asks, sounding as unsure as my answer will be.
“I guess we could.” I scan the room for the least-intimidating-looking targets with whom to socialize. “How about them?” I point to a group of three girls—one I know to be Callie Cole, an Olympic gymnast.
“Good choice.” Jasmine smiles with a nod, and up we go.
While I make my way across the tent, I steal an indirect glance at Oakley, who’s no more aware of my whereabouts than he is of nuclear physics. The Russian supermodel whose name I’m not sure of has joined his group, though, seemingly fascinated with his football stories.
Jasmine nudges my shoulder, smiling when she sees where my focus has traveled. “He’s just a proud man showing off. Don’t overthink it, Harlow.”
I force a small smile of agreement and decide once and for all that she and I will be great friends.
“Hi, ladies,” Jasmine announces for us as we arrive upon the trio. “Mind if we meet and greet with you?”
“Of course not! I’m Callie, and this is—”
“I’m Anya McCall,” a cute little brunette chirps, her eyes the color of sapphires and shining brightly with an excitement I can’t begin to describe. I say “little” because “frail” seems insulting, but I think a strong gust of wind might literally knock her over.
“Anya? That’s different,” the third girl in the group says with an evil snicker. “Has anyone been Anya tonight? I bet you’ll have something inya before the week is through.”
The vulgar crack is more appalling than funny, which is probably why no one else laughs.
“Emma. Your name’s Emma!” A deep growl comes from behind her, the body attached to the sinister sound soon revealed.
I can tell instantly that they’re related. His hair’s a darker brown, leaning more toward black than her blondish highlights, but their eyes are that identical deep blue and they have the same chin. And not that he’s smiling, but their mouths are shaped similarly. The biggest differences are that likely even a tsunami couldn’t knock him over, and there’s absolutely no excitement emitting from him.
Anya or Emma—I’m unsure at this point—rolls her eyes with an exasperated huff before droning out the guy’s introduction. “This is my older brother, Cruz, motocross extraordinaire, X Games champ, and royal pain in my ass.”
“I know who you are,” the same girl cracking pathetic jokes purrs, slinking closer to him. “You’re the Motorbike God. I love to watch.” Her fingers trail up his chest, and my gag reflex kicks in. “It’s so dangerous, so…sexy. Like you. I’m Rachel Gardner, by the way, stand-up comedian. But some things I take very seriously.”
“I can see how you wouldn’t get a lot of practice at subtlety, being a comic,” Callie quips, straight-faced. Better than Jasmine and I, who almost choke on our drinks. Now that was funny. I’d say—not out loud, of course—that they should switch jobs, but Rachel’s not exactly built like a gymnast.
“At least I’m current. How many years ago did you actually place in something, again?” Rachel digs, the ugliest sneer curling her mouth.
“I’m Harlow McWright,” I blurt out, my hate for confrontation propelling me, and all eyes cut my way. “I’m not good at much…famous for nothing. Oakley,” I say, pointing at him, “brought me as his plus one. We’ve known each other since high school.”
Cruz looks over his shoulder in Oakley’s direction, then pins a scrutinizing stare on me but says nothing. It’s odd, but in a broody, hot way that definitely works for him.
And just as quickly, he’s focused back on his sister. “Seriously, Em, just tell people your damn first name and leave out the middle part. It’s not cute, and I don’t think you want me to go to jail for killing someone, right?.”
“Shoo,” she tells him while literally shooing him with a wave of her hand. Surprisingly, he complies and stalks back to his chair, with Rachel right on his heels. Yes, please, take her with you. She’s a nasty piece of work.
This leaves me, Jasmine, Callie, and whom I believe should be called Emma for everyone’s safety quickly easing into friendly conversation and grabbing flutes of champagne when the waiter passes by. Emma must have a special taste for something else, considering she’s handed a red plastic cup.
“I forgot how intense your brother can be,” Callie says with a laugh, revealing they already know each other.
“Oh, that’s right, you did that Medal Challenge thing with him. Girl, that was one weekend and how many other contestants?” Emma replies, scrunching her nose but smiling. “Try spending twenty-one years as his little sister!”
“Touché.” Callie tips back her glass and empties it.
All the drinking leads to a laughter-filled dance with all the classics, the sprinkler, shopping cart, lawnmower, and epic funky chicken. It’s the most fun I’ve had in years.
“Y’all ready for a break?” Emma yells over the beats, fanning her extremely flushed cheeks. “I gotta sit down.”
Before she can take one full step toward a chair, Cruz catches her elbow, guiding her to a table. She looks exhausted, and is the first to chug the ice water that’s offered by a young woman—an intern, I assume—who scurries quickly back to her spot beside the producer. He’s a scary, serious man wearing an earpiece and watching us closely.
I recall his name is Adam, flushing at the memory of being introduced briefly before filming began and assuming he was security. That mistake was cleared up instantly, to my humiliation. To my credit, though, it was an easy blunder considering his broad shoulders and muscular form, not to mention the permanent scowl that makes the Secret Service seem playful. I guess I pictured a producer looking different, or being…older.
Adam’s in his mid-thirties, tops, with hair as black as midnight and trimmed perfectly. He’s the only person on the crew wearing black slacks and a dress shirt, rolled to his elbows and open at the top, his dark tie hanging loose. The way he carries himself is in the air surrounding him, all business and to the point, without cracking a smile even when he explained security would be in white polos and khakis. But despite his dressy producer duds and serious demeanor, there’s something wild about him.
And considering we’re at the beach, it’s an o
dd sight…but it somehow suits him well.
“Hey, there you are!”
A tipsy Callie snares my attention then stalls, her mouth falling open when she notices the couple dry humping at the table. How they’re not the first thing we all spotted, I’m not sure. “Ladies, this is my plus one, my best friend, Dana.”
We say hello but Dana barely acknowledges us, enraptured by the guy she’s literally riding. She’s wearing a long, flowing green gown that’s covering his lap but does little to hide what I nauseatingly suspect is actually happening under it.
“Maybe we should give them some privacy,” I suggest, which is insane since there are cameras everywhere. What I meant was, “I’d rather do anything but watch. Anyone care to join me in leaving?”
Callie’s not having it, which I could’ve guessed just from what little I know about her already. “Dana, who’s your friend?” she asks with a loud bite.
“Oh!” Dana snickers and pries her lips from his, her hips still gyrating. “This is Dalton. He’s Nadia’s trainer.”
“Nadia’s the whore—I mean, the model hanging on your man,” Jasmine leans over and whispers in my ear. My head’s filled with too many champagne bubbles and I’ve already been ignored for almost two hours by said man, so I simply give a curt, uncaring nod.
It’s those same bubbles I’m blaming for my next totally uncharacteristic outburst. “I thought you were the guy on Criminal Minds!” I more than yell at Dalton. I swear I did—the hot, badass one. Morgan, is it?
“Oh my God, me too!” Dana squeals, leaning further into him, if that’s possible. “But then I saw you up close, baby, and you’re way hotter than Shemar Moore.”
His eyes slam shut and a deep inhale hisses through his bared, gritted teeth. He grips Dana’s swiveling hips and holds her still, confirming his dick is, in fact, engaged, and no doubt wishing we’d get the hell out of here. I’m wishing so too.
