“Well, one because I haven’t had children yet, and two because I have implants.” It wasn’t a secret. I admitted it in instances such as this when the topic came up.
“You have implants?” Meghan’s eyes went wide. She scanned my chest intently. “I would never know in a million years. They look so natural.”
“The implants I have are small. I had bigger implants at one point, and let’s just say they didn’t work out. They weren’t quite me.” I had my large implants removed, but I did decide the curve of a small breast was something I wanted. Not anyone else. Me.
Beth cupped her chest, lifting it up with her hands. “Maybe I should get implants. But only if Jason does something about his moobs first.”
We all laughed and Meghan leaned in. “Kyle too. I’m nervous soon we’ll need to start sharing bras.”
More laughter erupted. The guys returned to the room and our laughter died out.
“What are you in here talking about?” Kyle questioned.
I think we just couldn’t help it. We all tried to discreetly look for a trace of his man boobs.
“Were you talking about me? Is there something on my shirt?” Kyle looked down, pulling his shirt forward, searching for a reason we were all staring at his chest.
I had to cover my mouth to keep the laughter from exploding out. The tables had turned. When the guys weren’t around, the women now secretly discussed their chest size. I coughed to help stifle the giggle that just wouldn’t stay contained. The clinking of my charms brought attention to my wrist.
“What a beautiful bracelet,” Beth exclaimed and left her seat to come get a better look. “There’s so many of them.”
“Thank you.” I tugged on the newest charm, pointing it out. “Grant just bought me this one to celebrate my new job. It’s a little chalkboard.”
“That’s adorable. I take it it’s a teaching job. What grade are you teaching?”
“Kindergarten.” I smiled and turned my face up to Grant who had just taken a seat next to me on the couch. We gave each other a quick kiss and I leaned in to him. I was thankful my sexy man had a perfect chest, solid and hard, not that I’d love him any less if it wasn’t. “It’s going to be confusing for them. I’ll be Miss Albert in the beginning of the year and just when they get used to it, I’ll be changing over to Mrs. Donovan.”
“We could solve that problem by getting married before school starts.” Grant pushed a piece of my brown hair away from my eyes. I swatted at him playfully.
“I’d love to, but I think we should stick with December since everything is all booked and ready to go.” A winter wedding, every detail was falling into place, including Kenna as my maid of honor. She’d also gained some clarity going back home. Just like me, she’d made changes in her life. A healthy lifestyle was her new focus. She worked at a gym and was going back to school, looking into programs to become a nutritionist. I believed she was finally achieving the same happiness I was. The mistakes we made, we learned from them. Oddly enough, I felt my time apart from Grant was necessary. I wasn’t sure I’d appreciate where I was today, or fully have the confidence I did, without living through some of the mistakes I’d made.
Grant nuzzled into my neck, tingles running up my spine as he whispered, “You are going to be the most beautiful bride ever.”
My stomach drew in tight. Grant called me beautiful all the time, always causing my body to react with the same pang of excitement. I was able to believe him, because now I believed it. No more doubts, no more hiding or overcompensating for the way I felt about myself. I’d grown, matured, and ugh…yes, learned some damn valuable life lessons along the way. I was finally comfortable in my own skin.
“So, you’re Jim’s sister and Grant is one of Jim’s best friends. That worked out nicely. You met up with him again after you graduated from college and the two of you fell in love.” Meghan smiled over at us as we cuddled on the couch. Her nose scrunched up. “Kinda weird that nothing happened when you guys were younger, but I suppose that’s a good thing or it might have been one big ‘ole complicated mess.”
There were varying degrees of what everyone knew and what they didn’t as far as Grant and I were concerned. But Meghan was obviously clueless.
I nodded and laughed, grasping at the filled chain of charms around my wrist. I looked up at Grant and winked. “I’m sure it would have been.”
The end.
Also available by Ryan Ringbloom,
Books, Blogs, and Reality.
Turn the page for a sneak peek.
Prologue:
It’s not uncommon for people to have two sets of friends. The “real” friends; these are the ones who live nearby, the ones you see or talk with occasionally (less and less as time goes on). Then there are the “virtual” friends; these are the ones you talk to (well, type to) every day. The latter group comes from all over. You’ve never actually met any of them and yet you trust them with some of the deepest, most intimate thoughts and details of your life. You share way too much information and in return, they over-share way too much back.
On Brooke Bloomfield’s twenty-third birthday, she went to lunch with her real life best friend, Lauren. The two girls had a very nice time. They gossiped in between chews, catching up, because even though they lived only ten minutes away from each other, they still hadn’t seen each other in quite some time. When the bill came, Lauren grabbed it, insisting she treat Brooke on her special day. They hugged goodbye at their cars and promised to meet for lunch or a drink soon.
Later that same night, Brooke let loose and celebrated her birthday in a much more exciting way, at a computer-generated party with her three online BF’s, Rachael-XXOO, Lizzie1214, and JessRomance93. In a relatively short time, all three of these girls had come to know more about Brooke than anyone else.
Similar tastes in books kept connecting them through book tours and blitzes. Comments on posts and reviews turned into discussions over emails. Tweets bounced back and forth between the four of them endlessly, until one day they discovered a social website designed for readers, where they could all chat privately amongst themselves. Within no time, their virtual discussions went from benign topics such as books they all loved, hated and/or felt somewhere in between, to a hell of a lot more serious things.
It’s funny the things a person will share with people they don’t actually have to face. Like a diary into which they feed their emotions and it types back.
Chapter One
Profile:
Brooke Bloomfield
ReaderGirlBrooke
NY ~ Brookesbeenreading.blogspace.com
Blogger, dedicated romance reader, and reviewer. I spend a lot of time with my many fictional boyfriends. Addicted to cherry ice pops and cupcakes with pink frosting.
ReaderGirlBrooke: Hey guys!
Lizzie1214: Wine is open. Time to celebrate!! The big two-three!
JessRomance93: Hey, birthday girl! I just opened a beer. Does everyone have a drink now?
Rachael-XXOO: Got mine. Happy Birthday Brookey!!! Did you get the pic of Preston’s package all wrapped up in a bow?
ReaderGirlBrooke: Thanks guys. I just poured a glass of red. Yes, Rachael – great pic! *blushes
Rachael-XXOO: You’re not blushing. You love it. I’m sure you saved it with all the other dirty pics I send you.
Rachael-XXOO: By the way, did you guys finish Fix My Heart yet? I’m only 45% in.
ReaderGirlBrooke: Yes!! Loved! Five stars. A guy exactly like Grant is what I wished for when I blew out my birthday candles today at lunch.
Lizzie1214: I gave it five stars, too.
JessRomance93: It was good. Meh. Three stars.
ReaderGirlBrooke: Jess, are you serious? Only three stars? How did you not fall in love with Grant? He was perfect!
JessRomance93: Yeah, Grant was perfect. But a little too perfect, don’t ya think? Guys like that don’t exist.
ReaderGirlBrooke: Are you just saying that because of you-know-who?
JessRomance
93: This has nothing to do with that asshole. I just thought the way Grant rescued Cassandra was a little over the top.
Rachael-XXOO: Um, hello. What part of “I haven’t finished yet” did you all not understand? Remember, we don’t discuss a book until everyone is done reading.
ReaderGirlBrooke: Sorry! We’ll stop. Just make sure to stay away from my blog until you’re done reading. My review is getting posted tonight.
Rachael-XXOO: I’m probably reading slower than usual because my own love life has been picking up lately.
JessRomance93: Nice, Rach! Do we get some dirty details later?
ReaderGirlBrooke: Wah! The only love life I have lately requires batteries.
Rachael-XXOO: Yes! I’ll give details later. And speaking of dirty details, did you get my special little birthday care package, Brooke?
ReaderGirlBrooke: Yes, but I haven’t opened it yet. I figured I’d wait till we were chatting.
Lizzie1214: Open it! Tell us what fun, twisted things Rachael sent you.
Rachael-XXOO: Yeah, go ahead and open it up, birthday girl!
ReaderGirlBrooke: HAAA! I didn’t know they made so many things in the shape of a penis. Lollipops, straws, a lipstick, pasta, and a toothbrush! OMG! Where did u find a penis toothbrush?
Rachael-XXOO: I ordered everything online. Do you like the theme??
ReaderGirlBrooke: I love it! Thank you!! I’m taking a pic of everything right now to send you guys.
Lizzie1214: Will you actually eat the pasta and the lollipops? I wonder what they taste like.
JessRomance93: Ew, yuck. What do you think it tastes like?
Rachael-XXOO: Go ahead, Brooke, try a lollipop and tell us if tastes like a pecker.
ReaderGirlBrooke: Yum. It does. ;)
The penis comments continued on, leading to much more explicit discussions. Whenever an opportunity to turn the talk towards something dirty arrived…they always jumped on it. Oh, how they all loved when the convo turned to raunchy inappropriateness.
A few too many glasses of wine later, and three just wrong pictures of Brooke obscenely brushing her teeth with her new toothbrush, they all said goodnight and logged off.
Brooke’s head was still a bit hazy; her buzz from the wine was beginning to wear off. Thankfully her review was saved and all it took was the click of a button to post.
Brooke’s Been Reading Book Blog
Fix My Heart - by Olivia J. Bankcroft
Oh My God! Where do I even begin? I have read all of Ms. Bankcroft’s books, and just when I think they can’t get any better, she introduces us to Grant Maxwell!
Growing up, Grant Maxwell had seen his fair share of hard times. He’d seen things and endured heartache that no child ever should. The demons he carries are worked out through strenuous activities building his body into a rock hard temple and building a billion dollar enterprise from the ground up. One glance from his smoky steel eyes and women fall to their knees, but he’s not looking for a woman. At least that’s what he believed.
Cassandra Morgan has always been the shy, studious type. Her flawless petite figure was always kept hidden under over-sized clothes and her cornflower blue eyes masked by the thick glasses given to her at the orphanage where she grew up. Love was just a dream for her. She never allowed anyone close enough to break through her hardened exterior.
Two broken souls unknowingly searching for their true match.
When Cassandra is attacked in a back alley behind the soup kitchen where Grant volunteers, she is saved by a hero coming to her rescue in more ways than one. But Grant was also in the need of some rescuing.
Love runs deep and the passion ignites. Cassandra is awakened to a lustful world she never knew existed but in some strange way had always longed for.
Grant is broken, he needs her. But innocent beauties like Cassandra are forbidden. Will he go against what he knows is right and fight for love?
I’m officially in love with Grant. He is the ultimate book husband.
The sex scenes were so hot I nearly melted. I just finished this book and already I am ready to re-start it.
I need passion and love like this! I want a forbidden romance. Where is my Grant Maxwell?
Five stars aren’t nearly enough!
Reading over her review reminded Brooke, once again, how amazing the book truly was. Every sense in her body was awakened. So instead of settling into the sleep she needed, she spent the next hour searching online for images of celebrities to play the role of the broken man if a movie were to ever be made. No matter how sexy the men she found were, she couldn’t settle on one. Grant Maxwell’s off-limits sexiness could not be matched.
She pulled her knees into her chest and opened up the book to delve back into the delicious read. But she didn’t start on page one. She flipped over to page forty-seven and, with enlarged pupils, began to read.
Grant unbuttoned his tight jeans and his large erection sprung forth. Cassandra moaned at the beautiful sight in front of her and pleaded, “I don’t care that this is wrong. I need you inside of me.” His fingers expertly explored her body and she instantly trembled, on the verge of having her first orgasm from the skilled way he touched her exposed breast.
The book dropped lifelessly onto Brooke’s lap. The hot image of Grant—mixed with the descriptive details of amazing sex and the illicit romance drawing him and Cassandra together—was enough to make Brooke nearly insane. It had been a long time since anyone had “expertly explored” Brooke’s body.
Brooke tapped her fingers intently on the cover of the book, edgy and antsy, in desperate need of some action of her own. Luckily, as a devoted reader, she was prepared for situations such as this. She reached into her night table and pulled out, “The Book Boyfriend Enhancer.”
Tonight, your name is Grant. She flicked the little button on the top of her multiple-speed lover and selected a setting. Grant slid into place under the covers and Brooke continued reading, holding the book up with her one free hand.
She read the words, pausing occasionally, to imagine them slightly different, a little less Cassandra and a lot more Brooke.
Grant tore at her clothes. His tongue hit the right spot on her body, over and over. When her dirty little mind cried out “yes,” it was Brooke (not Cassandra) who allowed him to take her from behind, bent strategically over the balcony of the ocean-front mansion; that’s when Brooke started to let herself go.
Read. Fantasize. Buzz.
By the time Cassandra was screaming out in ecstasy, so was Brooke.
Five stars all the way!
Available now on Amazon
About the Author
Ryan Ringbloom is a YA/NA author who lives for anything Romance. The passion, love, angst, awkwardness… she loves all of it. When Ryan needs a break from reality she sneaks off to read a romantic story or write one of her own. Drinking coffee, reading Tweets and hugs from her six year old are the best part of her day.
You can follow her on Twitter: @RyanRingbloom or visit her website at www.RyanRingbloom.com. Feel free to contact her, she would love it!
Table of Contents
Prologue: Grant
Chapter One Tori
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 Grant
Chapter Twenty-Four Grant- Four Years Ago
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twe
nty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five Tori
Chapter Thirty-Six Grant
Chapter Thirty-Seven Tori
Chapter Thirty-Eight Grant
Chapter Thirty-Nine Tori
Chapter Forty Grant
Chapter Forty-One Tori
Chapter Forty-Two Grant
Chapter Forty-Three Tori
Chapter Forty-Four Grant
Epilogue
Prologue:
Chapter One
About the Author
Fake Boobs Page 19
