by C. J. Wells
“A pure fairtytale fantasy for grown ups that’s heavy on the hot-as-sin celebrity who falls in obsession, possession, and lust for-ever-after with our lucky heroine.”
- Smokin’ Hot Book Blog
“Alexander Tate. That could actually be a verb. He Alexander-Tated me.”
- For the Love of Books & Alcohol Blog
“C.J. Wells wove this story seamlessly with great characters and fantastic writing.”
- Andrea Joan, Author
“Beautiful, creative writing…written in a style that is a mixture of romantic prose and contemporary work.”
- KL Shandwick, Author
“C.J. Wells brings us a story of make-believe, but makes it feel so real, it could happen to any one of us.”
- Tracey Podger, Author
“This is a well-written, addictive romance.”
Salem Archer, Author
“Simply Brilliant…Drama, humor, romance, lust, and ultimately love. Fabulously written…full of twists and turns.”
- Imy Santiago, Author
“Will thoroughly captivate you…offers romance at its best and a very sexy, erotic, and capitivating story line.”
- Two Ordinary Girls & Their Books
“An outstanding romance that tugs at your heart strings and never lets go!”
- Dear Author
“C.J. Wells hits it out of the park with a home run…Witty, humorous and boldy written. The sex scenes are even HOTTER! You’ll need a tall drink to cool you off…BRAVO!”
- Christie Pastore, Author
“I enjoyed it from the very start and was totally hooked and swooning over Alex and all his hotness. He tugged at your heartstrings and left you waiting for more.”
- Danielle’s Escape
“Funny, witty, charming, HOT, I mean REALLY HOT (you may need more than a few cold showers while reading), and emotional. The way the Authors describe the emotions, the expressions of each character, made me feel like I was there in person witnessing it.”
- Fabiola Francisco, Author
Take a Bow (The Perfect Plans Series #2)
By C.J. Wells
Copyright © 2014 by C.J. Wells
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, email to the publisher, subject “Attention: Permissions Coordinator” at [email protected].
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblence to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
Warning: MATURE CONTENT
Content contains sexually explicit material and is intended for mature individuals over the age of eighteen. By downloading this book, you are stating that you are of legal age to access and view this work of fiction.
Cover Illustration Copyright 2014 Jill Syed Photography
Cover Model: Colin Herder
PUBLISHING HISTORY
C.J. Wells Ebook Edition / December 2014
C.J. Wells Publishing 2014
Take a Bow / C.J. Wells
The Canadian ISBN Service System (CISS)
Take a Bow Kindle ISBN# 978-0-9937485-3-0
Fiction – Contemporary Erotic Romance
www.cjwells.org / [email protected]
PRAISE FOR THE PERFECT PLANS SERIES
ALSO BY THE AUTHOR
DEDICATION
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
EPILOGUE
LOST HOPE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Also by the author
Perfect Plans (The Perfect Plans Series Book 1)
This is dedicated to perfect love...
Just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other.
“YOU LEFT ME bound to the life you left behind, trying like hell to figure out how to live without you. It seems you still have all of me, Aby,” he says with a sad smile. “It’s taken a long time, struggling to figure out how to live my life alone. But throughout these months, I’ve come to realize that even though you were with me all that time, I was alone all along anyway. I will learn to let you go. Eventually. But you will always have a part of my heart. Always.”
“I’m so sorry, Liam,” I whisper, unsure what I can say to extinguish his ever-present hurt, regardless of his stoic admittance. After spending a good portion of your life with someone, gauging happiness and pain becomes second nature. Unless you’re a good actor, of course. Something for which Liam has never been good at, I note, taking measure of his charming face, tilted down, staring at his lap. I can see his pain masked behind a slight edge of bravado and acceptance. No matter how much you succumb to it, or how right the reasons, I can admit that we’ve both lost something special.
Liam’s gaze darts to mine at my pleading apology and I reel further in my envelope of shame and regret. “No, don’t. I don’t need your apology. We were both living a lie - both of us wanting, needing, something more. I should be apologizing to you. I held you back, I see that now. I think I even did it knowingly out of fear that you’d leave me.”
Wow. This is so surreal. The man sitting across from me is not the Liam that I knew so well. He’s a man who’s clearly grown since the demise of our marriage. He’s calmer, more reflective. It’s a beautiful thing to watch.
He looks as handsome as ever. His short brown hair casually styled, his bright blue eyes warm despite the pain they reflect. I’m almost tempted to reach out and run my fingers along his slight stubble - a kneejerk reaction after so many years together.
“It’s okay, though,” he continues, grabbing my hand with a gentle squeeze. “I’m fine, Abs. Great, actually.” He offers a small grin. “It took a while, but I’ve finally started to turn my life around. I even bought a bike.”
“That’s wonderful, you’ve always wanted one.” I’m elated to see the splash of pain quickly fade from his gaze, replaced with boyish excitement.
“Yeah, it’s pretty cool. I’m leaving next week, touring through the States. Might make my way to the west coast and stay awhile. Find someplace nice in L.A.”
“Good for you, Liam. I know you’ve always dreamt of traveling through California. You must be excited to go.”
“No kidding,” he laughs, looking down at his hands in his lap once more. “I’m excited, and thankful.”
“Thankful?”
“Thankful to you,” his gaze returns to mine, “…for finally knocking some sense into me. For pushing me to live out my own dreams as well.”
I lower my head shyly, not quite
sure what to say as I sit across from my now ex-husband, the signed divorce papers like a beacon on the table in front of us. I feel completely overcome, overwhelmed that the man who was once my everything, whom I left brokenhearted in my search for more, is now thanking me for giving him his freedom. Who knew that such a tragic story could turn out so fulfilling?
Yet the irony is lashing. I’m back in my hometown, having walked away from my freedom, my dreams - discarded back in England - while Liam is now off to fulfill his. My penance perhaps?
“Say something,” he pushes.
“I’m not sure what to say,” I look up to him. “I’m happy for you. It makes me happy to know you’re happy. I truly never meant to hurt you.”
“I know, Abs. And I’m not going to lie and say that you didn’t. You did. But I realize now that everything is the way it should be. We can both fight for the life we’re meant to have,” he pauses, offering a gentle smile, seemingly filled with thought. “I see you’ve snagged yourself a hot-shot boyfriend,” he jokes halfheartedly.
Ugh… the media gossip. Of course he’s seen the images of Alex and I by now. I wince at the reminder of Alexander Tate, the incredible, sexy actor - the man of so many women’s fantasies. The wonderful man I left behind in London without a word.
“Ummm…not quite. The jury’s still out on that one,” I attempt to act casual, though I’m trembling a little. The remembrance of Julia’s warning that inevitably Liam would be pulled into that media bullshit…I can’t even think about it again. Not right now. “Things are a little up in the air,” I offer at Liam’s questioning gaze. “It’s…difficult,” I add, a cold shiver running down my spine, Alex’s own words blasting through me like an arctic wind, ‘It can be…difficult’.
“Oh,” he nods, his hands clasped, dangling between his wide spread legs. “Well, don’t give up too easily, Abs. You need to fight for what you want. You taught me that,” he adds, apparently seeing through my act of bravado, if not pretending to. I really can’t be sure if I can fool anyone anymore, Liam included.
Oh, Liam, if you only knew…what I walked away from, and why. I can’t even believe I’m here, back in Toronto, having this conversation with him. Never in a million years did I expect us to be so cordial to each other after all that’s transpired. Talking of dreams, boyfriends, and freedom. Especially after sitting together in comfortable silence, signing our divorce papers. What a shock to my system.
“I should go,” he stands from the sofa.
I’m unable to form a reply as I watch him pick up a copy of the papers and fold them in his hands. I simply follow suit as he makes his way to the door.
At this moment I realize, this is it. All of our wonderful times, meaningful moments together come crashing back to me in a flurry. A whirlwind of emotion rushes over me as I begrudgingly follow him, mentally preparing myself to say goodbye. In this brief instant, our life together flashes before my eyes - Liam and I in Mexico, sunbathing under the warmth of the heated sun; smiling at him on our wedding day as his huge smile beams at me from his place at the altar; our day-to-day normalcy of a seemingly happy existence. I’m struck completely speechless, my eyes filling with unshed tears.
I know deep down that my inner turmoil is heightened all the more by what I’ve left behind in London. Alex. My dream world. Although, in the end, it wasn’t much of a dream world was it? The grass may appear greener, but it’s full of fertilizer. Full of shit that I couldn’t trudge through.
Reaching the door, Liam turns to look down at me, a melancholy expression donning his face. “I love you, Aby. I will always love you,” he says, pulling me into his arms.
“I love you too,” I whisper against his chest, a tear finally slipping down my cheek as I absorb his familiar scent. This is the closure we’ve both needed - the final stamp for us to move forward towards our freedom, our dreams. I can’t help but feel a weight lifting off my shoulders. It’s comforting to know that my walking away didn’t cause irreparable damage to a friendship I hope to maintain for the rest of my life.
Releasing me, he reaches for the door. “Good luck, Abs. I hope every one of your dreams come true,” he offers with a sweet, yet morose, smile.
“You too. Good luck on your road trip. Stay safe,” I add - our long used term whenever we’d leave each other.
“Always,” he smiles sweetly in remembrance of our favorite parting words, opening the door to exit Stacey’s apartment. His one final look speaks a thousand words - our final goodbye.
Grabbing my arm to pull me onto the front stoop, he takes me in a final lingering embrace as though reluctant to leave so quickly. His blue eyes sparkle with kind love above his handsome smile when he finally lets me go.
I smile in return - a smile filled with love, thankfulness, and hope, though my heart aches a little. I watch him step onto the landing before suddenly stopping dead in his tracks.
Shielding my eyes from the bright morning sun, I look past him to see what’s halted his departure, losing my breath at the sight of Alex, looking ashen standing at the bottom of the stairs.
Oh my God. What is he doing here? I stare shocked, my lips parted in the sudden strangling awe, taking in Alex’s real-life form as he regards Liam and I with curiosity. His clothes are a wrinkled mess, his hair in disarray above his beautifully sculpted face covered in seemingly day’s old stubble, if not older. He looks tired and more than a little annoyed, yet still has the ability to take my breath away.
My heartbeat lodges in my throat. I never would have imagined he would show up here. Certainly not after I so abruptly left London without a word. No note of good-bye, no explanation. Though I have no idea what he’s thinking as he stares up at us, I can only assume he’s imagining the worst, watching me bid farewell to another man.
In the stunned silence, I note Liam’s body tense and stammer slightly - a testimony to his ongoing struggles with jealousy, regardless of whether we’re divorced or not. I’m suddenly in the eye of a hurricane and a flying fucking cow just hit me in the gut. What are the odds of this shit? As my jumbled head ricochets between both men, I’m unable to formulate a coherent thought. How exactly does one handle this? Should I introduce them? “Man I discarded, allow me to introduce you to other man I discarded…”
“You want me to stay, Abs?” Liam asks, looking back to me briefly before locking his firm gaze back on Alex.
I note Alex’s eyebrow quirk at the question, his head tilting mechanically, betraying his gentlemanly composure.
“No, I’m okay,” I manage, pulling my gaze from Alex. “Thank you for stopping by. Thank you for…everything.” I attempt to smile reassuringly when Liam finally looks back towards me.
He offers a small resigned pull of his lips before he turns from me to amble down the stairs, taking slow measured steps making his way towards Alex, still standing unmoving.
Can you say AWKWARD?
Reaching the bottom, he stops abruptly, turning to face Alex dead on. Oh shit, what is he going to do?
Their tall, strong frames are locked and cocked in an alpha-aura of male dominance like some He-Man showdown in the ready. “Don’t hurt her,” I hear Liam warn, brushing past Alex to continue on. I exhale a breath of relief as he walks away, not naïve that under normal circumstances, the Liam I know would have said and done more.
Looking back to Alex, I note his clenched jaw, quickly averting my gaze to watch Liam drive away. I purposely delay the inevitable confrontation, my eyes peeled to Liam’s Chevy truck as he maneuvers out of the parking lot, before succumbing to look back down the stairs into the eyes of the man I’ve fallen in love with. I’m torn between wanting to rush into his arms to wrap myself tightly around him, and blinking to make sure he’s really here in front of me. My shattered heart isn’t braced for the impact his unexpected presence is pummeling into my system. I wasn’t prepared to see him yet. My broken body isn’t strong enough. I can’t speak.
I’m not sure what to read in his eyes as he walks slowly up the s
teps towards me, but he looks pissed - his gaze unwavering, holding me hostage. Reaching the landing, his sparkling blue eyes bore into mine as he brushes past me, walking into the apartment.
I feel like a child about to be spanked. A week ago, such a notion involving Alex might have been excitingly delicious. Right now? Not so much. Taking a deep breath of composure, I follow him inside and close the door, resting my forehead momentarily against the wood before turning to face the obvious wrath he came to bestow. I summon the courage to lift my head and face him with confidence, only to lose my breath once more at the sight of him, his incredible body tightened below the clenched jaw of his gorgeous face.
“I’m sensing a trend here, Aby,” he begins, the venomous rasp of his voice both staggering and foreign, “…it seems that whenever I get off of a plane to come to you, I find you with another man.”
Oh shit. He brought the big guns.
I bite my tongue despite his sarcastic venom hitting all of my defensive buttons. I deserve his anger, though I’m breaking inside at the sight of it. His presence at this moment is sucking up all the air in the room. I’m struggling to breathe.
“Maybe I should learn to fucking call first,” he adds with additional bite.
Yeah, that would actually be really good. I would absolutely be much more prepared right now to deal with this adolescent-like scolding. However, I think it best I opt to keep that thought to myself. No need to add fuel to his ever-raging fire.
Taking another deep breath, I aim for deflection - the mind-boggling question behind his shocking arrival - while I attempt to portray a shield of strength to cover my somewhat trembling façade, “Why did you come here, Alex?”
“Brilliant question,” he replies sharply before a flicker of pain flashes through his stonewall exterior. “I’m not exactly sure myself, right now,” he begins a slow pace, running his fingers through his mane of brown curls.
