by Jacob Chance
Soon there will be no secrets between us.
Chapter Two
Lana
I study him as he looks down, carefully peeling the label off the beer bottle in his hand. His nose is lean and straight and his eyelashes are dark brown and thick. His eyebrows are hidden by the shaggy brown hair that falls across his forehead. Both of his cheeks and jaw are hidden by a thick beard that’s in need of a trim.
“What’s your last name, Zack? Mine is, Edwards.” His eyes flick up at me and the light blue color makes me lose my train of thought for a moment.
“Williams.” His focus returns to the label as he tediously pulls it off, still managing to keep it intact. His teeth are straight and white against his beard when he flashes me a glowing, triumphant smile. The paper he holds in his hand is now completely free from the bottle.
“Patience pays off,” he says with a wink.
“Are you a patient person?” I ask, wanting to know more about this man sitting in my kitchen.
He locks his eyes on mine and a shiver runs down my spine. I’m not sure if it’s from the attraction I feel for him or from the fear that attraction instills in me. I don’t want to be drawn to him or any other man.
He rubs his hand over his beard and nods his head. “I am. I’m willing to wait for what I want.” He leans forward in his seat, resting his elbows on the table. “When I want something,” his eyes drop to my lips as he pauses, before raising back up to mine. “I don’t let anything stop me from getting it.”
I chew on my bottom lip, at a loss for what to do or say. It almost seems as if he’s warning me. Is he attracted to me? No, he can’t be. Guys like him aren’t attracted to girls like me. He’s the cool, suave, sexy type and I’m the nerdy, awkward, I still look like I’m too young to legally buy alcohol type.
He tips back his bottle, drinks the final swallow down and places it on the table. “I need to get going. I have a lot of unpacking to do still.” He pushes his chair back and stands, looming over me. I jump up from my seat, collect the two bottles from the table and throw them in the recycling bin next to the pantry.
I follow him to the door and try not to notice the width of his shoulders in his navy blue henley, but they’re right there in front of me and hard to resist looking at.
“It was nice meeting you Lana. I hope we get to see a lot more of each other.” His voice is wickedly deep and it calls to me in ways I don’t want it to.
“Thanks for carrying my bags for me. I’m glad I have a gentleman living next to me now. My old neighbors weren’t so thoughtful.” I think about the college aged girls who used to blare music and slam doors at all hours of the day or night. I’m not sure why they moved in the middle of their school year, but I’m grateful.
He takes my hand, raises it to his lips and gently kisses the back of it. His beard is soft against my skin and it makes me wonder if it would feel the same against my lips. “Until we meet again.” He releases my hand and flashes me a playful grin before walking out my door. I stare at the dark wood and release a large sigh. Zack Williams is trouble with a capital T. I can feel it already and as much as I want to experience his brand of trouble, I can’t let myself go there.
I moved here for a fresh start, not to repeat the mistakes of my past.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I have the best PA, Diane Hamilton. She makes me look good. Without her I’d be missing takeovers and deadlines. I can’t really thank her enough for all she does daily. She is one of the most giving people I’ve ever met.
D, you’re the best. And I’m glad I have you in my corner.
Thank you, Diane and Viv for running my street team. You guys are amazing, always willing to step up and do what needs to be done. You work tirelessly answering questions and pimping for me. I appreciate how much effort you ladies put into getting my books seen.
Thank you, Viv Freeman, for reading, editing and proofing for me. When you don’t like something, you don’t bullshit; you tell me straight up and you work with me to make it better. You have a unique and annoying habit of always knowing what’s needed. You wanted a Zack POV New Year’s scene and you were right as usual; it was needed.
Thank you, Paula Dawn, for content editing TIED. You always seem to know what details are missing from a scene. Thank you for taking the time to work with me on each book I’ve published. I’ve become a better writer from all you’ve taught me.
Thank you, Laura Martinez, for being my Hawkeyes and finding all my errors. Just when I think I have them all I get another email from you pointing out ten more. I know it’s only a matter of time before you’re buried with proofreading jobs for other authors.
Thank you to my street team The Chance Takers - Jacob. You ladies are awesome. I appreciate the time you devote to sharing my teasers or whatever needs to be shared and all the support you give me.
Thank you, Jessica Hildreth for doing another great cover.
Thank you, Misty Paige for all your help with Chance Promotions. I appreciate you keeping everything organized so well.
Thank you to all the blogs who’ve shared QUAKE, QUIVER, DELVE and TIED. Without you, no one would know about my books.
Viv Freeman, Laura Martinez and Denielle Hoppe, thank you for all you do. You ladies make my life a lot easier.
Thank you, Donna Elsegood for being another set of eyes checking over TIED.
I have a group you can join where I post exclusive excerpts, run giveaways and get to know my readers.
Spoiled by Chance
Thank you, Amanda Rogers, Quiles for finding the TIED cover image for me. You did a great job.
Thank you. Beth Hurley, for suggesting the motorcycle ride after the wedding. It was the best way for them to make their exit.
Thank you Cheril Olmsted for suggesting Kyle become ordained and perform the ceremony. It was a great idea.
We have a group on Facebook, Brothers Chance Playroom. It’s a great place to hang out and have fun. The ladies in there are amazing. They make me laugh each day. Thank you for all the support and encouragement you ladies give me.
Thank you to all the people who’ve supported me, whether you purchased my books, shared my teasers or even just liked my post, I appreciate you all.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jacob Chance grew up in New England and still lives there today. He’s a martial artist, a football fan, a practical joker and junk food lover.
A writer of erotic romance, TIED is his latest release and is a DELVE novella.
Jacob plans on writing many more sexy, suspenseful stories and to branch out to other genres.
Other books by the author:
QUAKE
QUIVER
DELVE
Links:
Twitter
Instagram
Follow Jacob on Amazon
Check out Logan Chance’s new release
DATE ME:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ftNrMp
Erik Murphy has everything figured out, or so he thinks.
His ex is getting married. He needs a date.
Two meddling sisters and One dating app later, Erik finds himself in a whirlwind of online dating.
Will he be able to find a date in time? Will he find something more instead?
Kayla MacPhearson thinks her best friend Belinda Hittle, an extreme introvert, needs to spice up her dating life. Kayla hooks her up on a dating app and sits back to watch the sparks fly.
What happens when it all doesn’t go as planned? Will these two find love?
Like A Boss: http://amzn.to/2ftRiJz
Love A Boss: http://amzn.to/2g6ADK0
Read the First Chapter of My Sister’s Husband releasing in December by Cara Chance
Copyright by Cara Chance
(Unedited and Subject to Change)
Chapter One
I’m not the type of girl who believes in love at first sight. In fact, I repel all that lovey, mushy nonsense. It isn’t me. I’m more of a realist with a dash of cynicism. Call it
what you want, the fact of the matter is the same…I don’t believe in anything.
I definitely didn’t believe I would ever experience that heart-stopping feeling. But, I did. Bad.
Let me start at the beginning of this tragedy. It’s a story that will have you rooting for the heroine, even if she is a love hater.
I wasn’t always this way. I grew up with the fairytales like any girl did. I believed my prince charming would ride up on his white horse wielding flowers of every variety. It wasn’t until a year or so ago when my parents decided to call it quits on their own marriage that I lost all hope.
Your parents are your example. They are the ones to look up to. And if they can’t keep love going strong after twenty plus years of marriage well, then where’s the hope for the rest of us?
I’m twenty-two years old. And, of course I’ve dated before, but never had that moment of clarity where everything falls into place with someone before. I am alone.
But, here comes the sarcasm, wait for it, my older sister is married.
She is worse than me. She says love doesn’t exist and that marriage is for pussies, her words not mine.
She told me once, “Lola, everyone loves for different reasons and this bitch right here,” she pointed to herself, “this bitch is only marrying for money.”
I believe her, but then when my mother called and told me the guy was a regular Joe, I wondered why my sister Arabelle would marry.
My mother was in tears with happiness at the idea of Arabelle’s marriage. But, her tears hardened when my sister announced she’d eloped. Eloped!
Now, I’m driving my little Subaru to my mother’s cabin in the heart of a small fishing town in Maine. Right on the beach, and I couldn’t wait to get out of Boston for the summer.
My mother, Arabelle, and me. Should be fun. I almost didn’t gag while saying it this time. Of course, I tried to cancel with my mother. I told her I was going to visit my father in South Carolina. But, as mother’s go, she told me if I missed one more summer with her I’d be cut off.
Cut off from what I don’t really know, but either way, I was on my way. Message received oh Mother Dearest.
Oh, I almost forgot, Dante. My sister’s new husband. He would be there. It would be my first time meeting him and as always, I had my biggest smile on my face, again notice the sarcasm.
I pull up to my mother’s cabin, and thank God, I beat my sister and her ratty, ass husband here.
I walk up the wooden steps to the large cabin and take in a breath of the fresh air. Ah, summer in Maine.
I can hear the waves from the ocean not far away, crashing and churning. With each crash, it speaks to me, Lola, come and play. Soon my friend.
I plan on never leaving the beach while I’m here.
I knock on the door, and it swings open.
“Lola, you’re here.” My mother’s arms wrap around me as she pulls me in for a hug.
“Yeah yeah, here I am.” I just can’t stop the sarcasm with my mother.
I try, I really do. You have to believe me, but if you had to deal with her as your mother you’d feel the same way as me. She’s torturous.
And, that’s putting it nicely. I smile to her as I plug in my earbuds into each ear. The sounds of Taylor Swift fills my ears and I am once again happy.
I grab my bag and suitcase and head to the room I use while I’m here. I didn’t grow up here, no we lived in Boston. My mother, after the divorce, moved up here to get away from it all. And by all she meant my father and his new girlfriend. But, shortly after she moved up here to Maine, my father moved down south to the Carolinas and I was left in Boston all alone. With no family around for miles. Oh, besides my sister who lived half an hour away.
We never saw each other though, she lives on her side of Boston and me on mine.
I hear my mother calling from downstairs and I turn the volume up on my iPod. Rude, yes. Necessary, absolutely.
I dance around the room as I put my clothes into the wicker armoire. I’m getting jiggy with it as I shake my ass to the beat of Lady Gaga. On the second twirl, my eyes open and slam into a pair of dark, brown eyes.
I yank the earbuds from my ears as I rake my eyes over the specimen in front of me. Hello, hottie. Who is this man?
His body is solid with a nice, dark tan covering his muscles nicely. His dark black hair hangs low along his forehead, and he smiles with a hint of mischievousness.
I stop mid-twirl and am dumbstruck.
“Hello there,” his thick voice says, sending shivers down my spine.
“Who are you?” I ask, bluntly.
“Dante, you must be Lola.”
“I must be. Why are you in my room?” I sneer. Fucking pervert.
He laughs as he crosses his arms. “I was just looking around.”
“Go look around elsewhere. This room is off limits.” I step closer and grab the edge of the door in my hands.
“That’s too bad. You really are a showgirl, huh?” he drawls. It’s sexy and my insides tingle.
I slam the door in his face before the tingling gets out of control.
My fucking sister’s husband thinks he can just barge in here and watch me dance. Insanity.
Dante.
He is very sexy and I don’t want to admit he had some sort of Dante’s Inferno happening deep down in my core.
Coming Soon.
Follow Cara Chance on Facebook for updates on new releases.
Check out Sold To My Father’s Friend and Banned, both available NOW
Sold To My Father’s Friend on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2fTMtty
Banned on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2gSmi7o
Here’s an excerpt from
Venerable
by Laura B. Martinez
PROLOGUE
IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT, a glass of scotch and the heavy beats of the music blasting from my headphones were my only companions.
I was exhausted but the sounds of the storm raging outside, ones that reminded me of that night, kept me from sleeping tonight. Needing a distraction, I came to my office to finish some work. But as the heaviness I felt in my hands decreased the typing on my keyboard, I leaned back and turned my chair to watch the view from my window.
Sebastian~Ten years old
I was awoken by a thunderous crash as the sound of the huge oak tree branches scraped across the window, and the wind howled through the dark of the night. Drenched in a cold sweat, I lay still as I tried to get my tired ears to listen to all the noises around me. Hearing the loud bang once again, I kicked off the covers and looked for the spiders. I could still feel them creeping up my body, but they weren’t there. Another nightmare.
Reaching for the glass of water I kept on my nightstand, I brought it to my lips, but it was empty. My throat was so dry it burned. Did I scream in my sleep?
Thirsty and disoriented, I wrapped my small fingers tighter around the glass and headed to the bathroom. Trying for the light switch, I didn’t remember the sound until I heard it again.
My mom was on a trip and wouldn’t be back until noon, tomorrow. Sienna, my only sister, was enjoying her time away at summer camp. My dad and I were the only two home. I carelessly left the glass on the sink in my haste to get to my parent’s room.
I left my bathroom, creeping down the hallway, knowing which creaky spots to avoid on the wooden floor so no one would hear me.
Cautiously opening my parents’ door, a shocked expression took over my face when I found the room empty. Where’s my dad? He should be sleeping. The howling outside continued as I wrapped my arms around my frail body. Maybe he heard the sound and was already checking it out.
The sound of something shattering had me running back to my room, grabbing my trusty wooden baseball bat. My dad could be in trouble.
I crept down the stairs. The dimmed light seeping through the heavy, grey velvet curtains barely allowed me to notice where I stepped. My mind played tricks on me as I imagined the worst case scenario. Fear was present in my bones, but
I tried to push it away as I kept moving.
The lounge room was my first stop, but nothing seemed out of order. Our TV and VCR were still there; everything was as it should be.
The dining room was next. My mother’s fine china adorned the tabletop and everything was intact. The candelabra was still lit, wax dripping on the lace cloth as I leaned over to blow each flame out.
Feeling along the wood-paneled walls, I moved to the kitchen where the dishes from my earlier snack remained untouched on the granite countertop.
A high-pitched scream startled me and I gripped my bat tighter as I prepared to give it a swing.
The air turned frigid and a cold shiver ran down my spine. Knowing where the sound came from, my stomach turned in knots. Dread settled in as I feared my most hated place in the house. Surrounded by four walls of darkness, it was what my nightmares were made of.
What if my dad was in trouble? Should I call the police? No, I’m the man of the house, too. Usually we both protected my mom and sister. But now, I had to protect him.
Ok, Sebastian, you can do this. Move.
With the wooden bat in front of me, I crept toward the basement door, it was slightly opened and I could barely see from the soft light flickering from downstairs.
Edging down the steps, the splinters of wood prickling the bottom of my bare feet, my determination to find my father never wavered.
With the bottom quickly approaching, my courage grew. I would have the element of surprise in case an intruder was there. My quick speed and small body would help me ward off any foul play.
