Gorgeous Rotten Scoundrel
Page 23
And then I heard what I thought were familiar guitar chords in the distance. For a second, I thought I just really needed to get some sleep, but the strumming came closer and closer. And the song was one anyone would recognize, the one my parents had played and sang for me when I was a little girl. And only one person knew about that other than my Nonna, and she didn't know how to play the guitar, so I doubted her ghost would.
It couldn't be.
I ran over to the door, unlocking the deadbolt, but keeping the chain latched. It was. I unlatched the chain. Heath stood there, with the most earnest look on his face.
"How did you find me here?"
"Oh thank god. I was terrified I had the wrong address and then this would be a complete disaster." He had the slightest grin on his face, but it layered over a look of concern. He wore a pair of ripped jeans and a white t-shirt, his hair was playfully messy. God, how I missed just staring at him and his boyish grin.
"How did you know?"
"Mindy can't keep her mouth shut, she called me today and told me about your Nonna. She told me when you found out. Why didn't you tell me, Sadie? I would have been here for you." I looked down, I didn't have a real answer, not one that felt valid any longer.
"I was upset. I wasn't thinking straight. Then the way we parted ways. I thought I couldn't. I felt like it wouldn't be right to ask of you."
"You're my best friend. I wouldn't let you go through this alone."
I thought I didn't have any more tears left, but I was wrong, I had been saving them to cry into his embrace. As they streamed out of my eyes, he swept his guitar to the side, wrapped his strong arms around me, and tenderly kissed me on top of my head. God how I missed his smell, his warmth, the firm grip of his hug. He stroked my hair.
"It's okay Sadie. I've got you."
"I've been such a bitch to you. I'm sorry. I believe you. I know you didn't do anything with her. You're right. I was scared. I pushed you away."
"It's okay. You're the perfect bitch and I'm the perfect asshole."
I laughed for the first time in weeks. Heath closed the door behind him and leaned back on it as he held me.
"Was this whole guitar entrance too corny? I was afraid if I said it was me, you wouldn't open the door. I even waited outside for a neighbor to let me in."
"It was perfect."
"I'm so sorry about your grandmother."
"Thank you," I said. "I already miss her so much."
"I know. Can I just tell you something I should have told you weeks ago?" he asked, holding my face in between his hands and guiding it up so that I would look into his eyes.
"I'm a mess," I said, trying to look away, not wanting him to see my puffy face.
"You're beautiful and I love you. I should have told you that before you left, but I didn't take my own advice. I held onto one chip, because I was scared that you would leave anyway. And I have never had to fear losing a woman I was in love with. I let you walk away without telling you what I have known from the moment we fell in the sand. I operated out of fear and I let you walk away."
I smiled. I wouldn't let fear dictate my decisions any longer. Nonna would have wanted me to live with an open heart. "I love you too. You're my best friend too."
He kissed the single tear that trailed down my cheek. "I want you to come back with me after all this for the rest of the summer and then I'll fire you and you'll go do the amazing things you were born to do. Can you do that?"
"Yes. I never took the job with Brock." I had already planned on taking Heath's advice and forging a new path.
"Atta girl."
"Could you play some music? It's so quiet and empty in here, and it would be nice to have some music. You know, to fill up the apartment with warmth."
"Sure, why don't you tell me what she liked and I'll do my best?"
And so Heath and I sat in the spot on the floor next to her easy chair and we sang songs late into the night. Then when we got tired, we made another makeshift nest on the floor, just like we did in Paris.
Just as I was about to doze off in his arms, Heath whispered in a serious tone, "I have a confession to make."
My heart fluttered for a moment. What could it be? The only thing I could think of was Grossy, but I stopped myself. I would not allow myself to expect the worst of him.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Well, you're great and all, but the real reason I came back was because I missed these puppies. I told you I would never let these go," he joked, motorboating my cleavage and tickling me as I laughed.
Heath Hillabrand, forever my Gorgeous Rotten Scoundrel.
Acknowledgements
Meg Botteon, not only did you help guide my love towards the written word when I was a hormone-riddled 16-year-old, but now you continue to selflessly help my journey as an author. I STILL learn from you every time your notes appear in my inbox.
Cassie Broadus Foote Brennan, your support and encouragement from the very first mention of my idea to write a book makes me feel a little less crazy.
Tiffany Torres, thank you for your support, energy, and laughs along the way. I am so happy that the book world has brought our highly inappropriate and snarky kindred spirits together.
Susan Garwood Cross: Seriously, you are like a blogging angel. Selfless and always willing to help without asking for anything in return. I always know I can count on you as someone to go to for advice when the crazy world of being an indie author seems overwhelming.
Shanyn Clark Doan: It’s rare to meet people who champion you the way you have done for me. I am forever grateful. Not to mention, you write some badass reviews.
My street team: You all rock and thank you for having my back and being generous with your time and energy. As an indie writer, it is hard to stick out from the crowd, and every mention or kind word of support goes further than you may realize.
Butterflies, Books, and Dreams (Jodi), A Dirty Book Affair, Book Enthusiast Promotions, Panty Dropping Book Blog (Kathy Coopmans), Wicked Women Book Blog, Two Ordinary Girls and Their Books, The Book Nuts (aka Fifty Shades of Grey and then Some), Sarah Says Read Romance (I am looking at you Erin McFarland), Eye Candy Bookstore, Submit and Devour, The Book Harlots, Red Cheeks Reads. And to all other bloggers who have extended a helping hand: THANK YOU. I am not sure people realize how much work you put into what you do, but it definitely does not go unnoticed by me.
My family, who has always supported my decisions and have always told me how proud they were, no matter what stupid crap I did. And no dad, I still won’t let you read the books.
Last, but not least, to my husband, BJ, who I have been with since the age of 19 and STILL rocks my world. You were always pushing me to find my passion, and now that I have, I have never been more grateful to have someone who cares just as much about me fulfilling my own dreams as he does his own. Trust me, I know my strong personality is not always the easiest to deal with, but at the end of the day that’s why we work: you are my biggest rival and my greatest champion!
Have you read the Strapped Series, a dark erotic suspense by Nina G. Jones?
By all appearances, Shyla Ball has an enviable life: a loyal boyfriend, a great job, and family that loves her. She doesn't realize how deeply unsatisfied she is until she has an embarrassing encounter with a handsome stranger at a coffee shop. Taylor Holden, a successful businessman, takes a sudden special interest in her and offers her a job she cannot refuse. Soon after, she learns there is much more to this intensely private man than meets the eye. He is hiding many painful secrets, including why it is that he has seemingly plucked her out of obscurity for such a lucrative position. Her "perfect" world is turned upside down by her infatuation towards Taylor and in just a couple of months, her life looks nothing like it did before. While she is frightened by the changes she sees in herself, she cannot resist the lure of Taylor Holden. As Shyla slowly gains Taylor's trust, she learns of his complex history and how it has molded him into the person he has become. When elements of Taylor's
secret past resurface and threaten to destroy them, Shyla finds out there may be more to Taylor's story than even he is aware of. Strapped is a story of passion, manipulation, obsession, and family secrets.
To learn more about Nina G. Jones:
Facebook: Facebook.com/Strappednovel
Twitter: Twitter.com/NinaGJones
Website: NinaGJones.com