Love on the Rocks 1
A Six-Pack & a Shot at Love
Venetia "Vin" Lockatelli knows all too well the charms and manipulations of a wealthy man. She escapes an abusive relationship, is living in fear, and vows to never love or trust another man again. When she meets six soldiers intent on earning her affection, everything changes.
A six pack and a shot at love sounds perfect, but as Venetia knows, nothing is as it seems, and happiness may not be possible with her ex hunting her down. The last thing she expects is for him to have a connection to her new lovers’ pasts.
Her ex is determined to hurt them and anyone she cares about just to get her back. When bad things begin to happen, she is forced to fight for those she loves, even if it means sacrificing herself.
Genre: Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Romantic Suspense
Length: 59,974 words
A SIX-PACK &
A SHOT AT LOVE
Love on the Rocks 1
Dixie Lynn Dwyer
LOVEXTREME FOREVER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: LoveXtreme Forever
A SIX-PACK & A SHOT AT LOVE
Copyright © 2016 by Dixie Lynn Dwyer
E-book ISBN: 978-1-68295-542-0
First E-book Publication: September 2016
Cover design by Les Byerley
All art and logo copyright © 2016 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
Dear Readers,
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DEDICATION
Dear readers,
Thank you for purchasing this legal copy of A Six-Pack & a Shot at Love.
Venetia has struggled to put the past behind her, which is difficult to do when the abusive man she got away from still wants her.
She’s resistant to give another relationship a try and doesn’t trust her judgment. Her life is turned upside down. She can’t pursue her professional career as a photographer, for any publicity would lead her ex to her location.
She barely makes ends meet, but as support she has her college friends and her cousin, who lifts her spirits and help her to survive.
Even when she meets men she’s attracted to, she can’t seem to let down her guard or give love a chance. She’s stubborn, scared, and it will take six very dominant, insistent brothers to break down those walls and win her trust as well as her heart.
May you enjoy Venetia’s journey. Happy reading.
Hugs!
~Dixie~
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Epilogue
About the Author
A SIX-PACK &
A SHOT AT LOVE
Love on the Rocks 1
DIXIE LYNN DWYER
Copyright © 2016
Prologue
Venetia “Vin” Lockatelli tightened up the moment she felt Conan’s hand on her hip. She hadn’t seen him all night, for, if she had, then she would have hightailed it out of here an hour ago.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” he whispered in that deep, commanding tone. His one hand held her hip firmly, making her shiver with fear, and he used his other hand to caress her back with his palm until his hand was under her hair and against the back of her neck. He squeezed, and she gasped.
“Let go of me,” she whispered, not wanting to make a scene. She damned herself for coming here and wondered if her friend Kylie knew that Conan would be attending. A year away from the man was not enough time, obviously.
She went to step forward, and his other hand gripped her hip tighter, pulling her back against his front.
“Don’t make a scene, baby. I’d hate for you to ruin your friend’s gathering. All this art on display, including some of your own pieces.”
He used his palm to move along her belly and began to walk her toward an empty area of the gallery. She was afraid to be alone with him. Scared of his temper and commanding tone and the way he expected total cooperation and respect. She remembered how brutally he’d attacked her, taken from her body in a show of dominance and possession. If he got her out of here, he would rape her again. Conan truly didn’t understand or accept her breaking things off with him. The man was a conceited psychopath.
He was wealthy and had connections she didn’t want to know anything about, but she did. She had been twenty-one years old, mesmerized by the older, wealthy entrepreneur who got respect and even fear wherever he went. Women drooled over him, which initially she’d found appealing and had even felt good about herself when he chose her, above all others. Her naïveté nearly got her killed or, at minimum, bound
to a man who was more like a monster than human. His father was no different. A business tycoon, cold, distant, and evil but he had liked her. Hell, she even got the feeling the man wanted to bed her, too. How had she gotten into such a mess? Why did she come here and take the chance? Why?
Instead of resisting and causing a scene, she complied as he brought her out of the crowd to an empty area of the gallery. He was six feet three, filled with muscles and arrogance, a man obsessed with being physically fit and maintaining a number one status with money, power, and the manipulation tactics he had used on her in the past. What did he want with her? Obviously not a commitment, or at least one that went both ways.
“What do you want, Conan?” she asked the moment they were in the side hallway and away from prying eyes and gossiping Manhattanites.
Venetia had learned fast about disloyalty and dishonest friends. Conducting business in New York required thick skin and a resilient attitude. She was only here this evening for Kylie. Now, living in a nice town in South Carolina, she would fly out to any special jobs she had or commute to others. She wasn’t as well sought after as she could have been because of Conan and her need to stay clear of his grasp. She picked and chose her gigs with precision and care. So she’d thought.
She had been forced to establish a trademark that kept who she was anonymous because of Conan. The year had gone by without him finding her. She’d screwed up because she needed money to take care of herself, and the only thing she was good at was photography. She loved it.
The other reason she’d come here tonight was to show support for her good friend Kylie. The only other person who knew she would be here was Donella. She arranged the job for tomorrow. Apparently Venetia had been scammed.
In a flash, Conan turned her around and had her up against the wall.
She reacted and raised her hands up, only for him to grip them with one hand and hold them in front of her as he pressed harder. Her senses were in overload with that scent of his cologne, which haunted her dreams every night, along with his fierce, dark expressions, abusive strength, and ability to weaken her resolve to fight back and deny him what he wanted. He was that powerful, and she feared him. A year away hadn’t changed much of anything. Obviously Conan knew she was afraid. He used his other hand to grip her shoulder as he stared down into her eyes. She was five feet seven, but with a man as big and tall as Conan, she felt like a shrimp.
“Let go of me, Conan. You have no right to even touch me.”
“Oh, I have a right to touch you whenever I want.”
“No, you don’t,” she stated firmly.
Goddamn. Those gray eyes of his that looked like the eyes of a killer, a criminal, a liar, and thief stared right back at her. Rat eyes, her cousin Cena had described them as. She’d known from the start that he was no good, but Venetia couldn’t see it. Not while he showered her with adoration and gifts and pampered her.
He squinted at her, and she could see his temper was beginning to flare. Well, tough shit. He might be able to physically hurt her, but emotionally she was done with him. She had to be strong.
“I will always have a right to touch you.” He slowly pressed his hand from her shoulder down her hip to her crotch, where he held both hands with one of his. His fingers grazed over her mound, and he applied pressure while holding her wrists together.
“I own this, remember?”
She felt sick and angry at his words, at the demeaning way he touched her mound and claimed ownership as though she was a possession. Why had she ever fallen for his charms and his lies? Then she remembered what he had done to her. What had drawn the final straw and made her face reality and what life would be like with a man like Conan.
“You lost that right the moment I found you in bed with multiple women and realized that it wasn’t the first time either.”
“Are we at that again? It was a year ago. Besides, I’ve given you plenty of time to get this photography thing out of your head. It’s a cute hobby, but you’re never going to make anything of yourself alone. You need me, my money, my connections.”
“I’ve been fine on my own. I don’t need you. I don’t want you in my life. It’s been a year. Get over it, Conan.”
His eyes widened, and he clenched his teeth, and she felt as if the wind was knocked out of her. She went from defiant and strong to instantly fearful and timid with this man. He was still in control. She was too weak to fight him head-on like this. It made her realize that men could not be trusted, nor could her judgment of them. Remaining single if she ever truly got away from Conan would be her only choice. Men sucked. God, she just wanted to leave and run. Run, far, far away.
He made a little noise with his tongue and teeth in a condescending tone as he shook his head. The sick son of a bitch truly thought she needed him.
“You’re young and haven’t learned much. If you’d stayed with me—”
“I might be dead, too, just like Aaron.”
His mouth remained open as if she shocked him by stating the truth.
“Be careful, Vin, you’re playing with fire.”
“Only my friends call me Vin, and I’m not scared of you.”
He leaned closer and pressed his lips to her cheek and then her ear. His teeth grazed her skin as he whispered to her in a strong tone that made her shiver.
“I can feel you shaking. The tough-girl act won’t work on me no matter how hard you practiced it while we were apart.”
“I didn’t practice anything. We’re over.” Her voice cracked. He was right. She was scared shitless of this man.
“We’re not over, because I say we aren’t.”
“You don’t own me, Conan.”
He smirked and nipped at her earlobe, making her tighten up even more and shiver with trepidation.
“I popped your little cherry. I have more right than anyone to call you Vin, or whatever damn else I please.”
Her temper flared, and she tried pulling from his grasp. He tightened his hold.
“Easy, little one.”
“Go to hell, Conan. We’re over. Been over for a year.” She felt so angry and frustrated. How could he say such a demeaning thing to her?
“I gave you some breathing room.”
“You’ve been screwing any brainless woman who will spread her legs to get a bit of your money.”
“Jealous?”
“Disgusted.”
He stroked her cheek, and she turned her face to nip at his hand. She was seeing red, so badly she wanted to cause him pain. She had that much hatred for the man who’d gotten her brother killed and who’d broken her heart, stomped on it, and continued to believe he had a hold over her. The slimy bastard.
“If it makes you feel any better, I can’t get you out of my head.” He stroked her lips and then lower over her breast, making her nipple harden. “Even fucked a few redheads, but they weren’t you, Vin. We can resolve everything tonight. Come back to the penthouse with me.”
She shook her head and pulled from his hold. He released her, and she fixed her dress then her top. “Stay away from me, Conan.”
He smirked and gazed at her body. “We’re going to be spending a bit of time together this week actually. You’ll come to your senses and realize you’ll need me to make it.”
She squinted at him. She thought about the small photography job she’d landed and needed to do on a yacht by the marina in Manhattan. Twenty-five thousand dollars, a one-day gig for some rich guy. Donella St. James had told her about the job, and when Vin met with the client and he’d seen her work, he loved it and hired her for the entire day.
“I don’t think so. I have work, and I just told you, Conan, we’re through.” She went to walk away, and he snagged her upper arm tight.
“I’ll be in Manhattan tomorrow. I’ll be at your photo shoot, and every job you land from here on out because I’m not giving you up. I own you, and you need to be reminded about that. Enough is enough, Vin,” he stated firmly in that damn controlling tone of his.
As if he understood her thought process, and since she no longer tightened in his hold, the bastard smirked. “That’s right. No use in resisting me, Vin. I’ll always have a hold on you. Get over it.”
She yanked her arm free and felt the tears fill her eyes. She might never get away from him. How could she, working in Manhattan where he knew so many people? He manipulated the system. Used everyone and anyone to get ahead and get what he wanted. He’d used her brother. Claimed to help him when he got out of the service, only to get him addicted to drugs and eventually dead. He would hurt anyone close to her because he wanted to be the closest. Nothing had changed. Nothing. She needed to be smarter than him. She had an idea of his capabilities. She had to think like him.
She looked at him shyly and took a deep breath and released it. He stepped closer, a smug, victorious expression on his face, and his large hand moved along her hip, around her waist to snag her close. The same hands that grabbed her, beat her, and raped her when she told him off and found him in bed with multiple women. She closed her eyes and willed the tears, the pain away. She hadn’t told a soul.
“That’s more like it. You can’t fight destiny, Venetia.” He pressed his lips to her forehead then to her lips. She turned away, and he chuckled low.
“You’ll come around. They all do.”
A Six-Pack & a Shot at Love [Love on the Rocks 1] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 1
