by Taryn Plendl
THE COMPLETE PHILADELPHIA SERIES
In My Arms
A Part of Me
Out of My Ellement
By Taryn Plendl
The Complete Philadelphia Series Box Set
Taryn Plendl
All rights reserved
Text Copyright © 2013 by Taryn Plendl
This is a work of fiction. Any similarities of characters to actual persons, living or dead are purely coincidental. References to events, locations or establishments are used to provide authenticity and are used fictitiously in the story. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher. You must not circulate this book in any format with exception to Amazon Prime’s Kindle Owners Lending Library.
To my family and friends whose continued encouragement and support keeps me writing and sharing my work. Thank you.
Book Descriptions
In My Arms- Book 1
He’s deliciously handsome and completely arrogant. Exactly the last thing Ava needs on her first night out following her bad breakup.
New to the Philadelphia area, Trevor is instantly taken with Ava’s beauty and witty attitude. After sharing an unexpected but amazing kiss, Trevor manages to stick his foot in his mouth and watches as Ava walks out of his life before he has a chance to explain.
When the two unexpectedly cross paths again, they struggle with the undeniable chemistry between them. Ava fights to keep it platonic, afraid to get hurt again, as Trevor sets out to change her mind.
With a little bit of humor, a lot of drama, sexual frustration, dancing and plenty of alcohol, Ava realizes that Trevor just might actually be perfect for her.
A Part of Me- Book 2
You don’t always need a chance at a new beginning. Sometimes you just need a chance at a different ending.
Tom and Talia aren’t strangers. They’ve been walking a tight rope of attraction since the day they met, but after an accident rocks Tom’s world to the core and changes it forever, he spirals into a free fall of emotions. No longer the laid-back, happy guy, he now worries that he will never be enough for Talia. After all, who could possibly love such a broken man?
Talia is a tenacious ER nurse by day and a fun-loving loyal friend and party girl by night. Her developing feelings for Tom are put to the test after his accident as she fights to break through his walls and show him how much she cares, even as he continues to build them back up, determined to keep her out.
As Talia tries to take care of Tom, stronger feelings emerge for both, and neither of them will come out untouched. Everything they thought they knew about themselves and each other will be put to the test as they finally realize it isn’t important how many times you fall down, but only how many times you get back up.
Out of My Element- Book 3
“We are playing an entirely different game, Nick. While other girls might wait patiently until you breakup with your many girlfriends, I can’t. You see, I have been waiting all my life for something real. And if this isn’t real, no way am I spending another hour on waiting.”
Nick has never allowed himself to get attached to a woman. While his friends were settling down, he was having the time of his life, a womanizer with a heart of gold. Right up until Chelsea came into his life. He was drawn to Chelsea from the first time he saw her … well, actually it might have been the second time, but it didn’t take Nick long to realize he might be over his head and completely out of his element.
Chelsea wrote Nick off after their first encounter, but soon she realizes she has found a good friend in him. Falling for Nick was never Chelsea’s intention, but sometimes even the best intentions prove to be out of your control.
The closer Chelsea and Nick get, the more they push seem to make a mess of things. Can Nick figure out how to have a healthy relationship before he loses Chelsea forever?
Table of Contents
In My Arms
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Epilogue
A Part of Me
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
Chapter 15
Chapter16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Out of My Element
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
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Epilogue
About the Author
In My Arms
Book 1 in the Philadelphia Series
By Taryn Plendl
Chapter 1
Ava
I should have stayed home, I decided as I watched my best friend Talia dancing like a crazy woman with no rhythm.
This was the first night I’d been out in weeks, and I couldn’t believe it was for this. Really? Of all places to go on my first night out in weeks, she chose here. We couldn’t start slow—maybe coffee, dinner, even a movie? No. Talia had shown up ready to drag me out of my aunt’s house tonight. I was perfectly happy sitting at home in my I-hate-you-screw-you-I-hope-you-get-a-serious-disease-and-die-or-get-hit-by-a-truck-wish-I-never-met-you-hope-she's-worth-it kind of mood, but Talia wasn’t taking no for an answer.
I couldn’t blame her for wanting to get me out of the house. That’s what good friends do when they know you are beating yourself up over something beyond your control. Right? I knew I was just bitter and nursing a broken heart, but sometimes you just need to suffer in silence. Yeah, that wasn’t happening tonight.
I’d just broken off a two-year relationship with my boyfriend, Kyle. I loved him, or at least I thought I did, but I just had a hard time being okay with him screwing other women. Go figure!
It had genuinely shocked me to come home early from work and find him screwing some bimbo in our living room—so much so that I couldn’t even say anything. I just packed a bag and left. Kyle had the audacity to act shocked that I’d left. He seriously can’t expect me to play the part of the happy girlfriend, when he had other girls auditioning for the role.
Things with Kyle had been strained this past year. I could feel myself pulling away from him, and he had become increasingly mean. Yelling at me over stupid shit, putting me down—I don’t know why I stayed. Who does that? I’m better than that. I believe Sharon Stone hit it on the head when she said, “Women ca
n fake an orgasm. Men, on the other hand, can fake an entire relationship.”
The club was packed. I knew I shouldn’t have offered to drive Talia tonight. I was never one who liked the club scene anyway, but having to navigate it stone cold sober was killing me.
I gazed across the room to where Talia was currently feeling no pain as she swung her long blonde hair around, twirling and grinding on random men with wild abandon. Every once in a while she would catch my eye and gesture for me to get out there and dance.
Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen. I didn’t dance. I knew my limitations. Trust me, I had danced plenty in the privacy of my own room, and every time I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I was making some ridiculous duck face or doing something awkward with my arms. There is no doubt that my moves weren’t ready for the public arena. Besides, Kyle had always told me how awful I danced. Maybe that was just his excuse so he could dance with random women right under my nose. Bastard!
“You must be proud.” The deep voice caught me off guard, causing me to jump.
“Pardon me?” I turned to find a tall, muscular man propped on the stool next to me. When had he shown up? He was smiling at me with one of those I’m-sexy-so-you-can’t-resist-me kind of smiles. Not this girl. No way!
He nodded his chin over to where Talia was still gyrating on people and inanimate objects. Hmmm. Wow. I couldn’t very well not claim her, could I? I was like a parent with the kid who was constantly embarrassing her in public. As much as you wanted to leave her there, you knew you still had to take her home. Talia was a little outspoken, exuberant, even animated, but she was still my best friend. Yes, damn it! I was as proud as a stage mom!
“Ah, yes … as a matter of fact, I am.” I took a sip of my diet soda and raised my eyebrows at the breathtaking specimen next to me. I needed to remind myself that he just insulted my friend—no matter how gorgeous he was. He looked away, so I took a moment to discreetly admire his deliciously broad shoulders, muscles that rippled and flexed down his arms, his flat stomach, and strong legs. Yummy! Come on, a girl can look right? Raising my eyes back up, I landed on his amused face, obviously taking in the fact that I was totally checking him out. Yeah, guess I wasn’t exceedingly discreet.
“So, do you always make it a habit of insulting random people’s friends?” I challenged, as I stirred my dreadfully non-alcoholic drink with the straw. The man was hot, but his arrogance ... yeah, not so much. Maybe I could over look that? Focus Ava!
He threw his head back and let out a low sultry chuckle. Oh my! “No, as a matter a fact, I don’t. I just noticed you sitting here watching your friend, and it sure seemed like you weren’t having a good time. Am I right?” He took a long pull from his bottle of beer and continued, “Why would you come with her if you didn’t want to be here?” His green eyes bore straight through me. They were captivating with gold flakes and lashes that were so long, it was sinful. He almost seemed genuine, but I was slightly taken aback by his observation. What the hell? Who did this guy think he was? It only infuriated me more that his observation was dead on. I wasn’t having fun, well, at least not until now. I was kind of enjoying this banter. Maybe I could take my aggression out on this man. He looked as if he could take it.
“Oh, I'm sorry; I didn't realize you're an expert on my life and how I should live it after sitting next to me for two minutes. Please, continue while I take notes,” I quipped and took another sip of my soda, doing my best not to focus on his soft pink lips that were slowly turning up in a sultry half smile. Look away!
“Are you always this sarcastic?” he wondered out loud, tilting his head to the side.
“Are you always this rude?” I countered.
We both stared at each other for a few awkward seconds before Talia took that moment to come bounding back to the bar. She flagged down the bartender and asked for another Cosmo before she turned and, quite unabashedly, analyzed the man next to me.
“Wow, Ava, who’s your friend?” My tad-more-than-tipsy petite blonde friend blurted out.
I gave her one of my best annoyed looks before glancing back at the hot, muscular guy and nonchalantly shrugging my shoulders. “Oh, we’re not friends—just a casual chat that has run its course.” I shrugged as I stepped down from my stool. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to the restroom.” I turned and walked away without a second glance back—which I had to literally threaten myself not to do.
***
Trevor
I watched the beautiful young woman walk away. God, she was breathtaking—average height with curves in all of the right areas—all woman. She had long brown hair, and golden brown eyes that—for brief moments—had fire in them as she talked to me. It was obvious that she was independent with a stubborn side. I couldn’t help but be drawn to her. I was used to women throwing themselves at me, and it was amusing to have a bit of a challenge once in a while.
I always seemed to go the easy route when it came to women. I enjoyed their company, but not for too long. I think that some people aren’t cut out for relationships. I couldn’t stand the jealousy that comes with it. Women could be downright catty and mean when they were jealous. It was a particularly unattractive quality.
“So, what’s your name?” I’d almost forgotten that the bouncy blonde was still standing next to me.
“Uh, Trevor,” I stammered, taking in the highly intoxicated woman.
“Well, Uh Trevor, do you see something you like?” Talia observed, watching as my eyes followed her friend. She raised her eyebrows as she sipped her pink drink.
“Excuse me?” I faltered, not wanting to give the girl the wrong idea.
“Please! Not me silly; my friend, Ava,” she balked, nodding in the direction of the beautiful woman who had intrinsically monopolized my attention for the last hour.
“Ava?”
“Yes, Ava Murphy. The one who has you drooling.” She spoke with a slight slur. “You know, she isn’t always such a bitch. She’s just overly cautious right now. Some dick really did a number on her.” Before I could respond, the blonde was back out on the dance floor. I felt a little awkward with the details I had just been given—I mean who spills shit like that to a stranger about their friend?
“There you are, man.” My friends Nick and Tom bellied up to the bar next to me. “You wondered off so quickly, we thought there might have been a reason why, but here you are alone. Pathetic.” Nick shook his head in mock disgust.
“I did find something of interest, but she totally blew me off.” I tried to keep the irritation out of my voice, but I didn’t do a terribly good job of it, and my asshole friends were extremely amused.
“I thought you were going to take this new city by storm, Trevor.” Tom smacked me on the back as he took another draw from his beer.
“Seriously, Tom, is your ass jealous of the shit that comes out of your mouth? Just wondering.” They both busted out in full-fledged laughter, and I couldn’t help but smile. I had truly missed these guys.
Nick, Tom and I had been friends since our freshman year in college at Penn State. After graduation, they had moved to Philadelphia, while I had gone to New York. I spent my first two years in advertising, kissing ass and going nowhere quick. When a job opened in Philadelphia, I jumped on it. There wasn’t anything holding me in New York anyway.
I had finally gotten moved in, and Nick and Tom had insisted that I go out and see some of the city this weekend before I started my new job on Monday. They seemed to like the club scene, so that’s what we did. There were certainly a lot of hot women here, but I wasn’t really looking at them.
I’d like to say that I spent some time scoping out the scene when we got here, but to be honest, I had spotted Ava almost the moment I’d walked through the door. She looked almost sad as she sat at the bar, but God, she was still beautiful, and I couldn’t help but want to try to make her smile. I guess I needed to re-evaluate my moves. She wasn’t smiling when she walked away from me, now was she?
I ordere
d another beer and kept an eye on the bathroom door for her to make her exit, hoping she would return to the bar, but seriously doubting it. I may have to give it another go. It had taken me way too long to approach her in the first place after I spotted her, and now I risked not ever talking to her again. Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen.
Just when I was ready to give up, thinking I might have missed her, I saw her walk out and stop suddenly when a tall, thin man stepped in front of her. I slipped off the stool and moved across the floor without hesitation, instinctively wanting to protect her. There was something about the look on her face that caught my attention.
Before I’d even reached her, I was more than sure I’d been right to worry, as the man grabbed Ava’s arm and squeezed, even as she tried to break out of his hold. Taking the last couple strides quicker than I’d intended, I jumped into a plan that I hadn’t even had time to think through—one that could easily blow up in my face. The last thing I needed was to get into a fight my first week in a new city.
“Hey Ava, I was wondering where you ran off to.” I draped my arm around Ava’s shoulders. “I suggest you remove your hand,” I stated simply as I watched his face and movements with precise scrutiny—something I had learned through years and years of mixed martial arts. If I knew how to do anything, it was how to watch and anticipate people’s moves, and I was undeniably good at it.
“I’m Trevor.” I pulled her closer to me as I openly glared at the man. “Her date,” I clarified when the man glared back at me. Wrong move, buddy! I could feel Ava tense slightly under my arm, but she didn’t deny it, which made my decision to proceed remarkably easy.
The man reached out and shook my hand firmly. “I’m Kyle, her boyfriend,” he snarled. The man may have been slightly taller than me, but there was no way he would stand a chance if it came to blows.
“Ex!” Ava snapped as she pulled her arm out of Kyle’s grasp. “He is my ex-boyfriend,” Ava stressed as she openly glared at him, absentmindedly rubbing her arm where I could see red finger marks beginning to develop. It took all of my willpower not to pummel the cocky man right then and there. I could see that there was a lot more to this story, but now was obviously not the time to figure it out. I just wanted to get her away from this asshole.
