by Cary Hart
Contents
Books by Cary Hart
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
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Epilogue
What’s Next?
Playlist
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Love Divide
Copyright © 2017 by Cary Hart
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, distributed, stored in or introduced into any information storage or retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic, photocopying, mechanical or otherwise, without express permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, story lines and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons, living or dead, events, locales or any events or occurrences are purely coincidental.
Editing provided by Dani Hall of DMH Editing Services
Editing provided by Dawn Yacovetta
Cover designed by Mary Ruth of Passion Creations
Book formatting provided by Juliana Cabrera of Jersey Girl Design
Photo: CJC Photography
Model: Lauren Summer
Battlefield of Love Series
Love War (Battlefield of Love Series, #1)
Love Divide (Battlefield of Love Series, #2)
Imperfect Love Series Kindle World
Hostile Fakeover
SHVKW The Forever Series
Building Forever
Saving Forever
Broken Forever
Chasing Forever (Coming Spring 2018)
Niki –
You’re sassy and fierce and loyal to a default.
This book is for you, my friend. Thank you for all your continued support.
kissy face
Niki
What happens when something you weren’t looking for comes along, and it’s more than you ever could have imagined? Making you do things you never thought you were capable of…changing you?
Dance with me.
Three simple words, demanding, challenging…tempting.
He came into my life, flipping it upside down, causing me to turn into someone I didn’t recognize. Secrets blurring lines between fantasy and reality.
Closing my eyes, clearing my thoughts, I push the demons down, ignoring the temptation that screams for me to run toward it instead of fighting against it. Those inner demons, creating a battlefield, dividing the heart.
I wasn’t always like this. There was a time when I was searching for something more. Anything that would give me a reason to care. Someone to tell me they wanted me.
Needed me.
I thought I had it but was too afraid of losing everything. Of losing the comfort of his security.
But, those three little words were all it took for me to freefall over that line. Risking it all.
“Dance with me.” His gravelly voice tempts me over the pulsating beat bumping through the speakers.
No he didn’t? I swing around ready to give this guy my best “back the fuck up” glare… only it doesn’t come. Steely blue eyes meet mine, throwing me off balance.
“Now.” His hand reaches for my elbow, steadying me.
“I can’t…” I nod back to Aubrey, who looks like she doesn’t have a care in the world, but I know different. This is her first weekend without her daughter, Reece, since she and her ex-husband got a divorce.
“Yes, you can, and you will.” His hand slides from my elbow to my hand, his grip firm and strong.
Everything about this moment is more than just an invitation to dance.
Intense.
The way his eyes land on mine. The way he tugs me across the dance floor and into a dark corner.
Dangerous.
“Here.” He yanks my hand, causing my body to collide with his.
“Oh!” It slips out before I have a chance to stop it.
“Yeah. Oh.” He smirks before he pulls me in tighter, and I can feel every single ridge of muscle hidden behind his suit and tie. “Just feel it. Feel us.” He begins to rock back and forth. Too slow for the music, but it’s a rhythm that promises more.
Throwing my arms over his shoulders, I let go.
Our bodies tangle. Eyes singing the forbidden lyrics, song after song. My mouth dying to taste the unspoken words.
Raising a hand, he tucks my hair behind my ear, before leaning in, whispering, “I’m going to kiss you now.” His words are a warning, not a question.
I nod, giving him the permission he doesn’t need.
His steel eyes pin me in place as he lowers his mouth so close I can taste the scotch on his breath. Hovering. Teasing.
He is a predator and I’m his prey. I have nowhere to go, nothing to do but wait for his attack. My mouth waters; my body waits to be devoured.
“But first…” His eyes leave mine, scanning the crowd before he spins me around and slams my back against the metal wall. My back arches away from the cold and settles into the warmth of his arms as his mouth comes crashing down on mine.
Captivated.
Niki
Usually I’m not a morning person, but this morning, I was up at the butt crack of dawn, fetching myself coffee on the way to the gym. Well, maybe I didn’t make it to the gym, but there is this bakery next to it that has these toasted croissants with a chocolate, hazelnut glaze that are to die for. I mean, if there was only one left, and I had to fight to the death, the winner’s reward the croissant, I would volunteer myself as tribute and fuck those customers up. Just sayin’. Nothing comes between me and my sweets.
I try to put last night out of my mind, something I have yet to accomplish. Sleep never came; I tossed and turned, frustrated and pissed that I let a stranger get to me.
“Incoming call from Gavin Shaw.” My car reminds me that I never told Gavin where I was going last night. That I up and left him at Spotlight, the bar where we both work. Well, he manages and I’m merely summer help. It’s cool though. It gives me a break from the kiddos I teach during the school year.
Cringing, I accept the call.
“Seriously? You sent me to voicemail?” His voice rumbles over the speakers.
“Oh shit. I totally forgot, Gav. I’m sorry…I had my blinders on. There was only one croissant left and—”
“Say no more. I get it.” He chuckles.
“See, you get me. You really get me.” I nod my head. For what? I don’t know. No one can see me.
“You want to meet for afternoon coffee, my treat? I want to run a few things by you. Get your opinion about having an open mic night for singer/songwriters—”
I interrupt, “I’m meeting Aubrey for coffee. I found out a little something something last night I feel she has the right to know about.” My heart starts beating faster at the thought of breaking the news to her.
Ding.
“Ohhhh…about Dougy the douche and his extracurricular activities while married? I overhead Jake talking to Cindy while prepping for the rush. Apparently his secret
affair wasn’t so secret.”
“What am I going to do?” I sigh.
Ding.
“You tell her. It’s the only thing you can do. You tell her, and then you are there for her if she falls, but she may not fall.”
“You’re right, Gav.”
“Damn straight I am. So, are you going to address the big elephant in the room, or in this case, your car?” He goes silent, waiting for me to update him on my night.
“And what would that be?” I tease.
Ding.
“Who in the hell is texting you like crazy?” Gavin, once playful, is now irritated.
“Oh, it’s probably Aubrey, telling me she is running late.” I resist the urge to look at my phone.
“Uh-huh…”
“Gav, I didn’t go home with some stranger if that is what you were thinking,” I reply quickly, hoping that little bit of information will set his mind at ease.
“Really? Because last night, it looked like it was going to end a totally different way.” He seems more hurt than accusatory. “That spotlight was meant for you.”
Silence.
Ding.
Gavin groans.
I shouldn’t care, but I can’t help it. This man means more to me than he will ever know, but we can’t happen. Trust me, I’ve thought about it time and time again, but his friendship is something I’m not willing to take a risk on.
“Oh. Umm…”
“What was up with the suit? I haven’t seen him around here before.”
“I’m not sure. Right before the spotlight came down, he pulled me into the corner to talk.” My hand involuntarily touches my lips as I remember his taste.
Ding.
“For Christ’s sake, Nik. Just answer your phone already or put it on silent. It’s distracting.”
“Geesh, hold on. I’m pulling in now.”
I pull into the parking lot in back of Java Talk, grab my phone and scroll through my messages.
AA: Good morning, beautiful.
AA: I’m sorry I had to leave you last night.
AA: Meet me for lunch. I have a proposition for you.
AA: Niki, I’m a very busy man.
AA: Patience is not my strong suit.
How in the hell did he get my number, and what does he want with me? I just can’t — or can I? I glance at the time.
Shit!
I can’t bail on Aubrey.
“You still there?” Gavin breaks the silence.
“What? Um, yeah. Hey, I’m here. I’m going to go in and get our drinks before Aubrey gets here.” I grab my purse, hopping out of the car. “Call you later?”
“Sure.”
“Peace out.” I hurry inside, order the coffees and grab the spot furthest away from the gossipers.
Ding.
I flip my phone over, anxious to see what he has to say now.
AA: Waiting.
Fuck it.
Me: You left me waiting all night. What is a few more minutes?
AA: Ahh! Someone wake up cranky today?
Me: Something like that.
AA: Couldn’t sleep?
Me: Cut the crap. How did you even get my number and why now?
AA: I have my ways. So, lunch?
Me: Sorry, I’m meeting my friend for coffee.
AA: Dinner?
Me: Maybe some other time.
AA: I’m flying out tonight. Meet me and I’ll explain.
Me: ?
AA: 7 p.m. sharp. I’ll have a car pick you up.
Me: What’s your name?
I set the phone down as I hear the door chime. Aubrey works her way through the crowd, making her way to the table.
Leaning back in my chair, I try to look calm and collected, but in all reality, I’m nervous as hell. Between the information I’ve been holding and now these texts, I’m all kinds of crazy.
Coffee in one hand and reaching for my phone with the other, I try to busy myself and push down the guilt I’m feeling.
Crap, be yourself.
Setting my phone down, I slide up my shades. “Look who decided to grace us with her presence today.”
I can’t help but give her a little hell. Normally, I’m the late one, but for coffee, I’ll be early. Every. Damn. Time.
“Girl, we gotta talk!” Aubrey seems to ignore my current state of weirdness and takes a seat. She grabs her coffee and pries the lid off to release the steam.
“Coffee is just the way you like it. I even had them add a couple ice cubes. So if your fragile mouth can’t handle this, we are going to revoke your coffee drinking privileges when you are around me.”
This girl should know that I know how she takes her coffee. Prying her hands away, I take the cup from her and take a sip. “My God!” I shake my head, scrunching up my nose. That stuff is just gross. Cold and disgusting. To each their own, I guess.
“Perfect!” A giggle escapes as she reaches over and snatches her cold-hot brew back.
“Sooo?” I settle back, trying to keep calm as I figure out how in the hell I’m going to break the news to her. “I came across some interesting—”
“That has to wait because I had something happen today that is going to BLOW…YOUR…MIND!” Aubrey interrupts, not able to contain herself anymore.
Does she know? Does she not care? She wouldn’t be acting like this if she did.
“Girl, spill it!” I lean forward, giving her my full attention. Maybe she knows what I’m getting ready to tell her. Maybe she just wants to beat me to the punch or maybe…
“Well, you know the guy I was dancing with last night?” Aubrey is practically busting at the seams, excited. Holding this info in has to be killing her. We share everything. If we don’t talk, we text; if we don’t text, we meet here. In our spot.
“Yeah, Mr. Spotlight?”
“Yes! That’s the one.” Her smile stretches from ear to ear.
Well, hell. How in the world do I follow this? How do I tell my best friend that her newbie douche of an ex-husband had an affair while they were married? Maybe I shouldn’t tell her. Maybe, I’ll let sleeping dogs lie and just go with the flow.
“Oooookay? You going to let the kitty out of the bag or did you…” I nod my head toward her crotch.
“Niki!” Aubrey gasps.
“What? It wouldn’t hurt for you to play with a couple balls of yarn.” I lean back, mentally patting myself on the back. Good one.
“Whatever. Actually Mr. Spotlight has a name. He is none other than Andrew Williams, owner of WilliamSon Construction. The company I hired to add on to the pool house.”
“Aubrey, seems fishy to me. He sought you out last night, and now he is at your house the next day, a Saturday, on top of it. Who works on a Saturday?”
“Um, you do?” She brings the mug to her lips, a small, smug smile lining her face.
“That is neither here nor there. Anywho, tell me more.”
“Well, I walked into the kitchen and noticed Putter got into the trash again.”
“You really should train that dog. I know a person who has a person.” I pick up my phone to look for the number when I get another text from him.
AA: Meet me and I’ll tell you anything you want to know.
“I can’t afford a person right now,” Aubrey whispers.
“Get your in-laws to pay for it.” I take another sip before I go on with my lecture. “Seriously, Doug owes your ass. You didn’t even want that dog. That’s something he and his mom decided Reece needed to help her with the divorce. Seriously, Aubrey. That is complete and utter bullshit.” I look up and wait for her reaction, but it doesn’t come, so I continue listing all the gifts she received that ended up being more of an obligation.
“Niki, he saw me naked!” Aubrey hollers above my rant, but instead of it falling upon deaf ears, it falls upon every single ear in Java Talk. Everyone turns. Girls stare, workers chuckle, men are popping woodies right and left.
“Nice! I knew you had it in you.” I reach up, holding my hand ou
t for a high five.
“Ugh.” Aubrey lays her head on the table, shielding herself from the stares. She finally holds up her hand, giving in to my celebration.
A couple refills later, Aubrey is practically hopping out of her seat, explaining every single detail about hot construction dude and their one-night stand. Okay, maybe it wasn’t a one-night stand, but he did see her goods today, and that’s almost a single notch in a bed post.
I wonder what suit and tie guy is doing? How come he hasn’t responded? Should I meet him? Should I not? I just don’t know what to do.
What do I do?
Will he text me back?
Of course he will.
How in the hell did he even get my number? Better yet, how did it get programmed into my phone? I know I was pretty tipsy, but I would have remembered if I had stored his number. I remember him leaving me high and horny; that’s for sure.
“And Nik, you won’t believe what Doug did today. Nik?”
Oh shit! She’s talking to me.
I suck. No ifs, ands or buts about it. I one hundred percent suck as a friend. Not only can I not recall what she just said, I’ve been so consumed with my fantasy that I failed to remember the real reason I asked her to coffee.
This could go either way. Either she won’t care, or her heart will be broken. I’m thinking it’s the latter. You can’t be married to someone for twelve years and not feel something for them.
There is no other way. I just have to rip off the Band-Aid. “Speaking of Doug the Douche. I heard something this morning at the gym that I think you should be made aware of…” My watch buzzes, indicting a message. I should have put it on DND. “Shit…” I tap the screen, hoping it’s a message from him.
AA: Aiden. Now be ready at 7 sharp.
What do I do? My life is flipping upside down and this mystery of a romance or whatever the hell you call it isn’t helping.
“Gotta go?” Aubrey breaks my trance.
