by Nicole Casey
“Thank you.”
“For us,” said Travis. “I’m happy for us.”
“Yeah,” said Santiago, “Congratulations Gwen. And congratulations Axel.”
Axel mouthed ‘thank you’ but no sound came out.
Tristan put his arm around me. “Mary Anne is a pretty name.”
“Yeah,” I said. “It kind of sounds like Marine.”
“So you named her after us,” said J.P.
“In a way.”
“Because, in a way,” Tristan started as if he were asking a question, “in a way, she’s ours.”
“In a way.” I stole a glance at Axel.
“We share,” said Axel. “Right? We’re a team.”
“We’re a team,” the squad chimed back.
My mother returned with a tray of cups and saucers. “I don’t have any cakes,” she said. “It’s not really a proper tea service. But you’ll have a cup of tea, won’t you?”
Back at my apartment, my Marines took turns holding Mary Anne. Manny held her with a look of terror in his eyes as if he thought she would squirm free from his hold and fall to the ground. Nolan took her from him and cradled her closely, bouncing her up and down gently. When it was J.P.’s turn, I stood off to the side with Axel, watching J.P. watch Mary Anne.
“Puts things in perspective, doesn’t it?” said Axel.
“How do you mean?”
Axel straightened. He put his hands on his hips and looked on proudly as J.P. turned back and forth with Mary Anne in his arms. “I was uncomfortable with the whole ‘property’ thing, you know.” He looked at me. “I thought that’s what you wanted, so I kept it up. And it was fun.” He looked back at J.P. and Mary Anne. “And now…”
I gave him a minute, but he still didn’t finish his thought. “We can still play games,” I said. “Mary Anne doesn’t mean the fun has to stop.”
He looked at me. “Is it fun for you to be considered as property?”
I shrugged. “I know it’s not real. It’s just a figure of speech.” I smiled. “And I am having fun.”
He took my hand in his. “And would you still be having fun if I thought of you as something else, something other than our property?”
I rocked my head back and forth as if I were considering the option. “I think I could adapt.”
“Maybe Tristan will still consider you our property.”
I looked at him more seriously this time. “And would you be OK with that?
He rocked his head back and forth as if he were considering the option then he smiled and looked at me. “I think I can adapt.”
THE END
Author’s Note
Dear reader, thank you so much for taking the chance to read Nine Marines’ Shared Property - Book 8 in my best-selling Reverse Harem Romance series: Love by Numbers.
As always, I want to thank you for yet another amazing journey with me, and I would like to write a few words to you.
I don’t know how many of you can relate to Gwen and her emotional unavailability. I think that when we’re hurt in the past, it is very difficult to open our heart again. Have you experienced that? Unless we meet people who are trustworthy and who give us hope to love again. Who do you think helped her the most?
Some readers were actually asking me why I chose the Marines as the protagonists. Well, the reason is quite simple — There’s something so sexy about them!
As a kid, my dad would tell me about the marines and that they are the ones who fight the battles in the air, on land, and sea. I found it so fascinating! How strong and disciplined a man has to be to be able to learn all these skills? What kind of fears and doubts would they need to overcome to continue to stay strong?
And that’s when it occurred to me - what if we take that mental toughness and determination and multiply by 9?! Well, we get the hottest squad in history, having all eyes on a lucky girl!
So, in the end, I want to thank you for your service, 9 Marines, and you, my dear reader, for making this journey so incredible. I hope you enjoyed the book, and if you have, could you give me a thumbs up and a quick review? It can be only a few words, and this really helps me as an indie author. Plus, it only takes you less than 60 seconds! >> Click HERE to Review Now
Quick question, would you like to know what happens to Gwen’s roommate, Holly after Gwen finally got her HEA? Well, you will find out in the next book! She is about to embark on her own adventure, and this will be the first time for a female protagonist of my book to be Japanese, so I’m super excited about that!
The book will come out really soon, so do follow me on Goodreads and BookBub now so you don’t miss out when it goes live!
You may also join my newsletter by grabbing this Short Romantic Comedy Story here, and follow me on Amazon now, so you never miss my next release and the special new release discount again.
Last thing, if you haven’t read Axel’s sister, Alexa’s story, and you would like to know how a journalist would be involved in 8 Foxx Brothers’ scandalous business, go to Eight Brothers’ Fiancee and read it now! (Free in KU)
Love,
Nicole
Alexa’s Story
The haughty twins and their six brothers knew exactly how to get me.
I didn’t realize men could change so much.
The twins I resented in college, along with their 6 brothers are now here to make my life a misery.
The media had shown me their wild side.
Now that they’re my bosses, I’m seeing something different.
It was supposed to be nothing more than a job to me, a chance for a scoop.
I planned to play their game, rob them blind, and take the spoils for myself.
But working closely with 8 sexy and irresistible hunks wasn’t the easiest thing to do in the world.
Yes. Eight brothers, all with piercing eyes, muscular chests, and perfect chiseled abs.
Harley and Huxley, co-owners of Foxx Media;
Jett and Rogan, heads of an eminent modeling agency;
Maverick and Delvin, commanders of a well-known record label;
Quentin and Keaton, and their thriving event planning business.
Ever since that day, my life’s been turned upside down.
Before I realized, I started to have these wild dreams at night, with all their hands on me, touching and caressing me all over.
It was a dream far beyond anything I’d ever imagined, but now that it was in my head, I knew that I’d never let it go.
I didn’t know if I could handle 8 men.
I didn’t even know who they truly were.
But I was about to find out.
>> READ NOW FOR FREE WITH KINDLE UNLIMITED <<
Also By Nicole Casey
All my books are either FREE or available in Kindle Unlimited!
Love by Numbers
2 Billionaires in Vegas
3 Bosses’ Assistant
4 Ranchers’ Bride
5 Mafia Captors’ Virgin
6 Single Dads’ Nanny
7 Groomsmen from Hell
8 Brothers’ Fiancee
Temptation Next Door Series (COMPLETED)
Hot Dad Next Door
Doctor Next Door
Mr. Fixit Next Door
Author Next Door
Prince Next Door
Firefighters Next Door
Beauty & The Captor Series (COMPLETED)
Her Beast
Her Savior
Her Dom
The Viera Triplets (COMPLETED)
Dirty Pleasures
Come Closer
Six Years Later
Baby Fever Series (COMPLETED)
Leaving to Stay
Accidental Soulmates
Can’t Get Over You
Marrying The Wrong Twin
Deep in the Mountains
Standalone
A Weekend with the Mountain Man
Snow and the Seven Men
Romance Collection
Sinful Like Us
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Beauty & The Captors
Love, Again
Mercury Billionaires
About the Author
Nicole Casey is a Contemporary Romance Author born and based in The City of Angels. She writes steamy contemporary romance with a happily ever after.
When she isn’t penning sultry scenes, Nicole Casey loves getting lost in her daydreams, going for long nighttime walks, and fine dining. She is also a red wine aficionada and bookworm. Above all, she enjoys nothing more than spending quality time with her loved ones in both human and cat form.
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