by LP Lovell
He bites his lip as a groan rumbles deep in his throat. I nip at his jaw, running my tongue over the stubble that leads down his neck. I’m pushing a little bit at a time, just waiting… I don’t have to wait long.
“I want you to fuck me, Theo.” I whisper against his ear, as my teeth graze his ear lobe.
“Fuck!” He growls as he rips his body away from me. He pushes his jeans and boxers down, exposing his rigid cock. He grabs my hips and thrusts inside me. I scream. Oh my god. He feels so good. My body spasms around him, adjusting to the long-missed feeling of having him inside me.
He leans his forehead against mine, his breath’s coming hard. “God, I missed you.” He says.
I kiss him, and he fucks me. It’s not the hard and fast I’m used to. It’s slow, and deep, and so intense. It’s something we’ve never had before, but I want it. For the first time, I want all of it.
I lay back on my sun lounger and smile as the sun touches my skin. I have cushions propped under my left leg, making it more comfortable. I’m going to look so weird with one white leg. I may have to spend some time with just one leg in a sun bed when we get home.
I squint out to the ocean where Theo is swimming. He’s barely a blip. That man is crazy. I never realised how much exercise he does. I guess that body has to come at a price right? We’ve been here four days and he’s barely stopped. If he’s not swimming then he’s in the gym, and if he’s not in the gym, then he’s fucking me. Hey, if I have to take a good fucking to maintain that six pack, well…sometimes a girl must sacrifice for the greater good.
Someone really needs to tell him though, that holidays are for relaxing. Molly and Hugo are coming out here tomorrow anyway. Molly will keep me company whilst I sun worship, and perhaps Hugo can try and keep up with Theo. Crazy bastard.
I smile to myself. I have this genuine feeling of peace. Everything is just good. No immediate drama on the horizon, nothing to run from, nothing to fight. It’s just me and him. It’s so strange how everything has come full circle. We have been through so much together. We have had a turbulent relationship to say the least. We’ve fought as much as we’ve fucked. But we’ve also managed to stand by each other through some serious shit. Love isn’t about the superficial things. It’s not about the good times even. True love is sticking together when it seems impossible to do so. It’s about fighting for each other in ways that no-one else can. It’s taken me a long time to realise this, but now I have, I would never again walk away from him. I love him. He’s my unlikely saviour, my one. My moon.
We’re not perfect, far from it, but it’s our imperfections that make us perfect for each other.
Cold water drips on my stomach, just as a shadow blocks out my sun. I squint up as Theo straddles me on my sun lounger. I squeal as his wet crotch rests over my hips.
“Get off!” I scream.
He laughs. “Not a chance.” He grabs my face and plants a salty kiss on my lips.
“Leave me alone, you horrible man.” I laugh. His broad chest is covered in droplets of water. His skin has turned a deep bronze in the few days we’ve been here.
That sexy smile makes an appearance. “Well now I would, if you didn’t wear this.” He plucks the strap of my bikini.
I scowl at him. “Well then, you shouldn’t have bought it should you.” I smile sweetly. When Theo said he packed for me, what he actually meant was that he bought me a holiday wardrobe, including half of Agent Provocateur. The bikinis aren’t exactly leaving much to the imagination. Not to mention the fact that their bra’s come up a size small. There’s a lot of boob on show right now. I would care if this wasn’t a private beach.
“Best purchase I’ve ever made.” He winks and kisses me again before getting off me, leaving me damp, and not in the good way. He plonks down on the lounger next to me. I pull my sunglasses back down over my face and try to subtly check him out. The sun glistens off his body as he stretches those lean inked up muscles. Damn, a girl could come over very unnecessary. “You’re so unsubtle.” He says without even opening his eyes.
“Seriously? That shit is just plain creepy.” I grumble.
He laughs. “Says the creepy pervert.”
I lay back on the lounger, closing my eyes again. “Hey, you’re mine. Therefore, it’s not perverted, it’s endearing.” I say smugly.
“You’re right, I am yours. Perve away.” He says with a smile in his voice. Ugh, he is such a sap for those kinds of statements. A hopeless, romantic sap. Who would have thought?
The sun is just setting over the water, painting the sky in hues of pink and purple. It’s so peaceful, so beautifully calm. The waves gently wash against the shore. I’m sitting on one of the sofas on the deck, with my leg propped on one of the other chairs. I brought a book out here to read, but got completely distracted by the view. I will never tire of this place. It is just idyllic in every way.
Molly texted earlier to say that she, George and Hugo were heading to the runway. Not only did Theo invite my best friend out here, he said he’d invite Hugo, so she didn’t feel like a gooseberry. I did have to point out to him that Molly and Hugo were going through a ‘thing’ right now, and that might be weird, so I strong armed George into dropping one of his jobs this week and coming. By strong armed, I mean, I told him he had a completely free holiday in paradise. Not really a tough decision considering that London is now dropping into minus temperatures. He also gets fear of missing out. I didn’t invite Harry, not because I don’t want him around, but things are still a bit off with us. He came back, and he apologised for leaving. I believe him, and I forgive him. It’s me who should be sorry in all honesty. The problem is him and Theo. Harry needs time to realise that Theo is a permanent fixture. He needs to get his head around that and accept it. The dynamic between us has changed, but that’s good. The way I was so emotionally reliant on him was not healthy. I see that now. In time, I know he will come to see the good in Theo, but right now he can’t. All in good time.
I feel warm breath touch my neck, before Theo’s lips press against the skin just behind my ear. “Hey, sugar.”
“Hey.” I breathe.
I lean my head back, looking over the back of the sofa at him. His hair is wet from his shower. His blue eyes are bright against his tanned skin, and he’s smiling widely. He presses his lips to mine in a Spiderman kiss.
“I have food.” He presses his lips to my forehead once and moves away to light the grill. Barbeque is a bit extreme, as there’s no fire involved. It is literally a fancy outdoor oven, grill thingy.
“What do you have?” I ask. There’s a fisherman who lives in a small village about two miles away. Every day, Theo buys stuff from him. Of course, he just has food helicoptered in if he wants something specific. And they say money can’t buy you happiness…
He picks up a bucket and I’m instantly suspicious. “What is that?”
He huffs a laugh. “It’s a lobster.” I groan. “What you don’t like lobster?” He asks.
“Yeah I do, but I really can’t cope with the cooking thing.” He cocks an eyebrow, an incredulous smirk plastered on his face. “Please can you knock it over the head or something? I can’t cope with it cooking alive.”
He laughs. “You are so soft.”
I frown. “It’s horrible!”
He rolls his eyes. “For you sugar, I will knock it over the head as you so eloquently put it.”
I smile. “Thank you!”
Okay, so the lobster is amazing. Fuck fancy restaurants, whack it on the barbeque and eat it with your hands. So good.
Theo tops up my wine, which makes me deliriously happy. I’m by no means an alcoholic, but the whole no drinking on painkillers thing has gotten real old. Luckily I’m not having to take them at the moment, at least not until the next surgery.
I sip the white wine, as I lounge against Theo. He wraps his arm around me, as I lean my back against his side. The fire crackles in the fire pit, sending little embers into the night sky.
I’m
starting to fall asleep, when I feel Theo gently move, replacing his body with some cushions. He’s gone barely a minute. “Sugar, you need to see this.” He whispers, his fingers gently stoking my cheek.
“Hmmm.” Oh god, that wine has really done a number on me. I open my eyes and allow him to pull me upright.
“See what?” I mumble.
“Look.” He points down the beach, and I follow his line of sight.
“Wow. What is that?” I gasp. The entire shore line is glowing a luminescent blue.
“Come on.” He holds out his hand and pulls me to my feet. Before I can even move to grab my crutches, he dips and scoops me up into his arms.
He puts me down when we reach the water. It’s like thousands of tiny stars scattered through the water, kind of like glitter. The little dots of light glow a luminescent blue. It’s so pretty.
“It’s a type of plankton that causes it. They glow, a bit like firefly’s I suppose, and cause this. It’s very rare.”
“It’s so beautiful.” I turn to face him, his features illuminated by the glowing water. “A sea of stars.” I whisper.
He smiles at me and paddles out into the shallow waves. “I’ve seen it once before. It seems almost alien.”
“It’s like something out of Avatar.” I tell him.
He smirks. “I wouldn’t know.”
I mock gasp. “How have you not seen Avatar? What rock were you hiding under?”
He takes something from his pocket, but I can’t see what it is. He fiddles with it nervously, keeping his gaze down.
“What’s that?” I ask.
He takes a deep breath and flicks his eyes up to meet mine. “Lilly, I love you, so fucking much.” He’s suddenly very serious and intense. “I would love to be able to come up with some poetic shit right now, but you know it’s not me. Just know, that you are my reason…for everything. I’m a rich man, but without you I have nothing. You are priceless and precious in ways you will never know.” He clears his throat and shakily gets down on one knee, right there in the glow of the lapping waves. Oh my fucking god!
He lifts his hand. Even in the dim light of the waves, I can see that he is holding the biggest fucking rock I have ever seen. “Marry me, sugar.” He says without a trace of doubt. Not a question, a demand.
Holy fucking shit!
I stare at him numbly for a moment. Answer Lilly, give him an answer. When a guy presents you with a rock like that there is only one answer.
“Yes.” I whisper. I agree to marry Theodore Ellis.
My moon, among a sea full of stars.
EPILOGUE
Love. It can be found in the most unlikely of places, from the most unsuspecting individuals. It has the ability to completely break you, or utterly complete you.
To love is to risk your very self, to trust another so entirely, that you no longer fear the pain of heartbreak.
Love is a war for which we willingly bleed. Willingly sacrifice. Walls are smashed to the ground, and hearts captured. Love is the Holy Grail for which we all strive. True love and true happiness are one and the same.
My road to happiness has been fraught with difficulty. I have been Besieged. I have Conquered my fears, and I have Surrendered to love, and in doing so, I have found courage I didn’t even know I had.
They say that fortune favours the brave.
Love is a war. She who dares…wins.
I have most definitely won.
The End
HUGO IS COMING …
RUINED
A SHE WHO DARES STANDALONE NOVEL
COMING WINTER/SPRING 2015
DEAR READER
You’re still here! Thank you so much. I cannot even put into words what it means to me, to have such fantastic readers.
This series was only ever supposed to be two books, but as I was writing Conquered, I realised that I couldn’t possibly do Theo and Lilly’s story justice in two books.
As I have written this trilogy, the characters have really taken on a will of their own. What started out as two alphas and some hot sex, became something so complex and intense, that at times, I struggled to write Surrendered. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not good with the more romantic side of things!
Of course, I know you all love Hugo. I heard you loud and clear. He is getting his own book, and I’m so excited to bring you tales of his antics. It should be fun!
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Okay, there are a lot of you to thank.
Firstly, I have to give a huge, huge shout out to the lovely SM Piper, my cover designer. This woman is so talented it’s ridiculous. She did the beautiful cover for Conquered, and then dropped everything when I gave her about a weeks notice, to make the cover for Surrendered. Stef, you are a joy to work with. I love our Facebook conversations, and our pervy Pinterest board!
Thank you to my awesome street team. You ladies have always got my back, whether it be pimping, organising or beta reading. I love you guys.
A special shout out has to go to Georgina from my street team. My usual editor Ellen couldn’t squeeze me in, and Georgina stepped in last minute. Thank you Georgina!
On that note, Ellen. I love you. You are a fab editor, an amazing blogger and a genuinely lovely person. You know I think the world of you.
There are many blogs who have helped me along the way, and you are all hugely appreciated, believe me. There are a few who are very special though.
I have to say a massive thank you to Kylie from Give Me Books. She has really taken me under her wing. She mothers me through all the promotional stuff, and organises my shit for me. She has gone above and beyond to try and make Conquered and now Surrendered, a success, and for that I cannot thank her enough. Kylie, I would be lost without you.
I want to say a big thanks to Sizzling Pages Book Reviews. Besieged was picked up and read by fellow Brit Cariad who loved it, and then got all her fellow bloggers to read it. Cariad gave what has to be the best review I have ever read, for Conquered. Gah! I hope this lived up to expectation. Needless to say, you girls are all fab. So to Cariad, Ang and Nichole, thank you. You will always sit in the favourites category.
Luscious Literature is run by two of my girls. They are so lovely, and do such a fantastic job of helping to promote authors. Keep up the fab work Anne and Linda.
The Romance Vault. Could you two be any more hilarious. Introducing, the first straight male blogger of erotic novels, I have ever met. Rob and Michelle, love you two more than words can say.
Claire and Tara from Bare Naked Words are two ladies who have again shown me a lot of kindness. Claire, I love our book chats. I apologise for being a rubbish guest reviewer! Tara, you have been such an avid supporter. Thank you!
I hope I haven’t missed anyone out. Just know that anyone who has ever written a review, posted a teaser or even just picked up my books and read them…Thank you. Your ongoing support means the world.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
LP Lovell is an Indie Author from Salisbury, England. She's known for her seriously laid back attitude, sick sense of humour and a general lack of brain to mouth filter. Fuelled by copious amounts of Diet Coke, she likes to create feisty female characters who bring men across the pages to their knees. If she’s not writing then Lauren can be found riding her horses, or walking her ever present writing companion; Tulula the dog.
LP Lovell's first novel; Besieged was published in February 2014, and was an international Amazon bestseller, as was the sequel Conquered.
If you would like to connect with LP she would absolutely love to hear from you.
Website: www.lplovell.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lplovellauthor
Twitter: @Authorlplovell
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7850247.LP_Lovell
Table of Contents
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER
SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
EPILOGUE
RUINED
DEAR READER
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
