Escaped Artist (Untamed #3)
Page 13
To put it lightly, I was extremely busy.
But I was back in the city of love and light, feeling more at home than I ever had anywhere else, and anxiously awaiting Dare’s arrival so real life could finally start.
It was an exquisite torture to be living in his apartment—surrounded by his art, his scent, his brushes. I slept between his sheets, wore his t-shirt to bed, lived and breathed him, while the only direct contact I actually had was his voice in my ear. We spoke almost every night—and if we failed to connect for some reason, I always woke up to a message from him by dawn’s light.
I was missing him like crazy, and today—FINALLY—he would, once again, be mine.
Last night, my call had gone straight to his voicemail. And there hadn’t been a message from him this morning, which was a little odd. However, considering his plane was getting in this afternoon, it didn’t really matter. I was going to get my hands on him in mere hours. My body was already humming in anticipation of seeing him, touching him, feeling his presence fill me again.
I’d spent the morning getting ready—my hair hung down my back just the way he liked it, and I’d picked out my favorite dress. But that was all I wore—I was going commando just for him.
I couldn’t keep the ecstatic smile from my face.
Nothing was going to spoil my happiness today.
And it was happiness. Deep, intense, pure joy. I’d never felt this good in my entire life. I knew that some people spent their lives bathed in the kind of joy that seeped into their bones and infused everything they did, every choice they made, how they viewed the world.
But that had never been my life. Until now.
The airport was busy, and I hurried to the arrival gate, scanning the crowd as I walked. I hadn’t checked to see if his flight was on time, I’d just rushed over, unable to wait for him any longer.
People streamed through the airport, most of them clearly having just gotten off a plane, bags slung over their shoulders, stretching their bodies from being cramped up. And when they cleared out, when no more people were walking from the arrival gate, I started to get concerned.
He’d bought his ticket the day before I’d left, and I knew his flight should have arrived a little before two. But it was now almost three. I walked over to a monitor to check the arrival and departure listings. His plane had arrived on time.
But, still, no Dare.
My heart started thumping, my mind racing, trying to figure out why he wouldn’t have been on the plane. I checked my messages to see if I’d missed one. Maybe he’d texted me or left a voicemail about a change in his flight plans.
Maybe something had happened in Amsterdam.
Maybe he didn’t want me anymore.
NO. No, I knew that couldn’t be true. And I was not going to allow negative thoughts to ruin this moment.
I dialed his number but, once again, it went straight to voicemail. Then I sent him a quick text and drummed my fingers against my phone as I waited for his reply.
Nothing.
I tried Dash’s number, but he didn’t pick up either, so I left a message, then dialed Dalia. And even Dax.
Fucking hell. Why wasn’t anyone answering their fucking phone?
Trying not to panic, I headed over to the baggage claim area to see if maybe I’d somehow missed him.
The carousel was deserted when I got there.
Oh, god. I was rooted in place, unsure of what to do, who to call next, how I could reach him to find out what was going on.
In that exact moment, my phone buzzed.
I glanced at the screen.
Dalia.
Relief flooded my body. She must have gotten my message. She would—
“Ree?” Dalia said, her voice tight with tears. “You’ve got to come. Dare’s—” She broke off, sobbing into the phone.
“What?” She was crying too hard to speak, but panic had overtaken me at the sound in her voice. I needed her to tell me NOW. “Dare’s WHAT?”
“He’s been hurt. Oh god, Ree. He’s in intensive care. They don’t know if he’ll—”
Chills shuddered through me, my whole body went numb. I started shaking my head. This couldn’t…HE couldn’t…
“Where is he, Dalia? Where?!”
“New York,” she said. “And, Ree? Hurry. Please. They don’t…” Her voice quivered as she choked on the words. “…they don’t know if he’ll make it.”
Reagan and Dare’s story continues in...
Did you ACTUALLY think we’d give you a blurb right now? After THAT ending? Ha! No such luck.
But we promise you one hell of a WILDE ride.
Stay tuned. It's coming.
(Feel free to throw things at us on Twitter: @VG_Writes & @JinseyReese)
WILD AT HEART (Untamed #4)
COMING JUNE 2014
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A Note from the Authors
Hey! Thanks for reading Escaped Artist, the third episode in the UNTAMED series. This is episode 3 in the 6-episode saga of Reagan and Dare's story. We truly hope you enjoyed it. If you did, please share it with a friend—it’s lendable!
Also, if you have a few minutes, we would totally appreciate it if you’d write a review and post it online. It doesn’t have to be long or in-depth, a couple of lines telling what you thought of the story and why—just say what you’re inspired to say. Your review will help other readers figure out whether they’d like this novella too.
Thanks! You’re the best. (And we really do mean that.)
Warmly,
Tors and Jins
Acknowledgements
Our biggest thanks, as always, goes to our editor, Stevan Knapp. He's a marvel with a red pen, and makes our books all shiny and pretty.
So many thanks to Justin, Jena, Julie, and Helen for the amazing support they have given us. We can't tell you how much we appreciate it. And to Christy Lynn for being our tattoo expert and answering all of our questions—Dare definitely owes you a tattoo.
Many, many thanks to our early readers and reviewers for being so willing to post your reviews quickly and in many places. That’s such a huge help to us! And to all the bloggers and readers who have become so excited about this series, taking Reagan and Dare into your hearts, and helping us spread the word—your support and enthusiasm is incredible, and we cannot thank you enough. We love you guys!
And lastly, we thank you for reading our books. You’re the reason we write.
More Books By Victoria Green & Jinsey Reese
SILVER HEART
by Victoria Green
There comes a moment in everyone's life when they must decide which road leads to personal happiness. For Dylan Silver, this is that moment…
For the past twenty-two years, Dylan has been living in her parents’ carefully crafted world, always putting her own dreams on hold to play the role of a dutiful daughter.
So when her best friend coaxes her into a winter getaway to a mountain cabin, she sees it as a chance to forget about the responsibilities waiting for her at home. At least for a little while.
But then her past catches up to her—in the form of sexy snowboarder, Sawyer Carter.
Six years ago, Dylan bid goodbye to the only boy she ever truly loved. Now he’s standing right in front of her, bringing up bittersweet memories and igniting suppressed desires as he dares her to be the person she has always wanted to be.
Dylan and Sawyer’s unexpected meeting is a second chance, but will a girl who doesn’t believe in fate and taking risks be able to overcome her fears of losing control and finally embrace the life she desperately wants?
Only one thing is certain: after a week i
n Whistler, Dylan’s world will never be the same.
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ANYWHERE
by Jinsey Reese
Skye Whitcomb is running from her troubles, and where better to run than Europe? Fresh out of college, she makes quick plans with her best friend Paige and hops on a plane.
Of course, nothing ever goes as planned—at least not for her. First, Paige has to bail, and Skye’s left to travel alone. Then she meets sweet and sexy Asher Benedict in Paris, and sparks fly after a night together on the train to Rome. He’s all kinds of perfect for her, but the timing couldn’t be worse since she was running from the altar when she left—so the last thing she wants right now is a relationship.
But Skye’s about to discover that no matter how far you run, love can find you anywhere.
AVAILABLE NOW
About the Authors
Victoria Green has a soft spot for unspoken love and second chances. A travel junkie at heart, she believes in true love, good chocolate, great films, and swoon-worthy books. She lives in Canada with her high school sweetheart (who’s graduated to fiancé) and their pack of slightly crazy, but extremely lovable puppies.
She co-writes the Untamed series in The Brothers Wilde collection with the fabulous Jinsey Reese, and is the author of standalone novels Silver Heart and the upcoming Jaded Dream. When she’s not writing hot and steamy romances, she writes Young Adult adventures under a different name.
You can find her on:
Website: victoriagreenauthor.blogspot.ca
Twitter: www.twitter.com/VG_writes
Facebook: www.facebook.com/victoriagreenauthor
The Brothers Wilde (TBW) Facebook page: www.facebook.com/TheBrothersWilde
Jinsey Reese writes sometimes hot, sometimes sweet, but always steamy contemporary romance about twentysomethings. She loves to put her characters into embarrassing or impossible situations and see what happens…especially when rock-hard abs are involved. She has a deep undying love for Johnny Depp, chocolate-mint everything, and lavender roses.
She is the author of Anywhere, and co-writes the Untamed series in The Brothers Wilde collection with the fantastic Victoria Green. She also writes young adult contemporary fantasy novels under the name J. Meyers.
You can find her on:
Website: jinseyreese.blogspot.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jinseyreese
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jinseyreese
The Brothers Wilde (TBW) Facebook page: www.facebook.com/TheBrothersWilde
Copyright © 2014 Victoria Green & Jinsey Reese
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission of the author, except for use in any review.
This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, locales, and events are either pure invention or used fictitiously. No character is based on or inspired by any known or unknown persons, and all incidents come from the author’s imagination alone.
Cover photograph © Yuri Arcurs
Table of Contents
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four
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seven
eight
nine
ten
eleven
twelve
thirteen
fourteen
fifteen
sixteen
seventeen
eighteen
nineteen
Acknowledgements
More Books By Victoria Green & Jinsey Reese
About the Authors