by S. N. Garza
I shoved the window all the way up and he was quiet and tense as he swung his legs over and into my room. He took off his shoes on the rug that laid underneath the window. Right outside my window there was nothing but a mud pile and we learned quickly that his foot prints should they get wet and muddy would be very problematic for me. He bought a rug and I put my band stuff on top so my parents wouldn’t question it being there. Not that they came into my room. They didn’t like Deke, but since meeting me, Deke went to church with us, not that I think he got anything from it, but him showing up was a plus in their book, so they allowed him to take me to and from school.
They had no idea I let him stay the night here most days. He always managed to leave before they got home and when it was time to take me to school, he’d wait in the living room with my dad, making only small talk before I rushed out to he didn’t have to stay long. He worked at SoIn full time after graduating. Which I helped him with some of his classes so that he would graduate.
Not that he wasn’t smart. Because he was. He was really smart. But he worked a lot, so he didn’t really care about school.
What was funny, Johnny had taken me aside and made me promise to make sure he graduated. That Deke deserved to walk that stage. Since I thought so too, it was an easy promise to make.
It also improved my grades. I was B+ student and being in the symphony group in band, I had an opportunity to get a scholarships to a few state universities. I didn’t’ know what I wanted to do, but I knew with all the UIL competitions I had won over the past few years, I could do anything I wanted.
When Deke came over the threshold, he stumbled, telling me he was in more pain than he let on. I tried grabbing a hold of him but ended up stumbling down with him. Before I face planted, his arms reached around my waist and he twisted me until his front was against my back, taking the brunt of our fall.
He hissed out in pain and I scrambled off of him and helped him sit up against my bed.
“What happened?”
“Nothing, Penelope.”
He still called me Penelope. Not Penny. Sometimes he called me Pen, but it was few and far between. Everyone and I meant everyone called me Penny. Even my parents, unless I was in trouble. Which I wasn’t often, but when they wanted to be heard they call me my full name. Him not wanting to tell me who done this to him made me want to shake him. I was always there for him. Just like he’d always been there for me.
“Deke.” Sigh. Don’t start an argument. Just be there for him. He might tell you later. “Fine. Come on.”
I stood up and held out my hand to help him. He looked at my hand and smirked.
“Think you can help me, sweetheart?”
I rolled my eyes and put a hand on my hip. “Stop being a jerk and let me help you, Deke Morgan.”
His eyes finally took in my appearance his mouth closed tightly, his nostrils flared and his eyes? Were almost black.
He closed them and shook his head.
“Deke, let me help you. Why won’t you let me help you?”
A small growl rumbled in his throat and he put his hand in mine. I only had to pull a little because he did most of the work standing up by himself. Instead of letting go of his hand, like I should have, I kept it in mine, and led him out of room to the bathroom. I closed the door behind us and sat him on the toilet. He was silent but kept his smoky eyes on mine while I grabbed the first-aid kit.
I set it on the counter and turned the sink water on, grabbing the white hand towel on the clip. Getting it soaked, I went over to him, and he automatically let me between his legs where I tilted his head upward to clean off most of the blood caked on his face. Thank God nothing was still oozing from his face or this might have been harder than it looked. I didn’t really like seeing blood.
Yeah, I was a girl and I had periods and even think, I thanked God my periods were only three days a month. They weren’t too heavy and I dealt with it. But seeing it on Deke? I hated when he was bruised and beaten. Most of the time it was from his father. But then sometimes he liked started fights. Or ending them. He was big enough to stop a lot of fights but in between, he’d get hit once or twice.
Deke’s face was right in front my chest. Even sitting down he was still tall. His jaw tightened when I touched the cuts but he was so good at hiding the pain. To not let others see weakness. He was so strong and brave. The cops did nothing to his father. That’s how small minded our town still was. Our town grew but it still kept those small minded ‘not my business, not going to interfere mentality. But of course they gossiped and carried on letting everybody know everyone else’s business. I hated it, but I didn’t’ want to live anywhere else. Deke was here. There was a college close enough that I could drive back and forth, whenever I got a car. I was saving up for one. I wanted to get my basics done and then maybe go a state university. But then wherever I went, Deke wouldn’t be there. And I wanted to be close to him.
Pathetic I know because he sure as hell didn’t see me as anything but his friend. But he was such an important part of me that I knew once I left, that part of me would be missing and I wouldn’t be able to leave. It would be dream come true if he left with me. Just me and him against the world.
Yes, the silly day dreams of a teenage girl.
His hands fisted hard at his side when I began disinfecting the wound at his brow.
His knuckles were stretched tight and white. I set the stained towel down and reached down for his hands, settling them on my hips.
“At least you won’t cut your skin with them on my hips. I know it hurts, Deke. Just breathe for me okay.”
His hands contracted on my hips but he didn’t say anything. His eyes were still closed but his thumbs began to caress the skin above my yoga pants. I felt my skin break out in goose bumps. My boobs felt heavy. My nipples felt tickled as they became erect.
Whoa. First time that ever happened. Don’t react, Pen. Ha. It’s not like he was going to notice anyway. When the worst of the cuts were clean and dry, I butterfly bandaged them. He looked dirty enough for a bath. I sat the first aid stuff down and was going to turn around to get the shower on but his hands squeezed my hips, restricting my movement. Before I could ask him what was wrong, he leaned in and rested his head against my chest. Breathing me in deep.
“Always smell of lilacs.” He nuzzled his forehead between the materials covering my chest until he went over a hard nipple. He stilled for a moment, resting there against my throbbing nipple.
Why were they aching like this? Was it because of Deke? Did he like how I reacted to him?
His hands reached up the contours of my back until the tips of his fingers buried underneath the tight band. He pressed me hard against him. Breathing in deep. Then releasing that breath, the warm air skating over my belly making me shiver.
“Let me get a shower ready for you. I have some clothes of yours, Deke. I’ll put these in the wash.”
Was that his lips against my stomach?
Nah. Wishful thinking, Penny old girl. His hands flexed on my hips and he released me. His hands falling to his lap as I turned and got the bath ready.
I heard an intake of breath and I hurried to turn. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Just my eye. Thank you, Penelope. You always take good care of me.”
I turned back around and adjusted the shower head before saying, “what are friends for?”
I couldn’t’ look at him when I said that because then he’d see the disappointment and sadness in my eyes. I wanted to be more than friends, but I knew he’d never take advantage of me that way when he made himself my protector two years ago.
That was one promise he never failed to succeed in. As I grew more confident, he often argued over him being so over protective. Not all the time, but when he thought I might not be ‘thinking’ clearly, he always hounded me until I gave in and listened to him.
What was I talking about? I never said no to him. I argued with him so we could compromise but he was so demanding and dominating. His strong
personality overtook mine and I did whatever he wanted me to do. And for the most part, I didn’t mind.
I shut the shower curtain and walked to the linen closet grabbing a beach towel. It was the only towel big enough that would wrap around me completely, and I know it was a sick silly thought but having him use the only towel I used made it feel intimate.
Idiot.
I set it on the counter and looked up to see him looking right at my chest…were my nipples were still prickling against my bra.
I tried not to notice and said instead, “I’m going to go grab some clothes, leave the dirty ones outside the door. I’ll place the clean ones just inside the door, ‘kay?”
He nodded but kept his black stare on my chest. I shook it off and left the room.
Woot. He really drove me crazy sometimes.
Graham & Isabella
Parts 1-3
Grant & Pippah
Parts 1-3
Turning one night stands into a happily ever afters.
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Hot Houston Nights: Boxset
Graham & Isabella/Grant & Pippah
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Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend
He will show her a world she never imagined.
She will show him how to open his heart to love.
Scarlet Castle is a small-town girl with big-city dreams. Ever since she can remember being a dancer on Broadway has been her goal, but downtown Houston is as far as she’s gotten.
Dax Dixon keeps the books at Saints and Sinners Lounge, a well-known cabaret in the heart of Houston. He’s also the grandson of a hard core motorcycle club president. No one can prove the club is full of criminals, but Dax doesn’t need proof for what he already knows. And he also has no intention of being involved.
As for the opposite sex? They were only good for one reason.
Then he meets Scarlet. Then all bets are off.
One night at the lounge Scarlet becomes a witness to a crime, living proof that the MC is not as pure as they want people to believe. Dax’s grandfather wants to eliminate her and he sends someone she least expects to get the job done.
Can Dax get to her in time to save her from the MC determined to destroy their future?
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Bound
a Bound Hearts novel
Courtland spent his childhood watching his mother turn tricks and bow to her abusive pimp. It taught him a lot about relationships and how never to get involved in one. When he meets sweet Adelaide, his life is forever changed. Her gentle personality has his thinking maybe his vow to never commit is misplaced. Until she disappears out of his life.
Adelaide knew the only way to escape the darkness she’s lived her life in, is to go back to the one place that’s haunted her dreams. Home. Reuniting with Courtland is the last thing on her mind until she becomes helpless to his every kiss. Hopeless to his ever touch. And no matter how far she tries to run, her heart is irrevocably bound to him.
‡
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Love Came Back
a Pyro-Princess Design & Style novel, 1
Danger. Passion. Friendship. Heartbreak. A love that is timeless.
They say if you love someone, you should set them free. What if, you don't have a choice? What if you're forced apart by circumstances out of your control?
Siddaleigh Carrington is a small town girl with big dreams. Konner O'Brian is a young injured Navy SEAL. Neither are looking love. But fate had other ideas.
Just as sparks ignite, Konner is called away to duty and the pair lose contact. Sidda tries to move on... with a man who isn't as he seems.
Years pass and Sidda finds herself face to face with Konner, the man she longed for but thought she would never see again. Konner soon realizes that the woman he once knew is held hostage by a painful past that only he can help her overcome.
And once she's free, Konner is hoping that their love will come back.
♥
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About the Author
Stephanie Nicole Garza is from Southeast Houston, Texas, with her husband and two small children. She is a full time Chilihead employee at Chili's Bar & Grill. Author of steamy, sexy, sinfully beautiful stories about strong alpha men and the women who fall for them.
When she's not taking care of her family, working her tail off at her all day job, you can find her writing well into the night, and reading another steamy romance novel, attaining another fictional boyfriend.
Where the men are strong, the women, stronger.
FB:www.facebook.com/stephanienicolelg
Blog: http://sngarzabooks.blogspot.com
Twitter: @SNGarza_author
Instagram: @sngarza_author
Email: [email protected]
