"Timmons," Chief's voice breaks my dreaming, and I notice that I'm staring, with Ellie looking at me from behind lowered lashes with a sly little grin on her red lips. I can feel the blush fill my neck even though it's chilly and I snap my face over to Chad and my other friends, accepting a lit cigar from Reno. "Damn Timmons, maybe you should just throw her down and get it over with."
"Don't tempt me, Chief." I grin as the other guys laugh in our little circle at the edge of the wooden deck, away from the girls.
"And don't even think about it either," he says, pointing his finger right in my face as his cigar sticks out of the corner of his mouth.
"Yeah, yeah," I shrug, "we're just talkin' you know. Talkin' never hurt no one." They all laugh again and I join in, getting a slap on the back from French. Shooting a glance back over my shoulder to where she sits, I see that Ellie is still looking at me. She blushes, turning away with a giggle, sinking her head onto Rhea's shoulder and whispering in her ear.
I know she's going through a divorce and Chad won't tell me anything about it, or much about her, so I have to piece things together through my little conversations with her, here and there. I also couldn't help but notice the purple marks on her upper arms through her sweater as we were sitting at the bar. They spiked my interest and I was going to ask her what happened, but the look on her face turned me away from that path.
"Chief, tell me about Ellie's ex," I say, leaning back to be even with him as he stretches his legs out in front of him with his arm thrown on the railing behind Reno on the other side. It is a shot in the dark, but hopefully the protector side of Chad will emerge and he'll let me know if Ellie's in trouble. I see him shoot a look over to the girls; he sighs and casts his eyes on me.
"He's a Virginia State Trooper, older than Ellie." He sighs again, rubbing his hand over the back of his neck. "Uh, and don't tell this to Rhea or bring it up to Ellie, and definitely don't tell them I said anything to you about it," he says giving me a pointed look and I nod, my interest piqued and the SEAL in me on alert. He clears his throat and leans up on his knees, "He has a temper. You're not blind; I know you've probably noticed the bruises on her arms." He gives me a sidelong glance and my anger flares. He doesn't have to say the words, I know what he's meaning.
"She hasn't told anyone 'bout it, like the cops?" I ask with a disbelieving tone. She is a legal assistant; she works with the law every day. Reeling my racing thoughts back in, I know fear makes people react differently than they normally would, and it makes me even more angry. Ellie is too beautiful to be afraid. She shouldn't have to run or hide, or make excuses for bruises.
"He's a Trooper," Chad repeats, raising his eyebrow as I see his gaze settle on the group of women. "She's made complaints, but they've conveniently gone 'missing'." He makes air quotes, and I all but explode inside. "She's turned down our invitations to move in with us. She's stubborn, like my wife." He grins and nods in their direction and I shake my head.
"If that bastard hurts her again…” I grind out, trying my hardest to hold back the anger and hurt building up inside me. I don't get wife beaters. I don't understand how you can raise your hand to a woman at all, let alone one you've promised to love and care for your entire life; especially one as beautiful and mesmerizing as Ellie.
"And he'll get a taste of SEAL," all of us echo in chorus, and I look up to see my friends all smiling. French, Black, Benson, Talbot, Uclid, Chief, and Reno all join in on a chuckle, nodding their heads and all shooting looks over to the growing group of women.
When I take my eyes over the crowd, they meet up with Ellie's blueish-green ones and we lock on, not wavering. I raise my beer bottle up, and she nods as I try to give her a smile, but I know my anger and disgust at her situation is still rolling around in my mind and probably visible from the outside. I see a shadowed look pass over her face, disappearing as fast as it appeared as she stands, giving me a weak smile before accepting a glass of something from Rosa.
Hopefully she isn't going to run from me. I need to find out more about this captivating woman. I feel the need to protect her.
I'm hoping she'll let me.
#####
TO BE CONTINUED IN BOOK 3:
"I NEVER ASKED YOU TO SAVE ME"
About the Author:
Theresa Marguerite Hewitt grew up in a very small town in Central New York, learning to love everything country. She moved to the 'big city' of Buffalo for college where she earned a Bachelors Degree. The love of writing has always been a secret passion of hers which was un-earthed by a birthday gift she was given. She enjoys listening to country music [loudly while singing along off key] and riding down long, winding country roads with no specific destination in mind. She enjoys her life with her boyfriend, two dogs and two cats.
CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR:
Twitter: @TMarguerite
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheresaMargueriteHewittAuthor
Blog: http://theresamargueritehewitt.wordpress.com/
Goodreads: Theresa Hewitt [personal profile] or Theresa Marguerite Hewitt [author profile]
Pinterest: TMarguerite -or- Theresa Marguerite
DISCOVER OTHER TITLES BY THERESA MARGUERITE HEWITT AT SMASHWORDS.COM:
Paranormal Romance
The Broadus Supernatural Society Series
Book 1: Siofra's Song: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/221701
Book 2: Siofra's Nightmare: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/250471
Book 3: Siofra's Change: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/271147
Book 4: Siofra's Fight: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/301591
Book 5: Rowena’s Revenge: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/372013
Contemporary Romance
The Wakefield Romance Series
Book 1: Two Weeks With a SEAL: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/275086
Book 2: Coming Home
Book 3: I Never Asked You To Save Me: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/329065
Historical Romance
The Viking Dreams Series
Book 1: We Roam The Seas: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/346391
PLAYLIST FOR COMING HOME
JUST SOME SONGS THAT I THINK GO WITH SITUATIONS/MOODS IN THE BOOK
1. There You'll Be: Faith Hill
2. I Won't Give Up: Jason Mraz
3. Come Home Soon: SheDaisy
4. Letters From Home: John Michael Montgomery
5. For You: Keith Urban
6. Before I Forget: Slipknot
7. One Night To Shine: Three Doors Down
8. Let's Ride: Kid Rock
9. Into The Nightmare: Mike Marlinski (Within The Pillars)
10. There's No Way: Alabama
11. I Drive Your Truck: Lee Brice
12. God Gave Me You: Blake Shelton
~~~~Preview for "I Never Asked You To Save Me" Playlist~~~~~~
1. Love The Way You Lie: Eminem ft, Rihanna
2. Sure Be Cool If You Did: Blake Shelton
3. A Little Bit Stronger: Sara Evans
4. Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain): Gary Allan
Again, Thank You for reading!! I hope you enjoyed it!- TMH
If you enjoyed this book, you might like these by Chelsea Camaron
Love and Repair Series
Crash and Burn
Prequel to the Love and Repair Series
Crash.....a crash ended it all and started it all. Dina Fowler is attending college with her long time best friend Maggie Lawson. Life is good and carefree. Until the crash that changed it all. Her freshman year ends with the loss of her parents in a car accident, spiraling Dina into a deep depression. Secluding herself as she picks up the pieces to her life, slowly she finds the only person she has left is Maggie.
Chance encounters sometimes make the most incredible moments, other times they crash and burn. A chance encounter brings Michael barreling into a lost and vulnerable Dina's life. Playing on every weakness she has, he weasels his way into her hear
t. Slow build up to the hell that was soon to become Dina's daily nightmare. Her parents are gone. She wants out but has no idea how to escape her new reality.
Can she find her way out? Or will she be lost completely burning in her own personal hell?
Restore My Heart
Book 1 of the Love and Repair Series
Bad Boy, Ryder Davenport comes into Dina Fowlers life in the middle of her own personal hell. Still coming to terms with the death of her parents, she pushes everyone away. When she trusts the wrong man, putting her in a bad relationship she felt she couldn’t escape, Ryder comes along. Enjoying his play boy ways, fast cars, motorcycles and a new woman in his bed nightly, Ryder had no thoughts of settling down. That is, until he sees the damage a man can do when he meets a very broken Dina. He changes in hopes of one day being enough for her.
But, can she ever feel safe with a man again? Ryder has restored hundreds of classic cars can he restore Dina’s heart?
Salvaged
Book 2 of the Love and Repair Series
Brayden and Maggie have been dating for four years. Maggie is ready and expecting an engagement ring. Brayden has a past full of weaknesses and mistakes he can’t seem to shake. As he slowly loses everything, he also loses Maggie.
As his world unravels, can he find the strength to shake his inner demons? Does he have it in him to face the ghosts of his past? Can Maggie overcome his deceptions? Will they find a way to love and trust again? Can their love and relationship be salvaged?
Full Throttle
Book 2.5 of the Love and Repair Series
High school sweethearts manage to make it through college into the working world still together and going strong. From the start of their relationship Jake has made very clear his apprehension to marriage. Kenna understood going into this nine years ago that with Jake there would never be a ring or white dress.
Now seeing their friends so eager to make such a serious commitment in their own relationships a crack begins to form in Jake and Kenna’s once solid foundation.
Will Kenna ever open up and share her dreams with Jake? Can Jake overcome his childhood issues? Is Kenna willing to accept things just as they are forever? Will her desire for a more serious commitment make her change her feelings for her one love? Is Jake enough alone or does Kenna demand more than he can give? Can they move forward full throttle into their future together?
Beyond Repair
Book 3 of the Love and Repair Series
Harrison and Tiffany have a long history of hooking up. Harrison decides he wants more. Tiffany, a spoiled Southern Belle is embarrassed by a working class Harrison. After over two years apart Tiffany is missing his touch. She heads to Charlotte to claim her man.
Harrison is finally settled in Charlotte. He has a job he loves, his sister close by, great friends, and an awesome agreement going with Sophia.
Can Sophia ever want more from Harrison than just sex? Has Harrison fallen in love or just lust with Sophia?
After all this time and hurt feelings, is he really meant to be with Tiffany? Can Harrison manage to let his guard down and find his way back to Tiffany? Will Tiffany be satisfied with a regular working class mechanic? Or is their relationship in the past and beyond repair?
The Hellions Ride Series
One Ride
Delilah “Doll” Reklinger never imagined her life with anyone that wasn’t a Hellion. She never imagined a Hellion would come along and prove himself worthy enough to her father, Roundman, Hellions Club President. Content in living in the bubble of safety the motorcycle club family has always provided, Doll never thought that danger surrounded her.
Roundman has kept the Hellions contained for the last thirty years by controlling the chaos surrounding their lifestyle. When the dangerous side to their business comes knocking on his door, he realizes his precious Doll isn’t safe. The Hellions code may be that women and children are off limits in any altercation or dispute, but that doesn’t mean their enemies follow that same moral compass.
His only child, now in danger from the association to him and his club, Roundman makes a decision. He sends her away with a charter club member that he trusts, in hopes that the trouble won’t follow.
One ride across the country. One simple ride. Talon “Tripp” Crews has been ordered to take Doll on one ride away and to keep her safe. She’s off limits, his head knows this, but his body can’t deny the sparks between them. She’s feisty, fierce, and fearless.
Constantly in close confines together, can they deny the chemistry? Will they give into the attraction between them? Can one ride turn lust into love?
Coming Home: Book 2 The Wakefield Romance Series Page 23
