by Tiana Laveen
TAURUS
Mr. PERSISTENT
THE TWELVE SIGNS OF LOVE
(The Zodiac Lovers Series)
Written by Tiana Laveen
Edited by Natalie Owens
Cover by Travis Pennington
BOOK 1: Capricorn – Mr. Ambition
BOOK 2: Aquarius – Mr. Humanitarian
BOOK 3: Pisces – Mr. Imagination
BOOK 4: Aries – Mr. Adventure
BOOK 5: Taurus – Mr. Persistent
BOOK 6: Gemini – Mr. Versatile
BOOK 7: Cancer – Mr. Intuitive
BOOK 8: Leo – Mr. Boss
BOOK 9: Virgo – Mr. Intelligent
BOOK 10: Libra – Mr. Romantic
BOOK 11: Scorpio – Mr. Magnetic
BOOK 12: Sagittarius – Mr. Philosophical
Welcome to the “Zodiac Lovers Series” – The 12 Signs of Love.
This is a series which features a hunky hero for each zodiac sign of the year!
This series is stand-alone, so whether you wish to only purchase one or two books of this astrological romance series, or all 12, you can do so without missing a beat. Each Hero embodies typical characteristics of their zodiac sign, but please bear in mind, this is simply for fun – and not to state emphatically that any sign mentioned will act as described. Each tale chronicles the life of the hero and heroine’s quest to love and romance, and each story is unique.
Some of the heroes are serious and brooding, others capricious and fun loving. Some of the tales will feel like a modern-day fairytale while others take a more serious tone. Some tales may lie somewhere in between. This series is written from the heart.
Enjoy!
COPYRIGHT
Copyright © 2018 by Tiana Laveen
Kindle Edition
All rights reserved.
Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. PIRACY IS AGAINST THE LAW.
IN OTHER WORDS: If you do any of the above, the karma bus is waiting for you. If you steal this author’s work and illegally loan and/or share it, request illegal/free copies online and/or in printed version, you are no better than a burglar that breaks into someone’s house while you think they are away. You are a criminal. A thief. A cheat. You don’t work for free, so why should authors?!
WE WORK HARD. SHOW SOME APPRECIATION.
BLURB
Tristan Bellmore is a P.L.A., a professional landscape architect working and residing in Woodbury, Minnesota. One of the highest paid in his field, Tristan is attractive, confident, intelligent, and damn good at what he does. The former playboy has a full plate but his sister, and business partner at the landscape architecture firm, begs him to meet a client and seal the deal while she races out of town to help a friend in need.
Deciding to step out on faith, Dr. Carmen Kinley, an ob-gyn running a homeopathic based practice, wishes to beautify her office, not only for her staff but also for her patients. So, she elicits the help of the expert, Tristan Bellmore. Having grown up in a rural part of Minnesota on a farm with her siblings and parents, she sought to become a doctor, specifically for women. Striking, well-spoken, adaptable and self-aware, she always felt however that marriage was not for her. Besides, she lives vicariously through her patients, enjoying their milestones and family growth. In fact, she fancies herself living a life of freedom and without conventional ties—the exact opposite of Tristan.
Tristan is spellbound by her openness, her bohemian ways, and refuses to lose. His world is changed forever when she walks into his life, but nothing great goes unchallenged. Their initial first meeting allows them to get to know one another. Through finding out what she desires, Tristan is able to see deeper into all that is Carmen. It’s hard for him to keep her out of his thoughts, and he doesn’t try to resist the temptation. In fact, as he does with everything in his life, he takes the bull by the horns. While he creates a blueprint to land a signed contract, he also plans to win the heart of one of the most captivating women he’s ever met.
An unexpected hiccup in Tristan’s world sucks him into an ugly, twisted reality. The perfect world he has built around himself comes crumbling down when the ultimate injustice happens, rocking his world off its perfectly balanced axis. More than ever, he needs all the inner strength and resolve he can muster. Will he find the support he needs from the woman he has fallen madly in love with? Or will she saunter away, melting back into the fabric of her drama-free, easygoing life?
Read, “Taurus – Mr. Persistent,” to find out!
WARNING
Please bear in mind that each book in this series is adult in nature and includes:
Profanity – (sometimes gratuitous depending on the characters/specific book in the series)
Explicit intimate encounters – (this is consistent in all 12 novels of this series.)
Adult topics and situations – (This could be anything from drug abuse to mental illness, violence, incurable disease, etc.)
If you are offended or triggered by any of the above mentioned, please consider this before moving forward.
Thank You.
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to all the Taurus’s in the world. You are resilient, rebellious, self-assured, and born survivors. You stand on solid ground, but don’t let your unwavering stance cause you to lose out on much deserved blessings.
Sometimes we have to step out on faith and away from our comfort zone to witness and receive unexpected rewards.
You are the bull. Don’t be distracted by the red flag, for you
deserve every bit of love and good fortune that comes your way.
XOXOXO
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright
About this Book
Warning
Dedication
Letter to the Reader
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
About the Author
LETTER TO THE READER
To my Laveen Queens and Kings, welcome. If you’ve been rocking with me for a while now, then there are no words to express my gratitude. To any new readers who happen upon this book—welcome, and thank you for going on this journey with me. All right, so as to the question that many will ask: Why did you create this series, Tiana? Since a very early age, I have nurtured an interest in the field of astrology. It wasn’t something I relied upon necessarily, but I was intrigued by it, especially if a specific forecast rang true. Regardless of anyone’s personal beliefs, astrology can at least be cons
idered an interesting study. Some believe it to be total nonsense. Others believe there may be some credibility, but it is still rather farfetched. Yet others believe that the entire subject is evil while some tend to take it quite seriously and consider it no laughing matter. Whatever your beliefs, please suspend them for the reading of this romance series.
None of the books in this series are about conjecturing, prophecy, predictions, etc. They are merely avenues, or tools, if you will, to view the astrological sign as a gateway into a particular character. This is used to highlight a few key characteristics, be they good, bad, or indifferent, about all 12 zodiac signs from a male perspective.
I am an author who writes lengthy books by default. You would be hard-pressed to find over 10% of my portfolio that does not hit the 100k+ word mark. With that being said, I wanted this series to be full-bodied, but not overwhelming. I wanted to write love stories that unfold in a timely manner, something a reader could knock out in a day or two, but not be explored so fleetingly that the reader misses my signature character and story development. I prefer to write extensive novels because I am practically addicted to the human mind – the psychology behind a character. Why did he say that? Why did she do that? How did this happen? Who were their parents? And so on and so forth.
This kind of in-depth exploration takes time, which equals a longer page count. Longer does not always equate to better, however, and in my personal writing journey this series has been inside my mind for quite some time and needed to come out. I wanted the series to be standalone, meaning if a reader only wished to read Pisces, Cancer, and Libra, they could do so without missing key components. In fact, my “Raven Maxim” series is similar – no book is contingent upon the other, though the stories take place in the same town. That series is ongoing and may never end, because I have given myself permission, as an author, to fully explore the characters, the city, etc., and not worry about readers waiting a long time for a conclusion due to a succession of cliffhangers. Series are mostly either loved or hated, but standalone books in a series, to me, merge the best of both worlds. In the Zodiac series, the link that binds the books is that you, the reader, are looking at the hero’s astrological sign. But there is so much more to these men, these exciting heroes, than this.
These guys are all different, from all walks of life. They tell their tale in the manner that they see fit. Some are entertaining, others inspiring.
In this 12-part series, you will meet 12 men and their love interests.
12 signs…
12 different minds…
12 lifetimes…
You will sit back and watch the magic unfold.
Please get comfortable, grab your favorite beverage, and enjoy the, “Zodiac Lover Series – The Twelve Signs of Love.”
It is a gift from me to you…
Tiana Laveen
People know me as being stubborn and set in my ways. I can’t argue with that. It’s hard to get me to change my mind once it’s set. I’m not easily swayed. I know what’s right, and I know what’s wrong. Period. I’m level-headed. While everyone else is running around losing their minds, you’ll find me just sitting down, trying to figure out the solution to the chaos. I’m dependable and loyal to those who’ve earned my devotion. While many may run from predictability, I gravitate towards routine. I like to know what is expected, as well as when, where, how much and why the hell I am even there. When I tell you I am going to do something, I do it. I’m resourceful, using the little I have to build growth.
Financial stability is important to me, even if at various times in my life it was a struggle to maintain. I’m opinionated, and more times than not, you will know just what I think about any given situation. I feel that a real friend tells the truth, even if it hurts. I’m organized, and I like to have things go a certain way not to control anyone, but to ensure my own peace of mind.
I’m tenacious, determined and persistent. Once I set my sights on a goal, I am hellbent on succeeding, even if I have to trample over someone standing in my way. Let me be clear though, I don’t enjoy hurting people. In fact, it upsets me if I must, but sometimes these things are unavoidable. I tend to keep my business to myself, only confiding in those that have demonstrated they can be trusted with my most valuable secrets. I’m one of the few people I know who likes listening more than talking. I believe in actions over words, but I’m not above listing the great things I can do for you. I’m not overly chatty; I walk the walk instead of talking the talk.
People-watching is one of my favorite sports. I’m down to Earth and if I turn into a braggart, it’s temporary… it will pass. I’m a bit traditional when it comes to the roles of the man and woman in a relationship. Don’t step on my toes and I won’t step on yours. I like to be the man of the house – let me do what I do best. That means I want to take care of you, and I need you to be there for me, to keep my secrets, to hold me even when I’m too stalwart to ask to be held. Affection? I don’t just want it, I need it.
I love to make love. I love everything about a woman from the sway of her hair to the curve of her lips, the roundness of her hips, and of course, her sweet pussy. My sexual appetite is large and in charge, and I show that part of me often – with the right woman, of course. You won’t find me sharing a woman, swapping, none of that shit. I want you all for myself and if you want someone else or want to put us on ice, please exit left and don’t look back.
If I love you, I will pay attention to the things you like and act accordingly. I hear everything you say, watch every move you make, and take to heart when you tell me you love me. Just because I don’t say it all the time doesn’t mean it’s not true. I show with my actions just how much I love you; this is a big damn deal to me.
Never mistake my silence for weakness or indecisiveness. I know exactly what I want and how I’m going to go about obtaining it. If that’s you, watch out… Wave your red flag, because I’m charging in your direction with not the least bit of hesitation. I want to be the constant in your life when things become difficult; I will be that rock you can lean on and I will never falter. If someone wishes to do harm to the ones I love, they have to go through the bull first. Horns down, get ready… charge!
I am your Taurus lover…
CHAPTER ONE
Pussy and Petticoats
Tristan popped another Tic-Tac in his mouth and shrugged as he swiveled in his chair at his drafting desk. Pencils lay scattered outside their holder, and specialized papers were stacked on the surface.
It was far too early for this shit. His sister, Beverly, slid on her silky black jacket with an embellished, sparkly butterfly on the back of it, far too youthful for her age. Slinging her designer purse over her shoulder, she swung her auburn hair, flicking it back as she prepared to depart, leave him the lurch.
“Don’t be like this, please!” Her green eyes sparkled as she worked up her schtick. She reminded him of an annoying itch in the back of the throat, tickly but maddening all the same.
“You act as if your time is more valuable than mine, Bev.” He shook his head at the woman. “You said after I started this architecture firm, put all this sweat, money, time, and tears into it, we’d work our asses off together, and you begged me to let you on board. You said everything would be fifty-fifty. Well, let me tell you something. I’ve been doing most of the work this past year while you were jet-setting around the globe. You think I don’t want to go to the Virgin Islands? London? Paris? I haven’t been to any of those places in years.” Beverly rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Shit, with the way my hectic schedule has been, a trip to the grocery store has become a vacation, a real treat! Now, standing behind little old ladies with one hundred coupons and their payment in coins has never looked so good!”
“Tristan you know damn well you can go whenever you want to, so that’s not true!” She grabbed her cellphone from his desk and scrolled through it, dismissing him with the slide of her thumb. Sitting a bit straighter, he took notice that she was glaring a
t her mobile plane ticket. The one she’d purchased without so much as a warning.
Must be nice…
“It is true. You are still getting the same pay as me and doing far less work. You take advantage of me because we’re family.” He waved his finger in her direction. “I don’t think that’s fair. I haven’t complained until lately but now I’ve had it, Bev. No more,” he said. “I’m tired of being here all hours of the night while you enjoy cocktails and yacht parties. Now here you come again, leaving me to deal with shit as you caravan off into the sunset.”
The woman crossed her arms over her chest, looking down at him as if her terse expression would steer him clear of such a telling-off. Surely, she had to know better…
“Tristan, if you call visiting a sick friend a vacation, then you’re delusional and insane.”
“Well then, put me in a strait jacket because all I know is that you’re about to jump on a plane to Arizona because you say one of your hundreds of best friends is sick. As if no one in all of Arizona can help her.” He rolled his eyes. “Nope, she needs specialized help from a land architect from all the way out here in Minnesota. You’re the best that money can buy! I had no idea you doubled as Nurse Hatchett. Wait till Mom and Dad find out you have a degree in medicine, too! Boy, they’ll be so surprised.”
“She is sick, Tristan!” The woman looked nervously to and fro. “And it’s not about me taking care of her like a nurse would. She needs company. She doesn’t have much family.”
“Doesn’t Care.com or Craigslist, any of those other fucking websites have a nurse, friend, or fuckbuddy she can hire?! You can’t even do CPR, let alone nurse someone back to health so what’s the use in you being there?” He waved her off, fed up to here. “You’re full of it!” He tossed a pen across his desk, almost toppling his latest 3-D model of a garden for a new client.
