“Hey, you,” Berkley said softly as her mouth formed a thin smile.
“I’m so sorry,” Randi whispered.
“Why? You didn’t shoot me.”
“I should’ve called you. I picked the phone up so many times.”
“I was about to come see you at the game on my lunch break until all of this happened. I should be the one saying I’m sorry. Our last conversation…”
“I moved into an apartment last weekend,” Randi said, cutting her off. “It’s my first time living alone, but so far, it’s not bad.”
“That’s great.”
“I know I haven’t said anything on social media about the breakup, but that’s because I wasn’t ready to deal with tens of thousands of questions and comments from my followers. I guess I needed some time to find myself.”
“Randi, I’m sorry if I made you feel like you needed to do all of this.”
“You may have made me think about it, but I pushed myself. I plan on taking some time off…away from soccer after the playoffs and championship, if we get that far.”
“So, when is the big day?” the nurse asked, walking into the room to check Berkley’s vitals, specifically her oxygen level.
“Huh?” Berkley muttered.
“We haven’t set the date yet, but we’re thinking this winter,” Randi answered.
“Oh, I love winter white weddings. They’re so pretty. Congratulations. Anyway, your numbers look great. I’ll update Dr. Yuri.”
When the nurse left the room, Berkley raised a brow and stared at Randi.
“I had to tell them I was your fiancée to get in here.”
“Oh, really?” Berkley grinned.
“Garrett actually told them. I just went along with it.”
“I see.”
“I probably looked like a scared animal when I came running in. I had no idea how bad it was. All I knew was you’d been shot.” Randi wiped a tear from her cheek. “I’ve never been so scared in my life. I thought I…” She paused when her voice cracked. “I thought I was going to lose you before I could tell you I love you.”
Berkley squeezed her hand.
“I know things have been a mess with us—”
“I love you, too,” Berkley said.
“Really?”
“More than anything.”
Randi smiled and bent her head to kiss her. Berkley’s lips parted hers, allowing their tongues to collide in a sensual kiss that left them both wanting more.
“Uh oh, none of that. At least until your lung function is back to normal,” Dr. Yuri chided with a smile. “You’ll be discharged in the morning. I’m going to keep an eye on you tonight, but I think you’ll be fine. Besides, you have this beautiful woman to take care of you when you get home.”
“I’m going to do that, you know,” Randi said as he left the room. “Take care of you,” she added.
“Promise?” Berkley teased.
“Oh, yeah,” Randi smiled.
“Good, now tell me again how much you love me.”
Randi bent her head. “I’m…madly…in…love…with…you…Berkley…Ward,” she said, kissing Berkley’s lips playfully between each word.
About the Author
Graysen Morgen is the bestselling author of several bestselling lesfic titles. She was born and raised in North Florida with winding rivers and waterways at her back door, as well as, the white sandy beach. She has spent most of her lifetime in the sun and on the water. She enjoys reading, writing, fishing, coaching and watching soccer, and spending as much time as possible with her wife and their daughter.
You can contact Graysen at [email protected]; like her fan page on Facebook.com/graysenmorgen; follow her on Twitter: @graysenmorgen and Instagram: @graysenmorgen
Other Titles Available From
Triplicity Publishing
Rebel Sweetheart by Sydney Canyon. When a headstrong, country music superstar starts getting threatening letters while on tour, her manager has no other choice but to hire someone to investigate the threats, and keep her safe. Haley Nielsen is as stubborn as it gets. She does things her way, and her way only. The last thing she needs or wants is a babysitter following her every move and controlling everything she does. Shane Crowley isn’t your typical private investigator, or bodyguard, for that matter. She’s a former U.S. Deputy Marshal with a lot of experience, and an all or nothing attitude. Tempers flare and the energy burns red hot between the two women as they spend weeks together cooped up on Haley’s tour bus, traveling the country. Will they stop resisting each other long enough to see eye to eye? Or will the letter writer make good on his threats?
A tale of Spiders and Canned Soup by Kathy L. Salt. Living on your own can be hard, but even more so when you're dealing with haphephobia; the death of a twin sister; and a crush on your teacher. Mika is still in contact with her foster family who homes the loves of her life, three young children she would do anything for, when she begins attending University of Aberdeen and meets Pauline, an Australian that teaches Viking history. Neither woman is used to breaking the rules, and their way to each other is a hard one, especially when Mika vows to get custody of the children, whether she is ready to be a parent or not. A story about growing up. A story about dealing with grief. A story about Mika and Pauline.
A Night Claimed by Domina Alexandra. Bonnie Collins had plans. And being a werewolf wasn’t one of them. Attacked by a rogue who was out to claim her, and facing what she now has no choice of becoming, Bonnie can’t let go of her human life as a Paramedic. The last thing Bonnie needs is more challenges. However, Rikki, the Alpha of Mill City will be just that. Finding her to be possessive and ruling, Bonnie begins challenging the Alpha’s every breath. Finding out her attack was no accident only makes her more angry at the situation. A group of rogues are out to get her. With no clue why, Bonnie has no choice but to seek help from the alluring Alpha and her pack, accepting the new world she was forced into.
Stunted by Breanna Hughes. Professional stuntwoman Jessie Knight takes her job very seriously and although she works in the entertainment industry, she has zero desire for fame or notoriety. She also has a very strict no-dating policy when it comes to coworkers. That is, until, she meets famous actress Elliot Chase on the set of her new film. The adrenaline rush of the stunts is nothing compared to the sparks that fly between them. After a passionate night together, a sex tape is leaked that sends Jessie and Elliot's private and professional lives into a spiral. Will the fallout be too much for them to last? Or will they find a way out of the mess together?
Mission Compromised by Graysen Morgen. Natalia Moreno is thrilled when she arrives in Fiji for a relaxing vacation. However, she soon discovers the overwater bungalow she’s staying in has been double booked for the entire stay, and the resort is full. Annoyed and frustrated, she has no other choice but to share her hut with a stranger. Christian Garnier is sent to Fiji for what she refers to as a working vacation, until she finds out she has an ornery roommate for the next two weeks who is dead set on making her job twice as hard. Soon, all hell breaks loose and the two women are sent around the world on a wild goose chase.
Stargazing by Kathy L. Salt. Lissa stared open-mouthed at the GIF that played over and over on the screen in front of her. Heat flushed to her face, igniting her skin. Her heart started pounding in her chest. Stupid internet, it should really come with a warning label. She's never been interested in relationships or sex and as the years have gone by she has retreated more and more into her work. Everything changes when she meets Star, a porn actress with a heart of gold and a troubled childhood. They say that opposites attract, but how much of that is true? What chance do they have when one of them is a virgin and the other one star in pornography?
I Belong with Her by Domina Alexandra. Tajel Pierce loves the thrill of being a paramedic. Every call she goes on gives her a rush. She makes no time for a personal life. No one can ruin her love for her career. Then there is Arianna Casta
ldi, who just transferred to her new paramedic position in a whole new state. All she needs is a new start without any distractions. Arianna and Tajel’s relationship doesn’t start off perfect. Embarrassed of the one night stand Arianna believes she had with Tajel, she wants to pretend they never met and make their relationship strictly business. The only choice they have to keep from strangling each other is to go from denying their feelings to accepting them as they work through intense 911 calls.
Awakened by Fate by Lynn Lawler. Jackie is a woman living life according to her own rules. She’s married, but it’s the unspoken, open kind. She can have as many female lovers as she likes; she just can’t talk about them. After a bizarre encounter turns her world upside down, things slowly begin to change. She finds herself in desperation as she searches for answers. What she discovers is nothing is delivered in a neatly wrapped box. Now that everything has been brought out into the open, she finds she can’t run away from her truth anymore. With her new life, comes new responsibilities and a different outcome than what she was expecting. Jackie isn’t alone in the story. She meets several new people who help her along her journey.
Nautical Delights by S. L. Gape. Lady Elizabeth Barrington has spent her entire life trying to please her family; constantly opting for a quiet life, she utilises her profession as a doctor to keep out of her families’ clutches; bar the annual two-week Caribbean private cruise, where there is simply no budge. Confined to two weeks on board the Iconica super yacht, she intends on keeping her head down and enjoying as much of the holiday as she can, whilst keeping her family at arm’s length. Until a crew member catches her eye.
Worlds Apart by S.L. Gape. Hollywood A-lister Heidi Spencer-Brady is everything you’d expect of an Idol. Loved by all, the British Beauty is graceful, talented, humble and so far removed from the ‘typical’ LA scene. When her husband’s infidelity with his new ‘leading lady’ is leaked, Dawn, Heidi’s best friend and manager, goes all out to protect her. She arranges for Heidi to go back to the UK and stay on her cousins farm they had visited as children, much to the disappointment of the animal fearing Heidi.
Castor Valley (Law & Order Series Book 2) by Graysen Morgen. Jessie Henry is torn when she reads about the capture of the Doyle brothers, two young men who were part of her old gang. Unable to let them hang for a crime she’s sure they didn’t commit, Jessie leaves her wife and the Town of Boone Creek behind, and sets out on a journey back to the one place she thought she’d never see again, Castor Valley. Ellie Henry watches the love of her life leave, not knowing if she will ever return. When she gets an odd telegram, nearly a week later, she fears Jessie is in trouble. With no other choice, she goes to the one person who can help her.
Fight to the Top by S. L. Gape. Georgia is a forty year old, single, Area Director from Manchester, UK who is all work and definitely no play. Having no time to socialise or spend time with her family she prides herself on being fit and well-polished. Erika is an Area Director for the same company, but in the United States. Whilst she is concentrating so heavily on the promotion she has been fighting for, she’s starting to feel like her life outside of work is falling apart. The two women are exceptionally different, and worlds apart. Both of their lives are turned upside down when their jobs are snatched from under their noses, and they are suddenly faced with being thrown together by their bosses for one last major project...in Texas.
Boone Creek (Law & Order Series book 1) by Graysen Morgen. Jessie Henry is looking for a new life. She’s unknown in the town of Boone Creek when she arrives, and wants to keep it that way. When she’s offered the job of Town Marshal, she takes it, believing that protecting others and upholding the law is the penance for her past. Ellie Fray is a widowed, shopkeeper. She generally keeps to herself, but the mysterious new Town Marshal both intrigues and infuriates her. She believes the last thing the town needs is someone stirring up trouble with the outlaws who have taken over.
Witness by Joan L. Anderson. Becca and Kate have lived together for eight years, and have always spent their vacation in a tropical paradise, lying on a beach. This year, Becca wanted to try something different: a seven day, 65-mile hike in the beautiful Cascade Mountains of Washington state. Their peaceful vacation turns to horror when they stumble upon a brutal murder taking place in the back country.
Too Soon by S.L. Gape. Brooke is a twenty-nine year old detective from Oxford, who has her life pretty much planned out until her boss and partner of nine years, Maria, tells her their relationship is over. When Brooke finds out the truth, that Maria cheated on her with their best friend Paula, she decides to get her life back on track by getting away for six weeks in Anglesey, North Wales. Chloe, a thirty three year old artist and art director, owns a log cabin on Anglesey where she spends each weekend painting and surfing. After returning from a surf, she stumbles upon the somewhat uptight and enigmatic Brooke.
Never Quit (Never Series book 2) by Graysen Morgen. Two years after stepping away from the action as a Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer to become an instructor, Finley finds herself in charge of the most difficult class of cadets she’s ever faced, while also juggling the taxing demands of having a home life with her partner Nicole, and their fifteen year old daughter. Jordy Ross gave up everything, dropping out of college, and leaving her family behind, to join the Coast Guard and become a rescue swimmer cadet. The extreme training tests her fitness level, pushing her mentally and physically further than she’s ever been in her life, but it’s the aggressive competition between her and another female cadet that proves to be the most challenging.
Never Let Go (Never Series book 1) by Graysen Morgen. For Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer, Finley Morris, life is good. She loves her job, is well respected by her peers, and has been given an opportunity to take her career to the next level. The only thing missing is the love of her life, who walked out, taking their daughter with her, seven years earlier. When Finley gets a call from her ex, saying their teenage daughter is coming to spend the summer with her, she’s floored. While spending more time with her daughter, whom she doesn’t get to see often, and learning to be a full-time parent, Finley quickly realizes she has not, and will never, let go of what is important.
Pursuit by Joan L. Anderson. Claire is a workaholic attorney who flies to Paris to lick her wounds after being dumped by her girlfriend of seventeen years. On the plane she chats with the young woman sitting next to her, and when they land the woman is inexplicably detained in Customs. Claire is surprised when she later runs into the woman in the city. They agree to meet for breakfast the next morning, but when the woman doesn’t show up Claire goes to her hotel and makes a horrifying discovery. She soon finds herself ensnared in a web of intrigue and international terrorism, becoming the target of a high stakes game of cat and mouse through the streets of Paris.
Wrecked by Sydney Canyon. To most people, the Duchess is a myth formed by old pirates tales, but to Reid Cavanaugh, a Caribbean island bum and one of the best divers and treasure hunters in the world, it’s a real, seventeenth century pirate ship—the holy grail of underwater treasure hunting. Reid uses the same cunning tactics she always has before setting out to find the lost ship. However, she is forced to bring her business partner’s daughter along as collateral this time because he doesn’t trust her. Neither woman is thrilled, but being cooped up on a small dive boat for days, forces them to get know each other quickly.
Arson by Austen Thorne. Madison Drake is a detective for the Stetson Beach Police Department. The last thing she wants to do is show a new detective the ropes, especially when a fire investigation becomes arson to cover up a murder. Madison butts heads with Tara, her trainee, deals with sarcasm from Nic, her ex-girlfriend who is a patrol officer, and finds calm in the chaos of police work with Jamie, her best friend who is the county medical examiner. Arson is the first of many in a series of novella episodes surrounding the fictional Stetson Beach Police Department and Detective Madison Drake.
Mommies (Bridal Series book 3) by Grays
en Morgen. Britton and her wife Daphne have been married for a year and a half and are happy with their life, until Britton’s mother hounds her to find out why her sister Bridget hasn’t decided to have children yet. This prompts Daphne to bring up the big subject of having kids of their own with Britton. Britton hadn’t really thought much about having kids, but her love for Daphne makes her see life and their future together in a whole new way when they decide to become mommies.
Rapture & Rogue by Sydney Canyon. Taren Rauley is happy and in a good relationship, until the one person she thought she’d never see again comes back into her life. She struggles to keep the past from colliding with the present as old feelings she thought were dead and gone, begin to haunt her. In college, Gianna Revisi was a mastermind, ring-leading, crime boss. Now, she has a great life and spends her time running Rapture and Rogue, the two establishments she built from the ground up. The last person she ever expects to see walk into one of them, is the girl who walked out on her, breaking her heart five years ago.
Second Chance by Sydney Canyon. After an attack on her convoy, Marine Corps Staff Sergeant, Darien Hollister, must learn to live without her sight. When an experimental procedure allows her to see again, Darien is torn, knowing someone had to die in order for this to happen. She embarks on a journey to personally thank the donor’s family, but is too stunned to tell them the truth. Mixed emotions stir inside of her as she slowly gets to the know the people that feel like so much more than strangers to her. When the truth finally comes out, Darien walks away, taking the second chance that she’s been given to go back to the only life she’s ever known, but she’s not the only one with a second chance at life.
Playing the Game Page 29
