LIVE TO TELL: A Fake Fiancé Romance (Material Girls Book 2)

by Sophia Henry

  Once we’re back outside, Kristen takes a deep breath and sighs. “Sorry to do this, guys, but we’re going to bail. I’ve lost my appetite and I’m super tired.” She pulls Auden into her arms first, then proceeds to do the same to everyone.

  “It was great meeting you both,” I say when Kristen stops in front of me.

  “You, too.” She wraps her arms around me. “I’m sure we’ll see you again.”

  When Kristen and Pavel are out of earshot, Luke asks. “You guys still want dinner?”

  “I need food ASAP,” Aleksandr says. “We’re heading for the street meat.”

  “Amen,” Auden agrees.

  “You hungry?” Luke asks me.

  “Not for food,” I whisper. I’m actually starving, but eating can wait. I already have a mini beer gut. I don’t need to add a food baby before getting naked with Luke.

  He takes my hand in his and turns back to his friends, “This is where we leave you guys. I’m gonna walk Bree home.”

  Auden and Aleksandr share a quick glance and smile because they know what’s up.

  After the four of us exchange goodbye hugs, and Auden and Aleksandr walk off, Luke shakes his hand from my grasp and places it on my ass, guiding me the opposite way.

  Luke stops in front of the entrance to the Avenue condos, which is less than half a block from Basil. “You’re coming up, right?”

  “Hell, yes.”

  I’m practically bouncing on my toes while he places a gray key fob in front of a pad mounted on the wall of the building. The lock clicks and he opens one of the glass doors, holding it for me as I slide through.

  “Hey, Truman!” Luke taps his knuckles on the concierge desk as we walk by, which causes a kid in a dark-blue suit sitting behind it to look up. He smiles immediately.

  “Hey, Luke! How was the crawl?”

  “Amazing,” he responds, but doesn’t stop to exchange any more pleasantries. Instead, he laces his fingers through mine and pulls me toward more glass doors that lead to a bright foyer with elevators.

  “Do all of the buildings around here look the same?” I ask, scanning the tranquil stone waterfall wall we pass. The Avenue has the same stark, modern decor as my apartment building. It’s definitely a clean style, but there isn’t much character, which is what I expected from a charming southern city like Charlotte.

  “The ones that were built around the same time do. Or maybe it’s the same builder? I’m not sure.” Luke chuckles.

  News headlines scroll on a TV screen built into the wall next to the elevator. No awkward conversations with neighbors waiting in this place. You can watch CNN instead of interact.

  Once inside, Luke scans his key fob again and presses the button for the thirty-first floor.

  “Wow. It’s maximum security in here.”

  “There are a lot of safety features,” Luke agrees. “It’s a far cry from the place I rented when I played in Detroit. My apartment got broken into three times in one season.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Nope,” he says. “It got so bad I had to move all my stuff into my coach’s garage and sleep on Varenkov’s couch until I found a new place.”

  “That’s crazy.”

  I can’t say I’ve ever lived in a neighborhood like that, but I did work in a few hospitals that were located in rough parts of town.

  The elevator doors open and we’re greeted by another built-in TV, this time on the wall across from the doors. I’ve only been in this building a few minutes and I’m already suffering from technology overload.

  “It’s my own fault,” Luke continues, leading me down the hallway to our left. “I should have moved in with one of my teammates, but I was stubborn.” He stops at a door with 3110 on a white plaque next to it. “I’d never lived by myself before, so I was more excited about being able to afford a place then I was about figuring out what area would be safest. I wasn’t bothered by the neighborhood so much as I’d forgotten how quickly the wrong kind of people would figure out how much I traveled.”

  “I’ve always lived in pretty safe neighborhoods,” I say as Luke unlocks the door with a regular old key. “With gates and stuff.”

  I make it a point to add the “and stuff” so it sounds like the gate might be a feature of the neighborhood, rather than something specific to our massive sprawling house in suburban Los Angeles with entry gates at the bottom of our driveway. It probably still sounds pretentious.

  Yeah, I grew up in that kind of place. Like I said, being the child of people who started a health-food empire has its advantages—and disadvantages.

  “Gates and stuff?” he asks, extending his arm and allowing me to scoot past him into his place. “Welcome.”

  The condo is sleek and modern with light-gray walls, concrete ceilings, and stainless-steel appliances. Straight across from the entrance are amazing windows that span the entire back wall. I have the same type in my apartment and I love them. Seeing Charlotte lit up at night reminds me that I’m in a real city, even if it is so much smaller than what I’m used to.

  “This is gorgeous.” I take another step in, sliding a hand along the gorgeous black granite of the raised countertop to my left that acts as a divider between the walkway into the condo and the kitchen area. My first thought is that he’s completely OCD because every surface is clean. No stacks of mail on the counter or dirty laundry strewn about. No fingerprints on the fridge. Maybe he has a maid service.

  “Thanks.” Luke stands a little taller and the skin wrinkles around his eyes. That’s when I realize there’s no cleaning lady. He takes great pride in his home. “I bought it from Gribov about a year ago. He and Kristen wanted a house. I wanted a condo. It worked out perfectly.”

  He hangs his keys on a hook above a light switch in the kitchen. “Make yourself at home. You want a water?” he asks, opening the fridge and pulling out a bottle.

  “Please.”

  A cherry-red couch sticks out in the midst of the neutral grays. I spread my arms and let myself fall backwards onto it. Closing my eyes, I rub my cheek against a pillow and sink into the plush, suede-like cushions, letting them envelop me. It feels great to be off my feet after walking, dancing, and drinking all day. But when my head spins, I realize just how drunk I am. “This is the most comfortable piece of furniture I have ever touched.”

  “Everyone loves Big Red. I’m gonna write a book about it someday. Seduced by a Couch.”

  Opening my eyes to look at him while I answer isn't even an option. Big Red got me, hook, line, and sinker, within two seconds. “Count me in for a chapter,” I murmur.

  “Oh, don’t worry, sweetheart. We’re writing that one tonight,” Luke says with complete confidence. His deep, sexy voice makes me open my eyes, though my lids feel heavy. Big Red is comfy, but getting on top of Luke sounds more appealing.

  He stops to pry his shoes off with his toes before lowering himself onto the couch and curling up beside me. I didn’t think there was any way this couch could be any more comfortable, but I’m wrong. When Luke slides one arm under me and the other around my waist, I feel safe and warm.

  He puts his hand on my hip, rests his forehead on mine and kisses me softly. All I can think of is how can I get closer to Luke. My hand moves to the back of his head and I curl my fingers in his long locks. His nose brushes mine when he tilts his head to kiss me again. This time I don’t let it end quickly. I hold his face to mine with my grip on his hair. His chest rises and falls faster than before, and I know he’s getting as ramped up as I am.

  He moves his hand from my waist to the space between us and reaches for the button on my jeans. We’re mashed up against each other and he can’t get his hand where it needs to be.

  My back is pressed against the couch, and I don’t have anywhere to go, so Luke tilts his hips, creating a small gap between our bodies. It’s just enough for him to pop open the button and crank my zipper down one-handed. I’m pretty impressed with his skills, especially after all the drinks we’ve had toda
y.

  “We shouldn’t do this,” he whispers, stopping his pursuit. “You seem really drunk.”

  “What?” I ask. “I’m fine.”

  “Bree, you can barely keep your eyes open.”

  “Please,” I plead against his ear. I grab his hand and push it into my jeans, sending his fingers closer to finding out how much I want him to continue. I bite my lower lip and hold it with my teeth. My heart throbs and my breath gets heavier as Luke slides his fingers lower into my jeans.

  “Luke,” I moan when he finally reaches the sweet, wet spot between my legs.

  “Fuck, Bree.” The words come out in a hiss of air. He pulls his hand out, but I arch toward him. “You’re drunk. I’m drunk.”

  “I’m not that drunk,” I say. It’s a half-truth. I’m inebriated enough to let loose, but not so much that I don’t know what I’m doing. I know that I’m about to have Luke Daniels inside me.

  KEEP READING

  IF you enjoyed reading LIVE TO TELL as much as I enjoyed writing it, it would mean the world to me if you would consider leaving a review on Amazon.

  WHY? First, I love to know that people loved my book! There’s no better feeling in the world. Second, I’m an independent author, and it helps immensely when readers leave a review.

  HOW? When Amazon sees that an author’s book is getting reviews, Amazon works in my favor by adjusting their super-secret algorithms to help me reach new readers like you, who may have never heard of me otherwise.

  WHERE? Amazon and Goodreads. :)

  THANK YOU so much for reading LIVE TO TELL and for even considering leaving a review! I truly appreciate every single one of you. Thank you for taking the time to read my book.

  Playlist

  Full Playlist: http://bit.ly/LTTPlaylist

  Material Girl – Madonna

  Live To Tell – Madonna

  Caffeine – Foreign Air

  oh baby – LCD Soundsystem

  Holding Out for a Hero (Cover) – Nothing But Thieves

  I Found – Amber Run

  Born To Be Yours – Kylo, Imagine Dragons

  Fire Escape – Andrew McMahon

  Favorite Liar – The Wrecks

  She Said – Sundara Karma

  Screws - Dreamers

  Sit Next To Me – Foster The People

  Pray For Me (Kendrick Lamar Cover) - Smallpools

  I Can’t Stand You Anymore – Sleigh Bells

  Troublemaker – Grizfolk

  Clumsy – Fergie

  Thunder – Mondo Cozmo

  Sold – Mondo Cozmo

  End of the World – Night Riots

  Unconditional – Matt Maeson

  Don’t Dream it’s Over (Cover) – The Head and the Heart

  Quarter Past Midnight – Bastille

  The High Road – Broken Bells

  Do I Have to Talk You Into It – Spoon

  I Can Change – LCD Soundsystem

  Fast Talk – Houses

  This Town – Niall Horan

  Also by Sophia Henry

  Material Girls Series

  OPEN YOUR HEART

  LIVE TO TELL

  CRAZY FOR YOU (March 2019)

  Pilots Hockey Series

  DELAYED PENALTY

  POWER PLAY

  INTERFERENCE

  UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

  BREAKAWAY

  Acknowledgments

  First, I want to acknowledge YOU! Thank you for picking my books, reading them, recommending them to others, and for all of your kind messages. It means the world to me. Thank you! Thank you! YOU ROCK!!

  My boys, Boo Boo and Chachi: I love you. I love you. I love you. Everything I do is for you. I appreciate every second of every single day with you. You continue to inspire me and show me how to be a better person. Thank you for being proud of me.

  Kathy Bosman, Jenn Wood, and Jackie Ferrell: Thank you all for your kindness, enthusiasm, and guidance in helping to make Live To Tell the fun and fabulous story it is today. I value your opinions and honesty, and appreciate how wonderful you are at kicking my butt into shape, while still being kind. Your encouragement and support mean the world to me. I truly appreciate how you helped me polish this book to make it something I’m proud of putting into the world.

  The phenomenal staff at Amélie’s French Bakery and Free Range Brewing on North Davidson in Charlotte, NC: Live To Tell is the third book I’ve written between these two gems of Charlotte. I was drawn in by the delicious food and tasty drinks, but I return for the wonderful people and eclectic, all-encompassing, positive vibe. Thanks to everyone at both places for creating a space where anyone can come in, sit down, and feel comfortable.

  I’m extremely grateful and humbled to have phenomenal friends. #TZWNDUBC peeps. My original RT ladies. Every author, reader, blogger, and friend I’ve connected with in the writing world: This truly is an amazing community of people who build up their peers to help each other succeed. I’m so fortunate to be part of such a supportive environment.

  About the Author

  Sophia Henry is a proud Detroit native who fell in love with reading, writing, and hockey, all before she became a teenager. She did not, however, fall in love with snow. So after graduating with an English degree from Central Michigan University, she moved to the warmth of North Carolina for the remainder of her winters.

  She spends her days writing books and tweeting too much. When she’s not writing, she’s chasing adventures with her two high-energy sons, watching her beloved Detroit Red Wings, or rocking out at concerts.

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