Tempting Christa: An Irresistibly Mine Duet - Book 1

by Delaney, Tracie

  I shuddered as his name popped into my head once more. This endless waiting was killing me.

  “Ready for some lunch before we go sailing?” Dayton asked, appearing by my side.

  I pushed away thoughts of Sutton. There was no place for that bastard here where the sun warmed my back and the sound of waves rolling onto the shore filled me with a rare peace. This break was just for us. Dayton, Max, and me. Dayton had even dismissed the housekeeper for the week to give us much-craved privacy.

  I nodded and linked my arm through Dayton’s. “Sure am.”

  The three of us gathered our things and walked back to the house. I rustled up a bunch of sandwiches while Dayton made iced tea for us and grabbed a juice for Max.

  “I’m starving,” I said, taking a hearty bite out of a cheese and tomato on rye. “Must be the sea air.”

  “Wait until we’ve been out on the boat. You’ll be really hungry after that.”

  “Hmm, I might pack some snacks to take with us.”

  After lunch, Dayton jogged upstairs to grab us all sweaters in case it was chilly out on the water, although that seemed unlikely given how warm it was outside. Still, better to be safe than sorry.

  I smiled as Dayton’s voice and Max’s giggles filtered down the stairs. From adversity and survival to this. I was the luckiest girl in the world.

  My cell phone rang. I answered it, expecting Isla to update me about a job she’d applied for, someone Dayton had put her in touch with when she’d visited us a few weeks ago. I hoped it was good news.

  “Hello,” I said, resting the handset between my ear and shoulder so I could carry on filling the backpack full of goodies.

  “Hello, Sienna.”

  My blood iced, chills running up and down my spine. My legs gave way. I caught the edge of the kitchen table just in time to stop me from falling.

  “Sutton?” It couldn’t be him. It sounded like him, that was all. He’d been in my thoughts far too often, meaning I was imagining all kinds of crazy things.

  “The one and only, baby. You miss me?” His harsh, cruel laugh rushed at me through the phone. “I’m out, in case you were wondering.”

  Nausea swarmed my stomach, and bile crept up my throat, burning, vile-tasting. Oh God. I’m going to be sick. He couldn’t be out. Not after what he’d done to me. I’d almost died! He’d nearly killed my baby. No, no, no. It was a mistake. A terrible, cruel mistake that had to be put right.

  I pulled out a chair and collapsed onto it, breathing in through my nose. Slow, deep breaths. In, out, in, out. I tried to swallow but couldn’t. I had no saliva in my mouth.

  “H-how did you get this number?” I hated the defeatist tone to my voice, the slight tremble giving me away. I despised showing Sutton an ounce of vulnerability. He’d take it and use it against me.

  “Oh, Sienna, baby. My naïve little lamb. I know everything. Where you live, where you work... who you’re fucking.” He barked out another heartless laugh. “Pass a message to Somers that Arek is baying for blood. Your boyfriend busted him up real good.”

  My lip stuck to my top teeth. I swept my tongue over them. “What do you want, Sutton?” I croaked.

  “What I want, sweetheart, is fucking payback. Ten months I did in that shithole. Ten fucking months!”

  My hands trembled. I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t do anything other than listen to Sutton force his way back into my life. I didn’t understand. George had sworn this wouldn’t happen. How could it have happened? A minuscule number of overturned verdicts, he’d said. Except it didn’t matter how few there were, because only one mattered.

  “I am going to make you pay ten times over for every hour I was locked up in that cell. You think I put you through hell.” He snorted. “Sweetheart, I haven’t even started.”

  I let the darkness suck me under, take me to that place where rage and fury reigned. I breathed deeply, and then let Sutton have it. “You’re an animal, Sutton. You should have spent the rest of your life in a cage for what you did to me. Well, you know what? Do your fucking worst, because I’ve already survived your best attempts to destroy me, yet here I am. Alive and kicking. I don’t understand what I ever did to you to make you hate me so much, but that’s your problem, your issue to deal with. Not mine.”

  Movement to my left caught my eye. I snapped my head around to find Dayton with Max in his arms, standing in the doorway to the kitchen. From the expression on his face, he’d heard a good proportion of the conversation.

  I gestured for him to take Max away. I didn’t want my baby to hear this. He gave me a curt nod, spun on his heel, and disappeared. The front door slammed.

  “How’s Max?” Sutton asked, sending a blast of fear speeding through my veins.

  “None of your business,” I hissed.

  “Oh, I think it is. You see, I could easily send another guy round to have some fun with you. And who knows, if I choose better, this one might actually finish the job. But where’s the fun in that for me? No, your agony is just beginning. This time, I won’t hurt you physically, Sienna. I’m going to break you emotionally, piece by piece, until you’re begging for me to just fucking end it. You want me to do my worst? Well, here it is, sweetheart. I’m going to apply for custody of Max, and you know what? I’ll win.”

  “No, you won’t, Sutton. You’re a criminal. The courts would never give custody of a child to a criminal.”

  “Wrong, sweetheart.” He sounded so sure, so confident. “See, here’s the thing. My conviction has been overturned. Quashed. Slate wiped clean. In the eyes of the law, I’m as innocent as you. So you see, I will apply for custody, and I will win.”

  Arctic tentacles wrapped around my heart. He couldn’t take my baby. I wouldn’t let him take my baby.

  “You didn’t even want him!” I screamed. “After what you did, he shouldn’t have survived, but he did. And he’s mine! I’ll never let you take him. Never!” I slammed my fist into the table.

  “Wanna bet?” Sutton said. “You’re right. I don’t want the scrawny little shit, but when I take him, it’ll kill you. Slowly. Painfully. You should have done as you were fucking told and got rid of it, but you didn’t. Still, it’s given me fantastic leverage, right, sweetheart?”

  “No judge will favor you over his own mother,” I hissed.

  “Oh, I don’t know. After what your boyfriend did to Arek, I’m sure most judges will agree with me that my son shouldn’t be anywhere near someone capable of such violence. I mean, a man like that, who snapped without provocation. Who’s to say he wouldn’t snap like that with my son, my precious child? There’s only one way to be certain. He must come and live with his loving father, who can ensure his mother’s certifiable boyfriend is nowhere near my boy.”

  A burst of fear struck my chest. I gasped for breath, panic flattening my lungs. Dayton’s moment of madness could cost me Max. I couldn’t allow that to happen. It didn’t matter what Sutton had done to me. In the eyes of the law, he was an innocent man, whereas Arek had a room full of witnesses.

  “Fuck you, Sutton.” Hot tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

  “That the best you’ve got, sweetheart? Get ready, Sienna. I’m coming for you.”

  The line went dead. I dropped the phone and clasped a quivering hand over my mouth. The embers of rage withered and died, replaced by despair. The hole in my heart, the one Dayton had so painstakingly stitched together, tore apart.

  “Christa?”

  My head snapped up to find Dayton standing at the entrance to the kitchen, Max balanced on his hip.

  I stumbled to my feet. “Give me my baby. Give him to me.”

  Dayton’s eyes widened as he put Max in my arms. “Here, angel, he’s here.”

  I held him tightly in my arms, stroking his hair, smelling his skin, memorizing every single thing about him. I’d fight Sutton with everything I had, do whatever it took. He wouldn’t win. I’d make sure of it.

  �
��Christa, talk to me, please.”

  My eyes cut to Dayton’s over the top of Max’s head. Everything I’d done was to protect Max, but now my precious boy would get dragged through the courts, and there wasn’t a damned thing I could do to stop it.

  “Sutton’s out, and he wants Max. He’s going for custody.”

  Dayton froze, his gaze locked on me, then Max, then back to me again. And then his body coiled, like a spring. His face contorted into an expression I’d only seen once before. The day he’d beaten Arek to a pulp. His shoulder drew back, and his fist slammed into the wall.

  “He can’t fucking have him,” he gritted out, his jaw clenched, his voice eerily calm, but cold. So cold. “I’ll kill him. I’ll fucking kill him.” He gripped the kitchen table, flipping it over. The entire contents crashed to the floor. Shards of glass from the fruit bowl scattered everywhere. Max buried his face in my neck, his body shaking. Or was that mine?

  “Dayton!” I yelled, hugging Max to me. “You’re scaring him. You’re scaring me!”

  Dayton’s heavy breathing roared in my ears, his chest rising and falling as he raked his hands through his hair. His eyes met mine, horror filling his expression. “Christa. Max. God, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you, angel.”

  Memories rushed at me. The pain of fists slamming into me, the knife slashing my stomach, Dayton’s fists battering Arek’s face. The blood, the gore, the carnage. I couldn’t take any more.

  “I can’t… I don’t… No violence.” Tears dripped onto my cheeks. “No more.”

  “Oh Jesus.” Dayton’s arms came around me and Max. “What can I do? Christa, please tell me. I’ll make this all go away. I promise you. Please don’t give up on me, on us. I need you. I love you both so much. I’d never hurt either of you. You know that.”

  I couldn’t answer because I didn’t know. Not anymore. I sobbed against his chest. It took me a good few minutes to get myself under control. I tugged out of Dayton’s arms and grabbed a tissue. I sat Max on the kitchen counter while I blew my nose. Dayton stood off to the side, doubt residing in every fiber of his body. I’d never seen him so uncertain about the right course of action. He watched my every move as I reassured Max.

  “What can I do to put this right?” Dayton asked. “I never meant to scare you.”

  “But you did. For the second time, Dayton. Except this time, you went crazy around my son.” He began to interrupt until I held up my palm. “The attack Sutton ordered on me changed a lot of things. Violence of any kind scares the shit out of me. You of all people should know the impact violence has on a child. I’m about to face the worst battle of my life. I cannot fight Sutton and you.”

  Dayton took my hands in his, pressing them to his cheeks. “You won’t have to, I promise. Give me another chance to prove myself. You and Max mean everything to me. We’ll fight Atwood together. Please, Christa. Listen to me. Hear me.”

  I searched his earnest expression, my gaze roving over his face, this man I’d grown to trust, to love, the one I’d shared the good, the bad, and the very ugly with. I grazed a hand over his jaw, relishing in the familiarity of his stubble beneath my palm. He briefly closed his eyes, his hand coming up to cover mine.

  “Dayton, you don’t understand. Sutton’s going to use what you did to Arek to show the courts that Max is living in a violent home, and offer himself as a viable alternative.”

  Dayton’s hand tightened over mine. “What does that mean for us?” And then his face paled in understanding. “No, no, Christa. Don’t do this. Please.”

  My eyes met his. “I love you, Dayton,” I whispered. “But I love Max more. I’m sorry.”

  TO BE CONCLUDED

  Author Notes

  Thank you so much for reading Tempting Christa.

  This is the first time I’ve tried co-writing with another author. Let me tell you, it was a lot of fun! Writing can be a very isolating experience, just you and your trusty keyboard, bashing away for hours on end, praying that when you send your baby out into the world, readers will like it. Having another person involved in the entire process was awesome! The ability to bounce ideas around and talk about plot direction and character development was worth its weight in gold.

  Mel Comley is simply one of the most generous people I know, both with her time and her advice. I value her friendship enormously.

  I really hope you enjoy what we’ve cooked up together.

  Avenging Christa will be out on May 20 2019, so not long to wait to see how Dayton and Christa’s story unfolds. One thing we can promise is a very bumpy ride ahead. But if anyone can emerge victorious, it’s Dayton and Christa.

  You can preorder your copy here.

  I’d love you to get in touch and tell me what you thought of Tempting Christa. Do feel free to contact me via email, Facebook, Twitter or by signing up to my reader group

  And if you have five seconds to spare, I’d love it if you’d leave a short review on Amazon or Goodreads. Reviews not only help readers discover new books, but they also help authors reach new readers. You’d be doing a massive favor for this wonderful bookish community we’re all a part of.

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  For those who find email doesn’t work quite so well for them, why not join my Facebook group where I regularly chat to fans and share snippets, excerpts, covers, and generally have lots of fun. I’d love to have you join me and the rest of the Racy Aces team. Simply click on this link and come join us crazies. Or if the link doesn’t work, search Tracie’s Racy Aces s in Facebook and you’ll find us right there!

  Books by Tracie Delaney

  The Winning Ace Series

  Cash - A Winning Ace Short Story

  Winning Ace

  Losing Game

  Grand Slam

  Winning Ace Boxset

  Mismatch

  Break Point - A Winning Ace Novella

  Stand-alone

  My Gift To You

  The Brook Brothers Series

  The Blame Game

  Against All Odds

  His To Protect

  Web of Lies

  Irresistibly Mine Series

  Tempting Christa

  Avenging Christa

  Acknowledgments

  Oh my goodness. So many people to thank, and I just know I’m going to miss someone out. If it’s you….I’m so so sorry. My love for you all knows no bounds.

  To hubs… thank you for everything you do. Your patience during my anti-social times (aka editing hell) is more appreciated than I’ll ever be able to convey. You’re everything to me.

  To Mel… what can I say? You really are simply the best. I loved working on this duet with you. I’m so lucky to have you in my life. I don’t know what I would do without you.

  To my critique partner, Incy—thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Your generosity never fails to amaze me, and your straight talking is exactly what I need to give me a good kick up the rear at times. Good thing I’m missing the offense gene!

  To Louise. My Rock. You’ve been there since the very beginning, and I appreciate you more than I’ll ever be able to convey. Thank you for everything you do. I don’t have the words to express my gratitude.

  To Del - my little Foxy. Your eye for detail, and your command of the English language is outstanding. I love the work we do together. I hope we have many more years of shits and giggles.

  To my alpha reader, Allison. You’re awesome, lady. You make every single thing I write better. And what fun we have! Every book is a new opportunity to learn those priceless little nuggets.

  To my ARC readers. You gu
ys are amazing! You’re my final eyes and ears before my baby is released into the world and I appreciate each and every one of you for giving up your time to read—and point out the odd errors that slip through the net!

  And last but most certainly not least, to you, the readers. Thank you for being on this journey with me. It still humbles me to think that my words are being read all over the world.

  If you have any time to spare, I’d be ever so grateful if you’d leave a short review on Amazon or Goodreads. Reviews not only help readers discover new books, but they also help authors reach new readers. You’d be doing a massive favor for this wonderful bookish community we’re all a part of.

  About Tracie Delaney

  Tracie Delaney realized she was destined to write when, at aged five, she crafted little notes to her parents, each one finished with "The End."

  Tracie loves to write steamy contemporary romance books that center around hot men, strong women, and then watch with glee as they battle through real life problems. Of course, there's always a perfect Happy Ever After ending (eventually).

  When she isn’t writing or sitting around with her head stuck in a book, she can often be found watching The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones or any tennis match involving Roger Federer. Coffee is a regular savior.