LITTLE WOLF
BY AMELIE S.
DUNCAN
RELEASE DATE DECEMBER 9th, 2014
Synopsis
When
twenty-three year old Tala Velsik appears in a last minute performance art
piece, she has no idea that public nudity will be the least of her worries.
Wearing nothing but silver paint and a pair of antlers, her body is bared to
hundreds of eyes, but one penetrating stare simmers through the others. His
look is so heated, Tala wonders if she might burst into flames on the spot.
Adrian Caro is
one of the world’s most famous photographers, but with striking features and a
body made for sin, most would guess he belonged in front of the camera.
Of course, the
last thing Tala needs is romance, even with a walking Adonis. Mounting bills, a
dead end job and a set of childhood memories most therapists would pale at;
love is low on her list. Assuming, of course, her new admirer allows her to
have a say in the matter.
Shocked yet thrilled by
Adrian’s passionate domination, Tala can’t help but feel she’s standing on
quicksand. For all his wealth, fame and talent, Adrian is tormented by his own
demons; hiding secrets big enough to destroy them both.
Excerpt
I shook my head. “You did, but not anymore. I’m
perfectly capable of tending to myself.”
“I’m also perfectly capable of tending to you,”
Adrian said with a Gallic shrug.
I looked away. “You’re overwhelming me. I don’t
like games or riddles. I like straight talk. I don’t like coddling—”
“You do like coddling, that’s a lie,” Adrian said.
His tone was so full of disappointment that it made me spill out an
explanation.
“Fine. I don’t trust coddling. Trauma growing up…
snore. So no more of that.”
He cupped my face. “Tell me what happened.”
His eyes bore into me, but I didn't want to share a part of myself with a wealthy, famous man
who couldn't possibly
understand, someone I was sure I wouldn't see again anyway.
I rubbed the back of my neck. “It’s in the past
where it belongs and has no relevance to my job with you.” He swallowed and his
mouth turned down. My heart stuttered. I didn’t understand why I felt bad, but
I decided to offer him more of an explanation. I took a deep breath before
blurting out, “My mother is a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic. She was
unmedicated for most of my childhood.”
He stroked my face gently. “She hurt you.” His eyes
flashed and his mouth curled up. He appeared pumped and poised to slay the
demons of my past.
I licked my lips. “She’s better now. She lives at
Newton House in Middletown, New York. It’s a partially private group home.
She’s one of the reasons I agreed to come here. Helping her afford her home.
So, I’m fine,” I babbled. “She had childhood trauma too, but she’s doing
better, and I want her to stay there.”
“So you work and do day labor to cover the cost of her
housing?” The look on his face showed he didn’t agree with my sacrificing for
someone who had hurt me.
I moved on my side, facing away from him on the
bed. “Newton House is more than housing. She gets doctors, therapy, counseling,
and activities. My mom was good when she was on medication, and you have no
right to judge me. I wouldn't expect someone like a Carlotti to understand anyway.”
“Just because I have wealth doesn't mean I have lived a charmed life. I've experienced pain and loss too. I lost my
mother to breast cancer when I was twelve. There wasn't enough Carlotti money to save her and keep
her with me.” Something inside me melted, and I turned back over and didn't protest as he moved me closer to him and
embraced me.
Author Links
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9884055.Am_lie_S_Duncan?from_search=true
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