A hand trailed up my back as Alex held me. Goose bumps formed in the wake of his touch as I lay on his chest in the darkened hotel room. My fingers traced the military tattoo on his chest I couldn't see but knew was there. The two knives intercepting each other with the inscription I will not accept defeat were over his heart.
“I miss this. Being together tonight feels like when we first started dating. I’m sorry I called you Gabe earlier. I know how you hate that. Old habits.”
My husband’s full name was Gabriel Alexander Thompson. All of his friends called him Gabriel when we first met while I was in college. He was on leave from the military. It had been a chance meeting in a random town as I crossed a street. Fate happened, bringing two people who were meant for each other together. Though I'd tried to take things slow, something between us clicked, and I fell madly in love with him before I realized it. Honestly, it was insane how fast we fell in love. Maybe too fast. But I don’t believe I could have stopped it if I tried.
On our first date, I called him Gabe, and it stuck. At least until he asked me to call him Alex shortly after returning from his last military mission. All of his friends who died overseas called him Gabriel, and it was hard for him to hear a shortened version. I got needing to distance yourself completely from painful reminders. I hadn’t been to Italy since Dad died for that very reason.
The muscles in Alex’s body tightened and then released while he dragged his right hand through his dark hair. Even in the dark, I felt his emerald eyes watching me. His voice was strained when he finally spoke. “Sweetheart, we’re going to find our way back to each other. We’ll get back to the place when we were Gabe and Willow, not Alex and Willow. I’m working through it. I promise you, I’ll never upset you again like I did this afternoon when I found you.”
I kissed his chest and then sighed. “I’m not going to Nonno to try and get him to release my trust. It’s not what Dad would have wanted. We have plenty to live on. I don’t want to fight, but that point I’m not budging on.”
Fingers paused on my back before continuing. I braced myself for the anger to return. “It’s your decision. I’ll respect that.” A small victory—a step in the right direction.
After kissing him again, I laid my ear against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. “We might want to think about couple’s therapy. When you came back after leaving the military, something has been missing. It might help us get a new start. I want to make this work.”
“That’s what I want too—a fresh start. For us.”
I smiled at his words. “Thank you for coming back to me.”
“I promised I always would.”
***
The memory was beautiful. Magical. Through the night, Alex woke me up twice to make love to me. Love. It was the key to everything. For now, I would focus on the memories of last night in order to hold on to hope to save my marriage until I saw him again. I read his words again. I love you, Willow. I never stopped.
Inspiration struck.
I needed to get home.
Title: White Lies
Series: Twisted Fate Series #1
Author: Kristin Mayer
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: September 19
Nothing is as it seems. Our love. Our life. Our future.
Were the lies to protect me? Or was it something else?
There has to be a reason behind all of this. Finding out he doesn't love me would devastate me beyond belief.
They say white lies are harmless, but I don’t believe it. There has to be more to our story.
Kristin Mayer is a wife, a proud mother, and a full-time Analyst and Import Manager. Since an early age, she has always enjoyed reading and writing. While visiting her father one weekend, he suggested that she should take up writing again. With family and a career, she didn’t give it a lot of thought, until a story entered her mind and wouldn’t leave. It just kept forming and developing over a couple of months.
At the beginning of 2013, she decided to sit down and write it all down, but she kept it to herself. One sentence developed into two, and before she knew it, she had the makings of a novel.
Kristin tries to live life to the fullest during every moment. She loves to travel and meet new people. She holds a degree in International Business and uses it daily in her job. Kristin now adds “author” on her list of jobs, and feels very blessed and thankful.
There’s a patchwork of trouble lurking in the small desert town of Conway.
Ella, a recent divorcee wanting to make a fresh start, moves to the out of the way town, rents a storefront and opens a flower shop. She gives refuge to a young Mexican family escaping from the Mexican Cartel, and finds herself in the midst of human smuggling, kidnapping, murder, and drop houses. She learns the former tenants of the storefront are missing and illegal immigrants show up at her door looking for a place of refuge.
The well kept secrets of the town begin to unravel, and Ella is up to her elbows in trouble, not knowing who she can trust with information on the cartel. Notes are left at her door and in her car and the final note is a ransom note. And if things weren’t bad enough she has a damn stalker following her in a blue sedan.
Avery grew up in California's Central Valley with easy access to the San Francisco bay area, Yosemite National Park, and Napa Valley wine country. There she met her husband, the love of her life. They raised two sons who have gifted them with two daughter-in-laws and a handful of grandchildren.
After putting her real estate license away, Avery moved to Arizona, where she learned more about the illegal activity on the border which inspired her first book.
She spends her days writing her next book and frequently going on drives enjoying the beauty of the desert.
There’s a patchwork of
trouble lurking in the small desert town of Conway.
Ella, a recent
divorcee wanting to make a fresh start, moves to the out of the way town, rents
a storefront and opens a flower shop. She gives refuge to a young Mexican
family escaping from the Mexican Cartel, and finds herself in the midst of
human smuggling, kidnapping, murder, and drop houses. She learns the former
tenants of the storefront are missing and illegal immigrants show up at her
door looking for a place of refuge.
The well kept secrets
of the town begin to unravel, and Ella is up to her elbows in trouble, not
knowing who she can trust with information on the cartel. Notes are left at her
door and in her car and the final note is a ransom note. And if things weren’t
bad enough she has a damn stalker following her in a blue sedan.
Avery grew up in
California's Central Valley with easy access to the San Francisco bay area,
Yosemite National Park, and Napa Valley wine country. There she met her
husband, the love of her life. They raised two sons who have gifted them with
two daughter-in-laws and a handful of grandchildren.
After putting her real
estate license away, Avery moved to Arizona, where she learned more about the
illegal activity on the border which inspired her first book.
She spends her days writing
her next book and frequently going on drives enjoying the beauty of the desert
Fall head-over-heels in love with sexy and intriguing tales by Adriana Locke, author of Wherever It Leads and Sacrifice.
This complete box set includes fan-favorites The Exception, The Connection (a novella), and The Perception. Follow Cane and Jada, as well as Max and Kari, as they navigate love, life, and friendship. The Exception There are exceptions to every rule...
Jada Stanley is starting over--freeing herself from her past and all her mistakes. Following the rules she's given herself is easy enough, until she meets HIM. He’s gorgeous, cocky, and everything she needs to avoid, but that’s easier said than done.
Cane Alexander has his own set of rules, a plan to keep his life simple and free of complications. But Jada is a temptation he can't resist.
As their lives entwine, they realize one thing about rules... There is always an exception. This book CAN be read as a stand-alone novel. The Connection He was the bad boy she didn't need. She was the exception to his rules.
When Jada Stanley and Cane Alexander met, it was lust at first sight. As much as they fought it, it became so much more.
Now that they've stopped fighting it and made their own rules, a little respite is needed. Las Vegas is the destination of choice.
Despite what they say, not everything that happens in Vegas stays there. The Perception There is no greater burden than a secret, and Kari Stanley has been carrying one alone for a long time. But fate intervenes in the form of a broken down car and the kind offer of assistance from a handsome stranger with a sweet, southern drawl. In exchange, all she has to do is go to dinner with him. Temptation was never so sweet.
Max Quinn has secrets of his own. His good deeds aren't just a product of his southern upbringing; they're his atonement. As one dinner turns into two, he realizes that Kari just might be his salvation.
As they struggle to find their path together, their secrets weigh heavier on them. Will they be able to trust one another with the truth, or will their secrets keep them apart forever?
USA Today Bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own. She resides in the Midwest with her husband, sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather's nice and there's always a piece of candy in her pocket. For sneak peeks, giveaways, and more, please join Adriana's Facebook Group, Books by Adriana Locke, or her Goodreads group, All Locked Up.
“Professional athletes are
pillars of their respective communities. They are heroes in the eyes of boys
and girls and are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that positively
represents their community.”
The public loves a good scandal. Seeing someone
fall from the pinnacle of success makes a great headline. No one knows that
better than I do. What started out as a promising career in college football,
spiraled into scandal and shame.
But being a hero is easier said then done.
Especially when there are those who expected to see the great Brody Madden
fail. I craved nothing except being the best—willing to do anything to prove
them wrong. But I went too far, and I tried too hard, and it broke me.
“At the time of going to print,
Jordan Elliott was unavailable for comment.”
I met Brody Madden in my senior year of college. An
Australian native on an international scholarship, I was the female soccer
sensation with stars in her eyes and no room for a hotshot wide receiver with a
chip on his shoulder.
But a heart bursting with ambition and a driving
fire to succeed isn’t made of stone. I became his strength, his obsession, and
the greatest love of his life. Only I wasn’t there when he needed me most.
This is a story about love and a game that takes
everything. Where the path to glory is paved with sacrifice. Where pressure
makes you, or breaks you, and triumph is born in the ashes of failure. Where
two people’s end game will change everything.
Shutting the door, I walk up the slight incline behind Brody. He sits down at the top of the crest and pats the grassy spot beside him. “You didn’t mention this part when you explained our date.” “I can’t give away all my secrets now, can I?” The grass is a thick blanket on the ground and when I stretch out flat, the rich, earthy scent of soil sweeps over me. My eyes lift to the sky and that’s when I get it. It’s perfectly clear and millions of stars are scattered diamonds twinkling above us—bright and magical. “Besides,” Brody adds as he lies down beside me and sweeps out his arm, encompassing all of it. “How do you explain that?” He’s right. You can’t. “It’s beautiful.” “Is this what the stars are like for you back home?” “No. Back home it’s different.” “Different how?” Homesickness swamps me. As beautiful as Texas is, it’s not Australia. Somehow the stars are always brighter where you belong. “Because there’s no place like home.” “You’re wrong.” I turn my head and stare at Brody. He’s not looking at me. His head is tilted toward the sky, eyes riveted on the beauty above him. My gaze follows the line of his profile. From the curl of his hair to the perfect line of his nose, down to the mouth I want kissing me right this very instant. “Home’s not a place where you live. It’s a feeling.” His hand nudges my own. An invitation. I twine my fingers with his and he squeezes them lightly. “Whether it’s where you are, like the football field, or who you’re with.” Brody turns his head, looking at me when he says that. It’s comforting because it unites us somehow, like it’s slowly becoming us against the world. “You can be anywhere, Jordan. Home will follow you if you follow your heart.” My breath hitches from the beautiful simplicity of his words. Before I can talk myself out of it, I roll over and straddle him. My knees hug his hips, and he stares up at me from my seated position. My pulse pounds a heavy beat in the silence. Thump, thump, thump. It’s so loud in my ears I’m sure he can hear it. “Show me,” I breathe. A gleam lights his dark eyes, and he sucks his lower lip inside his mouth. He knows what I’m asking, but I spell it out anyway. “Show me one of those wicked things.” In a move that steals the air from my lungs, he takes both my hands and pulls me down against the broad width of his chest. I’m rolled over and underneath him before I can blink. The squirm in my hips is instinctive, the ache between my thighs relentless. “Careful what you ask for,” Brody says roughly, every exquisite inch of his body pressing down on mine. “Why?” His lips curve. “Because when I give it to you, it won’t be enough.” My fingers trail down the side of his face, grazing the firm jaw, cupping his cheek in my palm. Foreboding swamps me. I’m falling hard into uncharted territory, and all I see is a broken mess at the end. How is this going to end well for either of us? “You’re an arrogant man, Brody Madden,” I whisper. He brings his face to mine, so close I see the brilliant gold in his eyes, like flecks of light in the dark. “And you, Jordan Elliott, will be the woman who brings me to my knees,” he whispers against my lips. “Show me,” I beg on a shaky breath. Brody’s lashes lower and he presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth. I tilt my chin upwards, inviting more. Rather than take my lips like I ache for him to do, he shifts sideways and begins nipping at my jaw. His breath is a rasp when he reaches my earlobe, taking it between his teeth. A sharp pinch from his bite forces a whimper from my throat. “More?” he asks, drawing back to look at me. “Is that even a real question?” Brody chuckles as I slide my hand up and around his nape, dragging his mouth down to mine. He groans and kisses me gently, once, and then twice. “Brody,” I whisper, and he kisses me again, forcing my mouth open hard like he can’t hold himself in check anymore. My hair is loose and he fists chunks of it in both hands while his tongue rubs against mine, hot and aggressive. It’s almost too much, and when I jerk away I’m left gasping. Brody doesn’t pause. He ducks his head to my neck, his tongue tasting its way down. He finds my pulse point and sucks. It’s fierce and my back arches involuntarily. His mouth shifts further down, moving on before he leaves a mark. Sitting up, he takes the neckline of my dress in both hands. Five dainty buttons hold it together. A single wrench will rip the flimsy fabric in two. He pauses and looks at me, inhaling raggedly. “Jordan … I don’t want to ruin it.” My brow furrows. I glance to the hands poised on my dress. They’re tense, veins straining under his skin. My head is lost in a fog when my gaze returns to his face. “Ruin my dress?” Brody groans, a deep sound of regret and frustration. “Us.” “You don’t want to ruin us?” He draws his hands away from the neckline of my dress. “No.” “How would you do that?” “I don’t know. I just get this feeling I’m going to.” He shifts away, moving off me and rolling to his back. I turn my head. Brody’s gaze is back on the stars. I watch his throat work as he swallows, the pulse in his neck pounding visibly. “All I’ve ever wanted is to be the best. Whatever it takes. I’ll do anything. That’s how I’ll ruin us, Jordan. How can something so sweet survive a sentiment so dark?” I roll to my side, holding my head in my hand. Cupping his face with the other, I nudge gently until he’s looking at me. “I won’t let you.” Brody’s voice is urgent, his eyes fierce. “Promise me.”
I can’t shake the apprehension. It’s set in my bones and when I speak it feels like a lie. “I promise.”
Author Bio
Kate McCarthy is an Australian, living in the pretty sunshine state of
Queensland with her two kids and two dogs, Rufus and Pete.
She
loves to bake sweet stuff and eat it too. With an exciting degree in business,
she works as an accountant by day, and an author by night. In between family
life, she is most often found in bed reading, or at the beach, still reading.
She stops talking to her friend lost in her own thoughts. Her pert little nose scrunches in deep concentration. She leans back on the stool and carefully brushes her hair from her cheek hooking it behind her ear. She searches the room as if she can feel my eyes boring into her soul, needing her to know who I am. Our gazes collide and like a vortex in the center of a tornado, my tunnel vision zooms in on her. There’s no one else but us. A familiar ache surfaces, one I thought I had outgrew long ago.
For a split second something in her stare, maybe the slight flicker of awareness or her deep intake of air, but I think she recognizes me. The moment ends when her friend snaps her fingers drawing her away from me and back into the conversation.
“M’aingeal…”
“What the hell are you saying now?” Gunner interrupts my drifting thoughts.
I’ve forgotten where I’m at. She’s done that to me before.
“Nothing, man.”
“What does magel mean? C’mon, dude. I need to know.”
“You’re butchering my language. It’s M’aingeal. You pronounce it ‘Mayn-gel’.” I snicker, “Maw’s Irish Catholic and Pop is Cajun. Let’s just say growing up in my house was a never boring.”
“You’re full of surprises.”
“Hoo-ha you have no idea, mec. My little bro is a natural born hellion. Tell him the sky is blue and he’ll argue that’s it’s not just blue but white, grey and black. Any other color he can think of. Pop says he’s got too much of maw’s Irish side in him. I won’t disagree out loud or she would box my ears good.”
“Damn, I’d forgotten all about those times my grams boxed mine. Geez. Feels like another life ago. She was strict. Never let me sit down at the table without my hands washed and shirt tucked in. She even made me say ‘Grace’ before eating. I miss that woman.”
“Funny the little things that bring you ‘round.”
“Ain’t that the truth. Is that why your ears look so funny? You’re mom’s wrath? They stick out like dumbo,” he jokes and takes a swig of his beer.
We are both laughing releasing some of the tension that’s circled us, since we left Perry. Maybe he is salvageable. Maybe he can help us find the missing pieces after all. We abruptly stop laughing when Gunner slaps my shoulder and nudges his chin upwards. That’s when I see her. I look into her eyes and wonder why she doesn’t know me. Have I changed so much that she can’t see me. C'est la vie.
“Can we join you, si?” the beauty standing before Gunner asks him.
I can’t take my eyes off Jocelyn. She’s making me want something I was sure I had lost overseas.
“Well...I…,” Gunner stutters and shoves me again.
He’s such a douche bag.
I glance at him and sigh. “Pull up a chair, ladies. We’re just enjoying the wonderful Florida weather that’s brought us all here. Can we get you something? I’m sure the selection isn’t what you’re normally use to, but I’m sure there’s something we can find that you might want on the menu,” I wink.
They share a smile and a faint tinge of pink appears across Jocelyn’s cheeks as she makes her way to one of the vacant chairs. She sits down in the one closest to me. Placing her elbows on the tabletop and her chin between her hands, she leans inward. Fuckery! The up close view I have of her sends shockwaves through my system. My memory didn’t do her justice, and this near, the sprinkle of angel’s dust along the top of her nose and cheeks has me fighting the urge to touch her. I’m snapped out of my lust filled moment when Kendall approaches our table.
“Hey girls. I see you found…”
“Crash, name’s Crash and this is Gunner,” I say nodding in his direction.
Kendall frowns at me and I plead with my eyes for her not to say anything else. A disapproving look follows but she doesn’t correct me.
“Buenos notches, amigos. I’m Katrina and this is my friend, Jocelyn.”
“Hi,” Jocelyn quietly says.
“So, does anybody need a refill?” Kendall inquires.
“Mojito, please.”
“I think I’ll have another rum and coke.”
“I’ll have another beer,” I say and Gunner seconds my order.
“I’ll go grab these and be back in a jiffy.”
Kendall wanders off stopping a few times to talk at tables on her way to where Grady is manning the bar. He leans over when she motions him downward and covers his ear. He looks at me and then back down at her, intently listening to what she’s saying. He shrugs his shoulders and says something back. Apparently she’s not happy with him, because she turns and walks into the kitchen area without a backwards glance. I wait for him to head over but instead he looks at me smiling. What the hell did she say to him?
She’s probably pissed thinking I’m going to hurt her new friend. If she only knew the history behind my decision to remain anonymous. She would be chasing her away from me. The baggage I carry is for only me and I don’t want to share it with anyone, especially Jocelyn. She’s too good, too innocent, to be able to understand what drives me now. I’m not the same guy she knew in high school, carefree and happy. I haven’t been that way since reality set in.
Back before I left on my last tour of duty, I wouldn’t have given my actions a second thought. I can only imagine scooping her up in my arms, feeling her body against mine, and holding her close. Not letting her place a foot on the ground. I would hold her until I had my fill and only then would I let her out of my sight. I’m so messed up.
Gunner’s goofy grin has me focusing on the convo. He’s got his chin propped on his hand staring at the ladies. I follow his stare making sure he’s not ogling Jocelyn. I will knock his ass to the Georgia/Florida line, if he tries flirting with her in front of me. The thought of her with someone else sends waves of anger flooding my brain.
I relax my posture when it registers that he’s watching her friend like a love sick puppy dog. Wimp.
“Si. I’m serious. We were drenched from the pouring rain. Jo’s hair kinked even curlier than normal when the cool air conditioning hit it, as if that’s even possible, with the corkscrews she’s got.”
“Geez Rina. Thanks for the visual.”
“Well you looked like you had stuck your finger in a light socket,” she stutters and busts out laughing over her own joke.
“I wasn’t the only one. You were sporting kinky ringlets from the eighteenth century, too.”
“My hair isn’t as thick. Yours is so thick. So juicy, niña,” she giggles eyeing the man beside her.
“Here you go, folks. Drinks for everyone,” Kendall says and hands a tallboy to me.
“Any news on the roads clearing?”
“Sheriff radioed and they are working on securing Route 441 near twin lakes. He’s talking to Grady about using sandbags in some places. We’re close to the dam and possible flooding is always a worry.”
“Sand bags? Shit. Why me?”
“Honey child, you think sandbags are a bad thing, you ain’t got a clue,” Kendall answers and spins away.
“I guess the weather’s going to get worse, huh?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. You never know with hurricanes. Some are as fickle as women. One minute she’s moving directly for you, you blink, and she’s gone. You never know what direction, she’ll go.”
“Hmph. You use ‘she’ like she’s a real living breathing person.” Jocelyn says while sipping her drink.
“Well it is Mother Nature we’re talking about here.”
“Pleeeeeeease. Men can be fickle, too.”
“We can, can we?”
She leans in close to me, licks her lips, and whispers in a low sultry tone, “They always seem to want more than what they can handle. I’m sure you know my meaning, Crash. How boys will be boys and boys like their toys and stuff. Well that goes for older boys, too, sugar plum. Seems like a never ending battle for y’all to always want to play with fire.”
I position myself even closer to her and reply for her ears only, “Oh but darlin’, I’ll let you in on a little secret...for the right woman, I want to burn.”
F.G. Adams writes contemporary and paranormal romance about sexy alpha heroes and feisty-mouthed heroines. The wonder twin sisters forming F.G. enjoy a healthy obsession of reading that started at a young age. Their books reflect an avid imagination that was cultivated by their grandmother who taught them the mind has no limits and to use both hands when reaching for the stars. Partners in writing, they both thrive on creating unique storylines for you, the reader to enjoy.
When not writing, you can find them on a beach with their significant other enjoying the waves or riding a Harley on a country road somewhere in the USA.