HoldTight
ByAlexaRiley

NewYorkTimesand#1ebookbestsellingauthorAlexaRileyreturnswithHoldTight,thenext
novellaintheForYouseries

AhotshotconsultanthiredtostreamlineOsbourneCorp.meetshismatchinPandoraJustice—the
moresheplayshardtoget,themorehewantsher.

Theysaythatlikerecognizeslike,andthedayIlookedintoherdeepblues,Imetmyotherhalf.

PandoraJusticetookoverasheadofsecurityatOsbourneCorp.afterherfather’sretirement.Eighty-hour
workweeksarenormal;beingbossedaroundbyhandsomeoutsidersisnot.Andshedoesn’tlikeit.Not
evenonebit.

It’samazinghoweasilyshecanlietoherself.

Ihadtohaveher.Plainandsimple.

ThefirsttimePandoraseesRoyceinthering—alltattoosandsinew,coveredinsweat—helooksather
likehe’sjustwonmorethanthefight.Likehewonher.

Iwon’tplaygameswithher.I’llwait,anditwillkillme,butI’lldoitforher.

Royce’scockygrinwithdeepdimplesmakesPandoramelt.Onceshewantedtosmackthatlookoffhis
face—nowallshewantstodoiskissit.Fortherestofherlife.

ThethoughtofspendingtherestofmylifewithPandorawarmstheplaceinmychestIdidn’tthinkwas
alive.I’veputmyclaimonher—she’stheone,andI’mdone.

Thisbookisapproximately20,000words

One-clickwithconfidence.ThistitleispartoftheCarinaPressRomancePromise:alltheromance
you’relookingforwithanHEA/HFN.It’sapromise!

EditedbyAngelaJames

Dedication

Tosisters...bybloodorbychoice,wecouldn’tdolifewithoutyoubyourside.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter1

Chapter2

Chapter3

Chapter4

Chapter5

Chapter6

Chapter7

Chapter8

Chapter9

Chapter10

Chapter11

Chapter12

Epilogue:Royce

Epilogue:Pandora

ExcerptfromClaimed:AForHerNovelbyAlexaRiley

Acknowledgments

AlsobyAlexaRiley

AbouttheAuthor

Prologue

Royce

MyfriendscallmeRolly.Granted,IusedtobechubbywhenIwasakid,butIgrewoutofthataroundten.
ThereasonitstartedisbecauseIcomefromalonglineofrichassholes.TheDavenportnameisknown
alloverNewYork,andmyfatherisnoexception.Iwenttooneofthemostexpensiveprivateschoolsin
thestate,andwhenIshowedupwiththenameRoyce,itwasn’thardtoconnectthedotstoRollsRoyce.
RollsturnedintoRolly,andthatwasthat.Itstuckfromdayone,andthoughmostofthekidsIgrewup
withendedupbeingdouchebags,acoupleofthemwererideordie.

MytwobuddiesandIgotoutofcollegeandstartedupaconsultancyfirm.Weusedthemoneywemade

fromhustling.Theonlythingswewouldn’tdotomakeitwasselldrugsoraskourparentsforit.My
buddies,EzraandDonovan,camefromthesamebackgroundasme,andthethreeofusagreedwewanted
tobeourownmen.Itsuckedlivinginafourhundredsquarefootstudiowithtwomattressespushed
togetherandabathroomwithnodoor.Butwemadeitbiginlessthanfiveyears.

Iwantedtomakemyowncontacts,andwhenImetHenryOsbourneatacharityfunctionlastyear,I

knewthatworkingwithhimwouldbenefitthebothofus.WhatIdidn’tknowwasthatthedayheasked
metocometakealookathisdepartmentswasthedayshewouldwalkintomylife.

PandorawasunlikeanywomanI’deverseen.Herredhairwaspulledbackfromherface,andherdark

blueeyeswererimmedwithblackeyeliner.Itmadeherlookintimidating.Andsexyasfuck.Shewas
petite,butIgottheimpressionfromherstance—andfromherhandshake—thatshecouldtakemedownin
theblinkofaneye.God,shehadnoideahowmuchIwantedhertotry.

Theysaythatlikerecognizeslike,andthedayIlookedintoherdeepblues,Imetmyotherhalf.She

wasmyequalineveryway—possiblyevenbetterthanI’mwillingtoadmit.Ihadtohaveher.Plainand
simple.Toobaditwasn’tthateasy.

Chapter1

Pandora

“IswearoneverybagelinManhattanthatifyoucomeoverhereandaskmewhattimeyoucangoto
lunch,I’llburnthisbuildingtotheground.”

Thenewguy,Josh,looksatmewithablankexpressiononhisfaceandtakesastepback.“So,um,

now?”

“Gotolunch.Beforeshekillsusall,”Sophiasays,pattinghimontheshoulder.
Hewalksaway,andIdropmyheadonthedesk.Iwanttobeatitagainstit,butIdon’twantthemarkon

myforeheadfortherestoftheday.Itwouldbetoomuchofareminderofmyfrustration.

“Sorry.Imeanttointerceptbeforehegottoyou.How’sitgoing,boss?”
Ileanupfrommydeskandsitbackinmychair.“I’mstillnotusedtoyoucallingmeboss.”Ismileat

Sophia,andsheshrugs.

“Hey,youearnedit.Mightaswellwearthetitlewithhonor.”Shelaysafiledownonmydesk.“That’s

theMillerreportyouaskedfor.Areyoutakingalunchbreaktoday?”

I’malreadyopeningthefileandshakingmyheadasshetellsmeshe’llbringmebacksomethingfrom

thecafeteria.IscanthedocumentsandstartclickingonmycomputertoseeifIcancodesomeofitnow.

Anemailpopsupfrommytwinsister,Penelope,andIsmile.Ofcoursetherearepinkheartsinthe

subjectline.

Iskimitandseeshe’sexcitedtofindoutthesexofherbaby,andIvanisbeingextraprotective,but

she’ssohappyshecan’tseemtocare.

Shakingmyhead,Isendanemailback,tellingherIstillthinkit’saboyandI’llfinallybeabletohave

somethingincommonwithoneofherkids.

PenelopeandIvangotmarriedwhenshewaseighteen.Theystartedhavingbabiesrightaway,andnow

she’sonnumberthree.Tenyearslaterandshe’sgottwobeautifulgirls,whoarefull-blownprincesses,
andoneontheway.Fingerscrossedthisonelikestogetdirty.

Attwenty-eight,I’vegotaverydifferentlifethanmysister.Shelivesnextdoortoourparents,andthey

havethisbigfamilycompound.I’vegotaplacethere,too,butIstayinthecitymostofthetime.After
collegeIwentinforaninternshipinthesecuritydepartmentatOsbourneCorp.Itdidn’thurtthatmy
cousinHenrywasrunningtheplacenow,butI’mdamngoodatmyjob.Iworkedmywayup,andwhen
thetimecameformydadtoretire,Iwaschosenashisreplacement.Ithoughtthattheremayhavebeen
someanimosityinthedepartment,butIfoundoutafterwardthatmydadputittoasecretvotesothat
everyonehadachancetobehonestandhavetheleadertheywanted.Hesaideveryvotewasformebut
one.Andthatonewashis.IknowI’llalwaysbehislittlegirl,soIcouldn’tevenbemadaboutit.

Iworkeighty-hourweeksandgiveeverythingIhavetothisjob.Iwantthedepartmenttobethebestit

canbe,butI’monlyoneperson.

Humanresourcesrestructuredsecurityafewmonthsago,andwe’rehavingsomegrowingpains.

Mostlyinmyass.Someofthenewhirestheysentarecompletelyincompetent,andmostdaysI’m
spendingevenmoreofmytimecleaninguptheirmesses.

Henrykeepspromisingmethathe’sgoingtosortitout,buthe’srunningoutoftime.I’matmywits’end

withtryingtomanageadepartmentandtryingtoholdthehandsofdumbasses.Goodthingpersonnelcan’t
hearmyinnerthoughts.

I’msocaughtupinmyworkthatatonepointIlookdownandseeabagoffoodonmydesk.Iglanceup

atSophia,andsheshakesherhead,laughing.“Thankyou,”Imouthfromacrosstheroom.

IinhalethesandwichandtheDietCoke,andit’shourslaterwhenIrealizethateveryoneisgoneforthe

day.Iheardpeopletellingmegoodbyeastheywereleaving,butitdidn’tregister.Glancingdownatthe
clockonmycomputerI’mshockedtoseeit’safterten.

IpulloutmyphoneandseeI’vegotamissedtextfrommyfriendDelilah.
Del:I’matLincoln’suntilmidnight
Igrabmybagandmakemywayoutofthebuilding,wavingtothelate-shiftstaffatthefrontdeskinthe

lobby.TheyallknowmebyfirstnameandwatchoutformewhenIletthetimeslipby.

AsIwalk,IrespondtotheothertextsImissedduringtheday.Isendonetothankmymomforsending

methenameofthenewrestaurantthatpoppedupnearmyapartment,andthenIreplytomydadtosaythat
yes,Ipromisetocomehomethisweekendandseeeveryone.Theyliketonag,butIloveit.Weareall
reallyclose,buttheyknowI’maddictedtomyjob.

Ichecktherestofmytextsonthefour-blockwalktothebaroffthealley.Lincoln’sistuckedawayand

quiet,butthey’vegotagoodliquorlistandfooduntilthreeinthemorning.Whatmorecouldaworking
womanneed?

I’vegotonablackjacketandblackslackswithblackheels.Thisistheextentofmyentirewardrobe,

anditmakesmeblendintoaplacelikethis.WhenIwalkin,IspotDelilahbythepooltableandmakemy
wayover.WemetduringtheinternprogramatOsbourne,butsheendeduptakinganofferatanotherfirm
afterouryearwasup.Icouldn’tblameher.Theywerewillingtomakeherleadofherownteamright
away,andthat’swhatwewerebothafter.Itwasanunspokencompetition,andoneI’mgladdidn’tend
ourfriendship.

Herstraightdarkhairistohershoulders,andshe’sgotonthesamekindofdarksuitIhave.She’staken

offherjacket,andIdothesame,revealingmyblacktanktopunderit.Iseetwobeerssittingonatable
nexttoher,andIraiseaneyebrow.

“Yoursshouldstillbecold.Iaskedthewaitresstobringitabouttenminutesago,”shesays,rackingthe

ballsagain.

“AmIthatpredictable?”
“Nah,I’vestillgotatrackeronyourphone.”
Ishakemyhead.“OnetimeIgoonvacationandyouneverletmeturnitoffafter.”
“Hey,that’swhatfriendsarefor,”sheretorts,grabbingthepoolstickandbreaking.
Finallylookingaround,Iseeit’scrowdedforaWednesdaynight.“Why’sthisplacehopping?”
“Noidea.IwasgoingtoaskJim,butheisn’tatthebartonight,”Delilahsays,drinkingherbeer.
Weknowmostoftheguyswhoworkhere,butthere’sanewonebehindthecountertonight.Lincoln’sis

normallyprettychill,andit’sniceforwindingdownafterwork.Iloveclubs,andIlovetodance.Idon’t
gettodoitasmuchasIusedto,nowthatIworksomuch,butcrowdsdon’tbotherme.Mostweekdays,
however,Istayawayfromclubsandsticktothedivebars.

WeorderfoodandplaypoolforanhouruntilDelilahwantstocallitanight.Theplaceispackednow,

andIhavetoadmitthatmycuriosityispiqued.BeforeIcanfindoutwhy,Delilahpullsmeoutintothe
nightandwavesusdownacab.

BythetimethecabdropsmeoffandImakeitintomyapartment,I’vepushedallthoughtsofitaside.I

barelyhaveenoughtimetostripoffmyclothesbeforeI’vefallenfacefirstintomybed.

Chapter2

Royce

“Nextwe’llvisittheheadofsecurityandyou’llmeetPandoraJustice.Sherunsthedepartment,andI’m
sureshe’llhelpyouwithanyquestionsyouhave,”HenryOsbournesaysasheleadsmefromhis
conferenceroomtotheelevator.

We’vebeeninmeetingsforthepastweek,goingoverwhatheseesasthefutureofthecompanyand

wherehethinksthere’sthegreatestneedformyexpertise.I’vemetwithboardmembersandheadsof
everybranchtotrytosupplyhimwiththedataheneeds.

Henryhasagreatheadforbusiness,andthecompanyishisfirstpriority.It’sunusualforsomeone

aroundthirtytobedrivenbysomethingotherthanmoney.ButfromwhatI’vebeenabletoassess,weboth
haveverysimilarbackgrounds.Thiswashisfather’scompany,andhe’stakenover.Nowhewantstosee
itthriveunderhiscontrol.

I’veenjoyedworkingwithhimanddiscussingideasforabetterfuture.We’vegotaplanlaidout,and

nowit’sontosmallerdepartmentchangesthatcouldbenefiteveryoneaboveandbelowinstaffing.

AlmosteveryoneImetcametotheboardroom,butthistimewe’regoingdirectlytothesecurityfloor.

It’sdifferentfromwhatI’veseenthisweek,butI’mcurioustoseetheit.

“Isthereaboardroominsecuritywecanuse?”Bettertostartwithaquestionandseewherethatgets

me.Westepontotheelevator,andHenryhitsthebutton.

Hestraightenshisdarkbluesuitandbrusheshishairoutofhisface.“Pandoralikesthingsherway,”he

says,andletsoutasigh.

That’sdefinitelynottheanswerIwasexpecting.Itsurprisesmethathegoesfromconfidentand

assuredtoalmostnervousastheelevatordoorsopenandwestepoff.

Ifollowhimashewalksdownashorthallwayandintoalargeopenarea.Therearedesksallaround

andcomputerscreenseverywhere.Peoplearetalkingtooneanother,andthere’sanenergyaroundthe
roomthat’snotquiteexcitement,butclose.PeoplesayhellotoHenryaswewalkacrosstheexpanse,and
hegreetsthemallbyname.Icantellthismanloveshiscompanybutalsocaresabouthisemployees.

Thedepartmenttakesuponefloor,andthatspacehasbeenopenedupsoinformationcanbeeasily

shared.It’sdefinitelynotmadeforprivacy,butinasecuritydepartment,there’snoroomforthat.

There’sanofficeonthefarsideoftheroomthat’sraisedupalittle.Atleast,Ithinkit’sanoffice.One

wallismadeofglassandthedoubledoorsarecurrentlywideopen.Closingthemcouldoffersound
privacy,butwiththewayit’ssituated,there’snowaythepersonbehindthecomputercouldblinkwithout
someoneknowingit.

HenryisastallasIam,atsixtwo,andsoIcan’tseepasthimtowho’sintheoffice.WhatIdoseeis

whenhisshouldersstiffenashegetstothedoorsandknocks.

“Hey,Panny,Istoppedbytointroduceyoutotheconsultant.Remember?”
“Itoldyouaboutcallingmethatatwork,Casanova,”anunseenwomanretorts.
Hesighsandstepsaside,holdingouthishand.“RoyceDavenport,I’dliketointroduceyoutoPandora

Justice,headofsecurityatOsbourneCorporation.”

Ilookoverandseeasmallwomanbentoveracomputerandnotevenlookingupatus.Iwanttolaugh

atherballs.Sheclearlydoesn’tgiveafuck.IhavetobitemybottomlipasHenryclearshisthroattoget
herattention.

“Almostfinished.”Herhandsclickoverherkeyboardatacrazyspeed,andafteraboutthirtyseconds,

shestopsandstandsup.“Ifyoucouldgetmemorepeopleinherewhocancode,insteadofidiotrent-a-
copswhopassedatwo-hourcourseonmallsafety,myfloorwouldfunctionahellofalotbetter.”

HenryrubshiseyesandthenlooksatPandorawithpleadingeyes.“Pan—”
“It’snicetomeetyou,Mrs.Justice,”Isay,holdingoutmyhand,wantingtofindoutifshe’smarried.
“Pandora.Mrs.Justiceismymom.”
Shetakesitwithouthesitation,andIfeelherfirmgripmeetmine.She’snottryingtohurtme,andit

doesn’tfeelexaggerated.Herhandfeelsstronginmine.Thisisn’tashowwhereshe’stryingtoseem
tough.Sheactuallyis.Iexpectedittobesoftanddelicate,buthergraspfeelslikethatofanathlete.The
strengthinherarmandherstancetellsmethatshe’snotafraidofme.Oranything.

It’sasmalltouch,andI’vesizedherupwithallmyassumptionsinonebasket.AndyetsomehowI

knowI’vegotherallwrong.She’sshowingmewhosheis,butIhavenocluewheretobegin.I’venever
metawomansooverwhelming.I’mdrowninginher,andforamomentmyheadswims.

“Ifyouneedtositdown,there’sachair.Idon’twantyoutofalloverandbleedonmydesk,”shesays

asshepullsherhandfrommine.

I’msorry,butdidshenotjustfeeltheearthstopmoving?
Iclearmythroatandstraightenmysuit.Myhairiscutshort,andIcanfeelthecoolaironthebackof

myneckjustabovemycollar.Ifocusonthatinsteadofthebloodrushingtomyears.

“You’llhavetoexcuseRoyce.We’vebeenintheboardroomallday.Ipromisedhimlunch,andIknew

thatwastheonlywayIcouldgetyououtofyouroffice,”Henrysays.

There’salow-lyingthreattohisstatement,andforhalfasecondIthinkPandoraisgoingtochallenge

it.

“Fine,Casanova.ButIgettopicktheappetizers.”
Theystareatoneanother,andforamomentIcanpicturethemaschildrenhavingthissamediscussion.

Somethinggreenandangryrisesinmychestatthebanterthesetwohave.Theirinsidejokesareirritating
meandIfeelexcluded.

“MaybeIcouldhavelunchoneononewithMrs.—”Shesnapsbacktomewithherdeepblueeyes,and

Icorrectmyself.“Pandora.Ithinkwe’vegoneoverenoughfortoday,Henry.Icanemailyoutherestof
whatwediscussed,andIcanhandletheremainderhere.”

There’sreliefinhiseyesashesmilesandshakesmyhand.“Perfect.I’llspeaktoyoutomorrow,”he

says,andnearlyboltsoutoftheofficebeforePandoracanprotest.

“It’shardtorespectyourbosswhenyousawhimpoophispantswhenhewassix.”Sheshrugsand

grabsthebaghangingonthebackofherchair.“Neverworkwithfamily.”

Thewarningsomehowmakesthegreen-eyedmonsterinmychestcalmdown,andIfinallyhaveabetter

understandingofthesituation.

“Ididn’trealizeyouwererelated,”Isay,followingcloselybehindher.
“Mostpeoplehereknow.It’shardforthemnottosinceourparentsallworkedtogether,andwegrew

upbasicallylikebrotherandsister.”

Herlongdarkredhairispulledintoatightponytail,anditswishesbackandforthasshewalks.Her

petiteframeismovingfast,andIhavetospeedupmystepstokeepupwithher.Ialsohavetoforce
myselfnottostareatherroundasswhenwegetontheelevator.Shepushesthebuttonforthelobbyand
putsherhandsonherhips.

“Howdoyoufeelabouttacos?”sheaskswithoutlookingatme.

“NevermetoneIdidn’tlike,”Isaywithasmile.
Sheslowlyturnsherheadtome,andthere’snotatraceofhumoronherface.Whentheelevatordoors

open,sheslidesonhersunglasses.“Watchyourself,Royce,”shesaysbeforeshestepsoff,andIhaveto
hurrytokeepup.

Fuckinghell.IthinkI’minlove.

Chapter3

Pandora

“Icansmellthegreasefromhere,”Roycesays,lookingupattheTacoHut.

Ilovethisplaceandloveitevenmorewhenit’sniceout.Theyhavelittleoutsidetables,too,so

patronscanenjoythesunshine.It’snicetogetoutoftheofficesometimesandgetsomesun.Ihaven’tbeen
doingthatmuchlately.Ireallyneedapooldaywithmysister.

Ilookoverathim.He’sonceagainstandingtooclose,andit’sreallystartingtoannoyme,mostly

becausehekeepsbrushingupagainstme,andIdon’tlikeit.Notevenalittle.

It’samazinghoweasilyIcanlietomyself.
“Yousaythatlikeit’sabadthing.”Igotoopenthedoor,buthebeatsmetoit.
Heflashesmethatperfectsmileandbrushesupagainstmeagain.IhatehowshortIam.Eveninmy

heels,Istillhavetolookupathim.Iwalkpast,andthesmelloftacosfillstheair.ButthenallIcansmell
ishimashestandstooclose.Hesmellswoodsy,nothingatalllikeIwouldhavethought.Withthatsuit
thatmoldstohisbodysoperfectlyandafive-million-dollarsmile,Iwassurehe’dhaveonsomepungent,
overpoweringcologne.Infact,Ithinkthesmellcomingoffhimisjustthewayhesmells.Somethingabout
himisn’taddingupforme.Ican’tputmyfingeronit,butit’sthere.Maybeit’sthethingshe’smakingme
feel,andIdon’tknowhowtoexplainit.

Heleansdown,andIturnmyhead,notwillingtostepback.“Youdon’tknowmuchaboutpersonal

space,doyou?”

Thatstupidsmileonlygetsbigger.Ishakemyhead,thankfulformysunglassesstillperchedonmyface,

becauseIdidn’twanthimtoseethechildisheyerollIjustgavehim.

Iwalkuptothecounter.“It’sbeenawhile,”Samsays,comingbackfromthekitchen.
“Iknow,Iknow.”Ileanonthecounter.“Missme?”
“Everydamnday.”Iseeashadowloomoverme,andRoycehashishandsfoldedoverhischest.
Hissmileisgonenow,andhelookspissed.IignorehimandgobacktotalkingtoSam.Samhasowned

theTacoHutforaslongasIcanremember.Mymomanddadwouldbringusupherealotafterschool
whenwewerekids.ThenPenelopeandIstartedcomingonourown.Weevenstudiedforsomeofour
finalsinherewhiledevouringlate-nightsnacks.Samalwaysgaveushomemadechurrosthatweretodie
for.

“Don’tmindhim,”IsaywhenIseeSameyeingRoyce.“Hedoesn’tknowaboutboundaries.ButIjust

methimtoday,sohecouldjustbeanasshole.”

SamsmirksbutgivesRoyceaglare.IhearRoycegruntsomething,butIdon’tcatchit.
“HowamIgoingtostayinbusinessifyourtacoaddictionisfading?”Samteases.
“BlameHenry.He’stheoneworkingmetodeath.”
Samshakeshishead.“Haven’tseenhimforafewmonthseither.”
“BecauseheknowsIlovethisplaceandhe’savoidingmerightnow.Doyouhaveanyfreshchurros?”I

ask,givinghimmybestsmile.IwantsomethingsweetforlaterwhenI’matworktonightandhavenothing
toeat.Tacosdon’tholdwell,butthesugarydessertwill.

“IthinkImayhaveafew,”Samsays,hiseyessoftening.“Onlyforyou,though.”Heshootsalookat

Royce.

“Perfect,andI’lltakemyusual,”Iadd.
“Allright,eighttacoswithextracheeseandsourcream.”
IhearRoycecoughandmutter,“Eight?”
Ilookathimandshrug.“Theyaren’tgiant.Kindalikeminitacos.Theyfrytheshells,too,sothey’re

crispylittleheaven-sentmorselsofpleasure.”Ican’tstopthemoanthatescapesmewhenItalkabout
them.God,it’sbeentoolong.

“Iftheycanmakeyoumakethatsound,I’lltakeeight,too,”hesays,hissmilebackinplace.
Iturnintheotherdirection.Idon’twanttofacehimbecauseIcanfeelmycheeksburn.Thatdidnot

justhappen.“I’llhaveaDietCoke,too,andhe’sbuying.”

Samchucklesandheadsbacktothekitchen.Igofindatableoutsideandsitdown.Roycefollowsme,

settingmyCokedowninfrontofmewhiletakingasipofhiswater.

“SoIthinkourdepartmentisbeingstaffedwrong.It’snotthatIneedmorepeople,Ijustthinkthat

maybethere’safasterwaywecanbedoingthings,somethingI’mnotseeing.Moreproductive,butnotas
muchwork—”

“HaveyoulivedinNewYorklong?”heasks,cuttingmeoff.
Itakeasipofmysodabutignorehisquestion.“Afewyearsback,aguybythenameofJordanChen

usedtoworkforus.Crazygoodwithcomputers,buthe’sretired.Anyway,longstoryshort,wenever
replacedhim.Hehadcontingenciesinplace,butIthinkthingshavebecomedatedandsomestuffhas
changed.”

“Icantellyouwerebornandraisedhere.Youtalkfast.”
Itakemysunglassesoffandstudyhimforasecond.“What’swrong?Can’tkeepup?”Iraisean

eyebrowathim.

Heonlysmiles.Again.Thentakesasipofhiswater.Iinhaleslowlyandtrytostayontrack.
“Anyway.”IshiftbackasSamcomesoverandsetsourtacosdown.“Thanks,”Itellhimashewalks

away.“Idon’tthinkhe’llwanttodoit.Imean,Icanreachouttohim,buthehasadaughter.She’slike
him.”Ithinkaboutitforamoment.“Kindalikehim.”

“Didyouknowyourlipliftsinthecorneralittlewhenyougetannoyed?”Hiseyesareonmymouth.
“Ifyouknowyou’reannoyingme,thenwhydoyoukeepdoingit?”
Heshrugsandopenstheboxwithhistacos,butdoesn’tmovetoeatone.
“Echois—”
“See,yourlipdiditagain.Doessheannoyyou?”Heleansinalittle,proppinghiselbowsonthetable

andstudyingme.Idon’tlikeit.He’sknownmetwosecondsandalreadyhe’sreadingmelikehe’sbeen
doingithiswholelife.

“LikeIsaid,Echoislikeherdad,butwithsomequirks.Shecanbe—”
“Annoying?”hefinishes.HiseyebrowsrisetoletmeknowIdidthelipthingagain,butallIcanthink

aboutishimwatchingmymouthnow.

Itakeabreathandsitback,crossingmyarms.Echocanbemorethanannoying.Shehastocontrolmost

things.“Shecanbeunpredictable.IfItellhertodoonethingandshethinksI’mwrong,she’lljustdoit
herway.It’salwaysherway.”

“Thenwhywouldyouwanther?”
“Becauseshe’snormallyrightandfivestepsahead.She’sinherheadalotofthetimesandisn’talways

vocal.Shejustdoesit.”

Iknewthisfromexperience.Wesharedafewclassestogetherinschool,andIgotstuckonsome

projectswithher.She’dactuallyskippedafewgrades.Herparentsareevenprettyclosewithmine,so

shewasaroundalot.ButshenormallyfavoredhangingoutwithPenelopeoverme.She’sdamnsmart.
She’sprobablysmarterthanherfather.They’realwaysonthecomputertogether,andIbetitwouldbe
easyforhertopickupwhereheleftoff.

“Areyouinarelationship?”Royceasks,catchingmeoffguard.
IwassurehewasgoingtoaskmemoreaboutEcho,buthedoesn’treallyseemtocareaboutwork.All

hisquestionsareaboutme.ThatremindsmethatIneedtolookintohim,too.Ididasoftcheckonhim
whenHenrymentionedhim,butItrustHenry.Hewouldn’tbringhimonifhedidn’tthinkitwasforthe
best.IalwaystrustHenry’sinstinctsbecausethey’realwaysspoton.Plus,theDavenportnameisknown
aroundtown.Roycecomesfromoldfamilymoney.Probablythinkshecandoandsayanythinghewants.
I’vemeetalotofmenlikehim.It’swhy,whenIfirstmeetnewmenI’llbeworkingwith,I’mfirmsothey
don’tthinktheycangetsomethingoveronme.

Leaningover,IreachoutandshutRoyce’stacobox.Ipickitupandplacehisboxontopofmybox,

thenstackmychurrosontopofthat.

“Youjustlostyourtacos,”Itellhim.
Ipickupmysunglasses,slidethembackontomyface,andthengrabthefood.Hecantrackmedown

whenheactuallywantstotalkaboutwork.

HechucklesasIwalkaway.ThenI’malmostsureIhearsomethingaboutitnotbeingthetacosthathe’s

after.

Chapter4

Royce

“Yousureyou’reupforthistonight?”Ezraasksfromthecouch.

“Leavehimalone.Rolly’sgotthis.Right?”Donovangivesmeaworriedlook,butIshakebothofthem

off.

“IfIdidn’tknowbetter,I’dsayyoutwowerestartingtogetsoftonme.”
“Pffft.Afterseeingthatsweetlittleredheadyouweretalkingtotoday,I’vebeennothingbuthard,”Ezra

chimesinandwinksatme.

Ithrowtheremoteathisheadbeforeheseesitcoming,hittinghimrightbetweentheeyes.
“Dude!”heshouts,andrubsthespotwhereitconnected.“I’msorry,okay?Don’tmessupthe

moneymaker.”Hetakesouthisphoneandlooksintothecameratoinspectthedamage.

I’dcaughtPandoratodayinthelobby.She’sbeenavoidingmeforthepastfewdays,andIhaven’tbeen

abletocornerherinheroffice.FromwhatI’veheardshe’susuallyatherdesk,butlatelyshe’sbeen
givingmetheslip.IknewsomethingwasupthelasttimeIwastheretoseeherandtheytoldmeshe’d
gonetotheladies’room.Iwaitedinherofficefortwohoursandshenevercameback.Eithershehas
someseriousissues,orshewaswaitingmeout.Luckyforher,I’mhardheadedanddon’tgiveupthat
easy.

She’sbeenrespondingtoallmyemails,evenifit’sjustaone-wordanswer.I’vekeptthemessages

professionalandhaven’tsteppedatoeoutoflinehelpingherthebestIcanwithsolvingsomeofthe
problemsshe’sbeenhaving.AndIthinkshe’srightabouthiringthisEchowomen.I’vegoneoversomeof
herstuffandshe’simpressive.IeventhoughtreachingouttohermyselfsoPandoradidn’thavetobecause
sheseemstogetannoyedwithherwouldhelp.IcameupwithaplanforEchodojustdospotprojectand
notfullybeonstaff.Moreofacontractorforprojects.She’dbemorecontrollablethatway.Givingher
onetaskandprogramatatimethensheisdoneuntilyouneedanotherdone.She’dalreadycomeupwith
someamazingideasthatIknewwouldcuttheworkloaddownforPandora.ButsomehowIthinkthat’s
madeherevenmoreskittish.

Todayshe’dbeeninthelobbytalkingtothesecurityguardattheentrance.EzraandDonovanwere

therewithmemeetingHenrytogooverthelastoftheproposal.MyjobatOsbourneCorporationis
endingsoon,andIdon’tknowhowmanymoreopportunitiesI’llhavetovisitPandora’soffice.WhenI
sawherinthelobby,Ihadtotakeachance.

Shewaswearingallblack,andhereyeswererimmedwiththatdarkcharcoal,makingherdeepblue

eyespop.Iachedtotakeherlonghairdownfromitstightknotanddiveintoitwithbothhands.To
smudgethesoftlipstickonherlipsandmakeherreacttome.Ican’tkeepthisbottledupmuchlonger.

Iwalkedoverandtriedtosayhellobutonlygothercoldshoulder.I’mhappytotakeanythingfromher,

though,hotorcold.Shedoesn’tseemtorealizethemoresheplayshardtoget,themoreIwanther.
Althoughifshethrewherselfatme,I’dstillwantherprettygoddamnbad,too.Iguessthatmakesmean
evenbiggeridiot.

IttookeverythingIhadtoletherwalkawaywithoutcrawlingonmykneesafterher.I’veneverhadthis

reactiontoawomanbefore,andit’sunnerving.Ineedtonight,iffornothingbuttohelpsettlemymind.

OnceIgothomeandjerkedofftotheimageofherlipssayingmynamewhileIwasdeepinsideher

pussy,Iwasabletogetmythoughtstogetherandsendherthelastofmyideasforrestructuringher
departmentandstreamliningherdatalikesheasked.AboutanhourafterIsentit,Igotanemailback.It
wasonlythewordthanks,withheremailsignaturebelow,butIknewthatmeantsomethingbig.She’snot
thetypeofwomantogivethingseasily,andifsheeventookasecondtorespond,IknewshelikedwhatI
hadtosay.

I’vealwaysbeenasupporterofthedon’tshitwhereyoueatpolicy.Ikeepitonehundredpercent

professionalwithallmyclients,butsomethingaboutPandoraisdifferent.Whenshelooksatme,there’s
heatthere.IfIknewshewasn’tattractedtome,thenIwouldn’tcomeafterhersohard.ButIcaughtahint
ofsomethingIcan’tname,andIintendtofindoutwhatitis.

“ThatbigGermanfuckerismovingup,”Donovansays,takingabeeroutofmyfridgeandjoiningEzra

inthelivingroom.“Yousureyouwantin?”

“Youknowifyouguysgetpom-pomsyoucouldbemyownpersonalcheerleaders.”Igrababeer

myselfandleanagainstthecounter.IpulloutmyphoneandtextthenumberIwasgivenandaskforthe
location.

Thethreeofusallgotourownplacesacoupleofyearsagoafterwestartedmakinggoodmoney.I

boughtaloftintheMeatpackingDistrictandhavebeenfixingitup.It’sstillaworkinprogress,butIlike
doingitallwithmyownhands,soIdon’tmind.Thekitchenandlivingspacearedone,andsoaremy
bedroomandmasterbathroom.Thespareroomsandbathsareprettymuchjustbarebones,butthe
exposedbrickmakesitseemtrendyinsteadoflikeaconstructionzone.There’sanicepatiooutside,but
I’veyettotacklethejungleoutthere.Bothmythumbsareblack,soI’mleavingthatforthelastpossible
second.

Althoughtheyhavetheirownhomes,too,EzraandDonovanalwaysendupinmylivingroom.Ithink

it’sbecauseIhavethebiggesttelevision,ormaybebecauseIactuallygotothestoreandbuybeer.Either
isasuccessinourbook.

“Ilovewearingshortskirtsasmuchasthenextguy,butwewouldn’tbeyourfriendsifwedidn’tat

leastmakesureyourheadisintherightspace.”

“I’mgood,”Isay,lookingatthetwoofthem.Theynod,knowingifIwasn’tI’dspeakup.
That’susuallythecase,atleast.ButIdon’tknowifI’minthesameheadspacerightnow.TonightI

wanttogetmyhandsdirty.Ican’tshakemythoughtsofPandora,andit’sdrivingmecrazy.Everyother
secondI’mwonderingwhatshe’sdoingandwhoshe’swith.

IwasabletofindoutthroughsubtlehintstoHenrythatsheisn’tmarried.Idon’tknowifshehasa

boyfriend,butfuckhimifshedoes.That’sjustabumpalongthetrail,andI’malltoowillingtostepona
manifitgetsmeclosertoher.Andthat’stheproblem.I’msoconsumedwithmyneedforherthatI’m
willingtobreakuparelationshiptogetit.

Itipthebottlebackanddraintherestofmybeer.WhenmyphonebuzzesIcheckthetextandseethe

nameoftheplaceonthescreen.IslamitdownalittletoohardwhenI’mfinishedandgrabmybagand
keys.

“Whereto?”Ezraasks,asheandDonovangetupandgrabtheirstuff.
“Lincoln’s.”

Chapter5

Pandora

“Gotyou!”mysister,Penelope,screamsasshehopsoutinfrontofme.

I’mleavingwork,andshethoughtshecouldsneakuponme.Isawherpeekingthroughtheglassdoor

asIwaswalkingout.It’shardtomisssomeonewholooksexactlylikeyou.Well,exceptforthelittle
pregnantbellyandhergreeneyes.Oh,andlet’snotforgetshealwayshasagiantRussianstandingnear
her.

“Don’thop,krasota,”herhusband,Ivan,says,standingafewfeetbehindher.
Peneloperollshereyesasherhandgoestoherbelly.Sherubsitinsuchasweet,motheringway.
“Whatareyoudoing?”Iask,likeIdon’tknowtheanswer.Sheknowssomethingisupwithme.It’slike

someweirdtwinthingweshare.It’salwaysbeenthere,anditalwayswillbe.ButsometimesI’dlikea
littleemotionalprivacyfromher.

“Well,whatI’mnotdoingisgivingyouthese.”Sheholdsupawhitebaglikeshehasvictoryinher

hands.

Inarrowmyeyesather.“ArethosewhatIthinktheyare?”
ForasecondIcontemplatesnatchingthebagfromher,butsheturns,tossingthebagtoIvan,whoeasily

catchesit.Stupidtwinthingy.

“Don’teventhinkaboutit.”Shenarrowshereyesbackatme,givingmetheexactlookIgaveher.I

knowthoseareherfamoushomemadebrowniesthatweallfightoveratfamilydinners.

“AndImadethemwithrealbutter,”sheadds.
“Whatelsewouldyoumakeitwith?”Icrackasmile.Likeshe’duseanythingbutthefullfat.
“Idon’tknow.Itsoundedlikeascarythingtoadd.”NowIcan’thelpbutlaugh.
“You’readork.”Iwalkoverandpullherintoahug.
“Somethingweirdisgoingonwithyou.Icanfeelit.Eveninourtextsyouseemoff,”shewhispersin

myear.Idebatewhattosaytoher,becauseIhavebeenalittleonedge.

“IfIgiveyouthetruth,willyounotaskmeamillionquestionsrightnow?Ihavesomestufftogetdone,

andIhaveplanstonight.”

“Fine,”shegrumbles.Pullingback,Iplacemyhandonherbelly.She’shavingagenderrevealparty

thisweekendforthefamily.Theyhaven’ttoldanyone.

“Boy,”shemouthstome,andwinks.
“Same,”Imumble,andhereyesgowidethenstaredownatmystomach.“No,notthat.Imeanmen.

Thisguy’s...Grrr.Nevermind.Thisweekendwe’lltalk,”Itellher.

“Promise?”Shestudiesme.
“Ofcourse.”Ileanin,givingherakissonhercheek.Penelopecangeteveryonetodoanythingshe

wants.Wealwayssayshe’sourfamily’sheart.Lovejustpoursfromher.Sheandherhusbandseemlike
opposites,butitworksforthem.He’sagiantRussianwhodoesn’ttalkmuchandgruntswhenPenelope
getstoofarfromhim.Prettysureheevenhasatrackeronher,andnotsomelow-keycellphoneone.

“Ivan.”Inodtowardhim.Hewalksoverandhandsmethebag.
“Yourmissionover,krasota?”Ivanasksher.Shegiveshimanodandawink.“Good.Iwishtotake

youhome.”

“Youalwayswanttotakemehome,”shelaughs.
“Da,”heagrees,likehedoesn’tknowwhyshe’sgivingthatavoice.Everyoneknowsthis.Buttruthis,

Penelopeisahomebody.

“Loveyouguys.Kissmynieces,”Itellthembeforebendingdownandkissingherbelly“Loveyou,too,

littleman.”

Igivemysisteronemorehugbeforetheyheadoff.IsmileasIwatchthemgo.Ishouldhaveknownshe

wasgoingtopopuponmetodayaftersherandomlysentmethedevilfaceemojithreetimes.Ifinish
runningafewerrandsbeforeheadingbacktomyofficeforalittlewhile.Ihaveafewhourstokillbefore
ImeetupwithDelilahforsomemuch-neededbeersatLincoln’s.

Ithrowmyselfintowork,tryingtostayfocused.Butlikeit’sbeendoingforthepastfewannoyingdays,

mymindbouncesbacktoRoyce.Iclickmyemailstoseeifhesentmeanythinginthelastfewhoursbut
don’tseeanything.Annoyanceonceagaincreepsupmyspine.AndnowI’mpissedatmyself.

“Whatiswrongwithme?”Imumble.Ithinkthat’stheproblem.Idon’tevenknowtheanswertothat

question.Forsomereason,I’mannoyedthatRoycedidn’tchasemetheotherdayafterI’dwalkedaway
fromhim.Iwantedtobeasfarawayfromhimaspossible,yetIwasdisappointedwhenhewasn’tthere.

Thenwhenhesendsmeemails,whichI’malwayschecking,Igetthisstupidweirdfeelinginthepitof

mystomach.It’sfrustratingnotbeingabletocontrolmyreactiontohim.Totopitoff,IknowI’mbeing
childishbyavoidinghim.Ishouldbetryingtoworkwithhimmore.HelpeasehowbusyIamatwork,but
hereIam,beingimmature,whichissomethingI’veneverdoneinmylifewhenitcomestowork.Though
heseemstobesolvingalotofmyproblemshereatworkwithoutalotofmyhelp.Whichonlymakesme
thinkabouthimevenmoreandallhe’sdoingforme.He’sgoingaboveandbeyondandI’mactinglikea
brat.

SomethingaboutRoyceisn’tsittingrightwithme.It’slikeI’mmissingsomethingabouthim.Ithoughta

fewtimesaboutdiggingintohimbutchangedmymind.IknewIwanteditforpersonalreasons,andIwas
notturningintosomestalkerlikesomanyofmyfamilymembers.

Droppingmyheadinmyhands,Igroan.Ireleaseadeepbreathandlookupatmycomputertoseethat

it’stimeformetomeetupwithDelilah.Ipickupmyphonefrommydeskandslipitintothebackpocket
ofmyslacks.

Reachingintothetopdrawerofmydesk,Ipulloutsomelipstickandputitonbeforeheadingout

towardLincoln’s.WhenIgetthere,I’monceagainsurprisedtoseeit’ssobusy.

IseeDelilahsittingatatableintheback,twobeersinfrontofherandacoupleplatesoffood.Iwalk

over,takemyblazeroff,andsitonthechair.

“Hey,”Isay.Shebarelynoticesmeasshelooksaroundthebar.
“Hey,”shereplieswithasmallnod.
Ireachdownandpickupmybeer,takingafewbigpullsfromitandenjoyingthecoldburn.
“Something’sgoingondownstairs,”shefinallysays,lookingoveratme.
“Really?”Iglancetothebackdoorandwatchaspeoplefileinandout.Infact,thecrowdhasslowly

gottensmallerasmorepeopleslipdownthere.

“Yeah,butnooneistalkingaboutwhatitis.I’vehadmyearsopen,butnothing.”Shelooksoveratme,

pullinghereyesfromthedoor.Oneeyebrowrises,andIknowwhatshewantstodo.

“CanIatleastfinishmybeerandshoveafewnachosinmymouth?”Iaskher.
“Thatwilltakeyoutwoseconds,”shelaughs.Ishrugandshovesomenachosinmymouthbefore

polishingoffmybeer.Istandwithherandthrowafewtwentiesonthetable.

Wemakeourwaytowardthedoor,andIwonderifanyoneisgoingtostopus,buttheydon’t.Iwalk

downthestairsfirst.Theyleaddowntoadark,narrowhallway,butIcanhearnoisecomingfrom
somewherebelow.That’swhenlightfloodsthespaceatthebackoftheroom.Thenoisegetslouder,and
peoplearechanting.Theplaceisdirtyandsmellslikesweat.

“Whatthefuck?”Delilahmumblesbehindme.Whenwegettothebottom,Irealizewhattheyare

chanting.

“Rol-ly!”
“Rol-ly!”
“Rol-ly!”
“Holyshit,it’sfightclub,”Delilahwhispersexcitedly.“It’sundergroundshit.”
Amakeshiftringsitsinthemiddleoftheconcreteroom,withpeoplestandingallaroundit.
“Yeah,”IagreeasIlookpastthecrowd,tryingtosee.
Myeyesgotheringwheretwomenarealreadygoingatit.Theoncefacingmelookslikehe’stakena

fewpunchesasbloodrunsdownhisnose.Heisn’tgoingtolastanotherhit.Hewobblesonhisfeetwith
hisarmsstillup.Hisbarrelchestrisesandfallsashebreatheshard,inandout.Thecrowdinfrontofme
ismakingithardtosee,butDelilahandIpushforward,bothofuscaptivatedbywhat’shappening.

Theonewithhisbacktousmakesmepausemyforwardprogress.Tattoosrunalonghismuscledback

anddownbothhisgiantarms.He’sfreakingripped.Thedarklinesthatlooklikedragonscalesmaketheir
waybelowthewaistofhisshorts,andforhalfasecondIwonderjusthowlowthetattoogoes.Alight
sheenofsweatcovershiswholebody,andIcan’tpullmyeyesawayfromhim.He’sstillbouncingonhis
feet,asifhecouldgoforhours.Helookslikeamachine,andIfeelapulsebetweenmylegsasIwatch
himmove.He’sabeastfrombehind,andIcanalmostfeelthepowerrollingoffhim.

Thecrowdkeepchanting.Hedoesalittlehopbeforehelandsalefthookandtakesthemandownto

theground.Thebleedingguyfallshard,andthecrowderuptsaroundthetwomen.

“Thatwashot,”Delilahexclaimsfrombehindme.
Inodinagreement,andjustasI’mabouttoopenmymouth,thefighterturnsaround.
MystomachdropsasmygazelockswithRoyce’s.Hiseyeswidenforafractionofasecond,just

beforeacockysmilepullsathislips.Theref,orwhoeveriscallingthefight,comesoverandraisesone
ofhisbigmeatyarmsintheair.Thecrowdchantsevenlouder,andIsweartoGod,Roycelooksatme
likehejustwonmorethanthatfight.Likehejustwontherighttofuckme.

Hiseyesstaylockedonmine,andIfeelasifI’mfrozeninplace.Idon’tknowwhatI’msupposedto

do,becauserightnowI’mmoreturnedonthanIhaveeverbeeninmyentirelife.

“God,he’ssohot.Thinkhe’llbeinthebarupstairswhenthefight’sover?”Ihearawomannexttome

say.

Thenaveryforeignfeelinghitsme.IdropmyeyesfromRoyce,turningtolookatDelilah.
“Crap.IforgotIhavesomethingtotakecareof,”Itellher.It’stheonlythingIcancomeupwithoffthe

topofmyhead.

“That’scool.I’mgoingtohangoutdownhereandseeifthereareanymorefights.Thisiskinda

badass.”

InodandsaybyeovermyshoulderasIduckthroughthecrowd.Itakeoff,tryingtogetawayfrom

Royceonceagain.WhyisiteverytimeI’mnearhim,Ifeellikerunningaway?

Ialmostmakeittothestairswhenahandgrabsmyarm,turningmearound.Iclosemyeyesandcurse

myself.IknowexactlywhoI’mgoingtofindwhenheturnsmearound,andmyeyesopentoonceagain
meethis.

Chapter6

Royce

“What’stherush,baby?”Isay,andseethefireinhereyes.

“Don’tyoudarecallmethat,”shehisses,andjerksherarmoutofmyhold.
ShemaybepissedIcaughther,butIknowshelikeswhatshesees.I’veonlygotonapairofloose

shortsthathanglowonmyhips,andrightnowshe’seye-fuckingmyhappytrail.

“Youlikewhatyousee?”Shesnapshereyesbackuptomine,andIseeherblush.Fuck,whatI

wouldn’tgivetoseeifsheblushesallthewaydowntohertits.

“Whatareyoudoinghere?Aren’tyouafraidsomeoneisgoingtosmackthatsmileoffyourface?”
Ismileevenbigger,feelingmydimplescrease.“Noway,baby.Idon’teverletthemtouchme.”
“Mustbeanewexperiencethen.Seemsyou’vegotpeoplereadytoclimballoveryou,”shesays,

crossingherarmsandlookingaroundatthewomenwatchingus.

Goddamn,Ilovewhenshesassesme.“TheonlyoneIwantonmyjunglegymkeepsavoidingme.”
Sheletsoutahuffandshakesherhead.“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean.”
“YouknowdamnwellwhatImean,”Isay,takingastepforward.Shetakesastepback,tryingtokeep

herdistance.“Butwe’renotintheofficerightnow,baby.Thisisopenterritory.Infact,”Isay,taking
anothersteptowardherasshetakesanotheroneback,“I’dsayit’sprettydamnclearyou’reinmyworld
now.”

Herbackhitsthewall,andImoveinfrontofher,puttingmyarmsoneithersideofhershoulders.Ilean

downalittlesowe’reeyetoeye.Icanseethepulsebeatinginherneck,andIwanttoleanforwardand
lickherthere.

“Thisismybar.Notmyfaultyouweredowninthebasement.Ijustwantedtoseewhatallthefusswas

about.”

“And?”Isay,givingupthefightandleaningintoher.Iputmylipsnexttoherearandwhisper,“Did

youlikewhatyousaw?”Irunmytonguealongtheedgeofherearandfeelhershiver.“BecauseIdamn
welllikedhavingyoureyesonme.”

“Royce,”shesays,andthere’sacatchinhervoice.
“Fuck.Keepsayingmynamelikethatanditwillgetyoufuckedinthemiddleofthatring.”Imovemy

lipsdownherneckandfeelherhandsgotomychest.“Oristhatwhatyouwant?”

Herfingerstraildownmyhardabsandtotheedgeofmyshorts.
“I’vegottasayIdon’treallylikethethoughtofeveryoneinhereseeingyoutakemycock,butitmakes

mehardasarockpicturingyouundermeandgettingoff.”

“OhGod.”
Imovemymouthuptoherlipsandlookherintheeyes.“Iknowyouwanttobeincharge,buttrustme,

baby,it’sbetterwhenyouletme.”

Withthat,Ipressmylipstohers,andit’slikegasolineonamatch.Whateveritiswe’vebeendancing

aroundfinallycomestoastop,andweattackeachother.

Hertonguepushesintomymouth,andImoanatthetasteofher.InthenextsecondI’vegotherpicked

upandpinnedagainstthewallasIgrindmycockagainsther.

“Putthosefuckinglegsaroundme,”Igrowl,andshedoesasIcommand.
Herthighstightenasmyhandgoestohershirtandslidesunderneath.I’vegotonehandgrippingherass

astheotherfindsthecupofherbraandyanksitdown.Herhardnippleisbetweenmyfingers,andIpinch
thelittlebudasshemoans.Herlowerhalfrocksagainstme,andI’veneverfeltanythinglikeher.She’s
petiteinmyarms,butGod,isshefierce.She’sgivingitbackjustasgoodasI’mgivingittoher,andIfeel
theneedrolloffofher.

“IwonderifIcangetaturnwhenshe’sdonewithhim,”Ihearsomeonesayfrombehindus.
Pandorabreaksthekissandglaresovermyshoulder.“Movealong.Sloppysecondsaren’tonthemenu

tonight.”

Ismileather,andasifshe’srealizedshejustmadeaclaimtome,awallfallsdowninfrontofherand

landsrightbetweenus.Thewomanbehindmemustleave,butIdon’tturnaroundtocheck.Theonly
womanI’minterestedinisinmyarms,butevennowIcanseeherpullingaway.

“Ineedtogo,”shesays,anddropsherlegsfromaroundme,pushingmyhandoutfromunderhershirt.

Shetakesastepawayfromme,butitmightaswellbeamile.

“Hey,”Isay,andshesnapshereyesbackuptomine.Itakeherchininmyhandandleandownagainso

weareeyelevel.“Don’tdothat.Don’tyoupushmeawaywhenyoufeelthis,too.”

“TheonlythingIfeelisstupidforlettingyouembarrassmelikethis.”Shejerksherchinoutofmyhold

andlooksaroundtheroom.

“I’vehadenoughofyourbullshit,Pandora.Stoplyingtome,andstoplyingtoyourself.Youdon’tgive

ashitaboutanyoneinhere,sodon’ttellmeIembarrassedyou.”Ipullherintomyarms,andshegasps.
“Youlikedit,andIfuckinglovedit.Youweremeanttobeinmyarms.Andthesooneryouletyourselfbe
okaywiththat,thebetter.”

Ikissherhard,andshebitesmylip.ForhalfasecondIthinkshe’sgoingtofightme,butinsteadshe

meltsjustlikeshedidbefore.Icouldletthiskeepgoing,andwecouldendupjusthowwewerea
momentago.Butsheneedstogetherheadtogetherfirst.

Ibreakourkissandlethergo,takingastepbackfromher.It’soneofthehardestthingsI’veeverhadto

do,butIcan’tstandherpushingmeawayagain.

“Iwantyou,plainandsimple.Andnotjustforafastfuckinthering.Youfeelthis.”Ipointbetweenthe

twoofus.“Whenyoufinallydecidetotakeachance,I’llbewaiting.”

Turning,IspotDonovannearby,andhetossesmemyshirt.IpullitonandgivePandoraonelastglance

beforeIgrabmybagfromEzraandmakemywayupthestairs.

I’mpissedoffandcoulduseanotherfighttotaketheedgeoff.Idon’twanttoleave.Idon’twantto

walkawayfromher.Butchasingherisn’tthewaytowinherheart.She’shardheaded,andifthat’sthe
wayithastobe,that’sfine,I’llwait.She’sworthanythingI’dhavetodotogether.

IcanonlyhopethatshepicksupthegauntletIjustlaiddown.

Chapter7

Pandora

IliewithPenelopeinourchildhoodbedatourparents’house.Well,inPenny’schildhoodbed.Itmightas
wellhavebeenmine,too.Wesharedroomswhenwewerelittle,butwhenwehitourteens,Momand
Dadgaveuseachourownroom.ButeverynightIwouldstillfindmyselfslippingintoherroomandinto
herbed.

Irestmyhandonherbelly.ShewasupheretakinganapwithIvan,butwhenIslippedinhesmiledat

meandleftusalone.ItwaslikeanyotherSundaywiththefamily.Lotsoflaughter,lyingbythepool,and
morefoodthananyonecouldeat.ButIdidn’tevenfeellikeIwashereformostofit.Myheadwasfar
fromhere.I’vebeeninanotherplace,andit’sfilledwithRoyce.

“Hey,”Pennysays,hereyesflutteringopen.
“Hey.”Herhandcomestorestovermineonherbelly,ourfingerslocking.
“Youreadytotalkaboutit?”sheasks.
“There’sthisguy.”That’sallIgetoutbeforeshehasagiantsmileonherface.“He’sdrivingmecrazy.”

Sheraiseshereyebrowsatme,andIletoutasigh.“Okay,maybeI’mdrivinghimcrazy,too.”

“Hemustbesomethingifhe’sgotyoualltwisted.I’veneverseenyouworkedupoveraman.”She

smiles.“Unlesshewashittingonme.”

Ican’thelpbutlaugh.PennyandIusedtogivetheboyshellinhighschool.Theyallfollowedher

aroundlikelostpuppies.

“HebuggedmewhenIfirstmethim.OrIguessmyattractiontohimbuggedme.”IhatedhowmuchI

likedthewayhesmelled.Ihatedhowitmademefeelwhenhegotinmypersonalspace.Thewayhekept
askingquestionsaboutme.

“Why?”
“Idon’tknow.IguessbecauseIthoughthewasjustanotherrichguyinasuit—someoneHenryhired.I

wastakenabackbytheattraction.Hejustwentforit,butnotinawayIwasusedto.”I’veneverfeltthis
wayaboutsomeone,andIdon’tknowifthisiswhatIwant.

“Howso?”Shestudiesme.
“Hewasaggressive,butnot.Well,notatfirst.Iknewhewantedme,buthedidn’taskmeoutor

anything.Ikepttryingtogivehimthecoldshoulder,buthewouldstilltrytotalktome.”

Penelopeisfull-onsmilingnow.
“What?”
Shegivesalittleshrug.
“What?Tellme.”
“Hecantellyou’relikeaskittishcat.You’vegotclawslikeMomdoes,andhe’sslowlytryingtomove

closetoyou.He’stryingnottospookyoutoomuch,buthekeepscoming.”

Ishakemyheadwhilealumpformsinmythroat.“Hestoppedcoming,”Iadmit,andwatchhereyesgo

soft.Thentheyhardenandnarrow.“What’shisname?”

Ican’thelpbutlaughatthesoundshemakes.“Youreallyshouldhaveyourhusbandteachyouhowto

growlbetter.”

“Hey,Icanstillkicksomeass.Don’tletthebellyfoolyou.”
“There’smore,”Iconfess,andthenproceedtotellhereverythingaboutthenightatthebar.
“Thatdoesn’tmeanhe’sdonechasing.”Pennyglaresatme.“Hewantsyou.”
“Iguess,butstill,it’sbeendays,andtheonlytimehetalkstomeiswhenhehasto.Imean,I’verun

intohim,like,fivetimesaday,andnothing.HestaresatmewiththoseeyesIcan’tgetoutofmyhead.”

“Doesheworkonyourfreakingfloororsomething?”
“No.Why?”
“Becausethatbuildingissobigthatnooneisrunningintoeachotherfivetimesaday.Notunlessthey

workinthelobbyoronthesamefloor.”

Ithinkaboutwhatshe’ssaying,andIsuspectshemightberight.“He’srunningintomeonpurpose,”I

say,andtherealizationmakesmesmile.

“Yep.He’stryingtogetyoutofinallyadmityouwanthim.He’sgivingyouchanceafterchancetomake

yourmove.”

Iletherwordssinkin,andIbitemylip,thinkingitover.Whydoestheideaofhimsoftlystalkingme

makemehappy?

“OhmyGod,you’reblushing.”
“Shutup,”Iscoff.
“Whyareyourunning,Pan?You’renotarunner.Infact,ifIrememberright,you’reasecret

cuddlebug.”

“Iamnotacuddler,”Ilie.Ihadeveryintentionofcominginheretocuddlewithher.
“Whodoyouthinkyou’retalkingto?Isleptwithyouformorethanhalfyourlife.”Shegivesmealook

likeI’mcrazy.

“You’redifferent.You’remytwin.”
Sheshakesherheadatme.“Iloveyou,soI’mgivingittoyoustraight.”Herfacegoesserious,and

remindsmeofDad.“You’rerunningbecauseyou’rescaredofachallengethatyoumightfail.Thatyou
couldgethurt.”

“That’snottrue,”Isay,cuttingin.“LookatwhereI’vegotteninlife.Iworkedhardforthis.”
“Ineversaidyoudon’tworkhard.Youalwayshave.Theproblemis,youknowyou’regoingtowin.

It’swhywhenthingsmighthavebeenhard,youpushedbecauseyouknewyoucoulddoit.Youknewyou
wouldn’tfailbecauseitwasallonyou.Nobodypusheslikeyoudo,Pan.You’reawarrior,andweall
knowit.Anyoneinaroomwithyouforafewminutesknowsthat.”

Herwordsstartsinkingin.
“Youloveonus,yourfamily,becauseyouknowweloveyou.There’snofailureinuslovingyouback.

Youletushavethesoftsidethatnooneelseseesbecausewearesafe.”Shereachesout,cuppingmyface.
“Thisguyisn’tsafe,becauseyoudon’tknowwhathe’lldowithyourheart.WhenIthoughtIvandidn’t
wantme,Iwasamess.Youremember?”

Inod.Idorememberseeingherinpieces.IalsorememberthinkingI’dneverletthathappentome.
“Loveisscary,Pan.It’shardandunpredictable.ButIcantellyouit’swortheverysecond.Stepupto

thechallenge.Iknowyou,andIknowyouwantit.Goandgetit.”

Herwordsraindownonme.“You’reright.Fuck.”
Herhanddropsfrommyface.“Pan,Imeantlikerightnow.Whyareyoustillsittinghere?”
Ilaughandpullherintoahug.“Okay.”Ijumpoffthebed.“Iloveyou,”Itellher,goingforthedoor.
“Loveyou,too.”
I’mnotshockedwhenIopenthedoorandseeIvanstandingtherewithasmileonhisface.Ismileback

andheadtothebackyardtosaymygoodbyes.WhenIgettomycar,IseeHenry,inasuit,leaningagainst

it.Onlyhewouldwearasuittothefamilybarbecue.

“Notavoidingmeanymore?”Iraiseaneyebrowathim.
“Notnow.ItusedtobePenelopewehadtodothiswith.”
Itiltmyhead,unsureaboutwhathe’stalkingabout.
“WhyisRoyceDavenportaskingmeforyouraddress?”Hiswordsmakebutterfliestakeflightinmy

stomach.

“Whendidheaskforit?”Itrytoplaydumb,butthelookonHenry’sfacetellsmeheisn’tbuyingit.
“Calledmeaboutthirtyminutesago.Heseemedprettyagitated.ThenwhenItoldhimnohegotpushy

aboutit.”Hestraightensandputshishandsinhispockets.

“Whatdidyousay?”
“Itoldhimtofuckoff.LikeI’mgoingtogivehimyouraddress.Ishould’veseenitcoming.Heasks

aboutyoueverydamnday.”

Mycheekswarmathiswords.
“Fuckme,”Henrysays,shakinghishead.“Notyou,too.Pandora,youknowwhathappenswhenyou

fallinloveinthisfamily.”Herunshishandsthroughhishairjustlikehisfatherdoeswhenhegets
frustrated.

“Givemehisaddress,”Itellhim,notcaring.Iwantthis.
“Comeon,Pan.”HegivesmealooklikeIcan’tbeforreal.
“I’mnotmessingaround.Iwantit.”Ipulloutmyphoneandwait.
“Fuckinghell.”Herollshiseyesandletsoutasigh.“I’lltextittoyou.ButonlybecauseIknowyou

cantakecareofyourself.”

Hepullsouthisphoneandtapsoutamessage.Iseeitpopuponmine,andInod.Hewalksovertome

andpullsmeinforahug.

“Iknowwe’vebeenateachother’sthroatsthepastfewmonthswithwork,butIloveyou,andIjust

wantedtocheckinonthis.”

“Iloveyou,too,”Itellhim.“ButifIcatchyouleaningonmycaragain,we’regoingtohaveanother

problem.”

Helaughs,pullingawayandwalkingintothehouse.
IhopinmycarandputtheaddressinmyGPS.Myhandsareshaky,andIfeelanxietycreepupmy

spine,butI’veneverbeenmoresureofanything.IknowI’mheadedintherightdirection.

Chapter8

Royce

Ishouldn’thavelethergo.

That’stheonlythingrunningthroughmymindthepastfewdays.Ishouldhavecarriedheroutofthat

fuckingbasementandbroughtherhome.Ishouldhavemadeherminethatsecondandnotletanytimepass
betweenus.

Ipacebackandforththroughmylivingroom,tryingtorackmybrainaboutwhattodo.I’vealready

beensneakingdowntoherfloorformade-upreasons.Idon’tknowhowmuchmoreIcantake.Dayshave
goneby,andnothing.Iseethelookinhereyes.There’ssomuchneedthere,andIknowexactlyhowto
makeitbetter.

Iclenchmyfistsandgritmyteeth.Thatdamnstubbornwomanisdeterminedtodrivemecrazy.Ifshe

wouldjustletherselffeelwhat’sbetweenus,Iknowshe’dseeit.Iknowwithoutadoubtthatshe’dfall
intomyarms.

Pickingupmyphone,IdecidetocallHenryagain.Fuckeverything.Idon’tcareifthisscrewsup

workingtogetherorifitruinsmyname.Iwon’tletpridegetinthewayofwhatIwantwithPandora.My
fingerhoversoverthenumberjustasIhearaknockonthedoor.

Lookingup,IwaitforEzraorDonovantowalkin,butnothinghappens.Thinkingitmustbeadelivery

fromthedoormandownstairs,Iwalkoverandpullitopen.

Standinginthedoorwayismyredheadedgoddess.I’mstunnedsilentbyherappearance,andIholdthe

dooropenwithmyjawonthefloor.Likeanidiot.

Herhairisdown,andshe’slookingupatmethroughherlashes.She’sgotonablacktanktopand

cutoffjeanshortsandflip-flops.It’sthemostskinI’veeverseenexposedonher,andmymouthbeginsto
water.Shelookscasual,likeshe’sbeenloungingaroundalldaywhileI’vebeenpacinglikeamaniac.
I’veneverseenanythingsobeautifulinmylife.

“Hey.Sorrytobargeinonyou,butIneeded—”
Herwordsshakemeoutofmyblockofstone,andIreachforher,pullingherintomyarmsandkicking

thedoorshut.

BeforeIknowwhat’shappening,I’vegotherpinnedagainstthewall,andmylipsareonhers.Fire

ignitesbetweenus,strongerthanourfirstkiss.Itastesweetnessonhertongueandmoanatthefeelofher
handsonmychest.

Igripherasstightandgrindheragainstthelengthofmycock.Everythickinchpulsesforher,andI’m

achingtobeinsidehertight,wetheat.

“Fuck,”ImoanasherhandsmovelowerandIfeelherfingerstouchmystomach.“More.”Iholdherup

againstthewallwithmylowerhalfsomyhandsarefreetopullmyshirtoff.“Touchme.”

Hereyesarewide,andshelicksherlipsasherpalmsbrushagainstmynipples.
“Didyoucomeherebecauseyouwantthis?”Iask,watchingherreaction.Shenods,butIshakemy

head.“Notgoodenough.”Irunmyhandsupherthighs,feelingthewarmthofherskinaroundmywaist.
“Ifyou’rehereforaquickfuck,I’llputyouonyourfeetandtakeyourprettyasshome.Butifyouwant
whatIwant,thenIneedtohearyousayit.”

“Royce—”
“Idon’twantittobelikethat,baby.ButIwon’tplaygameswithyou.I’llwait,anditwillfuckingkill

me,butI’lldoitforyou.”

Sherunsherhanduptomyneck,andIleanintohertouch.Iclosemyeyesandtakeabreath,wantingso

desperatelytohaveher.

“I’mherebecauseIwantitall.You,me,andwhateverthiscouldbecome.”
Iopenmyeyesandseethetruthinhers.
“I’veneverfeltthisbefore,andI’mscared.”
Therawvulnerabilityshe’sshowingmerightnowmakesmychestache.It’sexactlywhatI’vebeen

wantinghertosaysincethedayIlaideyesonher.ButIwanthertobeassureasIam.OnceI’vehadher,
there’snogoingback.

“There’snothingtobeafraidof,Pandora.”Iwrapmyarmsaroundherandlookintoherdarkblueeyes.

“I’llneverhurtyou,andI’llneverleaveyou.Somakesurewhenyoutellmethatyouwantthis,thatyou
damnwellmeanit.Becausewhenyou’remine,that’sforever,baby.”

“I’mtrustingyouwithmyheart,”shesays,andIsmile.
“You’vealreadygotbothhandswrappedaroundmine.Becarefulwithmypreciouscargo.”Ipullher

awayfromthewall,andshelaughsasIwalkusbacktomybedroom.

WhenIcarryherin,Ilayherdownonthebedandlieontopofher.I’mnotreadytokissheryet,

becauseIjustwanttolookatherinmybed.I’vepicturedhermoretimesthanIcancount,andnoneofthe
imagesdiditjustice.

“I’veneverdonethisbefore,”shewhispers,andIseehercheeksturnpink.
Icouldmakeajokeandlightenthemood,butIdon’twantto.Thisisimportanttome,andIwantitto

beimportanttoher.

“ThenI’llbegentle.”Irubmynoseagainsthers.
“I’monthepill.”Sheshrugs,andthenopenshermouthtosaysomethingelse,andIplacemyfingerson

herlips.

“I’mclean,you’reclean.Nocondoms.”Iwaitabeat,andshenods.
WhenItakemyfingeraway,Ireplaceitwithmylips.Thekississoftatfirst,butwhenherhandsgeton

myskin,I’mlikeananimalthat’sfounditsmate.

Reachingforthehemofhertanktop,Ipullitupandoverherhead,throwingittotheground.Her

breastsarebaredtome,herpinknipplestightwithdesire.IsuckoneintomymouthasIslipmyhand
downthefrontofherjeanshortsandintoherpanties.

HerwarmhoneygreetsmyfingersasIspreadherfoldsandpetherclit.Shemoansmyname,andher

hipsriseasIrublittlecirclesinsidehershorts.Ilookdownandseemyhanddisappearingbelowthe
waistband,andIfeelpulseinmycock.Fuck,Iwantintheresobad,butIhavetogoslow.

Slowly,Ipushtwofingersintohertightopening,rubbingherclitwithmypalm.Iachetoriphershorts

andpantiesoff,butsomehowwatchingitlikethisissofuckinghot.Isuckherothernippleinmymouth
whenIfeelherbodytightenaroundmydigits.She’stight,butrelaxesasIloveherdelicatebody.Ipether
asIwouldakitten,gentlyandwithease.Sherespondsinkind,movingherhandbetweenusandrubbing
thebulgeinthefrontofmyshorts.

Thefeelofherhandonmethereistoomuch,andbeforeIcancontrolmyself,I’minmotion.

Chapter9

Pandora

SuddenlymyshortsandpantiesaregoneandI’mleftnakedinthemiddleofRoyce’sbed.Heatanddesire
havepooledbetweenmylegslikeneverbefore,andIwanthimsomuchImaycombustwithneed.

Iwatchwithanticipationashestandsuptokickoffhisshortsandclimbsbackonthebedonlywearing

hisboxerbriefs.

“Wait,”Isay,holdingoutmyhands.“Takethoseoff,too.”
HegivesmethatcockysmilethatIlovebutalsowanttosmackoffhisface.ButhedoesasIaskashe

reachesinhisunderweartofisthiscockandthenslidesthemoffhisbody.Fuck,couldthisguybeany
sexier?

“Spreadthosethighs,baby.I’vewaitedlongenoughtogetatasteofheaven.”
Ithrowmyhandsovermyfacetohidetheblush.I’mnevershyaboutanythingbutrightnowIcanfeel

mywholebodyblushing.Ifeelmylegsbeingjerkedopenandhismouthbitingtheinsideofmythigh.

“Eyesonme,Pandora.Iwanttoseeyoufallinlove.”
Thebastardwinksatme,andjustbeforeIcanreachouttosmackhim,hisfaceducksbetweenmylegs

andIfeelhismouthonmycenter.

“OhJesus,”Igroanasthedelicioussensationflowsupmycoreandthroughmyveins.
“Roycewilldojustfine,baby.Noneedtocallmeanythingelse.”
Iwanttogrowl.Iwanttokickathimforbeingsuchanarrogantasshole.Butthethingshistongueis

doingtomehavemademeloseallthought.

Heslideshishandsundermyassandliftsmeuptohim.Mylegsgooverhislowerback,andmy

bottomhalfiscompletelyoffthebed.He’sright,though.IwatchhimwithsuchfocusthatIcan’tpossibly
lookaway,andImightactuallybefallingforhimatthesametime.

Noonehasevermademefeelthisgood,andIdon’tjustmeanbetweenmylegs.MyheartisfullasI

runmyfingersthroughhishair,andhetellsmehowbeautifulIam,howgoodItaste.Passionfloodsevery
cellinmybodyasheseducesmewithendlesspraiseonjusthowperfectIamforhim.

IfIhadknownitwouldbelikethis,Iwouldhavesatonhisfacethesecondhewalkedintomyoffice.
Reachingup,Irubmybreastsandplaywithmynipplesashelooksupfrommysex.Hiseyesnarrow,

andhemoansinagonizingpleasureasheenjoystheview.I’mteasinghimandI’mtempinghiscontrol,
butI’msoclosetoorgasmthatIcan’tstopmyself.

HeknowsI’mclose,too,becauseeverytimemybreathhitchesandI’matthepeak,hepullsmeback

in.He’sedgingme,keepingmeonthecusp,andI’minsanewithwant.

“Yougoingtobegforit?”heasksashekissestheinsideofmythighandrunshisnoseagainstmyclit.
“Never,”Isay,andIdamnwellmeanit.
“That’smygirl,”hewhispers,andwinksatme.
Goddamnhimformakingmefallevenharderforhim.
Iopenmymouthtoprotest,butbeforeIcangetawordout,Roycehasflippedmeoveronmyhandsand

kneesandispullingmybacktohisfront.

Hisarmscomearoundmywaist,andIfeelthelargelengthofhiscockrestingbetweenmylegs.He’s

sittingbackonhisfeetandbringsmeontohislap,withmylegsoneithersideofhis.

“Iwantyoulikethisthefirsttime.Thiswayyoucancontrolit.”
Hisbighandsrunupmystomach.Onecupsmybreastandtheotherslidesbackdowntomypussy.I

feelhisroughdigitsgentlystrokemysensitiveclit,andmyorgasmisbarrelingdownonmeagain.My
bodyiswoundsotighthe’splayingmelikeaguitar.

“Slidedownrealeasy,baby.”Hekissesmyshoulder,andIfeelhimnuzzlemyneck.“Iwanttomake

slow,sweetlovetoyou.”

He’shandedmethekeysandtoldmetodrive.Ididn’texpectthisfromhim.Ithoughthe’dgetontop

anditwouldbesomethingI’dhavetogritmyteethtogetthroughthefirsttime.ButlikeRoyce,he’snever
whatIthink.

Theheadofhiscockpressesagainstmyentrance,andIfeelthegirthofhim.Buthishandsroammy

body,andhiskissestrailupanddownmyneck,andIrelax.Ibreathethroughthepinchofpainandslowly
lowermyselfontohim.IcanfeeltheslighttrembleinhistouchasItakemoreandmoreofhislengthuntil
I’mfullyseated.

There’snothingintheworldthatcanexplainjusthowgooditfeelstotakehimintomybody.Ican’t

describethefullnessnotonlybetweenmylegsbutinmyheartasIhearRoyce’svoiceinmyear.I
expectedittohurt,andIneverexpectedittofeelthisgood.

“Soperfect.Sobeautiful,”hewhispers,andpetsmyclit.
“I’msoclose,”Ibreathe,alreadyontheedgeofpleasure.
Mybodyislockedtightaroundhis,andIfeelhislipsatmyear.“Slow,baby.Realslow.”
Iriseup,andhislengthdragsoutofme,lettingmefeeleveryhardridge.Theheadofhiscockrubs

someperfectplaceinsideme,andIcryoutwhenhehitsit.

“Nowlet’sfocusonthat.Rightthere,”hesays,rockingbackandforthinshortburstsrightagainstthat

secretplaceinsideme.

Thefeelingistortureofthesweetestkind,andit’slikeI’mbeingbrandedfromtheinsideout.
“Royce.Ohshit.”Igrabhisarmsanddigmynailsintohisskin.SomewhereinthebackofmymindI

hearhimencouragingit,tellingmetomarkhim.

Theslow,steadythrustsrightonthatonespothavemyeyesclosingtightandsweatbreakingoutall

overmybody.

“I’mgoingtocomerightthere.”Hethrustsagainstit,andIcryout.
Mybodyshakes,andIscreamastheorgasmignitesinmybloodandsendspleasuretoeveryinchofmy

body.Myfingersandtoesfeellikethey’reonfire,andInearlycollapseontothebed.

ButRoyceholdsmetight,andIfeelheatbetweenmylegsashisseedspillsinsideme.Thetwoofus

combinedspreadontheinsidesofmythighs,andIcanfeeleverypulseofhiscockashegivesmemore.

Hisorgasmtriggersanotherwaveofpleasurebetweenmylegs,andhisfingersslowtheirsteadythrum.

Mygaspsofbreathhavesloweddown,andmyheartbeatisbeginningtoreturntonormal.

Hislipskissmyshoulder,andIcanfeelhimsmileagainstme.“Mine,”hesays,andhugshisarms

aroundmybody.

Awaveofexhaustionhitsmeashelaysmedownonthebedandspoonsinbesideme.There’sa

blanketpulledoverus,andhisstrongarmskeepmesafe.I’veneverfeltmoreatpeaceinmylife,andI
snuggleagainsthim.

“Getsomesleep,baby.You’regoingtoneedit.”

Chapter10

Pandora

Kissesraindownmyspineandslowlywakeme.IlookovermyshouldertoseeRoyce’slipslingeringin
placesbeforehemovestothenextspot.Thisisthesecondtimehe’swokenmeupwithhismouth.The
firstwaswithhimbetweenmylegs.HeatemeuntilIcameandIfellasleepagain.

“Wegottago,baby,”hesaysagainstmyskin,butmakesnoroomtomove.
“Hmm,”Imumble,wantingtofallbackonthepillow,butIlikewatchinghimkissme.
“Idon’twanttomovefromthisbed,”Iadmit.Iglanceovertothewindowandseethatthesunhas

alreadyset.

“Ihaveafighttonight,”hesaysbeforehegivesmealonglickupmyspine.“IfeellikeI’vebeen

waitingtogetyouinmybedsinceforever.”

Hiswordsmakemesmile.“We’veknowneachothermaybetwoweeks,”Itease,rollingover.
Hecomesdownontopofme,hisbigbodyblanketingmine.Ireachupandrunmyfingeralonghislips.

Hesmilesatme.Thatperfectsmilethatalwaysdrivesmecrazy.Ileanupandkisshisdimple.

“Ithoughtitwouldtakememonthstoturnyouintoacuddler,”hesays.It’sthenInoticethatIwrapped

myarmsandlegsaroundhim.I’mprettysureIsleptontopofhim,too,formostournap.

Iwanttosaysomethingsmartassaboutit,butIjustholdtightertohimandburymyfaceinhisneck.I

wantthis.Idon’tknowwhyI’vebeenfightingit.Itfeelsgoodtobewrappedaroundit.Itfeelslikewhere
Ibelong.

BeforeIknowwhat’shappening,we’removing.Ihearthetwistofknobs,thenwarmwaterhitsmy

body.IpullbacktolookatRoyce.Hetakesmymouthinasoftkissbeforeplacingmeonmyfeet.

“Youreallyhaveafighttonight?”I’mtornbetweenwantingtoseehiminactionagainandwantingto

crawlontopofhisnakedbody.

“Yeah,”hesays,puttingsoaponhishandsandrubbingmybodytocleanme.It’ssonaturaland

intimate.Forsomereason,jealousyshootsthroughmeatthethoughtofhimdoingthiswithsomeoneelse.
“What’sthefacefor,babe?”

“Nothing,”Ilie,notwantingtotellhimwhatI’mthinking.
Heleansdownandplacesakissbelowmyear.“Don’tdothat.Don’tputthosewallsup,”hesays.
“Doyouhavealotofwomeninhere?”Ifinallybringmyselftosay.Iwanttodothis,andIknowifI

do,Ineedtobeopen,saywhatI’mthinkingandnothideoractlikeIdon’tcarewhenIreallydo.

Thatsmilespreadsonhisface.“I’llsmackyou,”Itellhim.
Iraisemyeyebrowsathim,butthenhisfacegrowsserious.Heleansdown,cuppingmyfaceinhisbig

hands.

“No,”hesayssimply,andIcanseethetruthonhisface.“I’veneverbeenseriouswithsomeonebefore.

ForawhileIthoughtsomethingmightbewrongwithme.Ididn’thaveaninterestinwomen,orevenmen,
forthatmatter.Ifeltnothing.Butthenyouwalkedintomylife,andIknew.Ijusthadn’tfoundmywoman
yet.IfoundtheonewhochallengesmeandmakesmefeelthingsI’veneverfelt.”

Ileanupandkisshim.It’sslowandsoft,andbeforeIknowit,I’minhisarms,wrappingmyselfaround

himagain.I’mlostwhenhislipstouchmine,andit’slikedrowninginapooloflove.I’venever

experiencedanythingsosafeandfree.

Ittakesusthirtyminutestofinallypullourselvesfromtheshower,andwhenwedo,myfingersandtoes

arewrinkledlikeraisins.

“You’renotwearingthat,”Roycesays.
Iglanceoverathim.He’sdressedindarkjeansandatightgrayshirtthatmoldstohisbody.He’sgota

gymbagslungoverhisshoulder,andhe’sglaringatme.

“Well,thisisallI’vegot,unlessyouwanttorunbymyplace,”Isay,walkingtowardhim.“Besides,I

wearwhateverIwant.”Iwalkrightpasthimanddon’tstopasIwalkoutthefrontdoor.Iknowhe’sgoing
tofollowme,becauseIfeelhimbehindme.Ididn’thavemuchchoiceinwhattowear,butIcan’tsayI
don’tlikepokingthebear.

IhavemyjeanshortsonandoneofRoyce’swhiteundershirts.Myblackbraiseasilyseenthroughthe

whitematerial.LuckilyIhadsomebootsinmycar,becauseIwasn’tgoingtowearflip-flopstoabar
fight.Orwhateverthisiscalled.Thisisn’tsomethingIwouldnormallywear,butI’lltoughitout.I’m
showingoffmoreskinthanIwantto,butitwillbefine.Plus,whenIsawRoyce’seyesheatupashe
lookedmeover,itonlysolidifiedmyviewonthisoutfit.IlikeitevenmorenowthatIknowhowhefeels
aboutit.

“IhaveafeelingI’mgoingtobefightingmorethanmyopponenttonight,”IhearRoycesayfrombehind

me.AlittlesqueakleavesmewhenI’mliftedupandthrownoverhisshoulder.Heslapsmeontheass
beforeputtingmebackonmyfeet.Iglareupathim,butheonlyleansdown,kissingmeandignoringmy
stare.

Hishandcupsmyass.“Comeon,baby.Wegottagetgoing.”IpretendtobemadasIwalkaroundhis

car.Heopensthedoorforme,andIslipin.Hereachesinandbucklesmyseatbelt.IwanttotellhimI
cantakecareofmyself,thatIknowhowtoputmyownseatbelton.Butsomethingabouthimtakingcare
ofme,justlikeintheshower,givesmeawarmfeelinginmystomach.

Heslidesinthedriverseatandwetakeofftowardthebar.“Doyougetnervousbeforeafight?”Iask,

becauseheseemscompletelycalm.Iwouldatleastbealittlejittery.

“Nope,”hesayseasily.“Beendoingitawhilenow.”
“Yourfaceseemstooprettytofightallthetime,”Itellhim,earningmethatcockysmileofhis.
“I’lltryandkeepitthatwaytonight.Wouldn’twantmywomanthinkingI’mnotthebest-lookingguyin

theroom.”

Irollmyeyesathiscomment.
Whenwefinallymakeittothebar,Istartgettingexcited.EveryoneseemstoknowwhoRoyceis.He

keepsapossessivearmwrappedaroundmeaswemakeourwaythroughthecrowd.It’sweirdhavinga
manholdontomeandstakehisclaim,butIlikeit.IknowIcantakecareofmyself,butit’snicehaving
hisprotectivebodytellingeveryoneinhereI’mhis.

“Youknowyou’llhavetoletmegosoyoucangetinthering,right?”Ilookupathim.Foroncehis

facedoesn’thavethatsmile.No,nowhelooksalittleirritated.

“Yo,Rolly,who’sthegirl?”
Royce’sarmtightensaroundmeevenmore.Iglanceovertothemanwhocalledhisname.
“She’snoneofyourfuckingbusiness.That’swhosheis,”hethrowsback.Theothermanisbig.He

lookslikehespendstenhoursadayinagym.Iwouldn’tbeshockedifsomeonesaidhewasonsteroids,
butRoycedoesn’tseemtocare.“IfIwereyouI’dwatchmyself.Nopointpokingmebeforewegetinthat
ring.Don’tmakeitworseforyourself.”

Jesus,he’sgoingtofightthisguy?Helooksliketheafterpictureinabodybuildercommercial,but

Roycedoesn’tseemtocare.

“Neverseenyouonagirlbefore.Gotmewondering.”
Ilookaroundandseeotherpeoplearelookingatus,too.
Igotosaysomething,butRoycedropshisarmfromaroundme.“Youneedtogosomewhereelse.”
“Damn,thatpussymustbegoodifit’sgotyouallriledup.Howaboutwebetonherownlittleass?

Whoeverwinsthefighttonightgetsher,”hechallenges.

NowI’mfuckingpissed.Itrytostepforward,butRoycebeatsmetoit.Hisarmshootsout,andhe

swings.Hisfistmeetstheguy’sjaw,andthere’sanaudiblecrunchthroughouttheroom.BeforeIcaneven
blink,he’sthrowinghisotherfistandconnectingwiththeothersideofhisface.Themanswaysback,and
Roycethrustsanuppercut,sendinghimdownhardtotheconcretefloor.

EveryonestartcheeringandyellingRoyce’sname.Istandtherealittleshocked,butthecrowdisgoing

nuts.

Roycecomesbacktome,wrappinghisarmaroundmyback.
“Guessthefightisover,”Imurmurthroughasmile.
Somethingabouthimgettingjealousandpossessivemakesthewarmfeelingcomebacktomystomach.

IneverthoughtIwouldhavesomethinglikethis,orevenwantit.NowI’mstartingtoseewhyPenny
lovesitwhenIvangetsallterritorial.Itmakesyoufeelspecial.

“Toldyounottowearthatoutfit.”Heshakeshishead,butIjustkeeponsmilingashishandmoves

downandsqueezesmyass.

Chapter11

Royce

IgrowlwhenIfeelherpressherlowerhalfagainstmycock.Sheknowsexactlywhatshe’sdoingwith
thatassofhers.

“Youtryingtogetfuckeddownheretonight?”Iask,lookinginthosedarkblueeyes.
“Maybe.”Shebitesherbottomlip,andIsweartoGodIwraptighteraroundherpinky.
“Ibetyoudidn’tknowyouweresuchadirtygirl.”
“Yo,Rolly!”Ilookupandseemyboyscomingdownthesteps.
Ezralooksattheringbehindmeandshakeshishead.Donovanjustlaughsandlooksatmewitha

questioningexpression.“Guessthere’snofighttonight?”

“No,”Isay,anddon’telaborate.
“Someonewentcaveman,”Pandorasays,andwavestothetwoofthem.
“Idon’tblamehim,”Ezrasays.“You’recomingdowntothelion’sdendressedlikethat.I’msurprised

anotherfighthasn’tbrokenout.”

“Notyet,”Isay,narrowingmyeyesonher.“Andstoplookingather,”IsnapatEzra.
“Hey,justlookingoutformyman’sgirl.”Hewinksather,andIfeelmyfistsclench.
“Sinceyou’rehere,andthere’snofight,howaboutwegetabeerandseewhatshakesout?Ibetthey’ll

stackanotherone.It’searly.”Donovanlookspastmeandthenbacktous.

MygriponPandora’sasstightens,butshehasotherideas.
“Soundslikefun.Thefirstonewasoverwaytoosoon.”Sheblowsmeakissasshewigglesoutofmy

gripandgoestothebar.

“Goddamnthatwoman,”Isaytomyself,butDonovanslapsmeontheback.
“Cheerup,Rolly.You’veonlygotanothersixtyyearsorsoofittodealwith.”
ThethoughtofspendingtherestofmylifewithPandorawarmstheplaceinmychestthatIdidn’tthink

wasaliveuntilImether.DonovanandEzraknowthetypeofguyIam.TheyknowthatIdon’ttakethings
lightlywhenitcomestowomen.IfI’veputmyclaimonPandora,theyknowit’sforkeeps.She’stheone,
andI’mdone.It’sthatsimpleforme,andtheyknowit.Nowlet’sseeifPandoracangetonthesamepage
asthem.

Pandoragrabsastoolandordersusbeers.Igooverandpickherup,thensitdownandputheronmy

lap.Shewigglesontopofmelikeshe’sannoyed,butwhenherassfindsmycock,hereyesgrowwide.I
leanintoherhairandputmylipsagainstherear.

“KeepwigglinglikethatandI’llbendyouoverthisbar.”Itakeherlobebetweenmyteeth,andIfeel

hershiver.“I’dhavetomurdereveryoneinthisroomforwatchingyougetfucked.ButI’llalwaysgive
youwhatyouneed.”

IslidemyhandsupherbarethighuntilIgettotheedgeofhershortshorts.Theyshowjusttheedgeof

hercheekandbarelycoverherpussy.

“Royce,”shebreathes,andIshakemyhead.
“CallmeRollywhenwe’redownhere.Itmakesmesofuckinghardtothinkaboutyoucheeringmy

namewhileyouwatchme.”Iplaywiththeedgeofhershorts,runningmyfingertipswherethedenimis

frayed.“IfIgetintheretonight,I’mgonnafight.AndwhenI’mdone,I’mgonnaneedtofuck.SoifIstep
inthatring,youbetterbewetandreadyforme,baby.”

“ThatmiddleweightfromBostonisheretonight.Youwantinonthat?”Donovanasks,breakingour

moment.

IlookupathimandthentoPandora,raisingmyeyebrowinaquestion.Shelicksherlips,andIseea

blushcreepacrosshercheeksasshenods.

“Yeah,I’mfighting,”IsaytoDonovan.
“Allright.I’llsetitup,”hesays,anddisappearsthroughthecrowd.
Idrinkmybeer,andPandorawatchesme,eyeslockedonmymouthandthenonmythroatwhenI

swallow.Herbodyissohot,andIcanseethechangeinherbreathing,seeherhardnipplespoking
againstthethinwhiteshirt.

“YoustaybesideEzrauntilit’sfinished,”Isay.It’snotaquestion,butshenods.“AndyoustaywhereI

canseeyou.Rightupfront.”

“It’sdone,”Donovansays,comingbackover.“You’reupinten.”
“Let’sgochange,”Isay,gettingoffthestoolandpullingPandorabehindme.
Itakeherintothebathroomandlockthedoor.Ipushherupagainstitandlifther,lettingherlegswrap

aroundmywaist.

“Tellyouwhat,baby.HowevermanysecondsittakesmetoknockthatguyoutishowmanyhoursI’m

goingtospendbetweenyourlegswhenwegethome.”

“Isthatathreat?”sheaskssmugly.
“YousawmeKOthatguyinaboutasecond.Yousureyouwantmetogothatquick?”Igivehermy

cockysmilethatIknowmakesherwet,andI’mnotdisappointedwhensherubsherlowerhalfagainst
me.

“Takeyourtime,”shesays,butthenshebecomesserious.“Becareful,okay?”
“Youjusttakecareofwhat’smostimportanttome,andI’lldotherest.”Ikisshersoftlyandthendrop

hertoherfeetsoIcanchange.

WhenI’vegotonmylooseshortsandnoshirt,shelooksmeoverlikeI’mapieceofmeatandshe’sa

veganwhojustfelloffthewagon.

“YoukeepgivingmeeyeslikethatandI’llhavetofuckyourightnow.”
There’saloudpoundingonthedoor.“You’reup,Rolly.”
“Promises,promises,”Pandorasays,andrunsherhandacrossmychest.“Putyourshirtonrightafter.I

don’tlikeotherwomenseeingyouwithoutiton.”

Ireachintomybagandpullitout,slippingitbackonovermyhead.Shelooksatmewithshockonher

face,andIwink.“Foryoureyesonly.”

Wewalkoutandmakeourwayovertothering.Istandattheedge,andEzraisrighttherebeside

Pandora,waitingonher.

Ileandown,givingherakissandlayingmyclaiminfrontofeveryone.Iwanttodeepenit,butIforce

myselftostopandthenmovemylipstoherear.“Countforme,baby.”

Steppingaway,Iwalkintheringandlookovertoherthighssqueezedtogether.Myjobisalmostdone.

NowIjustneedtoknockthisguyoutsoIcangotakecareofmywoman.

Thebellrings,andIstepup,myfistsheldinfrontofmyface.Theguycomesatme,andIblockhisfirst

fewpunches,dancingaroundthering.Ihearthecrowdcheering,butoverallofitIhearPandorasaymy
name.

Theprimalbeastinsidemegrowstensizes,andIsmileatthemanacrosstheringfromme.Hedoesn’t

standachance.

Steppingforward,Ilayaone-twopunchonhimandthenanother.That’sallittakestomakehimgo

down.He’sabigguy,butI’vegotmywomanshoutingmyname,andI’dneverletherseemefail.

He’snotknockedout,sotherefhastocomeovertocountitout.IturntoseePandorawithonehandon

herthroatinsurpriseasshewatchesme.Itwasfast,butthetimeisticking.Icountoutloudwiththeref,
givinghermydirtysmile.KnowingI’mgoingtoloveeveryminuteI’mbetweenthosesmooththighsof
hers.

“Three,two,one,”Isay,stalkingtowardher.ButbeforeImakeittoher,she’sleapingintomyarms.
Icarryherthroughthecrowd,andhermouthgoestomyneck,lickingandsuckingonme.
“Getoutofmyway,”Igrowlatpeoplewhoareblockingus.
WhenIgettothebathroom,Ikickitclosedandshootthebolt.
“Goddamn,thatwashot,”shebreathesrightbeforemymouthconnectswithhers.
Isetheronherfeetandunbuttonhershorts,pushingthemoffherhipsalongwithherpanties.Ilifther

backupandpresshertothewallasIpullmyrock-hardcockout.

“Sevenseconds,”shemoansrightbeforeIthrustallthewayintohertightpussy.
“Sevenhoursofheaven,”Isay,pullingbackandthrustingbackin.
“Royce!”Shecriesout,andIdoitagain.
Irideherhard,needingthereleasefromtonight.Theadrenalinehasbuiltupfromthefightingand

thinkingaboutallthemenouttherecheckingoutwhat’smine.

“Rightnow,you’regettingaquickfuck.I’lltakemytimewhenwegethome.”Ireachbetweenusand

rubherclit.“Thisisfastanddirty.ButIknowyoulikeit.”

IfeelhertightenaroundmeasIpoundheragainstthewall.Istrumhersweetlittlenub,andshemoans,

buryinghermouthagainstmychest.

Mycockachestocome,butIfeelhowclosesheis.Igritmyteethandholdoff,wantingustogo

together.Thepunishingrhythmisenough,though,andIdon’thavetowaitlong.

“That’sit!”shecries,tensingupandbitingmychestasshecomes.
“Fuck,”Imoan,andemptyintoher,feelingmywholebodyshakefromtheintensityofit.
HerbodygoeslimpinmyarmsasIfeeltheheatofourpassioncoatherthighs.I’mgoingtohavefun

cleaningthatuplater.

“God,you’resohotwhenyoufight,”shesays,smilingatmewithheavyeyes.
“Notashotasyouarewhenyou’reonmycock.”IflashherthesmileIknowdriveshercrazy,andshe

rollshereyes,smackingmychestplayfully.“I’mgoingtotakeyouhome,feedyou,andthenmakegoodon
mypromise.”

“You’regoingtogetlockjaw,”shesays,kissingmylips.“ButthenIwon’thavetohearyourcocky

comments.”

“I’lltakethattrade-off.”

Chapter12

Pandora

“I’veneverseenyoulooknervousbefore,”Roycesays,lookingoveratme.

It’sbeenoveraweekofpureblisswithhim.Ievensaid“fuckit”andcalledoutofworkfortwodays

justtostayinbedwithhim.I’dbeenworkingmyassoff,andIfiguredI’dearnedit.

He’sright,though.Ihardlyevergetnervous.“Iwantthemtolikeyou,”Itellhim,lookingupatmy

parents’house.

PenelopehasbeenbeggingmeallweektobringRoycetothefamilydinner.WhileIwantto,I’malittle

reluctant.NotbecauseI’membarrassedtobringaguyaround,butbecauseIwanteveryonetolovehim.

Roycereachesover,slidinghishandintomine.“Baby,Ipromiseeverythingwillbefine.”Hegivesme

alittlesqueeze.

“Myfamilyisclose,”Itellhim,tryingtomakingsureheunderstandshowimportantthisistome.I

don’twanthimtothinkIdon’twantthemtomeeteachotherIjustwantthistobeperfect.

We’remorethanclose.Myfamilyiseverythingtome.Iactuallythinkthat’spartofthereasonwhyI

neverwentoutandfound—orwanted—aboyfriend.Ihadpeopleclosetomeathomeanddidn’tthinkI
neededitanywhereelse.Plus,IalwaysthoughtI’dneverfindsomeoneasgoodasmydad.Iwasn’t
willingtosettle.Isawhowhetreatedmymom,andIthoughtthatwasrare.Ididn’tthinkIwouldever
findalovelikethat.Mymom’sstrong-willedlikeIam,buthehandlesher,whilelettingherbewhoshe
is.I’maleaderlikeher,andmostmenarethreatenedbythat.Royceseemstogetoffonit,though.It’s
probablywhyIlovehim.

Ifreezeforasecond,processingthethoughtthatjustpoppedintomyhead.Ilovehim.
“ThenIwanttobeclosetothem,too,”hesays,breakingthroughmyinternalshock.
“I’mdifferentwiththem,”Iadmit.“It’snotlikethe‘workme’mostpeoplesee.”
“Baby,”hesighs.God,Iloveitwhenhecallsmethat.Iusedtothinkguyscallingtheirwomenthatwas

annoying.MaybeIwassecretlymissingsomething,becausewhenRoycesaysit,Imeltintoapuddle.
“I’vespentaweekworshipingyourbodyandfeedingyou.Iknowtherearetwosidestoyou.Ilovethem
both.”

“Youlovethemboth,”Irepeat,onlyreallycatchingoneword.
Hegrabsme,pullingmeontohislapandpositioningmesoI’mstraddlinghim.Hetakesmymouthina

deepkissthathasmeworkedupinseconds.

“LovedyoufromthemomentIsawyou,”hetellsme.Herunshishanduptomyhair,pullingmy

ponytail.“Ifeltitthatfirsttimeyoutookmyhand.”

I’dfeltit,too,butitscaredme.“Youmakeadifferentpartofmecomeout.Withyou,IfeellikeIdon’t

havetohaveanywalls.Icanjustbeme,”Iadmit,becauseit’strue.

“I’mlikeafuckingkingbecauseyou’rethatwaywithme.”Herubsthebackofmyneckbeforepulling

metohimandtakingmymouthagain.ThistimeIdeepenit,wantingtofallintohim.

Ipullhimcloser,butsuddenlythecardoorisflyingopen.
“Oh.My.Fucking.God,”IhearPenelopesay.
“Royce,thisismysister,”Imutter,pullingbackfromthekissandblushingbecauseIgotcaughtmaking

out.

“He’shot,”Penelopesays.IhearIvangrowlandlookovertoseehimmovingherbehindhisbigbody

andawayfromus.“Nothotterthanyou.”Sherollshereyes.“Getoutofthecar,”shesays,beforeyelling,
“Mom,Panismakingoutinthecar!”

Nowit’smyturntorollmyeyes.RoycechucklesasIclimboffhimandoutofthecar.Thesmileon

Penelope’sfaceisgiant.Ivanhashisarmsaroundher,cuppingherbellylikeherbabymightpopoutat
anymomentandhemightneedtocatchhim.

“She’smine,”Ivansayssimply,hiseyesboringintoRoyce.IknowRoycecanfight,butI’mnotsure

anyonewantstocomeupagainstIvanwhenitcomestomysister.

Roycewrapsonearmaroundme,pullingmeintohim.“Andshe’smine,”hesayssimply.
Theyglareatoneanother,andIvannodstome.“Andshe’smysister.HurtherandIpromiseyouitwill

bethelastthingyoudo.”

Ittakesmealittlebysurprise,buthiswordsmakemesmile.IvanandIhavebecomesomewhatclose

overtheyears,withhimbeingmarriedtoPenelope,butIdidn’tthinkhe’dsaythat.

“Andthisismybrother,Ivan,”Isay,smiling.
“HurtingheristhelastthingI’lleverdo,”Roycesays,pullingmeevenclosertohim.Ivanstudieshim

foramomentbeforenodding.

“Lookatthem.He’sallcuddlingherandshe’slettinghim!”Penelopesaysexcitedly.Shelookslike

she’sabouttoburstintoapileofsparkles.

“Pan,”Momsays.IturntoseeherandDadstandinginthefrontdoor.Dadhashisarmscrossedover

hischestandisgivingRoyceadeathstare.Momhasalittlesmirkonherface.SheandPenelopeseemto
betheonlyoneswhoarehappyhere.

“Hey,”Isay,wavingtothem.
“Yougoingtointroduceus?”Dadsays.
“ThisisPan’sman,”PenelopesaysbeforeIcangetawordin.“Sheneedsaringandababy,”sheadds,

andIfeelmyselfblush.Igiveherahardlook,andshejustshrugs.

MomandDadmaketheirwayoutthefrontdoor.“Mom,Dad,thisisRoyce.Wekindaworktogether,”I

tellthem.

“Thisiswhathadyouinknotslastweek?”Momasks.Ifeelmyselfreddenevenmore.IhadnoideaI

wasablusher,butleaveittomyfamilytopullitoutofme.

Roycereachesout,takingDad’shand.Dadholdsitforasecondbeforelettingitgo.
“Iwasn’tinknots,”IsayasRoycetakesMom’shandnext.Momjustsmilesmore,lookingjustlike

Penelope.

“Don’tletherlietoyou,”Roycesaysbeforekissingthetopofmyhead.
“Iknowmygirl.AndIknowyou,”MomsaysasshelistsoffRoyce’slifehistory.Sheevenknowsabit

morethanIdo.

“Mom,”Iscold,butsheshrugs.
Penelopekeepsonsmiling,andDadstandsthere,seemingtoknowitall.
“WerunoneofthebiggestsecurityfirmsintheStates.Doyouthinkwedon’tknowwhoyou’re

dating?”Dadsays.

Royceletsoutabarkoflaughter.“Well,IhopeImeetyourstandards.”
“Notthatitmatters,”Iadd.“I’mkeepinghim.”
Dadstudiesmeforasecondbeforeasmilefinallypullsathislips.WhileIwasalittlenervousto

introducethemtoRoyce,Iknewtheywouldbehappy.Myparentsaresoinloveandwantthesamefor
me.DadhasevenbeenpokingmeaboutwhenImightbringsomeonearound.

Roycesqueezesmyhand,andIsmileathim.“Okay,guys,nowthat’soutoftheway.We’releaving,”I

tellthem.

Igoaroundandgiveeveryoneagoodbyehug.
“Youjustgothere,”Penelopesaysgrumpilyinmyear.
“Hejusttoldmehelovesme,”Iwhisperback.
“Yep.Theyhavetogo,”Penelopesaysloudly,makingmeshakemyhead.
Mymomanddadtrytoprotest,butPenelopegoesaboutpushingthembackintothehouse.
Roycelooksatmewithconfusionandholdshisarmsout,palmsup.
“Getinthecar,”Itellhim,andheraiseshiseyebrowsatme.
“Yougetinthecar,”hesaysback,andIrollmyeyes.
Igoaroundtotheothersideandgetinandwaitforhimtoslideintothedriver’sseat.Reachingover,

hepullsonmyseatbeltformeandwaits.

“Drive,”Igritout.
“Whathasyouallpissy?”heasksasheslideshiskeyinthenbacksoutofthedriveway.
“ThemanIlovejusttoldmehelovesme,andIhaven’tgottentosayitback.”
We’veonlytraveledafewyardswhenthecarcomestoasuddenhaltashehitsthebrakesandthrowsit

intopark.

BeforeIknowit,myseatbeltisoff,andRoyceyanksmeoutofmyseatandontohislap.
“Sayit.”
“Youcan’tdemandit,”Itease.
“Baby...”Hisvoicecomesoutroughanddeep,withsomuchemotioninit.“Sayit.”
“Iloveyou,”Iwhisperforthefirsttimetosomeoneoutsideofmyfamily.
Hestaresatmehardforhalfasecondbeforehismouthhitsmine.Histonguepushesin,andIkisshim

backjustasfiercely.Idon’tknowwhyIeverfoughtthis.Hishandstangleinmyhair,andallIcanthinkis
thatthisloveiswhatI’vebeenwaitingonmywholelife.

“We’regettingmarried,”hetellsmeashislipsmovetomyneck.
“You’rebossy.”
NormallyIwouldgetmad,butsomethingaboutthewayhe’ssoassertiveandsureofwhathe’ssaying

doesitforme.Ifeelmyselfsmileandclosemyeyes,lovingthefeelingofhislipsonme.

Hisgriponmyhairtightens,andmypussyclenches.God,whatthisbeastofamandoestome.
“Sayyou’llmarryme,”hepushes,andImoanatthestronggriphehasonme.
He’stough,anditgoesstraighttomycore.I’mnotusedtosomeonebeingsofirmwithme.Ilikeit,and

hesmiles,knowingdamnwellI’mgettingoffonit.

“I’llmarryyou,”Itellhim,becauseit’swhatIwant.Itmightbecrazyfast,butIdon’tcare.Thisman

wasmadeforme.“WecouldflytoVegastonight.”

Hesmilesandthenleansforward,givingmeasoft,sweetkiss.It’sthecompleteoppositeofwhatwe

werejustdoing.Thenhe’sputtingmebackinmyseatandgoingbackintomyparents’driveway.

“Whatareyoudoing?”Iask,wonderingwhatthehellishappening.
“I’mgoingtogoaskyourdadifIcanmarryyou.”
He’sgivingmethatcockygrinwithhisdeepdimples,andImelt.Ioncewantedtosmackthatlookoff

hisface,andnowallIwanttodoiskissit.Hegetsit.Heunderstandswhatmyfamilymeanstome.

“Iloveyou,”Itellhimagain.
“Iloveyou,too,”hesaysbeforegettingoutofthecarandtakingmewithhim.

Epilogue

Royce

Twoyearslater

“Whatareyoutwoinheredoing?”Iask,seeingPandoraandourdaughter,Lavender,playing.

“I’mteachingherhowtothrowapunch,”Pandorasays,holdingupherhandforLavtohit.
“Hey,I’mthefighterinthisfamily.Ishouldbetheonedoingit.”Ileanonthedoorframeandcrossmy

arms.ThesightofthetwoofthemtogethercompletesapieceofapuzzleIneverknewIwasbuilding.
We’vetalkedabouthavinganotherone,butPandorasaysPenelopehasenoughforthewholefamily.

“Nah.Iwanthertobegoodatit.”Pandorawinksatme,andIgrowl,gettingonthefloorwiththetwo

ofthemandlyingonmybackwhileLavendercrawlsonme.

WekeptmyloftinthecityforPandoratoworkafewdaysaweek.Idomostofmyconsultingfrom

homenow,soI’mmobile.Wehaveourhouseon“thecompound”aswelovetocallit,andstayoutthere
therestofthetime.

IstoppedfightingafterLavenderwasborn.It’snotthatIdidn’tenjoyit,buthavingkidschangedour

perspectiveonthings.Suddenlyitwasn’tjustmeandPandorafuckinginbathroomsinthebasementof
dingybars.Althoughwestillmanagetodothatondatenight.Iwantedtogiveourlittlegirltheworld,
andthatincludedmytime,too.OnceImadethedecisiontostepoutofthering,Ineverlookedback.
Gettingintheringwasagoodtime,butit’snotasportyoucanreallyworkatlongterm,andIwasready
forittoend.

Butthere’sonethingthathasn’tchanged,andthat’smyloveforPandora.Ifanything,it’sgrownover

thepasttwoyearstoalevelIcan’tevencomprehend.Ineverknewlovecouldbelikethis,andeveryday
itgrowsstronger.Pandora’sdadtoldmethatit’sthatwayforhimandhermom,too.Iseeitwhenthey’re
together,andthat’swhatIwantforus.

“Areyouallpackedup?”Iask,sittinguptokissPandora.
“Yep.It’snicehavingstuffatbothplaces,though,soallwehavetodoisgrabtheessentials.”
Ireachoutandgrabherbreast,andshegiggles.“What?Justtheessentials,right?”
“Youplayyourcardsright,andwecanhaveababysittertonight.”
“Yoursisterishavingbabyfeveragain,”Isay,pickingupLavandtakingherovertothechangingtable.
“Iknow.Shesaysonemore,andIvanagrees.ButIthinkthatmanwouldgiveherasmanybabiesasher

littlebodycancarry.”

Shecomesupbehindmeandwrapsherarmsaroundmywaist,restinghercheekonmyshoulder.
“Ifwetimeditoutright,youcouldbothbepregnantatthesametime,”Isay.
“OhGod!Canyouimagine?Penelopewouldgonuts.”
IblowaraspberryonLav’sbellyandlistentohergiggle.“Mightnotbesobad.She’salreadyayear

old.Maybeweshouldhavethemclosetogether.”

“Soundslikeyou’retheonewhohasbabyfever,”shesays,smackingmyass.“AreyouandPenelopein

cahoots?”

Ihidemysmilefromherandtrytoshrugcasually.ImayhavebeentalkingtoPenelopeaboutcycles

andwhentheywouldbothbeovulatingagain.Ivandidn’tlikethetalkatfirst,butassoonasPenelope

wastalkingaboutbeingfertile,hewasrighttherewithus.

“RoyceDavenport,turnaroundandlookatme,”Pandorademands.
IpickupLavandholdherupbesidemyface.“Wouldwelietoyou?”
Pandorabitesherlipandshakesherhead.“You’renotallowedtousehercutenesstogetoutoftrouble.

CometoMama,littleone.”

ShetakesLavender,andthenIscoopthebothoftheminmyarmsandwalktowardthedoor.
“Tellyouwhat,whydon’tweletyourparentswatchlittleLavtonight,andyouandmehavesome

alonetime?Youknow,seewhathappens.”

Pandorarollshereyes,butIknowshe’sthinkingaboutit.
“Ican’tsayIdon’tlikeitwhenyoutrytoknockmeup,”shesaysasIputheronherfeetsoshecan

grabherbag.Itakeitfromher,andthentakethebaby,asPandoralocksup.

“Thenjustshutthatprettymouthofyoursandletyourmanmakethingshappen.”
“Ithinkyourdadistryingtogiveyouabrotherorsister,”Pandorasaysasshewalkspastus.
“I’mtryingmybest,babygirl,”Iwhispertoher,andshegigglesatme.

Epilogue

Pandora

Fiveyearslater

“OhmyGod,Pan,thatguyistotallycheckingyouout,”Penelopesaysfrombesideme.

Ilookuptoseeaguyatabenchintheparknearuslookingourway.
“Whatever,”Isay,blowingitoff.I’minyogapantsandatanktop,withwhatI’msureareatleastthree

differentkidstains.

“Seriously.Hekeepslookingoverhere,”shesays,pokingmeintheribsnotsosubtly.
“Dude,”Isay,togethertostop.“Maybehe’scheckingyouout.”
Ilookovertoseethekidsplayingtogetherinthegrassandliebackontheblankettosoakinthesun.
“Don’tevenplaylikethat.Ivanismorethantenfeetfromme.Ifhehearsyou,he’llcomeoverhereand

murdereveryone,”shesays,lookingaroundforhimlikeshe’sexcitedbythepossibility.“Besides,I’m,
like,elevenmonthspregnantwithmyfifthkid.IthinkIvanmightbetheonlymanalivewhofindsme
sexy.”

“Let’shopeso.Ifhefoundoutsomeoneelsedid,we’dallbeintrouble.”
“Idolovehowpossessivehecanbe.”Shesighsdreamily,andIrollmyeyes.
Ican’thateit,though.Possessiveisoneofmyfavoritefeaturesonmyman.Ilowermyglassesandsee

Roycewithourtwolittlegirlsgettingsnowcones.Hisassislookingwaytoogoodinthosejeanstoday.
Ivanisbesidehim,andhewavestoPenelope,whoblowshimakiss.God,Iloveherandhowridiculous
sheissometimes.

“Ohshit.He’scomingoverhere.Whatdowedo?Shouldwethrowsomethingathim?”Penelopeis

freakingout,andIwanttolaughandcoverhermouthatthesametime.

“Excuseme,butdoIknowyou?”thetall,thinguyasks,lookingdownatme.
“No,”Isay,lookingbacktowhereRoyceandIvanarestanding,buttheirbacksareturnedtous.
“Theyarenotgoingtolikethis,”Penelopemumblesinasingsongvoice.
“Areyousure,youlookveryfamiliar.Haveyoubeentotheartgalleryon7th?”
“Nope,”Isay,sittingupnowsotheguyisn’tloomingovermesomuch.
“It’sstrange,becauseIownit,andIswearI’veseenyouatoneofourexhibits.”
“You’vemistakenmeforsomeoneelse.Myhus—”
“MynameisDrake,”hesays,interruptingmeandkneelingdown,holdingouthishand.
Penelopeleanspastmeandwhisperstothestranger.“Look,Drake,youseemlikeaniceenoughguy,so

I’mgoingtosaveyourlife.”Shelookstoourguysandthenbacktohim.“Thosemenarestraightkillers.
Youneedtowalkawayslowlyandneverlookback.”

HesmileslikePenelopeisbeingfunny,butshepullsbackandshakesherhead.“Ohshit.Herewego.”
IturntoseeRoycestompingovertous,thesnowconesgrippedinhishandssotightalloftheiceis

fallingoffthemashegetscloser.He’stryingtohangontothemasthegirlsarehotonhisheelsreaching
forthem,andit’saprettyfunnysight.

“Areyoutalkingtomywife?”HesaysthelastwordlikeIbelongtohimanditshouldbeobvioustothe

world.

Iwanttolaughathowcomicalitis,butIknowifIdoI’llonlygethimangrier.NothingsetsmyRoyce

offlikesomeonesteppingbetweenhimandhisladies.Thatincludesourdaughters.

Roycehandsthegirlsthesnowcones,andLavendercomplainsthathalfofhersisontheground,while

Samshrugsanddrinkswhat’sleftinthecup.

“I’msorry,baby.I’llgetyouanotheronceIgetridofthisasshole.”RoycelooksbacktoDrake,who’s

alreadystandingupandbackingaway.

JustthenIvanwalksup,andIburymyfaceinmyhands,groaning.
“Itriedtotellhim,”Penelopesaysinasmugvoice,crossingherarmsoverherchestandshakingher

head.

Ivandoesn’tstoponcehegetstous,though.Instead,hekeepsstompingtowardtheguy.Drake’seyes

widenwithfear,andhebacksaway.Ivankeepsgoing,thenDraketurnsandruns.Ivanendsupchasingthe
guyoutoftheparkandoutofsight.

“God,Ilovehim,”Penelopesighs,watchingIvanwalkbacktoher.
“Comewithme,”Roycesays,pullingmefromtheblanketandtakingmewithhimtothesnowcone

vendor.“Shouldhavebroughtyouthefirsttime.”

Thegirlssitdownwiththeirauntanduncleandfinishwhatlittletheyhaveleftoftheiricytreat.
“Don’tgetallgrumpy,”Itease,wrappingmyarmsaroundhimandleaningclose.
“Idroppedmysnowcone,”hecomplains,andhesoundslikealittleboy.It’ssoadorable,Istart

laughing.

Hegrowlsandthenturns,grabbingmeupandsqueezingmyass.
“You’reluckyyou’rehot,”Isay,kissinghislips.
“Yeah,well,I’mcursedthatmywifeissodamnhot.Can’tkeepthemoffofyou.”
“Well,Ididwearmybestyogapants,”Isay,andshrug.
“Itoldyouyourasslookedtoogoodinthem.”
“Givememysmile,”Isay,andhedoesasIask.
Hebeamsatme,givingmethatcocky-assgrinwithdimplesshowing.IkisseachonebeforeIkisshis

lips,andhegrindsagainstme.

“Yougetturnedonwhenyougetjealous,”Imumbleagainsthislips.
“IgetturnedonwhenI’vegotyouinmyarms.Andyoudamnwellknowit.”
“Maybeyoushouldremindme,”Ipush.
I’mnotdisappointedwhenhethrowsmeoverhisshoulderandtellsmysisterandIvantotakethegirls

home.He’sgotsomethingheneedstotakecareof,andithastodowithmysassymouth.

God,Ilovemyman.

*****

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Chapter1

Jordan

“Yo,Pop!”IyellthroughthehouseasIclosethefrontdoorbehindme.

Icanseethroughthekitchenoutontothebackporchwherehe’ssitting.Imakemywayouttohimand

glancearoundtheplaceasIgo.

Thiswasmychildhoodhome,sothisplaceismorefamiliartomethananywhere.Walkingdownthe

hall,IautomaticallykissmyfingersandtouchthepictureofmymomhangingonthewallasIpass,
silentlysayinghellotoherlikeeverytimeIenterthehouse.

IgrewupinBrooklyn,NewYork,inasmallsuburbontheedgesofQueens.Itwassafeandclean,and

whenIwasakidIplayedforhoursonthestreetsoutsidethehousewithmybuddies.Somanygood
memoriessurroundthisplace,andIalwaysfeelsafewhenIcomehome.

Mymomanddadweresecond-generationimmigrants,sotraditionisthemostimportantthing.When

mymomdiedwhenIwasseventeen,Ithoughtitmightbetheendofmydad.Hell,I’dthoughtitmightbe
theendofme,too.Shewasthelightofourlivesandthecenterofourtrio.Herdeathwasalsothereason
forthescaronmyface.

“Thereyouare.Where’smyscratch-off?”
Mydadsmiles,andthelinesaroundhiseyescrinkle.He’ssittingonthebackdeckwiththenewspaper

andacupofcoffee,hisstandardspotforSundayafternoon.IfinishedupsparringwiththeguysandPaige,
andheadedouttospendtherestofmydayrelaxingwithDadlikewedoeverySunday.

Ihandhimhisticket,andhepullsacoinoutofhispocket,kissingitbeforehestartsscratchingit.I

smileathimandshakemyhead.Iguesswe’vebothgotoursuperstitions.

Hedoesn’tbuythescratch-offticketshimself,soIhavetodoitforhim.Ithinkit’shisownwayof

restraininghimself,andthiswayhe’snotresponsibleifheloses,Iam.Icomeouttoseehimevery
Sunday,andthisisalwaysourroutine.SometimesIcomehomeinthemiddleoftheweek,buthe’sso
busythatmostofthetimehe’snotevenhome.

I’mluckythatmydadisstillhealthyandhasasolidgroupoffriendswhokeephimonthego.He’sgot

moregoingonhissocialcalendarinoneweekthanIdoinamonth.It’snicenothavingtoworrysomuch
andtoknowthatatleastpartofhimishappy.Iknowhe’llnevergetoverlosingMom,justlikeIwon’t,
buthe’sbeenabletolivehislife,andthat’swhatshewould’vewanted.

Whenhe’sfinishedscratching,he’sgotawinnerandslidesitbacktome.Thenheputsthecoinaway

andwinksatme.“Pressitfornextweek.”

Iputthewinnerinmypocketandnod,knowinghe’llprobablyhitanotherthen,too.Theoldmanhas

moreluckthenanybodyI’veevermet.

Popleansforwardandlooksoverthetopofhisbifocals.“How’sourgirl?”
Iglancedownatmywatchandthenrollmyeyes.“Thatonlytookaboutfiveminutesthistime.”
Hissmilewidensashewaitsformetoanswerhim.Iignorehimandtrytochangethesubject.He’s

beenonmeaboutherforawhile,knowingthatI’malreadyinlovewithher.Ifitwasuptohim,we’dbe
marriedwithgrandbabiesontheway.

“Yourtomatoesarecomingin.”

“Oh,she’sgotyoualltwisteduptoday.”
Igriptheedgesofthechairandtrynottolethimbaitme.Popcanbelikeadogwithabonewhenhe

wants.

“Alreadygothereyesonsomeoneelse?”
“No,”Isnap,andthenrealizeIwalkedrightintohistrap.Iletoutasighanddropmyheadinmyhands.

“She’sfine.Stillthesame.”

“Ahh.Youknow,Jordan,IrememberthefirsttimeIsawyourmother.”
“Iknow,Pop.Youwereatthemiddleschooldanceandspottedherontheothersideoftheroom.She

wasthenewgirlintown,andyouwantedtogooverandintroduceyourself.Therestwashistory.”

Henods,thensmilesandlooksaway,relivingthememoryinhismind.Thereweretimeswhenhe

couldn’trecallitwithouttears,buttheolderhegets,themorethememoriesstayhappyones.Iwonderif
it’sbecausehethinkshe’sgettingclosertothetimewhenhecanseeheragain.

Oncehecomesbackfromthestrolldownmemorylane,heshrugsoneshoulder.“There’snothing

wrongwithbeingfriendsfirst.Itjustmeansthefirststepswillbethestrongest.Takeyourtime.Butdon’t
taketoolong.”

PoppicksuphiscrosswordandgoesbacktoitwhileIsitthere,silentlybrooding.He’sright,buthe

doesn’tknowthewholestory.OrwhoI’mevenhungupon.

Ilovemydad,butIdon’ttellhimeverything.HeknowsmewellenoughtoknowI’vegotmyeyeon

someone.ButIhaven’ttoldhimhername.HealsoknowsmewellenoughtoknowthatIhaven’tmadea
moveyet.ButIhaven’ttoldhimwhy.

HowcanIexplainit?IguessIcouldcomeoutandsaythatIworkwithawomansobeautifulIcan

hardlylookherintheeyes.Thatbeforeshespokeawordtome,everycellinmybodyachedtoreachfor
her.Thatshe’ssoutterlyperfect,I’mnotsuresheevennoticesmelikethat.

IrubmytemplesandthinkabouthowI’vebeenlockedinthefriendzone,withnomeansofescape.
JayistheadministrativeassistanttoMilesOsbourne,soessentially,she’sthegatekeeperfortheentire

company.IfyouneedMiles,yougothroughher,butastheoldsayinggoes:thoughshebelittle,sheis
mighty.

She’ssmallandperky,friendlytoeveryoneshemeets.Butthere’sapitbullinsideofher,andI’veseen

hertakeagrownmandownafewpegsonseveraloccasions.

ThefirsttimeIsawher,I’dhadtorunuptothetopfloortodeliversomeinteltoMiles.Ryan,myboss,

hadaskedmetorunsomedocumentsupstairsbecausehewasonhiswayout.Itwasn’tanythingabovemy
securityclearance,notthattherewasn’tsomethingIcouldn’tfindifIwantedto,soitwasaneasydrop.

WhenIsteppedofftheelevator,Isawher.Andthatwasthat.
OnelookatherandIheardthevoiceofmyfatherechoinginthebackofmymind.Whenyouknow,you

know.ThatfirstglanceatJay,andboy,didIknow.

Itwasallablur,butI’llneverforgetherchestnut-coloredhairinaknotatthenapeofherneck.The

wayherglassesslippeddownhernosetorevealbig,round,chocolateeyeslookingatmeexpectantly.
Thewayhertoplipwasfullerthanthebottom,andhowherfingersheldherpen.Allofthatisburnedinto
mybrain,yetitfeelslikeadream.

Withoutrealizingit,onesecondIwasdroppingoffpapers,andthenextshewasaskingmeifIwanted

toeatinthecafeteriawithher.Idon’teventhinkIansweredher,Ijustfollowedalongandgotatrayof
food.Shewasfriendlyandtalkednonstop,butnothingbeyondthat.Shekeptherdistance,andI’mpretty
sureIonlysaidaboutthreewordsthewholetime,butitwasnice.ThenicestmealI’deverhad.

“You’reoverthinking,”mypoptuts,andIignorehim.
He’sright,butit’scomplicated.Isn’tit?Idon’twanttomessthingsup.I’dratherbeinthefriendzone

withherthanbenothingatall.

“I’mgoingtotakealookatyourcomputerandmakesureyouhaven’tturnedthatvirussoftwareoff

yet,”Isay,pushingawayfromthepatiotableandgoinginthehouse.

“Thedamnthingslowsdownmysolitairegame,”Popyellsfromtheporch,andIshakemyhead.That’s

allhethinksacomputerisgoodfor.

Ispendtheafternooncleaninguphissoftwareandthenwalkingwithhimtothemarketandhelpinghim

bringgroceriesbackhome.WecookSundaydinner,andsomeofhisfriendscomeovertoeatandgiveme
ahardtimeaboutnotbeingmarriedorhavinganykidsyet.

Oldmenarealmostasbadastheladies.Butthesewidowersareoldsoftiestothecore,andtheyall

wantgrandkids.Someofthemhavetheirown,butapparentlyalotisneverenough.

Whentheybreakoutthecards,Icallitanightandheadbackintothecity.I’vegotaplaceontheUpper

EastSidethatIgotforadealwhenIwastwenty-five.I’vefixeditup,andthoughit’ssimple,it’spalatial
byNewYorkstandards,andit’sallmine.

ItakethesubwaybackhomeandthinkaboutJaytheentirerideback.Ialwaysthinkaboutherthistime

ofnight.Iwonderwhatshe’sdoing,whoshe’swith,andifshe’sthinkingofme.

It’stheworstpartoftheweekend,beingawayfromher.AndthereasonwhyIloveMondayssomuch.

Anotherchancetoseeher,anotherchancetobenearher.It’sthedayIlookforwardtothemost.

Lookfor

CLAIMED:AFORHERNOVEL

byAlexaRiley

ComingApril2018
FromCarinaPress

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Copyright©2018byAuthorAlexaRileyLLC

Acknowledgments

ThankyoutoCarinaPressforlovingourstoriesandnotallowingustoleavethisworld.Ourreadersare
gratefultoeveryonethere,andsoarewe!LotsoflovetooureditorAngelaJamesforknowingourvoice
andlettingusrollaroundinthisoneonourown.Don’teverletitbesaidthatyoudon’tknowhowtoherd
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Toourfriends...thankyouforstealingusawayonsigningvacationstohelpkeepussane.Toourhusbands,
thankyouforputtingupwithourcrabbyattitudes,late-nightwritingsessionsandforgettingtocook
dinner.Again.Youarethebutteronourbread...andwemeanthefull-fatkind.

Andtoourreaders.Youguysbeggedformore,andwegaveittoyou.Althoughnowwe’reterrified
we’vefedthebeastandyouwon’ttakenoforananswer.Thankyouforyourkindemails,socialmedia
messagesandwordsofencouragement.Itmeanssomuchtousthatyou’reapartofourstories.Wehope
youlovethisbookjustasmuchasweloveyou.

AlsoavailablefromAlexaRileyandCarinaPress

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AbouttheAuthor

AlexaRileyisapseudonymforthesassydynamicduoofMelissaKingandLeaRobinson.Bothare
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ISBN-13:9781488080609

HoldTight

Copyright©2017byAuthorAlexaRileyLLC

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