Love's Tempting (The Love's Series), page 1
Love’s Tempting
By
Maryann Jordan
Love’s Tempting
Copyright © 2014 Maryann Jordan
Kindle Edition
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except where permitted by law.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
This book is only available through national on-line retailers, not online free sites. If you see this book on an online free site, that means the book was stolen and is being given away against the author’s agreement. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.
Cover Design by: Kari Ayasha, Cover to Cover Designs
covertocoverdesigns.com
Cover Photography: Mandy Hollis, MHPhotography
Cover Model: Julio Elving
Editor: Shannon Brandee Eversoll
ISBN: 978-0-9916522-8-0
Dedication
I dedicate this book to women everywhere who through illness or injury, get up every day and face life knowing that it is not always perfect nor is it always fair. To the women who have endured pain, but have conquered. Have endured setbacks, but have continued. Have endured falling down, but have pulled themselves back up again. Have endured nightmares, but continue to hold fast to their dreams. Women are much stronger than we often realize and it is this strength that gives us the ability to continue through life, taking all from it that we can and giving back all that we have to give.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Author Information
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, I have to thank my husband, Michael. Always believing in me and wanting me to pursue my dreams, this book would not be possible without his support. To my daughters, MaryBeth and Nicole, I taught you to follow your dreams and now it is time for me to take my own advice. You two are my inspiration. Also, special thanks goes to my daughter, Nicole, who is a software engineer and gave technical assistance to the story.
I met Lisa online when searching for information about women amputees. She runs the blog, Lisa on a Limb and has been a source of inspiration as well as a technical advisor. She patiently answered all of my questions (and I had many) and seemed genuinely interested in helping make Lily the best character that I could possible make. Please check out her blog: http://lisaonalimb.com/
My best friend, Tammie, who for eighteen years has been with me through thick and thin. You’ve filled the role of confidant, supporter, and sister.
My dear friend, Myckel Anne, who keeps me on track, keeps me grounded, and most of all – keeps my secrets. Thank you for not only being my proofreader, but my friend.
Going from blogger to author has allowed me to have the friendship and advice of several wonderful authors who always answered my questions, helped me over rough spots, and cheered me on. To Kristine Raymond, you gave me the green light when I wondered if I was crazy and you never let me give up. MJ Nightingale and Andrea Michelle – you two have made a huge impact on my life. Anna Mychals, EJ Shorthall, Victoria Brock, Jen Andrews, Andrea Long, A.d. Ellis, ML Steinbrunn, Sandee Love, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
My beta readers, on Jordan’s Journey, kept me sane, cheered me on, found all my silly errors, and often helped me understand my characters through their eyes. A huge thank you to Denise VanPlew, Sandi Laubhan, Barbara Martoncik, Vanessa Spradling, Jennifer Alumbaugh, Anna Mychals, Danielle Petersen, Shannon Brandee, Leeann Wright, Lynn Smith, Kelly Williams and Tracey Markin for being my beta girls who love alphas!
Shannon Brandee Eversoll has been my editor for the past three books and what she brings to my writing has been amazing. She and Myckel Anne Phillips as my proofreader gave their time and talents to making Love’s Tempting as well written as it can be.
My street team, Jordan Jewels, you all are amazing! You volunteer your time to promote my books and I cannot thank you enough! I hope you will stay with me, because I have lots more stories inside, just waiting to be written!
My Personal Assistant Barbara Martoncik is the woman that keeps me going when I feel overwhelmed and I am so grateful for not only her assistance, but her friendship. It has been wonderful to have someone, who is as passionate about my books as I am, help me stay organized, on task, and boosts my spirits when I need her words of encouragement.
This is the fifth book cover that Kari Ayasha from Cover to Cover Designs has created for me and her talent is evident in every detail. Thank you for working with me. This cover utilizes the amazing talents of Mandy Hollis (photographer from MHPhotography) and model Julio Elving. I thank all of them for capturing my idea and making it a reality.
As the owner of the blog, Lost in Romance Books, I know the selflessness of bloggers. We promote indie authors on our own time because we believe fully in the indie author community. I want to thank the many bloggers that I have served with, and who are assisting in promoting my series.
Most importantly, thank you readers. You allow me into your home for a few hours as you disappear into my characters and you support me as I follow my indie author dreams.
Author Information
Maryann Jordan
I am an avid reader of romance novels, often joking that I cut my teeth on the old bodice rippers. I have been reading and reviewing for years. In 2013, I created the blog, Lost in Romance Books to promote and showcase indie authors. In 2014, I finally gave in to the characters in my head, screaming for their story to be told. From these musings, my first novel, Emma’s Home, The Fairfield Series Book 1 was born.
I am a high school counselor having worked in education for thirty years. I live in Virginia, having also lived in four states and two foreign countries. I have been married to a wonderfully patient man for thirty two years and am the mother to two adult daughters. When writing, my dog or one of my four cats can generally be found in the same room if not on my lap.
Please take time to leave a review of this book (on Goodreads, Amazon). Reviews are the lifeline for indie authors.
Feel free to contact me, especially if you enjoyed my book. I love to hear from readers!
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Chapter 1
Matt maneuvered the woman so he could unzip her pants just enough to work his hand down the front, feeling the soft flesh that was already slick and waiting for him. Hell, he hadn’t done this in years – pick up a woman he just met and finger-fuck them in his truck. But he was tired of the looks he received when first meeting a woman. And this woman? She was perfect. Earlier as they talked in the bar, she looked past the scar on his face and never seemed to take her eyes off of his, peering straight into him. As though she understood everything about him. She was funny, smart, easy to talk to, beautiful. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed so much.
And now here he was with his hand down her pants. The dark of the night was penetrated only by the dim illumination from the street light in the parking lot, leaving the couple bathed in shadows.
Moving his finger in her pussy in rhythm with his tongue in her mouth, he heard her moan and felt his dick swell painfully in his jeans. She was so tight he could barely get his fingers in. Without breaking the kiss, he shifted her again so that she was partially laying back so he could get a better angle. Damn, I wish I could take her home so I could really fuck her the way I want. But he was meeting friends later and she said a friend was coming to give her a ride home, so here he was like teenager trying to get a girl off.
“Baby, can I slide your pants down some more?” he asked using his free hand to maneuver them down over her hips.
“No!” came the vehement reply. Her wide-eyes stared at him in distress and he hated that the suggestion had caused her fear.
“No problem, babe. It’s all good,” he reassured her as his fingers continued their ministration.
Her hips began to move in the age old rhythm of seeking relief and he could already feel her pussy grabbing his fingers. Using his other hand to slide up her shirt, he tweaked her nipple, hearing her scream out as her orgasm rocketed through her. She lay back panting as her body responded to the aftershocks.
Matt would bet his paycheck that she’d never done anything like this before. She was hot as hell, but it didn’t seem as though she had a lot of experience. I wanna see her again. Hell, I wanna be her only experience from now on. Not knowing where that thought came from, he didn’t care. All he knew was that for the first time in a year, he was tempted to spend more time with a woman.
As her breathing slowed, she sought out his eyes then quickly glanced away as a blush flamed her face. Fuck. I wanted to see her again and she regrets this. Goddamnit.
Headlights flashed through the windshield blinding them for a second as another car came into the parking lot. She quickly looked over and began zipping her jeans.
“I’m sorry, that’s my ride. I…um…I didn’t get to…um,” she glanced at his crotch as she tried to come up with the words. “Um, take care of…you. I’m sorry.” He heard the catch in her voice that matched the shine of tears in her eyes.
Before he could think of what to say to make her feel better, she bolted from the truck, landing hard on the pavement, and made her way quickly to the waiting car, limping slightly.
Matt sat in the truck for a few minutes, partially in shock of the evening’s events and partially to give his dick a chance to recover from a serious case of blue balls.
His mind went back to when he first saw her walk into the bar.
At the far end of the bar waiting on friends, he sat on a stool that accommodated his nervous habit of wanting his back to the wall so that he could see everything that was happening. No surprises. Always prepared. It had been a long time since he had been in a bar, battling daily the desire to drink until he was shit-faced. Staring at his beer he regretted agreeing to meet friends here. Out of the corner of his eye he saw two women approach. Pretty. Dressed to attract. Looking for action. Yeah, let’s see how far this goes.
“Hi handsome, looking for some fun?” the redhead said, sliding her boobs along his arm as she sat on the stool next to him.
“We’re good and we don’t mind sharing someone as big as you,” the brunette said, moving next to her friend.
He kept his eyes on his beer sitting on the bar in front of him, a smirk on his face. He knew what they saw. Tall. Muscular. Brawny. Let’s see how many seconds this takes.
Turning, he gave them a huge smile, “Whatcha got in mind ladies?”
Their eyes went to his face. And immediately he saw the flash of shock register in their faces. Yeah, about two seconds. About average.
“Oh sorry. We…um…thought you were…someone else,” they claimed before hustling away.
Matt nodded to himself. Yep, the scar gets them every time. Glancing at his watch to see how much longer he needed to wait, his attention was caught by the movement at the other end of the bar.
There she was. Sitting alone looking lost, nursing her drink. Beautiful. Long, dark blonde curls down her back. A pixie face with dark brown eyes. And her clothes…in a room of scantily clad women she was dressed simply. Green blouse. Black slacks. Low heeled boots. And yet, the whole package together was gorgeous.
And he wasn’t the only one noticing.
Glancing around, he saw the predatory eyes of a number of men scoping her out. She’s sitting there looking like a lost lamb in a room full of wolves and doesn’t have a fuckin’ clue. Seeing two men start to walk over to the bar, he suddenly had the urge to intervene. To protect. To claim. Claim? Where the hell did that come from? Matt hadn’t wanted to claim a woman since…don’t go there.
Debating for only a second, he stood up and stalked over to the bar, sliding onto the stool as though it were his own. Turning to the beautiful woman, he smiled and said, “Sorry I’m late baby.”
Her eyes grew wide as she peered into his, her brow lifted in question.
The two men stopped in their advance toward her and retreated, scowling. She turned her head slightly to see them leave, releasing a sigh of relief.
“Didn’t mean to scare you but you looked like you could use a little help,” he explained.
She turned her face back to his, beaming her smile his way. “Well, I thought it was a horrible pick-up line but now that I know it was just pretend, thank you.”
Her smile pulled him in as he took the opportunity to gaze at her up close. She’s looking at my face but not focusing on the scar.
“Well, if you want a bad pick-up line, how’s this? I haven’t seen you here before.”
Ducking her head, she smiled. “I’m not big on the social scene, but I had a tough day at work and I was supposed to meet a co-worker here tonight. But…she had to cancel and I’ve called a friend to come pick me up. So I’m just killing a little bit of time until she can get here.”
He found himself wondering about her. Her bad day at work. Her friends. After going a year with little interest in forming any relationship, he felt drawn to her and wanted to keep her talking.
“So what do you do in this job that gives you bad days?”
She laughed. “Nothing very exciting for me to tell. I’m a software engineer.” She halted as she watched his expression. “Your eyes haven’t glazed over with boredom yet,” she joked. “As soon as I tell guys what I do, they usually either fall asleep or find someone else more exiting to talk to.”
“Then you haven’t been talking to the right men.”
Her eyes stared into his, seeing nothing but sincerity. “Maybe you’re right,” she said softly.
He heard longing in her voice and a flash of sadness in her eyes, finding himself wanting to take away both and yet strangely glad that no one had taken them away before him.
“So what do you as a software engineer?”
“I work as a contractor. I go in to different companies and design whatever software they need. Currently I work at medical facility. I’m designing some new software for them.”
“Sounds interesting.”
Laughing again, she responded, “Oh now you’re exaggerating! No one thinks what I do is interesting.” She smiled more gently and continued, “But it’s interesting to me. And…it’s…safe.”
“Safe?”
“Yeah, I’m not much of a risk-taker, you know? I like using my mind and honestly – I like working in a quiet environment that doesn’t have a lot of people around. I get to go in and do my thing and then leave and go to another place. I don’t really like being around a lot of people.”
Silence settled between the two of them for a moment as they let the loud noise from the rest of the bar fill in the quietness.
“What about you?” she asked. “What do you do?”
“Well,” Matt started, looking discomfited. “I guess you could say I’m the ultimate risk-taker.” Looking at her quizzical expression, he said, “I’m a detective.”
Her eyebrows shot up in surprise, then shaking her head she admitted, “I wouldn’t have guessed that, but now that you have said it, I think it fits.”
“Fits?”
“Yeah. The desire to rescue, like you rescued me tonight. What kind of a detective are you?”
“Vice.”
“Oh,” she said, her brow furrowing. “Other than what I’ve seen with police shows on TV, I don’t even know what vice detectives do.”
Smiling along with her, he said, “Probably what you’ve watched on TV is right. Drugs, prostitution, gambling…things like that.”
Leaning forward with her elbows on the bar, she placed her chin on her hands, staring at him with big, chocolate eyes. “You must be very brave. I can’t image going into work every day not knowing what’s going to happen,” she admitted. “I go into work knowing exactly what needs to be worked on. What problem needs to be solved. I write codes to solve the problems. And when I’m done, I move on.”
“I don’t know that I would call my job brave. It’s just what I do; it’s who I am.”
The silence once again settled between them, but this time neither heard the noise of the bar around. It was as though everyone else had drifted away, leaving only the two of them in the midst of their own little world.
