Embrace (Evolve Series #2) (32 page)

Look for Entangled, Dane and Laney's Novella and
Entice, Book 3, Sawyer's story! While you wait, connect with S.E. Hall and the
boys and discover more about the Evolve Crew

Twitter: @emergeauthor

Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/S.E.HallAuthorEmerge

Emerge book trailer, by Lisa at Pixel
Pixie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWooZtXiQN8

Goodreads:
http://bit.ly/19xitqD

Dane facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/DanefromEmerge

Evan facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Evan-Mitchell-Allen/409174755862025?directed_target_id=0

Sawyer facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sawyer-Beckett/227467650737311

Emerge playlist:
http://www.pinterest.com/emergeauthor/emerge-playlist/

Embrace playlist:
http://www.pinterest.com/emergeauthor/embrace-playlist/

Other works by S.E. Hall—Emerge on
Amazon 
http://amzn.to/18nKceN

Amazon UK: 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Emerge-Evolve-Series-ebook/dp/B00CTYIWGO

Acknowledgements

I
f I named every single person who helped
me through this process, said to them what’s in my heart, my acknowledgments
would be longer than my book…that’s how blessed I am! So, I will try to keep it
short and sweet, but sincerely hope that I do my job as a person to let you
each know how much you mean to me.

When I wrote my debut novel, EMERGE, I never
imagined the outpouring of love and support I would receive- it’s been
humbling, mind blowing and truly moving! Every one of you who took the time to
read, review, promote and rate Emerge, THANK YOU. So many of you would stop by
my page to tell me how the book touched your heart, the things in your life it
reminded you of, the friends you recommended it to, the cool picture you found
that was fitting, ask a question you had or just to say hi… I read them all and
cried more times than I’m willing to admit.

In fact, I’m crying as I type this, lol.

My husband Jeff takes almost every burden off my
shoulders. If he could figure out a way to bathe and eat for me, I think he
would- that’s honestly about all he has left that he doesn’t do for me. He’s
the best thing that has, or will, ever happen to me. If I could marry anyone in
the whole world tomorrow, I’d pick him again. I love you babe!

My girls- Lyndsey consistently makes me laugh and
reminds me of how cool it is to be a young woman. How many people get a kid
who’s also one of their favorite people to be around? Brooklyn teaches me
kindness, empathy and tenderness. I love you so much Brookie! Shelby Jo shows
me every day with her independence and strength what it truly means to be a
superstar, your own person, running your game no matter what reward or lack of
waits at the finish line. And Brittany, she reads for me, gives me beautiful
babies to spoil and consistently demonstrates the value of speaking your mind!

My family- again, one of those categories where you
do NOT start singling people out and chance forgetting anyone. I will say, I
have a pretty damn cool family. And by cool I mean crazy, loud, obnoxious,
borderline psychotic and so much fun society can hardly stand it when we
congregate in groups. But, they’re all mine and I adore them, wouldn’t trade
you for anything!!!!! Cheers to floating tables! 

The women in my family are strong, independent,
brilliant, hardworking and funny as &*^% - I taught them everything they
know. The men in my life are kind, gentle when needed and strong as hell the
rest of the time. They are examples of where the bar should be set on fathers,
husbands, uncles, cousins, godfathers, protectors and leaders.

Now that I said all that, I am gonna give a special
shout out to my baby cousin Brandon…mostly because I’m so damn proud of him I
can’t see straight- my U.S. Navy stud, but also because he read all my work,
over and over and over…and never once complained.

My homies- I have some ladies in my life who
consistently restore my faith in humanity. The read my work, text me just
because, make me baskets and buy me supplies, pimp me on whatever page I
happen
to point out and never refuse to been seen with me when I’m the only one
wearing sweatpants and my hair in a bun, sans makeup or any apparent
willingness to give a damn.

Angela Graham, my friend, my CP- if you could tone
it down with the cross-country trips where there is no internet, that’d be
great lmao, because you’re the other half of my brain, my “detail” gal, my sounding
board. If I hadn’t met you, there’d be no Emerge or Embrace, you’re simply that
important. I love you girl.

Samantha Stettner- Little lady, you make my life
easier and happier. You help me so much, always giving me pep talks and ideas
right when I need them, taking care of everything for me….Basically, you are my
right arm. I so wish you lived closer where I could sneak up on ya and wrap you
in a hug!!!!!!

The
Dynamic Duo
of Toski Covey and Sommer
Stein- for loving my work enough to take it under your wings and give it a
fresh, amazing face!! The two of you are so wonderful, I can’t thank you
enough! I am but the humble recipient of your visions…I just sit back and
prepared to be awed!

The Erins: Gotta Have Em’…..Erin Roth, my editor who
has the eyes of an eagle and does the best job editing, even if she won’t let
me say “awnry” lol. And Erin Long, my formatter, who I swear hears my emails
coming in, even if in the middle of the night, while I’m in full blown panic
mode begging her to change something right that second. She’s a speedy lil’
lifesaver!

BLOGGERS- there is NO way I am naming you off
individually. Knowing me, I’d forget one and it would keep me awake at night to
have possibly hurt any feelings. Collectively- YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!!!! You change
the lives of  independent authors who had a story buzzing in their head, their
heart, and took a chance on it- you take a chance of them, put your own jobs
and families on hold for that spot of time to read their book and give back. SO
many of you supported me, EMERGE, EMBRACE….and I’m proud to call many of you
friends. Your ethics, integrity, selflessness, kindness and professionalism are
recognized and appreciated!!!!

My AMAZABETAS, HALL’S HARLOTS STREET TEAM, DANE’S
DOLLS and My “Crew”- you know who you are and I hope, what you mean to me!!! If
you don’t, I give you permission to kick my a** because I should be making you
feel special every chance I get. You’re always there when I need a quick fix,
an idea, an opinion, a laugh, a cry…if I never wrote another book, I’d still
need you in my life. See, this is the part where all your names are coming up
and I have something special to say, but….my hands are shaking too bad to type
at just the thought of forgetting someone, so I’ll just say, I love you ALL!

A-Team….no words sweet, wonderful lady!

***I reserve the right to amend, make excuses for,
beg forgiveness on or act clueless in general when it comes to this message
IF
I did forget anyone.

THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!

xoxo S.E. Hall

Embrace Playlist

Endlessly—Green River Ordinance

I Never Told You—Colbie Caillat

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face—Roberta Flack

Red Light Special—TLC

Wonderwall—Oasis

Let Me Clear My Throat—DJ Kool

Mama Said Knock You Out—LL Cool J

Umbrella—Rihanna

On The Road Again—Willie Nelson

Rockstar—Nickelback

Down On Me—Jeremiah & 50 Cent

Fishing In The Dark—The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

My Guardian Angel—The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Kiss Me—Ed Sheeran

Hey Pretty Girl—Kip Moore

Sideways—Citizen Cope

While you
wait, check out Book 2,

Irreplaceable

by Angela
Graham

Chapter 1

Sweet Dreams No More

I
n a haze of raw, undeniable passion, his
strong hands gripped the backs of my thighs, torturously working their way to
my ass, where his skillful fingers kneaded and teased me into surrendering to
his every demand. His breath was thick and minty, with a hint of bourbon, and
left me craving more. Goose bumps flared over my blazing skin. The weather
outside was a numbing twenty degrees, yet I was heated from the inside out.

A giggle escaped my lips when he lifted me from the
ground, my legs finding their way around his waist as his seductive growl
kissed my soul. My hands were relentless, snaking under his shirt and over the
toned muscles of his back. My eyelids fluttered wildly in a vain attempt to
hold his gaze. The harder I fought to watch his every move, the deeper I lost
myself in our moment of hunger.

Everything inside me screamed for more and I ached,
truly pained with anticipation. Grinding myself against his hard body, I rolled
my hips, demanding every part of him. The cool brick wall dug into my back, the
thick coat I wore seconds earlier now lying abandoned on the blacktop beside
us.

A lurid groan spilled from my swollen lips when his
hands dug into my hair, his lips nibbling the corner of mine, the searing
passion between us uncontrollable. Forsaking all logical thought, I submitted
to his reckless frenzy, my lips quivering as his hand slid down the front of my
dress. He tore it open in one swift move, leaving me bare and at his will.

“I need you, Cassandra.”

Oh God, I needed him. I burned for his touch. It was
the closest to serenity I’d ever felt, and I never wanted to lose it. His lips
ravaged mine, taking my breath and eliciting panting when they began their
descent down my jaw. His tongue ignited a trail straight to my breasts, which
were on full display for his eyes only. The scruff of his jaw scratched across
my skin, further awakening every hidden emotion and greedy desire I possessed.

The world around us ceased to exist. He and I were
all that mattered—all I felt, saw, and needed. Lost in the strength of his grip
and power of his lust, I remained at his mercy, fisting his short waves of hair
as he dropped to his knee.

My head fell back, savoring his tongue working its
magic down my stomach. A delicious purr spilled from my open mouth, expressing
everything my brain couldn’t process into words. I wanted more. I wanted it
all, but in an instant, the rough, needy clutch of his fingers and moistness of
his mouth were gone; the indescribable emotions he’d awoken in me were no more.

Dazed, I whipped my head back and forth, desperately
searching the darkness that now engulfed me.

“Logan?”

Panic set in, filling my veins with fear-induced
adrenaline. I reached down for the pieces of my tattered dress, the frosty air
now stinging my clammy skin in his absence, only to find they were gone as
well. There I stood, naked and vulnerable, alone in the night.

“Logan, please…don’t leave me.”

I stumbled forward, struggling to adjust my sight to
see anything other than black. My hands smacked into another wall, and it hit
me.

The alley. I was in the alley.

The air was pulled from my lungs, legs quaking as
the harsh words he’d spoken replayed through me.

“I want to fuck you. Here and now. I’m tired of
waiting.”

“Logan!” My hands shielded my ears, shaking my head
to make it go away. Make it stop. He wouldn’t say that. Wouldn’t treat me like
another whore.

“Come back! Don’t leave me.” My words dripped into a
slurred sob as tears sprung from my eyes, distorting my vision further.

Where was he? Why would he leave me like this? He
wouldn’t—not me. He cared about me. He had to be there…somewhere.

“Logan, please!” I cried out, a cracked whimper
pouring from my soul as I fell to my knees, helpless, terrified, and completely
alone. Something in my heaving chest broke.

My heart. It had to be.

With my hands covering my face, palms pooling with
salty tears, my ears rang with a buzzing horn. I looked up, squinting into the
distance.

There was a light ahead. Someone was coming back for
me.

Logan.

It had to be Logan. None of it was real. He would
never say those things. Never toss me aside.

The light drew closer, a blinding ray suddenly
racing toward me.

I lifted my trembling hands over my eyes, tilting my
head, anxious to make out the approaching figure. It was so bright, too
intense, and glaring into the wetness of my eyes. I couldn’t see, couldn’t
understand, until the car horn blared through the air. Suddenly it was on me,
crashing, barreling my body into nothing until all I felt was pain as the
unknown consumed me.

I
jerked up, fighting to catch my breath.

The familiar dry air of the hospital room eased me
back onto the thin pillows on the small bed. It was all a dream—a horrible
nightmare I could never escape. Five long days trapped in tiny rooms, and every
night I closed my eyes and found him waiting for me. Each kiss took away the
painful memory of that night, slowly erasing it until I was lost in his arms in
that dark alley. His touch and longing were all I felt, all I lived for there.
But it wasn’t real.