Shattered by Love (23 page)

T
he music
that inspired this book

C
ole
and I walk into his apartment and it’s exactly how I pictured it. Large bay windows with light shining through onto the comfortable looking sofa. “Here we are, baby.” His arms wrap around my waist and my head drops onto his shoulder. I love being in his arms.

As we make our way into the living room a photo on the fireplace sends me reeling. The day and night my life changed forever.

M
aking
my way up the stairs to Cole’s bedroom in excitement. I just got my letter of acceptance to intern in New York, and I can’t wait to tell him. This is what I’ve been dreaming about since I was a little girl.

To make beautiful dresses for women who want to, and need to feel like princesses. As soon as I get to the top of the stairs I run into something hard. My eyes drag up the sculpted torso of Cole’s brother.

His chocolate eyes pierce me and a confident smirk curls his lips. They’re only two years apart, but Caden is more of an asshole since he’s become the manager alongside his father. They own a multitude of small businesses, and Cole wanted the position which was given to his older brother.

There was something about Caden that scared me. He was broader and taller than his brother, and always seemed to watch me. And not in the sweet brotherly way, in the way that made my skin crawl.

“Hey there, poppet. Where are you rushing off to so fast?” His dark eyes scan my heaving chest and I want to cringe.

“I was looking for Cole. Excuse me.” As I try to push past him, his hand reaches out and grips my arm.

“Not so fast, tell me something…” His gaze turns almost sinister. “When my brother is deep inside that sweet little cunt, do you ever picture me? Because when I am deep inside any pussy, your pretty eyes always stare back at me.”

A gasp tumbles from me and bile rises in my throat. I pull my arm from his hold and spin on my heel. “Don’t ever come near me again.” I hiss, but before I can leave, he says something the makes my blood turn to ice.

“Don’t worry, poppet, when my brother marries you, I’ll get my chance. And you’ll have nobody to tell, because who will he believe? His own flesh and blood, or a skanky little princess like you?”

He turns and leaves me shaking and trembling. Cole, would believe me. He’d look after me, he promised. As I step into the bedroom, my racing heart calms. “Hey, cherry pie, you look like you’ve seen a ghost. Are you okay?” I nod, shutting the door behind me, hoping Caden’s words don’t follow me in. It’s as if they’re an entity coming to take me away.

“Cole, I need to ask you something. After Caden got the position you wanted, I mean—”

“Ken, baby, I still love my brother. I would lay down my life for him. I know we fight, but that’s what families do.” His amber eyes shine bright and I realize if he had to choose between us, the choice wouldn’t be me.

It hits me suddenly that I would lose him if ever his brother spoke badly about me. And there’s nothing I can do about it. But, that’s not where our story starts… or ends.

I
can’t believe
I’m typing the acknowledgements to my fourth book. It’s been a roller coaster ride that I really don’t want to get off of. This may be longer than the actual book! You’ve been warned!

Anyway, before I start rambling, let me get this out the way. This book wasn’t planned, I didn’t think anyone would want to know more about Jayce, but after readers met him in Broken by Desire, I received messages asking about his story.

And when I sat back and thought about it, he came to me, telling me his story, he told me of his heartbreak and his love. This story is special to me for many reasons, but the main one will be that all of you wanted him and that has humbled me more than you can imagine.

To start, I want to thank my husband, for his un-ending support. He’s given me the much needed leeway to sit behind a computer day after day crafting stories and characters. He never complains that I haven’t made dinner, or that I haven’t done the washing up, (okay, maybe just a little), but he’s been a rock for me to lean on throughout this journey.

To my BETA readers, you girls are incredible. You put up with my nagging, my moaning, and my crazy ideas and you give me the honest, and sometimes brutal advice I need to make the story better than I could have imagined. All of you have taken Jayce’s story and loved him as much as I do. I don’t know what I would do without each and every one of you.

Miriam, as always you’re the reason I am doing this. If it wasn’t for your support, your brutally honest words, and your critical eye, I wouldn’t be hitting publish on my fourth book. You were there from the start, when I wrote my first short story, and you’re still here now, putting up with me. You’re my other half, my sister, my best friend. I love you.

Selin, I really have no idea what I would do without you. Thank you doesn’t cover it. You’ve become like a sister, not just a book sister. You’re always there to listen, to support, and give honest feedback. You tell it like it is, and I respect that more than you know. You’ve had my back more times than I can count, and I can’t thank you enough for that. <3

Lizzie, my wee lassie. You’re an incredible person and I am so honored to call you a friend. We’ve shared stories, tears, and laughs, and it means everything to me to have someone there who will listen. Thank you for loving my men too, and trying to claim them all! LOL. <3

Emma and Simmy, you two ladies have been along with the crazy ride since day one and you’re still here. I’m not sure if that says something about me, or you? LOL! Thank you for all you do, I can’t say it enough. I appreciate every post, teaser, email, message. Thank you for being my BETA’s. <3

Mackenzie, thank you for everything you do and for putting everything else aside and reading my crazy ramblings and giving me your advice, feedback, and for fangirling. Oh, and I suppose I should thank you for the coffee snaps, but, well, let’s just say they’re something I hate to love. <3

Heather, I couldn’t let this book go by without mentioning you. You’ve claimed Mr. Alexander as yours and here it is, in writing, published and printed, Jayce is yours! Thank you for being an incredible friend darling. (and for the toys, you know what I mean!) <3

To my Dreamers! You ladies leave me speechless every day. Your support, and love mean so much to me. You’re always there to listen when I’m ranting, you’re always there to like, comment, share, talk to, and I look forward to our daily chats. My reader group is one of my favorite places online, because I get to interact with you amazing women every single day. Thank you a million times over for being there for me.

To all the other authors I have met along the way, thank you for your support, advice, and just being incredible women. Each one of you have been an inspiration, without even knowing it and I can’t be more grateful.

To the bloggers, THANK YOU! Each one of you do this because you love books, and a mere thank you doesn’t feel enough, but it’s all I can give right now. Thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to read and review and post about my books. I appreciate every like, repost, comment, review, and message. You’re all amazing!! #BloggersRock #AllBlogsMatter

And finally, to all the readers, if it wasn’t for all of you, I wouldn’t be doing this. I wouldn’t be able to write and publish books for you, so THANK YOU. For your support, encouragement, love, and messages. You’re all amazing!

Please, leave a review when you’ve read this book, or any book for that matter, all reviews count, long or short.

H
ey darlings
,

I am an indie author and freelance graphic designer. I started focusing on writing in January 2015 and after a few fan fiction stories, I decided to publish Ace of Harts it was my first full length novella. On a daily basis I have a few hundred characters, storylines, and ideas floating around in my mind. If I am not on Pinterest or Instagram looking for my next muse, you can find me on Twitter or Facebook. So head on over, I love meeting new readers and authors.

When I am in the cave, I am happiest. If you can’t find me sitting behind my trusty MacBook writing about hot alpha males, I am probably drinking coffee at a coffee shop, or wine tasting one of the few hundred wine farms in my home city of Cape Town, in South Africa.

I have an addiction to reading (who doesn’t?), TV series, music, tattoos, chocolate, and ice cream. I am constantly looking for a new book to get lost in and new book boyfriend to fall in love with. My favorite authors include – M Never, K Webster, KL Kreig, Meghan March, and that’s just to name a few!

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