Teach Me Love
Authors: S. Moose
Teach
Me Love
By
S.Moose
Teach Me Love
Copyright © 2013 by S. Moose
Edited by Scarlett Metal
Illustrated by Stephen Bligh
Cover image used under license from http://www.shutterstock.com
All rights reserved. No part of this publication, may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, included photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior writer permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used factitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
For everyone who needs to believe again.
People come into your life and leave a mark on your heart and help you believe again. To my readers, this holds true. None of this would be possible without you and your amazing belief in me, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.
To my husband, Kevin, thank you for dealing with me emotions. One minute I’m happy, the next I’m throwing things around the room. You’re my everything and are always there to catch me when I feel like I’m about to fall. I’m so lucky to have my best friend as my husband. I love you snookums!
To my parents, I don’t know what to say. You both are the best parents I can ever ask for. Thanks for believing in me and helping me achieve my dreams. I know I can be a brat but I’m glad you never gave up on me.
To my two beautiful sisters, Anna and Vicky, thank you for believing in me and pushing me. I love you both so much!
To my family and friends, you’re all simply amazing. I’m thankful for all of you and truly appreciate your constant support.
To my wonderful editor, Scarlett, thank you for dealing with me and helping me cross the finish line. Thank you for pushing me to show the emotions instead of telling the emotions!
To Sandi, here we are again! Third book and you’re still holding my hand and believing in me when I don’t believe in myself. Remember, I’m tackling you when we meet in a few short months!
To Brandi and Kellie, thank you for being my friends and helping me through it all. You both are incredible and I appreciate your hard work and willingness to always help me!
To Jennifer S, Jennifer M,
Lexi, Lindsey, Liz, Tabitha, JM, Maureen, Sandee, Amanda and Stephanie for holding my hand and telling me to keep going.
To my street team, thank you for helping me with promoting, listening to me, helping come up with teasers, names and everything else I need. Your honesty and friendship means so much to me so thank you thank you and THANK YOU! You’re my
Facebook family and I truly love you all!
To Emily, Barbara, Malinda, April,
Laurna and Caiti, thank you for being amazing and honest BETA readers. You’re all wonderful and I appreciate all of you so much!
To a few of my author friends, Carey, Melissa, Louise, Antoinette, Dawn, Glenna,
Nickie, AL, A.Meredith Walters, Suzanne, Chelle and Michele thank you for all of the advice and support.
To Kendall, thank you for making the book trailer for
Teach Me Love
and always being patient with me! I appreciate your amazing and hard work!
To all the bloggers who are constantly supporting me, thank you so much! You are all amazing and play such a special part in my life and I am so lucky for all of your support and help! I know I can always come to you for anything and you will spread the word about me and my books!
To Stephen, thank you for being a great friend and for being my cover designer. You’re never going to get rid of me and I know you love my pickiness!
Teach me love
“
Teach Me Love is beautifully written, emotionally charged, completely amazing book! You will laugh, cry and smile as S. Moose takes you on an emotional rollercoaster.”
-
Tabby's Tantalizing Reviews
"A heartwarming story about finding a second chance at love."
-
Jennifer, Book Bitches Blog
"Teach Me Love is a heartfelt story about two people struggling with past events. Jacob and Abigail find each other and learn that they can have a second chance at love without forgetting those from their past.”
-Book Reviews by Lexi
“
This breathtaking story tugged at my heart from the first page to the last, but S. Moose found a way to mend it whole again. With characters you cannot help but fall in love with, Teach Me Love will put your emotions to the test and make you question whether love really can overcome the ghosts of your past.
-Maureen Mayer, author of Relinquishing Liberty
Chapter 1
Jacob
“Fuck Heather! You’re fired!”
I’m pacing around my large office rubbing my face with my hands and trying to calm down. I hear her whimpering behind me and I tune her out. I look out the window and see the harbor to try and find solace and peace. The light waves are flowing through the crystal blue waters and some boats are sailing by. The March skies are clear and the sun is out, it’s oddly warm today. Watching the outside world helps me relax when I feel as if I’m about to explode. I breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth. I feel hands on my shoulder and I turn around to see Katherine smiling at me.
“Jacob, be nice.”
Before I can say anything, she disappears.
Okay Katherine, I’ll try to relax. I can be a better person.
I try to calm down but she’s nearly cost me a five million dollar deal!
“Bu-
bu-but Mr. Greene, I told you about that conference months ago! I sent a reminder to your cell phone and I texted you the information. I’m sorry.”
I take
a deep breath and look at her. Why the fuck is she crying? I don’t do tears. I hate when women cry. What’s the point of crying? It doesn’t solve anything and makes the situation worse because it shows your guilt and you’re admitting you did something wrong. Her eyes are frantic and her body is shaking. I want to tell her to stop looking to try and show that she didn’t do anything wrong but I’ve already hurt her feelings and my mind is made up. I know I’m being harsh and I should be more understanding but that’s not how life works. It’s not all sunshine and roses. Life’s a bitch and you either have to go with it or it will swallow you whole.
People think I’m heartless but I don’t have time to babysit. I’m running a multimillion-dollar empire
and always need to be on point. There’s no such thing as mistakes and any mistakes that are made shows, to me, your lack of care and dedication. Yes, I have high expectations but success is my only goal. Success is the only thing I know.
My little brother, Logan, and I have been run
ning Greene Publishing for two years. We’ve been successful since day one and I want to keep it that way. Logan is the brains of the operation while I go out and attract potential clients. Our clients are bestselling authors and we are always striving to ensure they are being represented in the best light and are highly promoted. Yes, I’m an asshole but I have a business to run. I need competent and hard working people on my team.
When I turn back around, I see her shaking and I
really feel like an asshole but I need someone who can take my shit. “Heather, please stop.” I come around my desk and lean against it. I try and calm my tone. She’s a great assistant. She’s been my personal assistant for the past two months. I like her drive and motivation. This is the first time she’s made an error, but I don’t want her, or any of my other employees for that matter, to think this error is okay. I wish I can give her another chance but I can’t afford these screw-ups. What will it be next time? She’s young and I thought I could hone her into the way I need her to be, but that failed. The emotions need to go! “You don’t want to work for me. Look at you.” I place my hands on my desk and look at her. “I need someone who can fight back and won’t cry when they hear my voice.” I pause. The fear and panic in her brown eyes draw out a little guilt in me. “Pack up your things and I’ll make sure you’ll be taken care of for the next few months.” I turn to my computer and open up my emails.
“I’m sorry Mr. Greene. I just want you to know
...” She pauses and takes in a breath. “I just want you to know I did my best with you. I hope you find the person you need.” Heather gets up and slowly walks out of my office. I pull my hands through my hair and lean back in my chair. “Fuck,” I mutter. “What the hell am I suppose to do now?” I just fired my personal assistant. I can’t keep my shit together on my own.
I look at the picture on my desk and I feel myself ready to break down. I pick up the picture frame and touch her face. My eyes scan the picture, trying to find reason and answering the questions in my head. Why isn’t she here with me?
Katherine.
It’s almost been three years since I lost my heart and I’m still fighting the pain and brokenness that’s inside of me.
My life was turned upside down when I lost Katherine that heart breaking night. When I buried Katherine, my heart went along with her. Life didn’t have meaning and it wasn’t worth it. I didn’t know who I was without Katherine and everyone looked faceless to me. My family was there to help but I shut everyone out because I didn’t care. I drowned myself in work, alcohol and women but then Katherine started showing up last year and slowly I’m getting better but I still felt heartless.
Those emerald eyes
.
That beautiful smile and her beautiful soul.
“Katherine I miss you every day. I wish you were still here with me.” I put down the picture and drop my head. There’s not a day that goes by when she doesn’t cross my mind. My life is empty and it’s hard to find true meaning. It’s hard to believe that she’s gone and the saying that time heals all wounds is bullshit. She’s still the last person on my mind before I go to bed and the first on my mind when I wake up.
Her family still won’t talk to me. They blame me for everything. In their eyes, I’m the reason why Katherine isn’t here. Her older brother, Ryan, even threatened to kill me if he ever saw me again.
I have all the money in the world but the emptiness I feel keeps me awake at night. All the women I’ve been with cannot fill the void and numbness I feel. I’m sick of the emotionless sex and vain women who only want me to promote themselves in the business of beauty and fame. I fuck them when they come to town. Treat them to dinner. Spoil them with jewelry and shopping. They all want to be Mrs. Greene and try their hardest to move into my life.
Permanently. But no one compares to Katherine; no one can ever take her place. No, no one will be able to take her place because in my heart she’s still here. I’ll never love anyone the way I love Katherine.
I run my hands through my hair and try to refocus.
I turn back to my computer and open up the messaging system.
Me: Get in my office now.
Logan: Yes captain.
I take out my phone and look through my business contacts
I can call to see if anyone has someone available for me but I don’t want to explain myself so I put away my phone and wait for Logan to come into my office. This is what I get for letting my fucking temper take over. I can’t win and anger management classes are pointless. Once a week I go to these classes and sit there to talk about feelings and ways to better manage people. Please someone blow me. It’s a waste of time, but Mother insists to be a people person I need to attend these meetings. How can I talk about my feelings and emotions when I don’t have feelings? I hate talking. I hate people. If the conversation isn’t going to make me millions then I don’t care. There are only a few people I can trust in this world-
my family.
I do have a heart for them and I love what they have sacrificed for Logan and me.
Logan steps in my office and sits down. His brown hair
, green eyes and boyish charm used to make the ladies swoon but he only has eyes for one woman now - Hayden, my lovely sister-in-law.
There
used to be a different woman on his arm every day. I think some women even proposed to him. But when he met Hayden, she showed him a new world that broke everything inside of him. She helped calm my ex playboy little brother. Hayden took him by storm and we all love her. She and I instantly connected. I told her all about Katherine and how I felt. She has tried to set me up on dates but when I looked at these women, I realized they were not Katherine and lost all interest before getting to know them. I’m sure they were wonderful women but I wasn’t ready to move on and I wasn’t sure when I’d be able to.
I turn and look at Logan. He rests his foot on his knee and makes himself comfortable on my sofa. I see him smirking at me while playing with his tie. “What’d you do now
, big brother?”
I run my hand through my wavy brown hair and squeeze the space between my eyes. This is going to be bad. Mother is going to have a conniption.
She loves Heather. “I let Heather go,” I mumble.
Logan lets out a thunderous laugh. “You cannot keep firing your assistants! That’s what
, six already? Man, stop being a jerk.”
He’s right. I need to stop being a jerk and give people a chance but when you do that, you get taken advantage of and people are greedy little shits. “I don’t need this right now Logan. Get me someone!”
Logan leans forward. I know what he’s going to say. I don’t have time to listen to his advice. “When are you going to trust someone?”
“I trust people.” I turn back to my computer to avoid Logan’s stare. My family wants the best for me. I get that. But this is what I know. “Will you please find me someone? I would appreciate that.”
Logan looks at me with worry in his eyes. “I know I joke around a lot but are you okay Jacob?”
I look down at my keyboard. Am I okay? I don’t think I’ll ever be okay. “It’s almost been three years since I’ve lost her. I don’t know what I’m doing anymore, Logan.”
I hear Logan getting up and walking towards me. The tears come back. I don’t think I can ever let her go. “Jacob, you need to stop beating yourself up. It was an accident. I know you miss her. We all do. But when are you going to start living again?” I don’t respond because I have no idea how to live my life anymore. It’s work Monday through Saturday and on Sunday I spend the day with my family. “Why don’t you and Mila spend the day together on Friday? Friday she has a half-day at preschool and I’m sure she’ll love to spend time with her Uncle Jacob. Hayden already has you on the allowed list to pick her up. She’s been asking about you.” My adorable, blonde hair, green-eyed niece Mila is the light of my life. When she was born four years ago she became the reason why I get out of bed. She’s the only girl in my life. “I’d like that Logan, thank you.”
He pats my shoulder before
heading out of my office so I get some more work done. I respond to a few emails but my mind goes back to Katherine and how I wish she were here.
By the time six o’clock comes around, I shut off my computer, gather up my things and head out of the office. Gary, my driver, is waiting for me outside.
“Evening Mr. Greene,” he says when opening the car door for me.
“Thanks Gary.” I get in the car when my cell phone starts ringing. I look at who is calling.
Audrina. Supermodel. Sexy. Long blonde hair. Deep chestnut colored eyes.
“Hello
, Audrina. To what do I owe this surprise?”
“J
acob,” she seductively replies. “I’m coming to town tomorrow. Usual spot?”
I close my eyes and lean my head back. Damn.
The last time we were together I fucked her. Hard. We were in her hotel room all night. A night full of hot fucking. I fucked her in every position imaginable. I loved her riding my cock. She knew what she was doing. Hearing her scream my name made me come hard and fast. I remembered her luscious lips around my dick. She sucked me and put it all the way in the back of her throat.
“Tomorrow night. Eight o’clock.” I hang up the phone before she can respond. I need a release. It’s been nearly three weeks since being with a woman.
Gary pulls into the garage and parks the SUV next to my black Audi. He comes around and opens the door for me. “Gary, take the rest of the night off. I’ll be in for the evening.”
“Sounds good, Mr. Greene.
Call me if you need anything.”
We shake hands.
“Will do. Have a nice evening.”
I go into my building and get in the elevator. I press the PH button and wait while the elevator travels up to my floor. I start taking off my green tie and unbuttoning my gray shirt.
Ding.
The doors open and I walk straight to my loft. When I open the door, a delicious smell hits my face. “Madison?” I put my briefcase down and take off my suit jacket. “Madison, are you here?”
I go into the kitchen and there is my best friend at the stove, pulling out a pizza. She turns her head my way and smiles. “Hey, you. I thought I’d come over and make you dinner.”
I walk to her and kiss her on the cheek. “Thanks, Madison, I appreciate it, but don’t you have a date or something tonight?”
Madison puts down the pizza and leans against the counter. “
Had
a date. I found out the asshole is married and wanted me to be his dirty little secret. Please!”
I start laughing as I walk to the fridge.
“Beer?”
“Please.”
Madison has been there for me since I lost Katherine. We met in college in a business class. It was an instant connection with her but nothing romantic ever happened. I saw her as my best friend and she was there for me whenever I needed her. I don’t know where I’d be without her. Everyone joked around that she liked me but I didn’t see it. She was a great friend who made sure I was okay.
She’s beautiful and every man’s dream. Long brown hair, hazel eyes, lean and curvy, but it’s not there for me; she isn’t Katherine.
