As the third child in the Carter family, I
always felt a little on the outside of the Carter charm. I worked hard and
played harder, but I was getting tired of the same old scene. I was more than
Jess Carter’s little sister, I wanted to be me. Pam Carter.
It was time for a change and I wanted to be set free.
It was time for a change and I wanted to be set free.
I knew it needed to happen. After years of one night
stands and too brief sexual encounters, an accident brought Fate to me. To
resist his charm was my penance for years of misbehavior. The temptation to
give in to my desire haunted me for almost two years, until an uncontrollable
situation started the twisted path to test my resolve further.
What would it take to claim my independence and be a new, improved woman?
I worked for Jacob Vincent, horror novelist
extraordinaire, as his personal assistant, but I was adamant that the
relationship remain professional. Jacob had dark demons and I couldn’t bring
him into the light…or could I? Life was springing
forth for me; changes were coming. I knew it was time to be set free from who I had been and who I was to start fresh with who I wanted to be. I just didn’t
know where to start to change my destiny.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Return to Elk Rapids for the third sensation in the
Sensations Collection, Fragrance Free. A standalone contemporary New Adult romance,
this novel continues the stories of the Carter and Scott families. Read Sound
Advice (Sensations Collection 1) to meet Jess Carter and Emily Post and find
out how it all began over some good advice and a broken radio, or Taste Test (Sensations Collection 2) to
meet Ethan Scott and Ella Vincentia where the challenge is delicious in more
ways than one.
EXCERPT:
“He made me want him.”
Jacob sucked in a
breath. “You wa…,”
Holding up a hand, I
cut him off.
“He led me to think the
attraction was mutual. He played me.” My voice was soft, questioning, and the
darkness of Jacob’s eyes was slowing fading.
“Why’d
you do that, bastard?” Jacob narrowed his eyes at the Irish man for a split
second before returning his gaze to me.
“The
thing is, it wasn’t only once. He kissed me. Twice. No three times. Even since
I’ve been here with his fiancé right under his nose, he’s kissed me again.”
“Better
stop kissing around, Jacob,” Paddy laughed. I stepped toward Jacob again and he
took another step back. I stopped.
“He
flirts with me, and I try so hard to ignore it, like I’m insensitive to it.
Like it doesn’t affect me. But it does, Jacob. You need to stop it.” I looked
directly into his wide eyes.
“Or
is it just that the homegrown apple is fun to play with? I must not have
feelings because I’m from a small town?”
“I
never said that,” he spat at me.
“Well,
you didn’t defend it.” My arms flew out again in my anger. I stepped forward
and Jacob stepped back, hitting his bare back on the ropes. He was pinned.
“And
to top it all off. As if finding out he was engaged wasn’t enough, the sting of
that wasn’t painful enough, knowing I’d kissed him, he had to rub it in
further. Stake to the heart by ear-piercing sex with her under my room.
Touching her. Kissing her.” I was close enough to touch him, but I held back
and Jacob leaned further against the rings.
“You
are a bastard, Jacob.” The Irish brogue was full of sympathy.
“Hit
me,” Jacob said calmly, his tone full of venom.
“No.”
I replied.
“Hit
me,” he said, closing his eyes as if he begged me to do it.
“Never.”
I softened my tone.
“Hit
me!” His angry voice was rising.
“Never,
Jacob.” I practically whispered and he took in a breath at the soft sound of
his name on my lips.
“I
said, hit me, dammit.”
“I’m
not her, Jacob.”
“Hit
me,” he screamed in my face. I literally felt a breeze from his mouth and
although I was shaking a little at this point, I responded calmly one last
time.
“It
would never be like that with me, Jacob,” and I raised my hand. He flinched in
anticipation and I rubbed my shaky fingers down the side of his sweaty face. I
slid them down his cheek to cup his neck then traced the bruise with my thumb
where Lucy had bit him, and his breathing began to accelerate. His solid chest,
which had been rising with each response, was rapidly moving up and down now. I
continued to move my hand over his hard chest muscles and I stopped over his
heart, which I could feel beating rapidly through his skin. I traced a heart
with my fingers around the tattoo.
Change
your destiny.
My eyes leapt upward to
his face, which was filled with fear. There was no other descriptor. I had not
hit him, but he appeared more frightened than as if I had.
I
pulled my finger back and stepped out of his space. His breathing was still
jagged and he was still pressed into the corner.
“I’ll
be up front when you’re ready.” I turned to the encouraging partner.
“Thank
you. That was exhilarating.” I smiled sweetly and exited the ring. As I walked
to the entrance area, I heard the clap of hands behind me and Paddy spoke.
“Damn.
I like her. Why aren’t you marrying her?”
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