Over My Head

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A Total-E-Bound Publication

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Over My Head ISBN # 978-0-85715-874-1 ©Copyright Wendi Zwaduk 2012 Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright February 2012 Edited by Stacey Birkel Total-E-Bound Publishing This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing. Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution. The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork. Published in 2012 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL, United Kingdom.

Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Total-e-burning and a sexometer of 2. This story contains 55 pages, additionally there is also a free excerpt at the end of the book containing 5 pages.

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Heart Attack

OVER MY HEAD Wendi Zwaduk

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What happens when two opposites realise they have more in common than expected? I’m a dancer…and a damn good one. I work at the Silver Steel Gentlemen’s Club. My hard and fast rule? No freebies and no office dating. Except for Slade. Hard, fast, slow, gentle…I don’t care. I’ll take him any way possible. But he’s not that into me. Or so she thinks. I’m a bouncer at the Silver Steel. Astra doesn’t realise I see her—I can’t help myself. She captivates me every time she’s on the stage. I want her, but I have a…problem. I’m not at the Steel to pick up chicks or even work the room. I’m there to stop the influx of drugs into the community. Yeah, I’m a cop. But if the job means sampling the dancers… Well, as long as I keep my heart out of it, I’ll be fine. I hope.

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Dedication NR because you told me to write this. NN because you made me finish it. Jude and Drew just because. CM because you gave me the dancing lecture. SB because you work with me even when I’m a pita. JPZ – I’ve been over my head since we met, but I kinda like it.

Trademarks Acknowledgement The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction: Mazda: Mazda Motor Corporation Glock: GLOCK Gesellschaft mbH Corvette: General Motors

OVER MY HEAD

Wendi Zwaduk

6

Chapter One

Too God damned cold. Sergeant Randy McCall blew warm air into his hands and waited for the heater to bring the temperature in the car to a liveable level. Damned force could’ve given him a car that had a working heater. He bounced his feet in a vain attempt to jumpstart his circulation. A break—he needed a fucking break and his Corvette. The ‘vette had a sweet heater, but like the rest of his life, it sat in storage. He’d been undercover for more than six months and still hadn’t made any headway. “Slade, my man, you are so fucked,” he murmured to himself in the idling car. He glanced around the parking lot. The rest of the girls had gone home. Good. He hated to see them straggling. He’d been in the area long enough to know the Silver Steel Gentlemen’s Club was in the worst part of town. The worst. If he hadn’t been on the drug case, he’d more than likely be investigating the latest murder in the red light district—back doing the normal cop stuff. Was there a normal anymore? Randy shifted and twiddled with the radio knobs. It wasn’t much of a consolation, but his best friend, Drew Alwyn, had wandered through the club. Malsam probably had him preparing to go under, too. Randy shook his head. They should just close down the damned club. He tipped his head back and ran his hand over his face as the warmth from the heater finally cut through the chill in the car. A vision of his dream girl formed in his mind. The honey blonde hair curling past her shoulders. Her creamy skin shimmering with glitter or a fine sheen of sweat. And then there were those eyes. The colour of good brandy as she stared up at him, taking him deep into her mouth. A knock on his window brought him out of his fantasy. Shit. Randy cleared his throat and reminded himself he wasn’t Randy, he was Slade McMann—bouncer and hard ass. He then chastised himself for slipping into a daydream. Too fucking close to getting himself into trouble. I am Slade. www.total-e-bound.com

OVER MY HEAD

Wendi Zwaduk

7

The knocking grew louder. “You okay?” Slade turned. The eyes he’d been fantasising about stared back at him from the other side of the fogged glass. Part of him wanted to be irritated. The rest of him rejoiced silently. Astra Lee. He rolled the window down an inch, cursing that he’d fogged the glass. “Are you okay? I thought you were dead.” Astra shivered. “Slade? I need you.” Now those were words he hadn’t expected to hear. Sure, she winked at him all the time and gave him occasional free lap dances, but wasn’t that the job of the dancers—tantalise without getting too close? “Slade?” He shook the thoughts from his head. “Get in. We can talk in the warmth.” He rolled his window back up, careful not to lose too much precious heat. Astra slid into the passenger seat and rubbed her arms. “Colder than the Arctic, isn’t it?” Slade glanced at her bare hands. “Where are your gloves, little girl?” He took both her hands in his. “You’re going to freeze.” “My gloves grew legs and walked out while I was onstage.” She shivered next to him. “Sorry. The car died and I need a ride.” “I didn’t see your car in the lot.” He squeezed her hands, working the circulation back into them. “Mine’s the only one here.” “I know.” She averted her whisky gaze. “I walked here.” “What?” Slade forced himself to remain calm. “You should’ve said something.” Astra danced as ‘Sexyback’ and had been in a relationship with the club owner, Salazar ‘Tiny’ Balthazar. He shouldn’t care who she fucked, but the thought of her lying down with the tattooed man churned his stomach. Why it mattered to him, Slade didn’t know. Wasn’t like she’d sleep with him. He wasn’t even who he claimed to be. “Because it’s at my brother-in-law’s garage. Wouldn’t start and my brother-in-law said it was the starter… I don’t know.” “I can look at it tomorrow, if you want.” Slade clamped his lips together. If he talked to her much longer, he’d say something foolish.

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OVER MY HEAD

Wendi Zwaduk

8

“You can’t do any worse.” She laughed, a low, throaty laugh that sent sizzles through his veins. “How about you just take me home? I’m pooped and those damned heels hurt after an hour or two.” “You got it.” He wasn’t thrilled he’d have to let her go when then got there, but hell—if he said he thought about her late at night surely Astra would thank him…and take off. He put the car into gear. He missed her touch even though he barely knew her. He pulled out of the lot and into the street, careful not to skid on the freshly fallen snow.

Astra folded her hands over her purse and settled herself more comfortably into Slade’s car seat. Just a ride. All she needed was a simple ride home. The moment she’d climbed into his car, she felt much warmer and she knew sure as shit it wasn’t from the measly car heater. The streetlights and blackened buildings flew by in a rush. The twenty minute drive across town seemed to take no time at all. Then again, with company like Slade, she’d rather the ride last forever. Knocking on his window and being seen with him could get her into trouble. Slade McMann wasn’t just a man or good-looking muscle. He loomed large at the club. The other bouncers weren’t scared of him, but if he was in charge of removing a drunk or troublemaker, the other bouncers gave him a wide berth. She wanted a man like him, one who would take care of her. The kind of man who knew what was going instead of her having to look over her shoulder or worry if someone had an unseen eye on her. Unless Slade proved to be another bad card in the deck. She guessed not. Slade McMann didn’t strike her as being like the other thugs at the club. He didn’t hang out with Tiny and never seemed to buy the merchandise. He barely seemed to pay attention to the crap going on at the club—like it was all beneath him. She’d put her faith in others only to have them screw her over. Unlike the men in her past, though, something deep in her belly screamed that she could trust Slade. Odd, too, since her gut instincts never panned out. The men she tended to trust only ever proved to be untrustworthy. Abe had used his fists, Tiny used drugs. Dennison…well, that was a wound she’d gladly give away. “Astra?” www.total-e-bound.com

OVER MY HEAD

Wendi Zwaduk

9

She gulped. He’d used her given name. Most of the bouncers didn’t even know the girls had names other than their stage names or descriptions like ‘the one with huge knockers’. She turned towards him. Slade wasn’t traditionally handsome. His face was a little too long and his black hair a tad too unruly. His grey eyes flashed whenever he looked at her and the simple act always sent shivers up her spine. It was as though her physical attributes weren’t important because he saw the woman inside. But to have him really see her as a human, not a set of breasts, seemed to be too much to ask. “We’re here.” Slade pulled into what was evidently his assigned parking spot at the Sanborn Building. “It’s three in the morning and damned icy. Give me a moment and I’ll come around to get you.” “I’m not going to break,” she chuffed, although she appreciated his gesture. Astra waited a heartbeat for him to round the hood of the car. Slade opened the door and offered his gloves. “Put these on.” She considered arguing with him and capitulated. Gloves were so much better than frozen fingers. She shivered again. “Thanks.” He looped one arm around her back and placed his hand on her elbow. “Are you for real?” She looked away, embarrassed by her own question. “I hope so,” he murmured in her ear. “I had a mother who insisted I have manners as well as learn how to put a man in his place.” She paused and stared at him. “What, little girl?” “Your girlfriend is a lucky woman.” Her heart beat loud in her ears. Had she just blurted out something about his girlfriend? Shit. Slade urged her forward again and laughed. “I am as single as single can be.” Arm tight around her, he whispered, “Are you applying?” Astra bit her tongue, waiting until they stood in the lobby to respond. “You don’t want to date me. I mean, come on…a stripper girlfriend? That’s out of some sappy romance novel or something.” She turned away from Slade to hide her emotions. Okay, so she had a soft spot for romance novels and happy endings. “Walk me to my door?” “I am what I am.” He shrugged and followed her up the steps. “I’m in two-twelve if you get lonely, by the way.”

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OVER MY HEAD

Wendi Zwaduk

10

“Then we’re just about neighbours. I’m in two-twenty-six.” She came to a stop in front of her door. As much as she wanted to stretch out in bed, the enticing idea of stretching out next to him in bed sounded so much more fun…more sinful. She shook the thought from her head. He hadn’t asked her over for sex, just issued a simple invitation for whenever she was bored. “I guess this is goodnight.” Slade smoothed a lock of hair off her cheek. Something akin to a dreamy look filled his eyes for a moment. He inched closer to her. Flecks of gold and green shimmered in his irises. Was he going to kiss her? Her body screamed hello, yes! But her heart remained guarded. Too much faith in the wrong person could be deadly. Still, she wanted that kiss…his kiss. The heat in the hallway kicked up to somewhere in the oh baby range and sent prickles along her skin. Yes, she needed his kiss. Slade smiled then strolled down the hallway, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Damn. She had thought for sure he was going to kiss her. Astra fitted her key into her lock and nudged the door open. A rush of cold air swirled around her. Odd. The apartment shouldn’t be cold. It should be hotter than the hallway. Astra rubbed her arms. Snow lay glistening on the windowsills and window seat. She tipped her head. Who had opened the window? She shivered and glanced at her things. The couch remained in its place, but the cushions were askew, some on the floor. Her plants—a collection of spider plants and ferns—weren’t in their pots. Dirt splattered around where they had once sat. Occasionally sloppy, she never left the apartment a total shambles. Who else had a key? Her stomach clenched and she couldn’t breathe. Tiny. She needed to get out. Needed to run. She turned on her heel and ran smack into a wall of solid flesh. The person grabbed her by the arms—a man based on his size and the tangy scent of his thick cologne and body odour. She couldn’t see his face because of the stocking cap over his eyes. “Remember the rules,” the man growled. “Quiet girls are safe girls.” She nodded, afraid to do anything else. The man raised a gun and aimed the weapon at her. The blood drained from her face and pounded through her veins. Now she needed to run and hide, but hell…her feet wouldn’t move. A strangled cry ripped from her throat and the thunder of gunfire ricocheted through the apartment. www.total-e-bound.com

OVER MY HEAD

Wendi Zwaduk

11

Astra dropped to her knees. “Don’t fuck with Tiny or I’ll do more than destroy your shit.” The man slapped the butt of the gun against her cheek. She closed her eyes as the room faded to black. All I wanted to do was be home…

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OVER MY HEAD

Wendi Zwaduk

12

Chapter Two

Slade had just turned the key to unlock his apartment door when the shots rang out. He glanced down the hallway, not seeing anyone. Where the fuck had the gunfire come from? His heart hammered…Astra? Oh fuck. He broke into a sprint, scared for what he might find. Her door, now partially open, swung on its hinges. Slade palmed the gun in his coat pocket and cocked the hammer, ready to fire. “Astra? Hon?” Slade inched inside. He took in every detail of the apartment. No other doors stood ajar, but that didn’t mean she was alone. He hadn’t noticed anyone leave. “Astra?” His foot caught on something and he looked down. Astra lay crumpled in a heap on the floor. His cop training kicked into high gear as he crept through the tiny apartment, sweeping the space. No one. He kicked the door closed then knelt beside her, feeling for a pulse. No blood, just a blossoming bruise on her arm and a matching one on her cheek. Damn. He should’ve invited her to his apartment. Lascivious maybe, but it would’ve saved her from the attack. Slade scooped her into his arms. God, she barely weighed anything. Her head lolled on her shoulders as he broke into a run back down the hallway. Could he call the EMTs? “Let me take you to the hospital. They can look you over and make sure you don’t have a concussion.” “No.” She struggled in his grasp. “I’ll be okay. I don’t want to draw any more attention.” More attention? He doubted she knew anything about his cover, but still. “Fine, but if you start feeling more than a dull ache, tell me and we’re going. I don’t give a fuck whose attention we draw.” Back at his place, he placed her on the couch then returned to the door and slid the locks into place. A quick sweep of his apartment yielded no intruders. Good. He grabbed a blanket from the bed and swathed her in it.

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OVER MY HEAD

Wendi Zwaduk

13

He sat at her feet and scrubbed both hands over his face. Talk about the case taking a turn for the crazy and unexpected. Wallace would never believe what Slade would have for the next debriefing. “My head.” Astra shifted. “God, am I dead?” Slade fell to his knees at the head of the couch and smoothed her hair from her face. The bruise wasn’t going to get any smaller or lighter any time soon. She stared up at him through glazed eyes. “He hit me, didn’t he?” “Who, babe?” They weren’t really on lovey, cuddly terms, but fuck it. Slade didn’t care. “Who hurt you?” “Doesn’t matter.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “Really.” “Matters to me.” The broken look in her eyes, combined with the bruises and the situation he’d found her in, clenched tight around his heart. Women deserved to be treated like goddesses, not beaten. “Let me get you some aspirin. I’ll get my coat and take you to the emergency room. You were knocked out cold.” He stood and strode into the bathroom. When he returned, aspirins and glass of water in hand, she’d sat up. “Don’t fight me on this Astra. You could have a concussion.” “I’m a fighter. Give me the meds and forget what you saw.” She waved her hand in the air. “It’s no big deal and not something to go to the ER for.” “Hon…” “Don’t hon me. I know what I want and it’s to lay here.” Why was it that that idea didn’t sound so terrible? Because more than he’d care to admit, she’d wrapped herself around his heart. She’d got past the one place he swore he’d never let anyone go beyond. Slade forked his fingers through his hair. She’d be the death of him. He sighed. If she was going to be stubborn…fine. He’d be stubborn, too. “Then you’re coming to bed with me.” He scooped her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. “I’m not sleeping with you.” Gingerly, Slade placed her on the bed. “No, you’re going to sleep with me.” “Isn’t that what I said I wasn’t going to do?” She clutched her head. “Why are you being so bull-headed?” www.total-e-bound.com

OVER MY HEAD

Wendi Zwaduk

14

Slade grabbed the hem of her shirt and slid the soft cotton over her head. “Lay down.” Frowning, she did as he asked. He then slid her jeans from her body and tossed the discarded denim with the T-shirt. “I’m trying to take care of you.” He grabbed a fresh T-shirt from the worn bureau and shook the rumpled fabric out. “Arms.”

Astra sat up and offered her arms, unwilling to argue. He wasn’t trying to hurt her and was the one man in her life wanting to help. She had to force a smile to her lips. Not because she wasn’t grateful, but because the simple action hurt like a motherfucker. “There. Was that so awful?” He nabbed a pair of sleep pants and another T-shirt from the bureau. “I’m going to change and get you some ice.” Astra settled onto his sheets. The scent of detergent and flowers wafted around him. Slade didn’t strike her as a floral-scented laundry soap kind of guy, but then again, she wasn’t really sure how to think of him other than hot as hell and sweet beyond belief. She pulled the blankets up to her chin. Once she got the headache to subside, she’d make things up to him. She’d explain everything and let go of her past. Yes, that’s what she’d do. After sleep…

**** Astra awoke with a jolt and stared through sleep-laden eyes at her surroundings. The sickening, dingy blue walls looked the same as her apartment’s, but the scent—the flowery, comforting scent—wasn’t familiar. A thick arm was wrapped around her midsection and held her against something equally hard. Slade. She grabbed a handful of the blankets and peeked down. Still clothed. She turned enough to take in his profile. Despite the nakedness of his arm, he was indeed wearing a shirt. She snuggled back into place in the curve of his body and smiled. He’d had the chance to do naughty things to her and hadn’t. He’d done as he’d said he would—slept with her. A girl could only get so lucky. “Good morning, beautiful.” She turned towards the sound of his voice. Slade grinned and ran his index finger down her cheek. “You’re still here, that’s a plus.” www.total-e-bound.com

OVER MY HEAD

Wendi Zwaduk

15

“Sorry,” she replied. Her voice sounded groggy, even to her own ears. Every part of her body hurt. A dull ache settled in her belly. “No need. I kinda liked playing nurse.” His gaze raked over her body. Had she not felt like shit, she might have enjoyed it…a lot. Something blossomed in her chest, something she hadn’t felt in a long time—affection. He didn’t have to care about her or even keep an eye on her, and yet he had. “Will you tell me who hurt you?” The sincerity and concern in his eyes added a kick to her gut. Astra settled on her back and stared at the cracks in his ceiling. She could tell him now or let him run into the thug with the iron fists. He’d probably stand a better chance of beating the man to pulp. “He shot up the apartment?” she asked in return. “The knickknacks on the shelf are trashed. One looked like a doll.” He stroked her cheek with the backs of his knuckles. “Were they important?” “From my grandmother. One of the few sentimental things I still had left.” The bastard had destroyed the only things of value she had. He wasn’t trying to kill her—just send a message. Tears burned down her cheeks. “Forget it. I don’t want to talk about it.” “Sweetheart, I can’t help you if I don’t know anything about him.” He slipped his hand into hers. “I won’t let him hurt you again. Promise. Tell me? Please?” Slade wanted to know? Fine. Keeping her silence hadn’t helped so far and she didn’t have much else to lose. “He had a stocking cap over his face. All I saw were black eyes.” “Good,” Slade encouraged. “Take your time and think. Don’t leave anything out.” “He smelled…like day old socks smell. I know the man wasn’t Tiny. He reeks of cologne.” Blood pounded through her veins and panic engulfed her body, as if the man from the attack was again standing before her, ready to use his fists once more. She shuddered. “The guy was tall—like you.” “Was he built?” Beside her, Slade shifted. If she wasn’t mistaken, he was writing something. The scratch of pencil or pen on paper echoed in her head. Astra opened her eyes and jerked. Slade sat beside her on the bed, pad of paper in hand, pencil scrawling furiously. “Why are you writing it down?” She placed her hand on the page. “This guy isn’t going to stop because you have a composite. Who do you think you are…the police?” www.total-e-bound.com

OVER MY HEAD

Wendi Zwaduk

16

Chapter Three

Her question played on a loop in Slade’s mind for the next two evenings. Friday and Saturday nights were the two busiest nights at the Silver Steel. Despite his protests, Astra had gone on stage. Pancake makeup hid the bruises from afar. She smiled, but not as brightly as before. She tended to look over her shoulder more and jerk away from people. “She’s not doing private dances.” Tiny Balthazar folded his arms next to Slade. “She’s one of my best girls. Her and Andie. Want to tell me why she’s not lighting up the stage like usual?” Slade dug his fingers into his arms as he considered his response. Tell Tiny the truth or bide his time? Might be worth the hassle to find out what the bastard knew. “She was hurt three nights ago.” “By who?” Incredulousness shone in Tiny’s eyes. His lips twisted. “If you lay a hand on her, you won’t have hands.” So she had definitely been in a relationship with Tiny. Hadn’t they split? “I found her passed out and took her home.” “So I saw.” Tiny growled and cracked his knuckles. “Should I change the rules for you two?” What exactly did you see? The question perched on the tip of Slade’s tongue. He bit the words back, instead staying silent. “The girls aren’t for you shits to fuck when you want a fix.” Tiny stepped toe to toe with Slade. “Should I call Sexyback over here and tell her you want to fuck her? Or are you just looking for a quick piece of ass?” Silly question. Had Slade wanted to fuck Astra, he probably could’ve. Well, no…there had been the matter of her healing from a beat-down. The fucktard. Slade ground his teeth together. If Tiny wanted to cause shit, fine. He wasn’t going to back off either. “Excuse me?” The small voice beside Slade drew his attention. One of the newer girls, Judy Blue Eyes, stood next to him and fidgeted.

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OVER MY HEAD

Wendi Zwaduk

17

“Get on stage and lose your clothes,” Tiny shouted. His shoulders rose and fell with hastened breaths. “I shouldn’t have hired the fat cow.” The comment rubbed Slade the wrong way. Sure, Judy Blue Eyes wasn’t model thin or traditionally beautiful, but she had the sweet-natured, girl-next-door look that seemed to drive men wild. She sure as hell didn’t deserve to be yelled at because Tiny wanted to rake someone over the coals. “Deal with her. Kick her ass out if she won’t cooperate. I’ve got other things to worry about.” Tiny shook his head and stormed away. Slade took a long breath and let it out slowly. Damage control. More fucking damage control. He made his way through the crowd to the back of the stage where the girls got dressed. Another new girl, Gold Dust Woman, if he remembered correctly, fluffed her golden hair and rolled her shoulders at the side of the stage. Slade glanced at his watch. Eleven-thirty. Time for the next girl. Gold Dust Woman winked and sashayed onto the stage. He paused, feigning interest in her dance. He knew her and hated the fact she had to be there—more cops undercover to catch the monster running the operation. So far they’d come up with nothing but shit. Strained voices caught his attention and he pushed past the red velvet curtain. Judy Blue Eyes sat at her makeup table, tears sliding down her cheeks. He forced a growl. The girl looked too damn young and innocent for the Silver Steel. She’d either have to grow a set or get a thicker skin if she planned to stay on. Astra sat with her back to Slade and handed the younger woman tissues. “He’s trying to scare you so you’ll quit.” Astra squeezed Judy’s hand. “You show him he can’t push you around. He’s a bastard who doesn’t deserve your anger.” “Ladies.” Slade hated to break up their moment. Judy’s crying subsided and she looked away. “Tell her she’s beautiful.” Astra slapped Slade’s hip. “Come on. She is.” He lowered himself to a squat and placed one hand on Astra’s thigh and the other on Judy’s. “You are both gorgeous, but if you don’t get moving, all three of us will be out of a job.” He turned his attention to Judy and stood. “She’s right. Don’t let that rat bastard run your emotions.”

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OVER MY HEAD

Wendi Zwaduk

18

Judy nodded. “Thanks. I’ll be right back.” She slipped off her stool and practically ran to the bathroom at the far end of the changing room. “That was sweet.” Astra stood and rested her head on Slade’s shoulder. “A girl could get the wrong impression.” Without thinking, Slade wrapped an arm around Astra. He liked how she fitted against him and the symphony of her sigh as she rested. “What if I have the wrong impression?” She curled into his side and tipped her head to look him in the eye. “Yeah? How?” “You keep talking sweet to me, I might get the idea you like me.” He was going out on a limb, but damn if it didn’t feel good to admit the truth. “Or are you putting me on to make the boss jealous?” The emotions that crossed her face and lit up her eyes ran the gamut—embarrassment, frustration, fear and a hint of joy. Astra opened and closed her mouth a couple of times before speaking. The flush creeping across her cheeks headed south over her chest. Seeing her so out of sorts both excited and frustrated him. He wanted to see her smile in glee after they made love, not shiver from fear of another. “You’re a very likeable man.” Ah…the kiss of death. ‘Likeable’. Great. He’d totally misread her advances. Tucking his dignity tightly between his legs, Slade nodded and backed away from Astra. The blush faded and the colour drained from her face. So much for putting his emotions on the line. “I’ve got your back, but be careful.”

Tears burned behind Astra’s eyes. Finally, the one thing she’d wanted to hear from Slade…and her demons had kept her quiet. The moment Tiny had found out she’d moved on, he went ballistic and sent one of his goons to put her in her place. She scrubbed a hand over her forehead. The bruises didn’t hurt nearly as much as earlier. The song coming from the sound system expressed the words in her heart. Slade was everything she wanted and everything she needed. He knew what to do and how to handle situations. He cared. She checked the clock. Three hours to closing. Saturday night meant they all left together. Maybe her car would have to be on the fritz one more time. She shouldn’t lie, but if it meant time alone with Slade, she’d do it.

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OVER MY HEAD

Wendi Zwaduk

19

She ran her fingers through her hair and bopped to the music to get into the mood for her next dance. Some days it felt like the night never ended. “Sexyback.” A shudder ran straight up her spine. She hated her stage name almost as much as she hated the man who spoke. Instead of giving him her attention, she continued to prep for her turn. “Now.” Thick fingers were wrapped around her arms, yanking her into the hallway separating the stage from the private room. Light flashed behind her eyes as her back slammed into the wall. Pain ricocheted through her brain and she bit down hard on her tongue, tasting blood. Fuck. Without giving her room to breathe or look away, Tiny’s glare bored into her. “Did you do it?” She’d rather die than answer the behemoth. She swallowed back the bile rising in her throat and took deep breaths to regain her calm. “You have twenty-four hours to unload Slade or one of the back-up staff will make sure you do.” Something cold rubbed up against her inner thigh. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stifle the shiver. He had a gun. Tiny pressed the gun higher, against her crotch. “Understood?” She nodded. From the corner of her eye she spotted Judy Blue Eyes. Shit. Now someone else had seen what she was going through. Anyone but Judy. The girl was so innocent and sweet. Astra was anything but.

**** At quarter till three, Astra shoved her feet into her snow boots and grabbed her purse. Still shaken from the earlier scene, she elbowed Judy. “The boys haven’t left yet, have they?” Judy shook her head. “Tiny’s grilling them. Can’t you hear him screaming?” “I blocked him out.” Astra pulled the zipper up on her jacket. “Ready?”

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OVER MY HEAD

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Nodding, Judy stood. Together, Astra and Judy went out into the slushy parking lot. There they could use their real names, not the stage names. The melting ice crunched under their feet. Judy, otherwise known as Jude, stopped a few feet from Astra’s Mazda. “What?” “Since when does your car blink?” “Blink?” “The little red light by the licence plate.” Jude nodded. Astra stared at her beater car. Sure enough, a red light winked at her from the bumper. A camera? Something more sinister? Tiny meant business when he sent threats. Would he really kill her because they’d broken up? Or did he know something she didn’t? She glanced at Jude’s car. No blinking. She placed her hand on Jude’s arm. “You think something’s wrong with my car?” Astra tugged Jude close. “Something’s up. I can feel it.” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “I trust Slade. Let him look at it.” Jude nodded. “Hey, Slade. Can you come over here a moment? We need your help.” “Not so obvious,” Astra muttered, inwardly impressed by Jude’s quick thinking. “Girls.” Slade’s footsteps crunched on the ice. “Did you both lock yourselves out?” “Yeah,” Jude stammered. “I did…again. Blonde moment. Can you give me a ride home?” Astra tipped her head in the direction of the light. “Sure.” Slade’s gaze followed her gesture. “Astra, you shouldn’t lock your keys in your car. Silly girl.” He opened his arms. “Let’s get into my car. It’s nice and warm.” Instead of climbing in the front, Astra slid into the backseat beside Jude. Slade rounded the trunk and opened the driver’s side door. When he settled in his seat and put the car into gear, Astra allowed herself to breathe a little easier. “Talk to me.” Slade’s no-nonsense voice cut through her panic attack. He stared at them through the rear view mirror. “Spill it.” “There’s a light on Astra’s car and I thought it was a bomb and it freaked me out and I was afraid we’d get blown up,” Jude said in a rush. Slade considered them, one brow arched a little higher than the other. “She’s right.” Astra threw her arm around Judy. “Jude saw it first.” “Jude?” www.total-e-bound.com

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“My stage name is Judy. My name is Jude.” Jude folded her arms and huddled next to Astra. “Okay. We’ll head to the apartment. Jude, I’m sure the light was something inane. Don’t worry about it, you got me?” The commanding tone in Slade’s voice vibrated up and down Astra’s spine as they sped through the city. Silly thoughts entered her head. Would he sound so in control if they made love? Would he want to make love with her after the incident in the dressing room? Why was she worried about making love when her life very well could be at stake? She rolled her eyes and shook her head. Damned overactive and underused libido. Slade came to a stop in the parking lot. He pulled his phone from his pocket and pressed the buttons. Pings and musical notes sang out with each tap. He glanced up and stared at Jude and Astra in the rear view mirror. “Jude, hon, go on in like nothing happened. I’ll keep an eye on you, but you should be fine. Ross is working security tonight and I see him there in the doorway. He’ll help you out, too.” She nodded weakly and gathered her bag. “Bye Astra. See you Tuesday night.” Without a backward glance, Jude climbed out of the car, slammed the door then hurried across the lot to where Ross Malsam was standing. Astra settled into her seat. Jude was safe. Ross kept a close eye on the girls and went above and beyond to protect them. Perfect. When she looked towards the front of the car, her breath clogged in her throat. Once again, Slade stared at her through the rear-view mirror. “I’m going to have the car impounded.” The sentence came out so matter-of-fact. So…cold. Astra averted her gaze. Maybe if she avoided eye contact, he’d let up. “Astra, someone wants to hurt you.” Slade turned around in his seat and grabbed her hand. “Something’s up and you won’t talk to me. Let me help you. It’s what I’m trained to do.” Trained to do? That sounded so official. She chewed the inside of her cheek and contemplated her next move. He had to know the truth. It was time. “Do you know how to get to the Capricorn Hotel?”

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Chapter Four

Slade stared at Astra. What was going through her head? She wanted to go to a hotel when someone wanted her harmed? Fine. He’d gladly get her out of the line of fire, if only for a couple of nights. By the end of the weekend, he’d make her see he cared about her. “Can we go? I don’t want to be here any longer than I have to.” The tension in her voice cut through his heart like a knife. “This place gives me the creeps.” “Get into the front seat so we can talk, then.” He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “Please?” Groaning, Astra opened the car door and slammed it shut. For a heartbeat, he thought for sure she’d just stroll into the apartment building without a backward glance. Astra yanked the passenger door open and plopped down in the seat. “Happy?” Slade shifted the car into gear and placed his hand over hers. “We’re leaving like you wanted, but you owe me something.” “Owe you?” She snorted. “I owe you. Wonderful.” “Hey, I didn’t ask for you to get snotty with me, little girl. I need to know what’s going on so I can sort out the situation and keep your ass safe.” He wrapped both hands around the steering wheel to give her space. “You asked me if I was okay the other day, so it’s my turn. Are you okay?” Astra folded her arms and turned away from him. “It’s nothing.” “Who’s giving you trouble?” “No one…yet.” She gave him a wobbly grin. “Do you want to give me trouble?” Slade gritted his teeth. He’d get the truth from her or die trying. “You try my patience. If I can, I’ll help you. I’ll help if I can’t, too.” “That makes no sense.” Astra twisted her ring around her middle finger. He could see her in his peripheral vision. Her brows knotted and the corners of her mouth drew down in a frown. She shook her head and edged further away from him. Slade sighed. Whatever was wrong with her, she wasn’t about to tell him. He pulled into the parking lot at the Capricorn and cut the power to the headlights. “We’re here.” www.total-e-bound.com

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Astra fidgeted but didn’t get out of the vehicle. “What?” Slade put his hand on her chilled thigh. Heat, and not from the car, spiralled through his body. His cock sprang to life behind his zipper. Well, hell. He hadn’t managed a damned erection since he’d signed the papers to give Darly the divorce. “Looks like you’ve got more on your mind than keeping me safe.” She nodded to his crotch. “Is it a registered weapon?” Slade tipped his head. God. At least she knew how to break the tension. “Hon?” Astra turned quickly. “I have some money. We can get a deluxe suite and you can”— she cupped her hand over his erection—“put that to good use.” His mouth ran dry. She made him feel like a damned teenager with nothing more than a touch. He needed to get his bearings or the whole op would fall apart. He breathed in through his nose and out through his mouth. “Are you sure? You barely know me.” He sighed again. Great, another woman to climb under his skin and fluster him. “I mean—” Astra placed her index finger over his mouth. “I’m not propositioning you…well, no. I am, but I’m not doing it right if you’re not interested.” She nodded to the building. “I can afford the hotel room. We’ll get a good night’s sleep if nothing else.” Good night’s sleep his ass. She wanted more than a decent slumber and he wasn’t about to let her down. “I’m a gentleman, even if I beat the shit out of the drunks at the club. I can’t let you pay for a hotel.” Astra rolled her eyes, groaned and fiddled with the handle. “I should be happy you’re not like most guys. Promise me you really are a nice guy and didn’t do shit to my car so I’d trust you.” “Hold on.” Slade stilled her actions. “Lay it out for me. I don’t mess with cars or hurt women. Other than the light, what’s wrong with your car?” “Not here. Please? We can talk upstairs. I promise.” “I don’t know that I get what you’re doing, but I’ll take you where you want to go.” If it killed him, he was going to find out what the hell was going on. “Want to play Mrs McMann?” “Yes.” “You got it.”

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Astra settled into step beside Slade, matching his long strides. Mrs? She’d never been a Mrs and belonging to him sounded too good to be true. But why? She deserved a bright spot in her life. God knew she’d spent too much time in the crumbling building Tiny insisted the dancers all live in. Too much time alone and too much damned time knowing things she didn’t need to know. She grinned as she took in the sight of the gleaming marquis lights. No wonder she loved the Capricorn Hotel. The neon and stucco reminded her of a time long past. A time when men had cherished their women, and women had trusted their men implicitly. The twenty-minute ride between Carrington Falls and Jarvis might as well have been a ride into a whole new world. The fears, tensions and frustrations in the Sanborn couldn’t breech the walls of the Capricorn. There, she could tell him the contents of her heart. She’d watched Slade for the past six months. There was something about him that broke the mould. He wasn’t like the other bouncers. He’d smile while kicking a man out of the club. He waited for the girls to leave—to make sure they got home or because he was a control freak, she wasn’t sure. Part of her couldn’t care less. “Hon?” His large hand engulfed hers as he stopped in the spacious foyer. “Would you like a suite?” He dropped his voice to a whisper. “I’ll get a couple rooms if you’d rather.” “A couple?” Astra wrapped her hands around Slade’s biceps. “I invited you and I insist you stay with me. I’ve got the most to lose here.” “Hon…” Now was her chance. If she didn’t tell him about the mistakes in her life, she might not have a chance to make them right. A song in her head played the words—‘trust in your faith’. Well, faith, don’t fail me now. “Can I trust you?” Slade cocked his head and a serious look crossed his eyes. “Absolutely.” No hesitation, but finality. That she could work with. Maybe she’d found one of the good guys after all. “We need to talk.”

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Chapter Five

Slade followed Astra into the luxury building. Something felt off about their being at a hotel. For all he knew, she could do something drastic to him upstairs. He doubted it, though. The fear in her eyes didn’t kick his cop senses into overdrive. No, the oddity was the frankness in her voice and the tremble in her hands. She’d acted so calm and collected at the counter. Like she knew what she wanted. The contradiction wasn’t lost on him. The sway of her ass called to him like a siren’s song as she sashayed to the elevator. He should walk away. Should get into his car and drive back to the Sanborn. He should, except the longing and desperation in her face arrested him. Call him a sucker for a woman in distress. When the elevator doors closed, Astra levelled her shoulders. “You work for Tiny, right?” “Like you.” “That’s what I want to know.” The bell for their floor pinged, interrupting the conversation. “That,” she said, shaking her head, “is the fastest elevator I’ve ever been in.” “Yeah.” Slade followed, hot on her heels. The speed of the elevator was the last thing on his mind. The last time he’d been to the Capricorn had been the night he’d married Darley. Few things had changed in the ten years since. Same cream-coloured wallpaper and crimsonchecked carpets. Even the gilt on the doors looked as if it had hardly aged. Astra stopped in front of a door. “Have you been into his office? I don’t mean the chintzy panelled one, I mean, his office?” Slade stared too long for his own comfort. Another office? Hell, he only knew about the one. Maybe he should’ve made time with Astra earlier. Would’ve helped the investigation. “Then you don’t know about…now we really need to talk.” Her hands trembled as she opened the door. Fear? Hesitation? Slade palmed his gun in his coat pocket. Better to be safe than sorry. Astra dropped her bag on the massive bed and turned. Her hair fluttered about her

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shoulders. Had it been a different situation, he’d have yanked her into his arms for a thorough fucking. Her lips parted as she closed the distance between them. She shrugged out of her jacket and dumped the discarded garment onto the floor. Her T-shirt, torn at the collar, slipped off one creamy shoulder. Astra placed her hands on his shoulders and backed him against the hotel room door. “I’ve wanted you since the moment I saw you,” she murmured, her mouth a whisper away from his. “Make me feel alive.” He didn’t have time to process her words before she pressed against him, chest to breast, mons to groin, and face to face. She placed an open-mouthed kiss to his lips. Holy hell, he’d waited for this moment. He turned her around, pressing her back against the door and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He splayed his hands on her ass. If they were going to fuck, it sure as hell wasn’t going to be up against some cold door. He wanted her in the bed, mussed sheets surrounding her. Slade sucked her bottom lip into his mouth, thrilled when she groaned. She threaded one of her small hands into his hair, tugging at the strands. Fuck. His cock throbbed. He needed her naked. Now. His legs connected with the edge of the bed, but instead of placing her on the mattress with grace, he tumbled down on top of her. Astra laughed. She fucking laughed as he stood back up and struggled out of his coat. The vixen. “Better not be taunting me, little girl.” He tossed the tangled mass of coat onto the floor somewhere behind him. “I’m not one of those guys from the club.” “Good,” she said and grabbed the hem of her shirt. “Fuck me.” Astra pulled the shirt up over her head and gave the crumpled fabric a toss. Her breasts heaved with every breath. Damn, she wasn’t wearing a bra or anything. Rosy nipples beaded before him and the flush on her cheeks spread down across her chest. No matter how hard he tried, Slade couldn’t get his tight T-shirt up over his head fast enough. Astra stared up at him through heavy-lidded eyes and plucked at one nipple. Her hips bucked with each twist. She bit her bottom lip and cupped both breasts. Finally getting the shirt off, Slade dropped to his knees and wrapped his arm around her thin waist. “Mine,” he said with a grunt and pulled her to him. He closed his eyes and feasted on her nipples. Her sighs and whimpers matched his every lick and nibble.

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“Slade.” She ground her pelvis against his abs. “Feels so fucking good.” Her body trembled and she grasped his hair even tighter. “So close.” Close? From sucking on her nipples? He smiled around her breast and gave her nipple one last lick. He pulled away and sat back on his heels, not to punish her, but to give himself a moment to breathe. Her bottom lip jutted out in a pout. “Done already?” Done? Not hardly. Slade hooked his fingers in the waistband of her jeans, flicking the button. “You’re wearing too many clothes.” Astra leant back on her elbows, granting him access to her jeans. She wriggled her ass and slid out of the cumbersome denim. Slade kicked the pants out of the way and soaked in the image of Astra in nothing but a skimpy pair of panties. The flame red contrasted well against her pale skin. “What are you doing?” “Looking my fill.” He took her left foot in hand and rubbed his nose along her calf as he removed her sock. “I can smell you.” She shivered and pulled her legs together. Slade placed his hand on her right thigh. “Open.” Gasping, she complied. Starting at her ankle, he licked a path up her leg. He loved women with long legs and hers didn’t fail to meet his standards—all lean muscle and alabaster skin. He pressed a kiss to her inner knee and glanced at her. Astra cupped her breasts and stroked her peaked nipples. A fresh wave of heat soared to his groin. He wanted to make her feel desired, but damn, if she kept toying with her breasts, he’d never last. He licked along her inner thigh, intentionally stopping before the heated flesh of her pussy. A strangled whimper worked past her lips. Her brow furrowed. “Needy?” He switched his attention to her other leg, blazing a matching trail along her goosepimpled skin. “You want to kill me, don’t you?” Astra abandoned her breast play and fisted her hands in the sheets. “God.” “With sex?” He drew a long breath, memorising her scent. “By making me wait.” She scooted forward, but he stopped her actions by placing his hands on her inner thighs. “I should spank your ass.” www.total-e-bound.com

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“Will you?” Flames licked his body from within. He’d sensed her submissive nature, but to hear her vocalise her need to be commanded…who knew he’d find a companion in a stripper? Without removing her panties, he kissed and nibbled her searing flesh. “Oh!” Her hips moved of their own accord as her liquid lust soaked through the delicate satin barrier. He considered tearing her panties off, but why waste perfectly good garments? Slade sat back on his heels once again, leaving her on the brink. “Off.” Astra stared at him. “Off?” “Panties. Off. Now.” He stood and folded his arms. “Astra.” Her eyes widened as she yanked the dampened material down her legs. The moist lips of her sex glistened in the low light. Need coursed through his veins. Slade wrenched at the buckle on his jeans. He’d toyed around enough. Time for satisfaction. For all his suave act in the club, when it came to unbuckling his belt Slade was all thumbs. The damned leather wasn’t going to cooperate and make things easier, either. “Now who’s on the edge?” Astra scooted closer to him on the bed then worked the catch on the buckle. “That’s what you get for teasing me.” She ran her nose over his abs, sending awareness to every cell in his body. Something other than just raw need and lust pounded in his veins. Slade grabbed his wallet from his back pocket and withdrew a condom. Astra took the condom from his hands and tore the packet with her teeth. He managed to shove his pants past his hips, freeing his cock. Good enough. Astra grinned and rolled the slippery latex over his dick. Then she cupped his balls. He gritted his teeth. Each stroke of her fingers over his sensitive sac brought him closer to climax. And he hadn’t even entered her yet. “Lay down.” Still in his tangled pants, Slade pushed the head of his cock against the mouth of her pussy. “So wet.” “Want you.” She dug her fingers into his forearms and arched her hips. “Please?” Slade entered her in one sure thrust, burying himself to the hilt. A heady sensation flowed through his chest to his cock. “Oh God.” He groaned and moved in and out of her pussy. With every withdrawal, her inner walls clutched him tight, heightening his need.

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At this rate, he wasn’t going to last. He spread his hands across her hips and surged into her wet heat. “Harder.” She moaned and her head tilted back, exposing her neck. His thrusts became faster and frantic. Even if he’d wanted to control the speed of their lovemaking, he couldn’t have. He braced himself on his forearm and suckled on the smooth skin of her throat. “Slade!” She cried his name once more. “Can’t hold on.” Her body trembled and pitched as she moaned. “Coming.” Her uneven breaths feathered over his skin. His hips slammed into hers as the severity of his orgasm took over. He gasped for breath as he rode out the climax and emptied his seed into the condom. His body shuddered. Slade forced himself to his forearms to keep from crushing her. He peered at her through fuzzy eyes. Astra smiled a sleepy smile and nestled into the sheets with him still deep inside her. “I need to move,” he mumbled, not sure if he’d said the words aloud. “I don’t mind.” She smoothed her hands over his cheeks and kissed his chin. “Sleep with me.” “I just did.” He rocked back on his knees and withdrew, missing her heat. Where was the damned wastebasket? Didn’t hotel rooms usually have a hundred of them just lying around? He chucked the full condom into the nearest waste bin and wandered into the bathroom. A gentleman would take care of his girl. Slade stared at himself in the mirror. Was she his girl? Sure, they’d fucked, but what did she want now? Hell, if he knew. He nabbed a washcloth from the rack of towels and moistened it under the faucet. What did he want? Her. He drew a long breath and let it out slowly. Until she learned his truth. He worked the extra water out of the cloth. Damn the man and damn the operation.

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Chapter Six

Astra dragged the comforter over her fevered body and snuggled down in the sheets. Making love to Slade had felt so perfect, yet so surreal. He didn’t strike her as the fuck-andrun type—more like the sex-has-feelings-behind-it type. She blinked back the tears. Her track record suggested he’d be the former, working on his exit line in the bathroom. Was he hoping she’d fall asleep so he could sneak out? “Sleeping?” She opened her eyes as the bed dipped beside her. Slade jiggled a washcloth in his hand. “I wore you out.” He pulled the covers back and eased the washcloth across her pussy. Astra swallowed a gasp. The guy had to be an alien. He couldn’t possibly be human. Men in her sphere of understanding didn’t clean their sex partners. “I take care of those I care about.” He leant down and gingerly placed a kiss to her lips. “Now you can sleep.” She stared at his back as he left the room. He cared about her? Duh, but did he really care? Slade strode blessedly naked and sexy from the bathroom then pulled the covers back once more. He slid in next to her and wrapped an arm across her belly. “Sleep, little girl. There will be plenty of time to talk when you wake up.” Yes, sleeping sounded wonderful. She turned on her side and wriggled her ass into the curve of his body. The tension she’d carried for more than a year melted away in his embrace. Slade held so much power and he probably didn’t even realise it. Hell, he held her heart in his hands.

**** Astra buried her nose in the pillow. The scent of pancakes permeated the room. Her stomach rumbled. Pancakes. It had been so long since she’d had anything other than cold cereal for breakfast, the delicious smell had to be part of a dream. But damn, she needed to eat something hearty. www.total-e-bound.com

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“Good morning, beautiful.” A pang of terror quickly morphed into relief. She knew that voice. Slade. She opened her eyes. Slade stood at the table with a gigantic silver serving lid in hand. A bouquet of roses the colour of blood festooned the table. Another whiff of pancakes, now accompanied by the scent of strawberries and roses, curled around her. “I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I got pancakes and crepes. Love crepes.” He bobbed his brows up and down. “Just sit up and tell me what you want. I’ll bring it to you.” Her mouth fell open. Her assessment of him being an alien had to be true. Men just didn’t act so…nice. Then again, a nice guy wouldn’t work for Tiny Balthazar. “I am a rare species.” Slade offered her the plate and winked. “My mother insisted I treat ladies with dignity…and good food.” She sat dumbly, watching him until he settled beside her. “Aren’t they good enough? Too cold?” Astra shifted and placed the plate on her thigh. “It’s fine.” “Good. I wanted to make Valentine’s Day special for you.” Valentine’s Day? When the hell had that happened? Of all the holidays, how had she lost track of the universal day of love? “Technically it’s the day after Valentine’s Day, but don’t women like roses any day?” He brought the vase of flowers to her nightstand. “I wasn’t sure what else to get you, but they come from the heart.” Astra leaned into the flowers and drew a long breath, sampling the sweet fragrance. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had given her flowers. And Slade didn’t have any reason to do so other than to be sweet. Her stomach churned. The combination of food, flowers and thoughtfulness both flattered and freaked her. There had to be an ulterior motive. “You don’t like them?” “I love them. Thank you.” She cut a square of pancake and smeared it through the thick syrup as she thought through what she wanted to say. She’d waited long enough. “Do you know why Tiny dumped me?” “The rumour is you refused to put out.” He cut a piece of crepe and shoved it into his mouth. He sat up straighter and sobered. “I don’t follow rumours and I don’t care for our boss.” www.total-e-bound.com

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“Fuck head. I knew he’d say something.” She shook her head and tapped her fork on the plate. “He’s right, kind of. I did refuse to put out after a while.” She held her breath a heartbeat and looked him straight in the eye. “I’m pregnant.” The colour drained from his face as he placed his plate on the bed. He threaded both hands into his hair. Her shoulder edged up in a tiny shrug. “I know, I know, a pregnant stripper. Almost as hysterical as a pregnant porn actress.” When he didn’t laugh or look her direction, Astra shrank into the pillows. “Slade?” Her throat constricted. “I wasn’t sure how to tell you.” Coming right out with ‘hey, I’m six weeks along’ wasn’t exactly easy to work into the conversation. “Tiny?” She clutched the plate until her fingers went numb. “Yes. When I found out, I stopped sleeping with him. A little too late, I know.” Slade stood and carried his plate to the table. Tears built at the corners of her eyes. Shit. The one guy she cared about, and her being pregnant by another man was going to be the wedge between them. With his back to her, he pulled his boxer shorts on and fumbled on the floor for his shirt. “You’re certain he’s the father?” he said over his shoulder. “Yes,” she sobbed. What was Slade not understanding? He held both hands up and mumbled something she couldn’t hear. “What are you doing?” She moved her plate to the nightstand and clutched the sheet to her breasts. “I need to make a call.” He yanked his pants up to his hips and nodded, still mumbling to himself. Slade snapped his attention to her and pointed. “Stay here.” Indignation hit her hard. Stay put. Great. Then why in the hell did she feel like running for the hills? Slade wandered through the hotel room like he had too many things on his mind. He stopped cold at the door and turned. “Text.” He rummaged through his jacket pockets and withdrew a cell phone. He glanced at her as he typed on the phone. “There.” “There what? A text is going to save my worthless hide?” Where were her clothes? Good food and a warm bed meant nothing if there wasn’t someone worthy to share them with. She stood and finger-combed her hair from her eyes. The next time she had hot, frantic

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sex, she needed to keep her clothes somewhere visible. Being naked didn’t bother her, but being emotionally raw did. Slade eased up behind her and turned her to face him. He wrapped the sheet around her body. “You’re crying. Why? That text really will save your very sexy and not-at-allworthless hide.” She worked to find the words to explain, to say anything. Instead more tears streamed down her cheeks. “Hon.” Slade crushed her in his arms. “What I did really will make your life easier. I promise.” Make her life better. What did he know? Maybe it was time to figure out which side he sat on. “Who do you work for?”

The meaning behind her simple question hit straight into Slade’s gut. He weighed his options. If she was pregnant by Balthazar and not putting out, the drug lord had no use for her. Not knowing when he’d make his move probably scared her as much if not more than an actual attack on her life. Did Tiny want her child or had he been attempting to get rid of the baby? Slade kissed the top of Astra’s head. She needed someone safe to talk to and an even safer place to live her life. Deep in his gut he trusted her and believed she told him the truth. Her responses came across as too authentic to be lies. If he couldn’t be anything else, he’d be her means for escape. She leant back in his arms. “I’m scared.” “About what?” He brushed a damp lock of hair off her cheek. “Tell me everything so I can help you.” “I got you into my mess.” She smeared the remnants of her makeup with the back of her hand. “It’s all so fucked up.” “I can handle myself.” “No,” she sobbed. “I know too much and you’ll be a target because you’re with me. He’s going to kill us.” Slade crushed her in his embrace once more and walked her to the bed. Oh, hell fucking no. No one was going to lay a hand on her. He didn’t even know the whole story or his true

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feelings for her, but no. No way would he allow another human being to be hurt on his watch. “Start at the beginning, little girl.” He sat down and pulled her onto his lap. The scent of sex and syrup wafted around him, churning his stomach. “You have my full attention.” She looked away and trembled. “You can use a gun, right?” He nodded. Hours and hours at the gun range, sniper training and perfect scores on his firearms proficiencies more than qualified him. “I know my way around weapons.” “And I can trust you?” For a moment, he stepped out of the Slade façade and reverted to his true nature. Randy nodded. “I will protect you with my life.” Astra played with the wrinkles in his T-shirt and kept her gaze low. Her voice came out little more than a whisper “The stories of Tiny selling more than girls is true.” Bloody hell. Randy cupped her jaw, forcing her to look him in the eyes. Taking the leap of faith to tell him the truth he’d suspected took balls. His respect for her soared. He pushed himself back into the Slade persona. “What do you mean, sweets?” “I didn’t want to be in my apartment for the same reason I asked you to drive me home last night. I’m not going to follow his orders and have the abortion, so he’s out for blood.” Astra toyed with his hand. “Did you ever wonder why we all have to live in the same building?” “Cheap housing?” Astra trembled and shook her head. “He’s cheap, but that’s not it. He can’t stand to not know what’s going on. Who’s fucking who, who has dirty little secrets or nasty habits. He needs to know. At first I thought it was an eccentricity—I mean, he’s got more money than God and likes things his own way. And then I found out the rest of the situation. I have no idea how many drugs he’s taken and he wasn’t above taking them in front of me. He wanted me to do a line here and there but I wouldn’t. As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I flat out refused.” She rubbed her wrist. “He held me against the wall by my arms and threatened that if I didn’t terminate the pregnancy, he’d terminate me.” Slade saw red. The bastard manhandled a woman…a pregnant woman. He took her wrist in his hand, smoothing his fingers over her marred skin. “Did he cut you, too?” Nodding, Astra looked away. Slade tipped her chin, grabbing her attention. “No more. I won’t let him.” www.total-e-bound.com

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“Do you want to prove your words?” She pursed her lips and squared her shoulders. “Those condoms the girls are supposed to carry around…cut one open.” Astra slid from his lap and retrieved her purse, dumping the contents on the floor. “Here.” She handed him a foil packet. “Open it.” Slade took the silver packet and tore the corner. Nothing came out, so he squeezed. A rubber ring the circumference of a condom popped out of the packet, but that wasn’t the only thing in the foil. White powder fluffed from the container. Astra sank down next to him. “We should go to the cops.” The wind knocked from his body, Slade worked the muscles in his jaw. Could he come right out and tell her who he was? Oh, hon, I am the cops. She’d bolt from the room. I work for the CFPD. She might buy it, but she’d be so angry. “They’ll bust me for possession, won’t they?” Astra leant forward and buried her face in her hands. “I’m going to get a record because of the shithole where I work. I knew I should’ve gone to the police right away.” Slade rubbed his hand along her back, offering comfort. “You trust me, right?” She snorted. “I just showed you I have drugs and outted a suspected drug dealer. I’d say I have a lot of trust in you.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Are you going to turn me in?” “Why would I turn you in?” “You seem like a good guy with morals and any man with a brain in his head would run far away from me.” He gathered her into his arms and placed her back on his lap. “I promise you. I will do everything I can to keep you safe and out of jail.” He brought her in close for a kiss. “Even good guys with brains have moments of weakness. You’re worth any amount of trouble.” With her still in his arms, Slade stood and carried her to the bathroom. “What are you doing?” She squealed when he placed her bare bottom on the chilly granite counter. “It’s cold!” He placed his hand on her still-flat belly and stared into her eyes. The thought of her round with child sent warmth through his body. Didn’t matter if the baby wasn’t his. The overwhelming desire to take care of her filled him. He had to be either losing his mind, or in way over his head. www.total-e-bound.com

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Chapter Seven

Love at first sight? Her initial thought was he had to be confused. No one believed in true love at first glance. But then again, he wasn’t any guy and she didn’t have run-of-the-mill feelings for him. When they’d had sex, for her it had been making love—all emotions involved. Slade whipped his shirt up over his head, every muscle becoming more defined with the movement. His nipples beaded and his chest puffed with each breath. Astra licked her lips. The man was made to be nude. Hell, if he were on stage just taking his shirt off, he’d fill the club with willing, interested women and she’d be in the front row. A wave of jealousy rocked through her. Knocking them back with a gigantic stick? Yeah right. Would he want her there? He’d asked about love…maybe it was part of the game. Nail a stripper and add a notch to the bedpost. She swallowed hard. God, why did the good things in her life come with complications? “Astra, hon, I’ve never felt like I do with you. Since the first moment I saw you at the club, I fell in love.” He turned long enough to twist on the tap, starting to fill the tub with water. “When I’m with you, I want to be the man you need…the man you turn to. No tricks, no kidding, no lies.” Steam billowed from the sunken tub and moistened her skin. She wasn’t sure what to say. Confess she…what? Loved him? Yeah…but like he’d said, it seemed so sudden. “Let me care for you, Astra.” He held his hand out. “I won’t hold too tightly if you’ll just give me a chance.” “No notches on the headboard?” “Unless you want to count how many times I prove I’m over my head in love with you.” Astra slid down off the counter and into his arms. She should make him wait, make him wonder what she really thought. She should, but the words rolled off her tongue faster than she could keep them back. “Will you laugh if I tell you I think I love you, too?” She shoved her hands into the waistband of his boxer shorts and jeans, giving both a hard downward pull. “Because I do,” she blurted. www.total-e-bound.com

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Slade whooped and whirled her around in his embrace. “Better than I could’ve imagined. Sweeter.” Giggling, she collapsed against him. At least life with him would never be boring. He gave her another squeeze and placed her on her feet. “Give me time and I will get you away from him for good. I’ll take care of you and protect you. Promise.” “Yes.” She nodded to the bath water. “But turn that off first or we’ll be stuck here paying for the damage when it overflows.” Laughing, Slade twisted the knob to stop the flow of water. “Let me bathe you.” Astra lowered herself into the water. Her eyes closed. “Hot water. It’s been so long since I’ve had hot water, not lukewarm will-have-to-do water.” Slade took his place behind her and pulled her tight against his chest. “Relax.” With every swipe of the washcloth across her skin, Slade managed to wipe away bits of her fears and reservations. Her pain dissipated and morphed into sweet joy. She sighed and relished his nearness. This was the kind of man—the man—she could grow old with. “I could stay right here forever.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “It’s like we have our own personal little safe haven and nothing or no one can touch us.” “Then I’m doing my job.” Open-mouthed kisses tingled on her neck. Her pussy quivered and clenched. Slade had so much power—like he knew her body better than she did. “Make love to me,” she murmured. Astra shook her hair from her eyes and faced him. “Not fucking, not just sex. Love. I want love.” “Babe, that’s what I intend to do.” Slade threaded his damp hands into her hair, drawing her close. “But not here.” She jerked in his arms, a shred of doubt slicing through her mind. “Stop worrying, little girl,” he spoke against her lips. “I want you in bed, like the goddess you are.” Slade didn’t give her time to think or act—he simply swept her into his arms and lifted her from the tub. No towels…just slick bodies moving. He lowered her to the bed and drew his hands down her body. Every nerve ending buzzed and wetness coated her inner thighs. The sound of ripping plastic echoed in the room. She snapped her attention to him. The condom. She licked her lips. He might want to treat her like a goddess, but the urge to be a

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dirty, dirty girl shook her to the core. She scooted off the edge of the bed then dropped to her knees. Astra buried her nose in the springy curls at the base of his cock, rubbing his scent on her. “Oh.” Slade grunted and held her hair in his hands. Not pushing, not demanding, but letting her take the lead. She liked that. Liked him. She wrapped her fingers around his cock, stroking. A glance up at him revealed the desire and something else in his eyes. Something deeper, more revealing. She nuzzled down to his sac and ticked her tongue along the sensitive skin. Slade shivered and his grasp tightened a bit. “Even a goddess likes to be bad,” she murmured against his balls. Could he understand her needs? Hell, would he freak out? Screw it. She’d never know until she tried. Flipping her hair over her shoulders, she stared up at him. “Do what you want, babe, I’m yours.” Slade stroked her cheek. “Turn yourself on and let me watch.” Astra ran her tongue along his cock, from base to tip. Turn herself on? This was about showing him how she felt. She patted the bed for the condom. She glanced at the bed long enough to find the rubber, then rolled it down his dick. She took him deep in her mouth and grabbed handfuls of his ass. He wobbled on his feet and thrust forward. “Yes. Fuck me, yes.” Astra grazed her teeth along the thick vein, drawing another set of shivers from his body. She opened her eyes to look up at him again. A soft, almost sleepy smile appeared on his lips as he met her gaze while she pumped her mouth on his cock. “You’re dangerous.” He swayed a bit more. “Come here. Let me make you feel good, too.” Shaking her head, she angled him to the bed. At least there he wouldn’t fall and hurt himself and she could play more. Slade tumbled to the bed. “What are you thinking about?” Oh, the things she had in mind. With one hand on his cock, she nibbled the sensitive skin on his balls. His hips bucked as he worked his cock up and down in her grasp, pumping him. The hairs tickled her nose and his scent drove her to the brink. She squeezed her legs together to keep the tingles at bay. This was about him. She massaged her other hand on his inner thigh, working in wide circles towards her ultimate goal. www.total-e-bound.com

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Slade planted his feet and his moans grew louder. “Oh, fuck.” Grinning, Astra slid off his thigh then grabbed for her bag and the lube. A girl should never be without it. She licked lower and lower on his balls. His legs trembled. He moaned again. “Like?” she asked against his thigh. She stopped her oral assault and glanced at his face. Eyes glazed, lips parted and a flush across his neck, face and chest, Slade nodded. “Yeah.” The word came out in a combination of need and a whispered plea. Time to show him how good she could be when she wanted to be bad. Astra licked the length of his dick and squeezed some lube onto her fingers. Using the pad of her index finger, she alternately pressed and rubbed the tight rosette of his ass. His toes curled and the muscles in his legs tightened, but he stayed put. Slade groaned. “Whoa.” She slowed her actions without stopping. Her pussy quivered and cream slicked down her thighs. Giving him pleasure did almost as much for her as it did him. “Holy…wow.” Slade scooted into her hand, grinding his ass on her fingers. “Don’t— don’t stop.” Astra took him into her mouth, laving him with her tongue. If she didn’t hurry, she’d have an orgasm herself before showing him ecstasy. Going for broke, she slid her index finger into his asshole. Slade groaned and took her in. Oh praise whoever it was that had sent Slade to her. He got her kink. His hips pistoned and he pushed his cock down her throat before withdrawing. “Can’t. Fucking. Hold. Back,” he bit out. His breaths grew ragged and his chest heaved. His hands fisted in the sheets as his body went tense. “Fuck,” he shouted and trembled. Astra pulled her finger from his ass and gave him a couple more licks before sitting back on her heels. “If I wasn’t sure before, I know now. I’m in love.”

“You broke me,” he panted and removed the spent condom. All that mattered was Astra. The things she’d done… He’d never thought of himself as a curious man, but when she touched him, all rational thought fled from his mind. Astra affected him like a drug and wrapped around his heart. And had she just said she was in love? Sure, he thought the feelings were deeper than lust, more involved than just desire for a weekend fling. But there was the pall over the relationship. Before in his thirty-five years www.total-e-bound.com

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he’d thought he’d been in love…and thought himself to be unworthy of love because of his job. She didn’t know about the job, but she proved he could be loved as much as he loved her. Would she jump ship when she found out the truth? Astra climbed up beside him on the bed and tangled her legs with his. She rubbed the instep of her foot along his calf. His eyes grew heavy and the warmth of her body snuggled with his calmed him. He wasn’t sure how much time passed until she spoke. “Slade?” “Yes, sweetheart?” If they never had to move from the spot, could just lay there tangled together forever, he’d be a happy man. “Make love to me?” She walked her fingers up his chest. “Please?” Slade glanced at the clock before he rolled onto his side and cupped her cheek. God, he’d been out for an hour. No wonder she wanted attention. “You never have to ask for love from me. But one question. Where did you learn what you did?” She shrugged and lowered her gaze. “I like feeling good and I wanted to make you feel what I felt. It came naturally.” “Look at me,” he murmured. “Don’t be ashamed of what you want.” Her eyes glittered in the light. “I mean it, babe. I’ve never done what you did, but I liked it. I’d like to keep learning things and exploring with you.” “There’s something I’ve never done, but I want to try.” “What?” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Fuck my ass.” He reeled. Sure, he’d asked her to tell him. Didn’t he want to give in to her desires? He’d done his share of wild oats sowing and had played around before. The first time could, and probably would, hurt like hell. “You don’t want to.” She turned away from him. “Never—” Slade quieted her with a kiss. If it killed him, he’d do what she wanted and would make it as painless as possible. Astra sighed and slumped beneath him. “I’ll do whatever pleases you.” He rolled off her and stood. Where were the last of the condoms? “Check my bag. The real ones are gold…condoms, I mean.”

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Slade rummaged through her bag. Makeup, a rumpled T-shirt, brushes, ribbon… What in the world did she use the ribbon for? He hoped she used it for her hair. In the inner pocket he found the condoms. Two. Well, fuck. They’d have to be careful. He snatched a foil packet and stood. The bottle of lube she must’ve used for their earlier session lay tipped over on the floor. Good thing for the cap. He nabbed the bottle and made his way back to the bed. Astra cupped her breast, rolling her nipple between her thumb and forefinger. The sight of her pleasuring herself kicked his lust back into overdrive. “Touch your pussy. Show me how much you want me.” She nibbled the corner of her mouth in a tease and slid one hand down her stomach. She spread her labia wide, showing him her cream and the glittery pink of her pussy. Slade crushed the condom packet in his hand. Damn, she was sexy. Astra flicked her finger against her clit, tapping the tight bundle of nerves and driving herself and Slade crazy with desire. “Flip over.” He nodded. “I want to look into your eyes while I make love to you, but this will work better with you on your knees.” “You expect a lot, you know.” She stuck out her bottom lip. “But I want this, too. I want you.” She rolled onto her stomach and rose up on her knees, waving her ass at him. Slade couldn’t hold back and flattened his hand on the smooth skin in a slap. Astra yelped and wriggled more. “Do it again,” she panted. He took a step back and rolled the condom onto his dick. Make her wait and make her want. And don’t let her know it’s coming. He grinned. He couldn’t not fuck her pussy first. Slade brought his hand down on her ass in three quick spanks. Her knuckles went white on the balled up sheets. “More, Slade, please?” He chuckled. The words implied begging, but the tone of her voice translated into need and want. He guided his cock into her pussy and started to thrust. Astra groaned and backed into him, pushing him fully within her body. “God, harder.” She gyrated on his cock. If she’d done that action on stage, she’d certainly have got attention. Too bad she wasn’t going to dance again, once he’d explained things. He couldn’t fathom sharing the gem he’d found in her. Slade grabbed the bottle of lube from the bed and squirted some on both her ass and his hand. “Take me in, babe.” “I could come right now.” She reached between her legs and massaged his balls. “Can’t you come?” www.total-e-bound.com

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“Minx.” Slade drew circles around the rosy pucker of her ass, testing and teasing her. “Do you want this?” He tapped the tight skin. “Really want this?” When she backed onto his cock, he pushed his index finger into her ass. “Oh!” Slade paused. “Relax, Astra,” he crooned. “It’s going to be tight. I won’t hurt you if I don’t have to.” She stopped playing with his testicles and glanced over her shoulder. “I trust you.” He pushed his finger deeper, past the taut ring of muscle. Astra groaned but didn’t pull away. Her body quivered a little and the muscles in her legs tightened. To lessen the pain, he twisted his finger and moved it in and out of her tiny hole. She grabbed his free hand and placed it on her labia. “Rub yourself, babe. I want to play with your nipples.” Slade trickled his fingers up her ribcage to her breast. He moved to the rhythm in his head—in and out of her pussy, in and out of her ass, all the while pinching and rolling one of her nipples. “Oh,” she moaned. “Yes.” Slade added another finger to stretch and prepare her and kept up his cadence. Little by little she relaxed. Her eyes closed and her body welcomed more of him in. “Astra.” He withdrew from her pussy and lined himself up to breach her ass. Love and devotion swelled in his heart. It took a lot to trust someone enough for this sort of play. God, he loved her. Slade squeezed more lube onto his fingers and coated his cock in the slippery liquid. He pinched her breast and entered her, inch by agonising inch. Astra jumped and squirmed. “So…full.” Her voice caught. “It…hurts.” “Relax and bear down on me, beautiful.” He moved within her asshole, stretching her more. “The pain will pass.” Slade leaned over her, one hand on her chest and the other between her thighs, plucking at her clit. “Let me make you feel good. Like you made me feel.” She glanced over her shoulder once more and nodded. Instead of fear, raw desire glimmered in her eyes. His restraint splintered. Slade worked himself deep into her ass and held still. She was wrapped around him so tightly. This had to be what heaven felt like. He rested against her back and kissed the silky skin. “I love you, I love you, I love you,” he murmured. www.total-e-bound.com

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Astra whimpered and wiggled. “I…need to come.” Slade released her breast, rested his weight on his left arm and slowly thrust into her ass. She shivered beneath him and dug her fingers into the sheets. God, she made loving her so much fun. “Make me come.” Her voice wavered and her back arched. Astra impaled herself on his cock and she met him action for action. His balls tingled and heat zinged through his veins. God, he needed to come, too. Slade abandoned her pussy and grasped her hips. Need like he’d never known ripped through him. Astra keened and pushed in time with his actions. The orgasm built low in his loins, bubbled up to his heart then settled in his cock. His limbs shook as the full force of the climax took over. “Fuck.” He cried out and pulled her tight against the crook of his groin. Astra moaned and puffed on the bed. Slade braced himself on both hands, careful not to crush her as he gasped for breath. For the first time in his life, he felt completely and totally spent, every last drop of cum wrung from his body. “Let—let me chuck the raincoat and we can…sleep.” Woozy, Slade sauntered to the trash bin to discard the condom. Astra remained in the same position watching him with glazed eyes. Slade plopped down onto the bed beside her. He flopped onto his back and simply stared at the ceiling. The desire to move eluded him. “I saw stars.” One hand splayed on his chest as Astra cosied up next to him. “I’ve never seen stars, but with you, I did.” She rested her head on his chest, next to her hand. “Just promise me you’re real and will be here in the morning.” Slade took a deep breath, enjoying the sweet scent of her shampoo and femininity. “I’m all yours.” As he succumbed to sleep, the thought crossed his mind—he belonged to her…but would she still want him when she found out his truths?

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Chapter Eight

Randy woke up with a start and glanced around the room. Fuck. How long had he been out? He looked at the clock through bleary eyes. Ten o’clock in the morning. Only six hours. Screw it. He gave himself a breather from the Slade persona and snuggled Astra against his side. He needed to tell her about the operation. Living a lie sucked ass and it damned near looked like he could lose her. Being without Astra wasn’t part of the equation. She was more than precious to him—she was a part of him. Revealing his true identity was essentially against the rules—bring the club down and don’t fall in love. Never drop cover, never falter. He pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. He’d failed on all accounts… Almost. He slapped his hand on the nightstand in search of his phone. He’d sent a text to put the final part of the operation into motion. Probably should’ve convinced her he knew which end was up first, but the department needed to prepare. Astra stirred and sighed. Her hand meandered to his crotch. With long strokes, she wrapped her fingers around his cock. “Mmm.” Randy settled down into the sheets. He shouldn’t succumb to her, but damn… Her breath warmed his neck. Open-mouthed kisses feathered over his skin. “Do you like?” Her hair tickled his chest as she moved. The bed dipped as she rolled away from him. The tease. Where was she? He glanced around the room, but no Astra. What the fuck? Footsteps padded in the bathroom. Wild sparks in her eyes and a smile on her lips, Astra emerged nude with a foil packet in hand. “I thought we used them all.” He pressed his lips together, knowing he’d said the wrong thing. Astra shrugged. “I come prepared.” “Not yet you haven’t come.” He patted the mattress. “Come here so you can come.” She nibbled the corner of her mouth but didn’t leave the bathroom doorway. www.total-e-bound.com

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“What, little girl? What are you thinking?” Her grin widened. Astra squealed and broke into a run, jumping and landing on the bed with a bounce before flopping beside him. “You’ve always wanted to do that haven’t you?” Randy snagged her in his arms and rolled her onto his stomach. Astra nodded. “I’ve wanted to do that since I was about five.” She licked her lips and tore the packet open. “I want this more.” She scooted down his legs and kneeled. She peered at him from behind his cock. “I”—she blew across the crown of his penis—“want to make you”—another rush of chilly air—“feel good.” With one hand on his dick and the other on his balls, she ran her tongue over the blunt end of his length, bringing him to the brink. Randy planted his feet. If she kept up her feel-good manoeuvres for too much longer, he’d come all over her and they hadn’t talked about that kind of play. He pushed her hair from her eyes and took control of the situation. “Ride me,” he bit out. Slick pre-cum glistened on the tip of his cock. Damn, he was too close. Taking her time, Astra sat up. She unrolled the condom down his length, stroking him as she worked. His balls tightened. Fuck. Two strokes and the whole thing would be over. Astra inched forward, rubbing his cock against her sopping folds. Her eyelids slid shut and her hands travelled up her ribcage to her breasts. “Pinch them for me.” Randy spread his hands over her thighs, guiding himself into her searing pussy. Astra pulled her nipples tight between her thumbs and forefingers. A cry escaped her throat and her body trembled. Hands on her hips, Randy surged up, filling her. “Fuck,” she gasped. “I’m…right…there.” Halle-fucking-lujah. He liked her being on the same ragged edge he was precariously walking. He worked his hips, thrusting into her. Astra slouched forward. Her nails bit into her arms as her entire body trembled. Her pussy walls clenched him tightly. “Coming.” She quaked and her ragged breaths puffed on his chest. “Oh, God.” Randy pistoned into her, not caring how long things lasted. Right now, he had her, had her coming on him, and loved her with his whole heart.

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With him still inside her, she fell forward and wrapped her arms around him. He’d made love to her three times the night before and she kept coming back for more. Would she ever tire of him? Or would escape from the club prove his worst fear? She’d find someone else just because she could. Like Darley had. “I hurt everywhere, but I love it.” She kissed his chest and burrowed closer to him. “I love it a lot.” Threading his fingers into her hair, he tipped her chin with the other hand to look into her eyes. “Sweetheart, I need to tell you something.” “You’re going to marry me?” She snorted. “Sorry. You gave me a mind-blowing orgasm and expect me to pay attention. Okay, I’m listening.” Marriage did sound damn enticing. Running off to Vegas would make a great cover, too. Well, good if she went along with it. Fucked up if she ran away from him. Slade shifted to sit up between her thighs and placed her legs on his. He moved her out of his arms long enough to ditch the used rubber. He rather liked knowing he gave her mindblowing orgasms, but he needed to be sure she loved him, not the cover. “Spit it out. You know my scary ass past.” She ran her fingers down his chest and tugged gently on his chest hairs. “You can’t be any worse. Well, you can, but I’m hoping you’re not.” The more she rambled, the harder it became to just tell her the truth. “You asked me who I worked for.” He swallowed past the lump of apprehension. “I work for Tiny, but I work for someone else, too.” “Corey?” She pulled her knees to her chest and sat up straighter. “He sent you to make sure I had the abortion, didn’t he?” “No.” Randy crossed the space between them and put his hand up, aiming to caress her face. “Why would Corey be involved?” Astra scrambled from the bed. “Don’t—don’t touch me.” Stuck in the sheet, she tumbled to the floor. “I am not giving in.” Grinding his teeth, Randy cursed the operation and his co-workers at the club. Time to tell her the whole truth. He touched her arm with an open palm. “I’m a cop.” Astra froze and her eyes widened. Her mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. The colour bled from her face.

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“Astra, I’m a sergeant with the Carrington Falls police force.” He nodded as if the action would help soothe her fears. “I’m not supposed to tell you I’m working the Silver Steel to help girls like you to…not work for Corey or Tiny.” “Girls like me?” she spat. “Fucked up girls who take their clothes off and want some far-fucking-fetched happily ever after?” She trembled and tears streaked down her cheeks. “Don’t do this. Don’t lie.” “No, little girl.” He didn’t care if she hit him, swore at him, or even hated his guts. He needed her and needed to tell her the truth. Randy crushed her in his arms. “The drugs you thought I’d bust you for are what I’m trying to bust him for. I know he’s abusing the girls and I’m tired of it. I’m going to stop him and save you.” She went limp in his arms, both hands across her mouth. She didn’t look at him but rather somewhere across the room. God, he hated to tear her world apart. His heart shattered within his chest. What else could he say or do to make things…not so shitty? Randy rested his forehead on her temple. “The stuff that happened—the car, the threats… I’m not about to let you pay for him being an asshole. And if it was Corey who beat the hell out of you the other night, then I’m bringing him down, too.” Hand on his arm, she turned and looked at him with moist eyes. She stayed quiet for the longest time, just stared at him. The love he’d hoped to see in her face dimmed with each passing moment. “Then who are you?” she whispered. “Who is this man I slept with, who knows the darkest parts of me?” If he had to screw up his life, then he might as well go all the way. “Sergeant Randall Tyson McCall. Eight-year member of the Carrington Falls PD, single child to Myrna and Tyson McCall. To serve and protect has always been my motto. Married once and divorced because she hated the long hours alone. I’m head over heels in love with you and determined to keep you safe.” “And you really care about me? You’re a hero.” Her bottom lip quivered. “I’m…I’m a wh—” Randy silenced her words with a kiss. No matter what she’d done in the past, she’d always be his. “You’re my girl.”

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Astra shook her head. “No. I can’t be your girl. He will kill us when he finds out what we did.” She had to make him understand. The danger was more than one man could deal with—cop or not. “Astra, love, I have the whole of the force behind me. They will take him down.” “How? When?” She put her hands in the air. “No, I don’t want to know. Just take me home.” “In a little bit. Sweets, you said you trusted me. This is when you need to show me.” Her heart ached. She loved Slade. Knowing he was someone else—a cop no less—made things so much more complicated. Who had she fallen in love with? Who had she made love to? “Slade might be a figment of my commanding officer’s imagination, but the guy in front of you”—he pointed to himself—“this guy is in love with you and willing to risk his life to keep you and the baby safe.” The baby… Despite Slade’s—no, Randy’s—embrace, Astra rubbed her chilled arms. She didn’t have much choice. If she left Randy, Tiny would know she’d ignored his directive. If she played along, would they make it out alive? “I know you don’t think you can love me. I understand that. I accept it.” His voice wavered just the slightest bit, but enough for her to notice. “Have you ever had to decide which you wanted more? Like you have two options and both are scary as hell, but you can’t not pick?” She placed her fingers on his lips. “Everything tells me to just disappear. Run off to the country and change my name to Gertrude or something. I never should’ve stuck around the Steel or had an affair with Tiny…but in an odd way I don’t totally understand, I’m glad.” “Yeah?” “Because as scary as things seem, I know way down in my gut you really will keep me safe.” Randy kissed her hand. “Thank you, babe.” “So what’s the plan? Guns blazing? We ride off into the sunset like Bonnie and Clyde?” “We go to work like normal. You put your faith in me and I’ll ensure we get out together.” “You’re one in a million.” “Nah, I’m yours.” www.total-e-bound.com

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Chapter Nine

Astra stepped off the stage and towelled the sweat from her body. The heat from the lights seemed so much more intense, the attention from the crowd somehow louder. Her blood pounded in her ears. Slade—no—Randy had said to act naturally. How the hell was she supposed to act naturally when Tiny glared from his private table? She shook off the bad vibes and flicked her hair over her shoulder. Screw it. Randy wanted her trust, then she’d give it with no qualms. Anything had to be better than the ogling eyes of the less than attractive patrons. “Tiny wants you to make your rounds through the crowd once more.” Judy handed her a bottle of water. “And to stop at his table for a private dance.” Astra shuddered. Giving him pleasure was the last thing she wanted to do. She gritted her teeth and forced herself to think of something less disgusting. She glanced at the doors. Instead of Corey’s hulking form, Ross stood with his arms crossed. At least that part was going according to plan. “I don’t know how you could’ve dated him. Tiny’s…” Jude shuddered and shook her head. “Oh well. Not much longer and I’m gone.” Astra smiled, thankful Jude provided the high point in the conversation. “Are you going to take summer classes or are you almost done with your degree?” Judy blushed. “I’ve missed too many classes because I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I’m stuck for another semester.” A faraway look crossed her face. “One of these days…” Astra toyed with the cap of the bottle. “Jude?” The shorter dancer gasped. “You…you used my name. In here.” “We have to keep an eye out for each other.” She pulled Jude close. “Don’t let down your guard. Ever.” “Astra?” Randy. Astra grinned despite her twinge of displeasure. She should look at him as Slade, but her brain and heart wouldn’t cooperate with logic. He might be Slade to the rest of the club, but he’d always be the Randy she cared about…and yes, she cared about him. www.total-e-bound.com

OVER MY HEAD

Wendi Zwaduk

51

“What are you doing back here?” He wasn’t supposed to go beyond the curtain. “Are you already clocked out?” “Nah. Hiya Judy.” He nodded once. “I couldn’t wait any longer.” Wait? For what? Astra fought to keep her breathing level. “What are you waiting for?” “You.” A smile, one she hadn’t noticed before, crossed his lips. Every nerve ending zinged and the hairs on her neck stood on end. Randy fumbled in his pocket, his jacket rustling. “What…what are you—?” Randy held a box in his hand, just the right size for a…ring. “Oh wow,” Jude said with a sigh. “This is so romantic.” Randy dropped to one knee. “Astra, I want your sexy back, your sexy front, all of your sexy being all to myself. Marry me, babe.” Astra stared at the box. She’d waited for this moment for her entire life. Waited for someone to love her. Was this part of the act or his true feelings? Jude nudged Astra with her elbow. “You gotta say something.” “I—yes.” She’d never get out of there if she didn’t play along. “I will marry you.” “Married? Who the fuck is getting married?” Tiny stomped into the room and pounded his fist on the closest makeup table. “What the fuck?” Astra froze. The shit had officially hit the fan. “Judy, please tend to the customers while I have a chat with Sexyback and Slade,” Tiny said through clenched teeth. Jude scooted out of the dressing room. Tiny narrowed his eyes and his lips curled. “Well.” He yanked the sides of his jacket open, accentuating the Glock on his hip. “Now, what in the name of fuck is going down?” Call her stupid, call her foolish, Astra stepped in front of Randy. “He asked me to marry him. I haven’t decided if I will or not.” Tiny snorted. “Marry you?” He slipped the gun from the holster and waved it in her general direction. “I have heard some shit in my time. Slade, do not tell me you’re wasting your time on this…” Tiny’s gaze raked up and down her body, giving Astra the shivers. “I’d say woman, but she’s hardly that.” “Actually, she’s quite a woman.” Randy placed his hands on her shoulders, edging her to the side. “You seem to have no issue sending customers her way. I’m…taken with her.” www.total-e-bound.com

OVER MY HEAD

Wendi Zwaduk

52

“You’re a fucking moron.” Tiny paused, the muscle in his jaw working overtime. He crooked one brow. “Has she told you about her little secret?” Randy tipped his head. “Secret?” “I didn’t think so.” Tiny sat down on the nearest makeup table. “Let’s see. She might look sexy, but she’s on her third…or is it fourth owner? I lost count.” “Doesn’t bother me.” Randy’s voice remained level. “I knew she wasn’t a saint.” “She just had an abortion. She can fuck but God help you if you want a family.” The self-serving grin on his face widened. “You’re gonna marry a bitch who can’t have kids, whose been used and shows her body off to any asshole who walks into this club? She’s mine and fuck off.” Astra fought to drag air into her lungs. Her skin stung all over. She knew this was part of the plan, but God… Her mettle evaporated. “Astra, what do you want from your life? Marry a dickhead because he’s got a ring?” Tiny snorted and rubbed his thick fingers under his nose. The gun shook slightly in his other hand. “He talks big, but it’s shit. Three months, tops, he’ll all the sudden lose interest and where will your ass be?” Astra glanced at Randy. She needed all the fortification she could get. Her lunch reversed its course. The more Tiny trembled, the more she wondered if he’d partaken of his personal drug stash. If he had, there was no guessing what he’d do. “Are you going to let the dick here rescue you just to have him drop you like hot lead or are you going to stay where you’re appreciated?” Tiny wriggled his fingers on the grip of the handgun. His index finger hovered over the trigger as he waved it towards the exit. “Now go on stage so you don’t get hurt.” Drugs or not, faith or not, she wasn’t about to play the game any longer. “No.” She shook her head. “I’m done.” “You’ll never walk out of here alive,” Tiny snarled. “No?” She grabbed a T-shirt from her table and yanked the garment over her head. Randy wanted her to be strong? Fine. She could be strong. Even if it got her ass killed. “I’m done. I’m not marrying you or anyone. I don’t want to be tied down, so the both of you can shove it.” Head hanging, Randy put the ring box back into his coat pocket.

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OVER MY HEAD

Wendi Zwaduk

53

“Good girl.” Tiny slapped her ass, propelling her towards the stage. “Now get ready for your next turn. I don’t want to have to send in my heavy guns again.” “My next turn?” Her voice cracked and she clenched her fists. “You think you own me? You are nothing to me—guns or not. Corey is an asshole who hurts people. You’re no better.” She kicked off her high heels and plopped down on to the nearest chair. She pulled her jeans on as she spoke. “No more having my ass slapped so you make extra money. No more drugs and no more fucking whoever you want so you look like a God damned pimp. Fuck you.” She stood, shoved her feet back into the heels and tossed the wad of condoms at her former boss. “Find another girl to sell and worship you. A nice, naïve young one who will believe your shit because I’m done. I quit.” “Over my dead body.” Tiny lunged from his chair and aimed at her head. “You. Are. Mine.” “Astra. Go.” Randy withdrew his gun and aimed at Tiny. “Get out of here.” “You’re going to risk your life for a piece of ass?” Astra held her breath, awaiting Randy’s answer. If he felt any concern or worry, it didn’t show on his face. Hell, she couldn’t read his expression and not knowing scared her more than the gun. God, what have I done?

Randy clenched his teeth. Show no fear. He fought to keep his breathing even, despite his guts twisting in triple knots. If he fucked up, he’d lose her as well as jeopardise the whole operation. What did he want? The desperation and total trust in her eyes made the decision for him. “Not at all.” Randy nodded to Astra. Screw the cover. Being Slade wasn’t going to help him now. All he had was his faith in Astra. “Go.” He turned his attention back to Tiny. “I’m willing to risk my life for a girl I care about.” He disengaged the safety on his handgun. “Now let her go or I blow your hand off.” “Bullshit.” Tiny aimed the gun at Randy. “The boys won’t let you shoot me.” “Bet me.” Randy fired. The shot exploded, knocking the weapon from Tiny’s hand. Red streaked across the room from the wound. Tiny slumped to the ground. “You shot my goddamned hand! Bastard.” With his left hand, he patted his chest. “Ross, Corey, where the fuck are you?” His voice broke and rose two octaves. “I’m bleeding you assholes!” www.total-e-bound.com

OVER MY HEAD

Wendi Zwaduk

54

Astra bolted from the room in a blur of blonde hair. Her footsteps thumped on the carpet. Randy crossed the space to Tiny’s crumpled form. “I figured a big ass like you would drop because of a little bullet.” Randy kicked the gun from Tiny’s reach. “Don’t bother to call them. You gave Corey the night off and Ross can’t touch me.” “You’re a dead man.” “I doubt it.” Gun in hand, Randy crouched beside Tiny. He pressed the barrel of the gun against Tiny’s temple. “The cops know and they are going to shut your drug op down. Mark my words.” “Where are you assholes? I’m shot,” Tiny growled. “Leave her the hell alone. You hear me?” Randy nudged Tiny with the barrel of the gun. “Astra and I ran off to Vegas and you’re happy for us.” “Fuck you,” Tiny spat. He reached for the gun once more. “Asshole.” “Have it your way.” Randy aimed at Tiny’s other hand and fired, leaving an explosion of blood and tissue on the carpet. “It’s a shitty carpet.” Randy stepped over Tiny’s bleeding body and made his way from the dressing room. He flipped his phone open and pressed the buttons to make the call. “Done and ready for you to go in.” Before the person on the other end could speak, he snapped the phone shut. Time to get the fuck away from the Silver Steel. Randy caught up with Astra midway across the lot and grabbed her hand. No time to fuck around, he yanked her to the car. Fuck, fuck, fuck. The whole thing had been too damn close to disaster for his taste. Forgetting all manners, he gave her a shove into the passenger seat and slammed the door. The faster they got out of there, the better. “Don’t have to be an asshole.” Astra smoothed her hair from her eyes and huffed a sigh of relief. “Are we really out of there?” Randy slammed the car into gear. Rocks spewed out from under the spinning tyres. Within minutes, they’d reached the outskirts of town. His heart rate wouldn’t slow until he got to the state line, but he cherished his minor victory. “Yeah, we are so out of there, but damn. I’m glad Malsam’s on our side. That was too fucking close.” He owed his fellow officer big time once the damn bust went down. “You’re safe, the baby’s safe. We’re good.” www.total-e-bound.com

OVER MY HEAD

Wendi Zwaduk

55

“I may lose my lunch before we get to Cleveland, but yeah, I’m okay and the baby’s safe.” She sat quiet for a pregnant moment, staring out the window. When she finally spoke, her voice was so low he had a hard time hearing her. “Did you mean what you said?” Astra rubbed the bare ring finger on her left hand. “I need to know.” “Does it mean I love you? Yes.” Randy wrapped the fingers of his left hand around the steering wheel and placed his right hand on her thigh. “I love you more than I thought possible…and yes, the ring was coming, just not so fast, but hey—live like we’re dying, right?” “You’re scary logical sometimes.” “Do you really want to marry me?” He glanced at her from the corner of his eye and pulled the ring box from his coat. “I mean, I did just about get us killed and I’ve got a track record of things not going according to plan. But you’ll never find another man who will love and cherish you like me. I’ll take care of you and love the baby. I’m over my head in love with you.” He flicked open the jewellery box lid and tugged the ring free. “Marry me, little girl.” “I don’t know.” Randy slid the ring down her finger and kissed the stone. “Diamonds look good on you…and I think the baby wants us together.” She snorted. “Maybe things are going to plan—just not your plan.” She took his hand in hers and ran her tongue over his knuckles. “Who else would put a stripper and a cop together and have the love affair actually last? Someone somewhere wants this to happen, you know?” She placed her other hand on her belly. “The baby’s too small to kick, but I’m pretty sure you’re right. He or she’s good with this.” Randy grinned and threw his arm around her shoulders, drawing her tight against his side. “What’s that song…hey baby, let’s go to Vegas?” “Kiss this life adios? You bet.” Astra squeezed his thigh and rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m yours forever if you’ll have me.” “Forever’s as far as I’ll go.”

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Someone Like You Wendi Zwaduk

Excerpt Chapter One

“The wet look. Ancient Greek sculpture features drapery and clothing that appears so body-hugging, scholars label it the wet look.” Professor Reinhold tapped his fingers on the podium top. “I hope you’re taking notes.” Mindy Dawson rolled her eyes and continued writing in her notebook. ‘Wet look’ her behind. The professor likes saying wet in front of two hundred horny college students is more like it, she wrote in the margin of her notes. She glanced to her right. Speaking of horny and college students… He was there. Golden brown hair, cropped tight to his head. A ring glittered from the upper swell of his ear. He looked down at his notebook, no doubt scrawling every last word Professor Reinhold spouted. She licked her dry lips and shifted. Her mystery man always sat five rows up from the lecturer, at least fifteen seats from her position. Had he ever noticed her? She should be jotting notes for the upcoming test as well, not drinking in every detail of Mystery Man’s profile. His lips parted and her breath hitched. The guy had kissable lips. At least from the side they looked kissable. “He’s probably out of my league,” she muttered and forced her attention to her notebook. “With a girlfriend and a happy little life.” A statue of some headless Greek graced the screen above the chalkboard. Muscled and half-naked. What did her mystery man look like under his clothes? What was his name?

Being in a lecture hall with a hundred other students didn’t exactly lend itself to learning everyone’s names. “Our next exam is Friday on chapters sixteen through twenty-four. Remember your blue books.” Professor Reinhold clicked the lights on, temporarily blinding Mindy. She groaned. Another test. Not that an exam really bothered her. She loved the challenge of getting the answers right and scoring her best. Besides, it wasn’t like she—Miss Bookworm Extraordinaire—had a thriving social life. Paying the bills to get through college was hard enough work without trying to worry about a man and a love life. And Darrin had helped ruin her in the love department. Too bad the books weren’t as exciting and warm as a virile college guy with brains and good looks. She sneaked a peek at Mystery Man. Instead of seeing the side of his head and the breadth of his shoulders, all she found was an empty seat. Damn. Mindy snorted. Typical. Pining for a man she didn’t know in a class where she didn’t stand out. At least she had every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with him until June.

**** “She stared at you again.” Arran groaned. Trust his friend, Sav, to worry about the girl from Art History. “She’s a sweet girl. So what if she wants to look?” Savion Welles raised one brow. “She’s not your type.” He elbowed Arran and directed him into the school’s sub shop. “She’s a girl.” “Here we go again.” Arran dropped his backpack onto the nearest table. “What’s wrong with girls?” “You don’t date girls,” Sav snapped. Correct. Arran Mayes didn’t date girls. He dated guys. Big deal. He rummaged through the pack for his wallet. “There’s no law saying girls can’t look in my direction, stare or drool. I’m rather likeable by those who know me.” “I’m your best friend other than Nathan. I know you.”

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“So lay off.” Arran stuffed the five-dollar bill into his pocket. “I’m getting a pastrami on rye. Want anything?” Sav flicked his hand. “I’ll take that as a no.” Arran rolled his eyes again and strode through the gaggle of tables towards the sub shop counter. As he crossed the room, he saw her. The girl. She sat religiously through each boring art lecture, taking notes and hazarding glances in his general area. Warmth flooded his cheeks. Few women actually looked his way. Most dismissed him long before they got to know him. According to their banter, Arran had a great style and a nice voice, but their conversations always worked around to whether Nate—his best friend—was seeing anyone. Some would be put off with the constant barrage of questions concerning Nate. As long as it wasn’t men asking, Arran didn’t care. He happily directed the girls into Nate’s view and sat back to watch the fireworks. But with this girl…he wanted to watch what could happen and not with Nate. Arran Mayes wanted the action, excitement…he wanted a girl. At least to get to know her name and find out what the fuss over women was about. Maybe get her phone number. See what made her smile… Whoa. He needed a good fuck, that’s what the attraction was. A bodily response to someone good-looking. He shoved the burgeoning desire aside in his mind. Focus on lunch. He took his place at the back of the line. What if the attraction wasn’t a lack of sex? He appraised her from afar. Nice hips. Enough to grasp during a roll in the sheets. Holy fuck. Where’d those thoughts come from? Blood flowed to his cock and he shifted his weight to relieve the pressure. Shock…yes, she had to be a shock to his system. A glitch. Thick blonde hair fell to the middle of her back and the fleeting scent of vanilla wafted to him. His mouth watered. Was she into hair pulling? He shook his head. God, biology was a bitch. Here he was thinking about sex, what to do to make her scream during sex, or whether to just walk away from her altogether. Somewhere between Art History and lunch, something had come unglued. She liked sub sandwiches and that little nugget of info stoked his interest. He shook his head again. Enough fantasising about things he didn’t want. A guy behind her struck up a conversation. “What’cha having today, Min?” Min. Arran tipped his head. Nice name. He strained to hear her answer. Please let her be one of those girls who ate, not picked at food. www.total-e-bound.com

“Pastrami. Same old, same old.” Arran chuckled. Simple. He liked simple and wonderful…men. He forked his fingers into his hair. The feelings weren’t dissipating. Damn it. He liked guys, so why her and why now? He tore his attention from Min and glanced in Sav’s direction. He lusted after men— dark men, brooding men. Guys like Nate and Sav. Not women. He loved the feel of a man’s pecs and pebbled nipples crushed against his chest, not the pillow of women’s breasts. Fuck, he’d never even dated a girl. The scent of vanilla swirled around him. Arran turned as Min strolled past, sandwich in hand. His mouth watered. For the pastrami or her? His brain whirled with confusion and glee. He had to talk to her and get to know the vixen of Art History. As strange as it felt to be intrigued by her, it also seemed…oddly okay. He forfeited his place in line and followed her to her table. “Hello. Min, is it? I’m Arran. I wondered if I might sit with you?” Her eyes widened as she stared at him. Her lips parted and crimson infused her cheeks. She waved her hand at the empty seat. Arran sank down beside her. Instead of the apprehension he always felt when dealing with women—especially attractive women—a calm settled around him. Strange. “What can I do for you?” She offered her hand. “My name’s Mindy, by the way. Phillip thinks I like being called Min. He’s…Phillip.” Mindy. The name suited her. “Mindy. We’re in the same Art History lecture class, aren’t we?” “I’m the one who bores holes into the side of your head. Sorry. I shouldn’t stare.” She grinned and his heart leapt. What would it taste like to nibble on her bottom lip? Arran matched her smile. “I don’t mind. And since we’re sharing pleasantries, I’m Arran. Arran Mayes.” Crap. What was he supposed to do now? Just sitting next to her wasn’t going to be enough. Hell, if he dawdled around too long, she’d tell him to get lost. “Do you have the notes from last Friday’s lecture on the Lascaux cave art? I missed some of what Reinhold said.” There. That was a good save. Sounded intelligent and made him look like he cared about the class. He did, but sharing that info wasn’t happening right away. Mindy rummaged through her shoulder bag and produced a notebook. “Want to photocopy them or just fill in your blanks?” www.total-e-bound.com

“I’ll copy by hand, if you don’t mind. I’ll get my bag and my lunch and join you. Okay?” He rubbed his sweaty palms on his jeans legs as he waited for her answer. “I’m having a great time talking to you.” “Sure.” “Be right back.” Arran sprang from his seat and practically skipped across the room. She wanted to spend time with him. Granted, it could be her simply being nice to him, but he didn’t care. Sav glared as Arran gathered his things. “Not your type.” “I’m getting Art History notes.” Arran slung his backpack on his shoulder and headed back towards her table. “This could be the start of something really great.”

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About the Author I always dreamt of writing the stories in my head. Tall, dark, and handsome heroes are my favourites, as long as he has an independent woman keeping him in line. I earned a BA in education at Kent State University and currently hold a Master’s in Education with Nova Southeastern University. I love NASCAR, romance, books in general, Ohio farmland, dirt racing, and my menagerie of animals. Email: [email protected] Wendi Zwaduk loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.total-e-bound.com.

Also by Wendi Zwaduk Learning How to Bend Must Be Doing Something Right My Immortal You’ll Think of Me Tangled Up Careless Whisper Please Remember Me What Might Have Been Ever Fallen In Love Savin' Me Someone Like You Treble: Savin’ Me

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