Showing posts with label Michelle Heard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michelle Heard. Show all posts

Monday, September 16, 2019

Release Blitz: LAKE (Trinity Academy #3) by Michelle Heard

 

LAKE (Trinity Academy #3) by Michelle Heard 
Release Date: September 16th 
Genre: New Adult College Romance
 


   

THE SERIES IS COMPLETE!!! 
LAKE is AVAILABLE NOW& FREE in KU!! 

   

FALCON, Book #1 is AVAILABLE NOW & FREE in KU!! 
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/318g86O 


   

Blurb: 
His eyes have the power to undo all the hurt caused by my family.
“Don’t let them see you cry.”
After months of refusing I finally agree to move to America, where my fiancé’s waiting for me.
Just like my mother, an arranged marriage lies in my near future.
Just like my mother, I’m probably going to be shoved aside in a couple of years after providing the Cutler family with an heir.
Being a Korean girl from a culture that’s very different from the west, it makes me stand out like a sore thumb. There’s nothing I can do but to accept the fate arranged by my father and his mistress. My marriage to Lake Cutler will be a business deal and nothing else.
My plan is simple. Make him hate me enough to break off the engagement, so I can return to Korea.
But I didn’t account for those caring brown eyes.
What started as a mission to save myself from an unhappy arranged marriage soon turns into a battle to not lose my heart.
I dare him to walk away, but instead, he shows me any bridge can be crossed.

   

Excerpt: 
“Chairman Park would like to know when you’ll start working at CRC Holdings.”
My eyes dart to Mr. Reyes, who responds for me, “Lake will only be active as a shareholder.”
When the secretary translates the answer, the boring lunch transforms into something I’ve only seen in a drama.
Mr. Park shakes his head hard, and with a loud voice, starts saying, “No. No. No!”
He begins to ramble in Korean, which has me leaning into Lee. “What is he saying?”
She glances at me then back at Mr. Park, but begins to whisper, “He says you have to join the company. He won’t invest unless you do. He feels his investment should be looked after by my husband.”
“That was not the arrangement,” Mr. Reyes says, his voice calm in comparison with Mr. Park’s.
When Mr. Park begins to speak again, Lee whispers, “He wants it added to the contract that you’ll work at CRC Holdings.”
Before Mr. Reyes can reply, I say, “With all due respect, this is my future we’re discussing. I’d like to say something.”
Every pair of eyes settles on me, but I look directly at Mr. Park, and for once, he can’t just glance over me. “Are you aware of the percentage of shares my family holds?”
“Chairman Park is adamant. He wants you working at CRC Holding, or he would rather have his daughter marry Chairman Reyes’ eldest son,” the secretary says.
I can’t keep the smile from forming around my lips as I shake my head. When I stand up, Mason and Falcon instantly rise to their feet as well. Locking eyes with Mr. Park, I say, “Decisions regarding CRC Holding’s future are all made in the boardroom, Mr. Park.”
I’m well aware of the fact that I just insulted him by not using his title, and I pause a moment for that knowledge to sink in.
“I hold thirty percent.” I gesture to Mason. “Mr. Chargill holds thirty percent.” And I bring my hand up, resting it on Falcon’s shoulder. “Mr. Reyes holds ten percent. That gives us an overwhelming seventy percent voting right. We are a package deal, and Mr. Chargill will be the one to join CRC Holding.”
Somehow the secretary managed to listen to me and translate at the same time.
Damn, I need to learn Korean, so I can tell this man to go to hell in his own language.
“The Chairman asks what is stopping him from offering his daughter to Mr. Chargill.”
I feel Mason’s anger to my left, and glancing at him, I smile. “I’ve got this.”
Taking a moment to gather my thoughts, I glance at Mr. Reyes first, and when he nods, my eyes go to Mr. Chargill. The corner of his mouth pulls up, and lastly, I look at my father.
“Speak your mind, son. I back whatever decision you make.”
I lock gazes with Mr. Park. “CRC Holding does not belong to one man. It belongs to three families. Out of the four sons, I am your only option.”
“What the Chairman needs to realize,” Mr. Reyes says, “is that the men in our families run CRC Holdings and have done so successfully for two generations. Our wives do not have a say in the business.”
I button my jacket, and I feel Falcon move the chair from where it’s right behind me. “Mr. Park.” I wait for him to look at me. “CRC Holdings will not be intimidated. Our foundation isn’t built on fear, it’s built on loyalty. Consider this before you insult me again. I might be the quiet one, but that doesn’t make me the weakest.”


   


About the Author: 
Author preciously published as Michelle Horst
Michelle Heard is a Bestselling Romance Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She might have a slight obsession with alpha heroes who are not afraid to fight for their women.

Connect w/Michelle: 
Newsletter Signup: http://eepurl.com/cUXM_P
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Monday, September 9, 2019

Release Blitz for MASON (Trinity Academy #2) by Michelle Heard

        
  
MASON (Trinity Academy #2) by Michelle Heard 
Release Date: September 9th 
Genre: New Adult College Romance
 


   

MASON, Book #2 is AVAILABLE NOW! FREE in KU!!

FALCON, Book #1 is AVAILABLE NOW! FREE in KU!!


         

Blurb: "You’re my assistant."
The magic words every girl at Trinity Academy is dying to hear.
But I’m the one who gets stuck with Mason Chargill, the star of most women’s fantasies but my nightmare. One of the heirs to CRC Holdings, he might be dangerously gorgeous, but his cold and callous demeanor makes him an ice prince.
He expects me to abide by the Academy’s hierarchy, to be at his constant beck and call. Yeah, right… hell will freeze over before that ever happens.
Unfortunately for him, I’m no pushover. Unfortunately for me, he’s determined to break me.
If only there were a way to melt the shard of ice he calls a heart.
Please note: This is Book 2 in The Trinity Academy Series. All 3 books are interconnected, and some plots have been carried over from the 1st book and will be carried over to the final book in this series.

             

Excerpt: 

“We need to talk.”
“Oh-kaaay,” she points to where her suite is. “You want to come in?”
I gesture for her to walk ahead.
When we walk into her suite, she goes to place the bag on the coffee table, while I shut the door. I take a couple of steps deeper into the room.
“I’ve been looking for you.”
She digs through the bag and pulls out a lollipop. “I went to the store. Needed to restock my candy stash. I was supposed to go last night, but yeah, you know what happened.”
Unwrapping the candy, she pops it in her mouth. “Want one,” she mumbles around it.
“You seriously don’t care what people think about you, do you?”
She shrugs and sitting down on the couch, she points to the other couch. Taking the candy from her mouth, she says, “Sit.”
Yeah, let's get this over and done with. I walk to the couch and sitting down, I rest my forearms on my knees and lock eyes with her.
“Are you going to tell the entire Academy we slept together?”


           


About the Author: 
Author preciously published as Michelle Horst
Michelle Heard is a Bestselling Romance Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She might have a slight obsession with alpha heroes who are not afraid to fight for their women.
   
Connect w/Michelle: 
Newsletter Signup: http://eepurl.com/cUXM_P


     
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Monday, September 2, 2019

Release Blitz: FALCON by Michelle Heard

 

FALCON (Trinity Academy #1) by Michelle Heard 
Release Date: September 2nd 
Genre: New Adult College Romance 
Cover Designer: Sybil Wilson, PopKitty Design 
Photographer: Wander Aguiar Photography 
Models: Andrew, Forest and David
 


   

AVAILABLE NOW! Free in Kindle Unlimited!! 

   


Blurb: 

Wealth and power make them untouchable. The monarchs of Trinity Academy.
Falcon Reyes.
With a sharp, intelligent look, he reeks of arrogance wrapped in an icy layer of indifference. A life of luxury has left him with the notion that everything is attainable. Power. Wealth. Status.
He’s a god and I a mere mortal. He’s Jupiter, and I am Mercury.
There’s so much power in this man. He has the kind of influence most people can’t even begin to imagine.
And me… I’m an eighteen-year-old girl who managed to make him lose control. I’m the girl who showed him there’s a kaleidoscope of colors outside the high walls of his black and white world.
Please note: This is Book 1 in The Trinity Academy Series. All 3 books are interconnected, and some plots are carried over to the next 2 books in this series.


   


Excerpt: 

“You have to pull away. I’m not strong enough to let you go,” he whispers, and it feels as if the words carry a deeper meaning.
I lower my legs and squeeze myself out from the space between Falcon and the wall. With a trembling hand, I try to straighten my hair before I open the door. Blocking the inside of my suite with my body, I say, “I’m going to have to miss today’s class. Can you take notes for me?”
A slow smile spreads over Kingsley’s face. “Sure. We can exchange notes later, although I bet yours will be much more interesting than mine.”
I stick my tongue out at her, which only makes her laugh as she walks away. “Enjoy it.”
I shake my head as I close the door and turning around, I lean back against it.
Falcon is still standing exactly where I left him, bracing himself with hands against the wall. I let my eyes glide over the wide expanse of his back, his trim waist, perfect butt, and strong legs.
There’s so much power in this man.
Not only is he physically strong, but he has the kind of influence most people can’t even begin to imagine.
And me… I’m an eighteen-year-old girl who managed to make him lose control.

 


About the Author: 
Author preciously published as Michelle Horst
Michelle Heard is a Bestselling Romance Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She might have a slight obsession with alpha heroes who are not afraid to fight for their women.

Connect w/Michelle: Website: https://michelleheardauthor.wordpress.com/ 
Newsletter Signup: http://eepurl.com/cUXM_P
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Tuesday, August 13, 2019

EXCERPT REVEAL: FALCON (Trinity Academy #1) by Michelle Heard

 

FALCON (Trinity Academy #1) by Michelle Heard 
Release Date: September 2nd 
Genre: New Adult College Romance 
Cover Designer: Sybil Wilson, PopKitty 
Design Photographer: Wander Aguiar 
Photography Models: Andrew, Forest and David
 


   

Blurb: 
Wealth and power make them untouchable. Bound by an unbreakable brotherhood, Falcon, Mason, and Lake are the monarchs of Trinity Academy. I just want to study, get my degree, then join Dad in his travels around the world.
My hopes of flying under the radar during my three years at college are quickly shattered when I find myself stuck between a rock and a hard place. Falcon and Grayson are sworn enemies and business rivals, and I’m caught in the middle of their cold war because Grayson showed interest in me.
Then there’s my secret… which Falcon knows about. He uses it to keep me under his thumb, and I’d love nothing more than to knock the arrogant heir off his throne. But in a world where possessions, connections, and status rule, I can’t afford for the students to learn the truth behind my attending Trinity Academy.
It leaves me at Falcon’s mercy, but at the rate we’re fighting, one of us might just die before the term is over.
At least, that’s what I thought… until feelings get in the way and complicate things.


   

Excerpt: Chapter One 
Layla
Grabbing a seat in the middle of the auditorium, my gaze scans the group of first-year journalism students.
Nervous excitement fills the air, the kind you only feel on your first day of the rest of your life. Who you were in high school doesn’t matter because college is a fresh start – new friends, new environment, new standards for what’s acceptable and what’s not.
The fact that I got a free ride to Trinity Academy because my mother is the personal assistant to Geoffrey Reyes, CEO of CRC Holdings, is something I’ll take to my grave. Mr. Reyes’ father was one of the founding members of Trinity, a college meant for the rich and famous, which obviously doesn’t include me.
Even though my mom gets paid a pretty decent income, and I’ve never wanted for anything in my life, it’s not close to the wealth the other students come from – old money that’s been built up over generations.
If they found out I’m not from the top one percent wealthy in the country, I’d be singled out which is precisely what I want to avoid. I’m here to get my degree in journalism because it will go a long way in getting freelance jobs. It’s my dream to join my dad and to travel the world with him.
A girl with long brown curls, classic features and striking blue eyes takes the seat next to me. An eager grin spreads over her full mouth when she looks at me. “Kingsley Hunt. I have a 3.8 GPA and an out of control chocolate addiction.”
Holding her slender hand out to me, she raises an expectant eyebrow.
“Layla Shepard. I hate wearing a bra and always change into my PJs as soon as I’m home,” I say as I place my hand in hers.
“I like you.” I’m surprised at the sincerity in her gaze as she bluntly admits this. “Let’s be friends.”
“Uhm… okay.” Seeing as I don’t know anyone else here, I figure I can use a friend and Kingsley seems to be friendly.
A wave of murmurs washes over the auditorium, and I look to the front to see what all the commotion is about. Three guys walk onto the stage, each of their steps oozing with wealth and power. They take a seat next to the podium with an air of grandeur one can only obtain from having infinite riches, making the chairs look like thrones.
Kingsley leans closer to me and whispers, “Their grandfathers are the founding members of the academy.” Pointing to the guy nearest to the podium, she continues, “That’s Lake Cutler.”
Lake slouches in the chair, and leaning his head back, he closes his eyes, as if our orientation day is taking away from his sleep. Light brown hair stands in every direction, with some sweeping over his forehead. With his features relaxed, he gives me the impression nothing in the world can bother him. Only confidence will allow you that kind of freedom to not care what others think of you.
“Lake’s father is the vice-president of CRC Holdings.” She stops and looking at me asks, “You’ve heard of the company, right?’
Nodding, I answer, “Yeah.”
“Oh, then I must be boring you with useless information,” Kingsley laughs.
“Actually, I don’t know much about them,” I admit.
Mom never talks about her work with me. To be honest, that’s putting it lightly. I hardly get to see Mom because she’s either at the office or away on a business trip with Mr. Reyes.
“Cool, then I’ll go on.” Kingsley immediately proceeds by pointing at the guy next to Lake. “That’s Mason Chargill.”
The second I look at Mason, a shiver slithers down my spine, and every one of my alarms begin to go off. The guy looks like trouble with a capital T. There’s a condescending smirk on his face, only adding to the menacing look courtesy of features which might as well have been carved from stone. Handsome… but the indifference and contempt rolling off his shoulders make him look threatening.
I’ll be sure to avoid him at all costs.
“Mason’s father is the president of the company. I heard Mason, Falcon, and Lake are studying to take over from their fathers, which makes sense seeing as the three of them are the heirs to CRC Holdings.”
When Kingsley doesn’t continue, I ask, “So the third guy is Falcon Reyes?” Mom told me to be on my best behavior because Mr. Reyes’ youngest son is a senior here at the academy, but I’ve never met any of them in person. Now that I know what the heirs look like, it will make it easier to avoid them.
“Oh, yeah. Sorry, I got stuck on Mason,” she admits with a grin. “I could stare at him all day long.”
My eyes drift over the guys before stopping at Falcon. My first impression of Falcon is no better than the one I have of Mason. With a sharp, intelligent look, he reeks of arrogance wrapped in an icy layer of indifference.
He lifts his chin and glances in my direction as if he can feel my eyes on him. From across the auditorium, our eyes lock and every muscle in my body tenses as an unnerving feeling ripples over me. There are easily ten rows of chairs between Falcon and me, yet his cold gaze has the power to make me feel like I’ve just been singled out. His shoulders are set square, commanding and formidable, giving me the impression he’s the leader of the three.
Breaking eye-contact, I slide down in my chair and hide behind the guy sitting right in front of me.
Yeah, definitely gonna stay away from Falcon.
“Falcon’s father is the CEO and chairman of CRC Holdings.” Kingsley lets out a sigh. “With the kind of wealth they come from, they might be gorgeous to look at but deadly to play with.”
“That, my friend, I one hundred percent agree with.”
The introduction begins, and all the students quiet down. I usually pride myself in paying attention, but today, I find myself zoning out as my eyes get stuck on the three men sitting upfront.
Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have such wealth – not having to worry about your bank account ever running on fumes.
Deep in thought, my eyes leave them only to jump from one student to the next. Most are wearing watches I’ve never seen before, making my TAG Heuer look like a pavement special. It’s not like I’m into the latest fashion and luxury brands, but coming to this college, you quickly notice it’s what sets you apart from the rest of the students.
Once the introduction is over, we all file out of the auditorium and into the bright California sunlight.
“Which building are you staying in?” Kingsley asks as we walk over the well-maintained green lawn toward the residence section.
I scrunch my nose because I think the names for the buildings are lame. “I’m staying in the Hope Diamond. What’s with the weird names for the buildings?” I ask, hoping Kingsley will be able to tell me more.
Instead, her eyes widen, and she grabs my arm. “You’re so lucky! How did you manage to get a room in their building?”
“Their building?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“The penthouse belongs to Falcon, Mason, and Lake. Usually, only other business partners can get a suite in The Hope Diamond.”
I blink as she rambles overly excited, and once I find my bearings, I mumble, “It makes no difference to me where I stay.”
I hope she doesn’t ask about my family because I’d hate to lie to her, but there’s no way I’m trusting her with my secret only minutes after meeting her.
“Well, you’re lucky. Your family must be business partners with CRC then?” Kingsley asks the question I’ve been dreading most.
“Something like that,” I skirt around the truth hoping it won’t come back to bite me in the ass.
I know for a fact Mom being Mr. Reyes’ personal assistant won’t mean shit to the other students and might make me a target which is the last thing I need.
We walk toward the dorms which look like five-star hotels instead of student housing.
“I’m in the Pink Star, which is the building opposite yours. The Oppenheimer Blue is the third building.”
“Why the names?” I repeat my question from earlier.
“They’re ranked according to the most expensive stones. Depending on where your family falls on the wealth ladder, you get assigned to a room in the appropriate building. The Oppenheimer Blue is where you’ll find the millionaires next door or the capitalist class. If you’re from one of the ruling fifteen thousand families in the States or glittering rich like my family, you’re in the Pink Star. Only those on the Forbes 400 list make it past the doors of The Hope Diamond.”
Shaking my head, I let out a sigh, “Ridiculous if you ask me. I’m going to have to research all these things, so I don’t step on any toes.”
“I’ll make you a list of the important stuff,” Kingsley offers.
“That would be great.”
We part ways at the entrance to the Hope Diamond, agreeing to meet in an hour for an early dinner.
Walking into the luxurious building, the marble floors gleam under extravagant chandeliers. My shoulders sag, and I lose a little of the excitement from being able to study here.
My dad is a gypsy at heart, and since the divorce, he’s never stayed in one place for long. I love both my parents, but I take after Dad. Material things have never mattered to me, and now I’m in a college with people who only care about status, power, and money.
Damn, it sucks. I should’ve insisted on attending a regular college, but Mom was so excited I couldn’t let her down.
Sliding the card through the electronic lock, I step into my suite. I glance around the space then look out the window at the perfect view of the hills. I love the Ojai Valley where Trinity Academy is situated. The hills surrounding the campus are gorgeous.
“You can fool everyone for four years,” I mumble, not quite believing the words myself. “Just don’t stand out in any way and no one will notice you.”
 
 
About the Author: 
Author preciously published as Michelle Horst
Michelle Heard is a Bestselling Romance Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She might have a slight obsession with alpha heroes who are not afraid to fight for their women.

Connect w/Michelle: 
Newsletter Signup: http://eepurl.com/cUXM_P
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Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Cover Reveal: Trinity Academy Series by Michelle Heard

 

Trinity Academy Series by Michelle Heard
Falcon #1 - Release Date September 2nd 
Mason #2 - Release Date September 9th 
Lake #3 - Release Date September 16th
Genre: New Adult College Romance 
Cover Designer: Sybil Wilson, PopKitty 
Design Photographer: Wander Aguiar Photography 
Models: Andrew, Forest and David


   

 
Falcon 
Wealth and power make them untouchable.
Bound by an unbreakable brotherhood, Falcon, Mason, and Lake are the monarchs of Trinity Academy.
I just want to study, get my degree, then join Dad in his travels around the world. My hopes of flying under the radar during my three years at college are quickly shattered when I find myself stuck between a rock and a hard place. Falcon and Grayson are sworn enemies and business rivals, and I’m caught in the middle of their cold war because Grayson showed interest in me.
Then there’s my secret… which Falcon knows about. He uses it to keep me under his thumb, and I’d love nothing more than to knock the arrogant heir off his throne. But in a world where possessions, connections, and status rule, I can’t afford for the students to learn the truth behind my attending Trinity Academy.
It leaves me at Falcon’s mercy, but at the rate we’re fighting, one of us might just die before the term is over.
At least, that’s what I thought… until feelings get in the way and complicate things.


   

 
Mason 
"You’re my assistant."
The magic words every girl at Trinity Academy is dying to hear.
But I’m the one who gets stuck with Mason Chargill, the star of most women’s fantasies but my nightmare. One of the heirs to CRC Holdings, he might be dangerously gorgeous, but his cold and callous demeanor makes him an ice prince.
He expects me to abide by the Academy’s hierarchy, to be at his constant beck and call. Yeah, right… hell will freeze over before that ever happens.
Unfortunately for him, I’m no pushover. Unfortunately for me, he’s determined to break me.
If only there were a way to melt the shard of ice he calls a heart.

   

 
Lake 
His eyes have the power to undo all the hurt caused by my family.
“Don’t let them see you cry.”
After months of refusing I finally agree to move to America, where my fiancé’s waiting for me. Just like my mother, an arranged marriage lies in my near future.
Just like my mother, I’m probably going to be shoved aside in a couple of years after providing the Cutler family with an heir.
Being a Korean girl from a culture that’s very different from the west, it makes me stand out like a sore thumb. There’s nothing I can do but to accept the fate arranged by my father and his mistress. My marriage to Lake Cutler will be a business deal and nothing else.
My plan is simple. Make him hate me enough to break off the engagement, so I can return to Korea.
But I didn’t account for those caring brown eyes.
What started as a mission to save myself from an unhappy arranged marriage soon turns into a battle to not lose my heart.
I dare him to walk away, but instead, he shows me any bridge can be crossed.
     
About the Author: Author preciously published as Michelle Horst
Michelle Heard is a Bestselling Romance Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She might have a slight obsession with alpha heroes who are not afraid to fight for their women.

Connect w/Michelle: 
Newsletter Signup: http://eepurl.com/cUXM_P
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Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Blog Tour: THE GIRL IN THE CLOSET by Michelle Heard

GIRLINTHECLOSE_BT.jpg

The Girl In The Closet, an all-new suspenseful and romantic standalone from Michelle Heard, is available now!

The Girl In The Closet Michelle Heard Ecover FOR WEB


BIRDIE
Escaping an unthinkable nightmare, I’m given a second chance at life. Cole Trenton is the first person to look past the broken girl. But the moment I give him my heart he leaves.
Secrets never stay buried, and mine returns with a vengeance.
Cole walks back into my life when I need him most. He shows me how to be strong, that monsters only have the power you give them.
But my biggest fear remains.
How do I silence the girl in the closet before I lose Cole again?

COLE
I always knew Birdie Liles was different, but that didn’t stop me from falling for her.
After years of being away, I return home to bury my best friend,
only to learn that Birdie’s in trouble.
If I had known about the monster from her past, I never would’ve left.
I went to fight someone else’s war while I left the woman I love unprotected.
But I’m here now, and I’m ready to send Birdie’s demon right back to hell.

GIRL IN THE CLOSET_FBAN


Download your copy today for only 99¢ or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2P0DGJ0


TheGirlintheClosetTeaser4.jpg


Excerpt:


BIRDIE
I adjust my grip on the gutter so I won’t go crashing to the ground from the top of the ladder. The last thing I need tonight is to break my neck. One more twist and the light bulb is in, lighting up the parking area. I take a deep breath as my nerves settle, and I soak up the bright light stinging my eyes. Reaching up, I twist the dome-shaped cover back into place.
I feel like a badass handyman after replacing the light bulb out front. Over the past years I’ve been working hard to beat my fear of the dark and water, and although I’ve had some success, it all came back since my father was released from prison two years ago. After I received the first letter,I’ve been living in a constant state of cold terror, watching for him in every shadow, hearing his whispers in the dead of night.
Life has become an endless tunnel with nothing to look forward to. Just one long dark night.
I take the flashlight out of my mouth and looking down, I sigh heavily. Why is it always easier getting up than down?
“Dang,” I mumble, and as if I’m not under enough pressure being stuck on the ladder, headlights beam across the parking area, falling right on me.
“Oh,crap.” It doesn’t get any worse than this.
Oh wait, it does. Not only do customers arrive when I’m up on the ladder, but it has to be while I’m dressed in my rattiest pair of shorts and an old long sleeve shirt with I’ve bypassed insane and gone straight to psycho written in bright green letters across my chest. I got it at a fair a couple of years back, and it’s become one of my favorite shirts to sleep in.
I want to kick my own butt as the car parks right behind me. Needing to get down and fast, I wiggle as I try to feel my way down to the first step on the ladder while clinging to the gutter like some crazy-ass monkey.
“This is so not workin’, Birdie,” I mumble under my breath, thinking I should just jump.
I glance down at the ground thinking the worst that can happen is me face-planting and knocking every one of my teeth out in front of the customer. Damn this is such a bad position to be stuck in.
“Do you need help gettin’ down?” a deep voice says from below. Startled, I drop the flashlight. I grab hold of the gutter with both hands, so I don’t go tumbling after it.
Oh, dear mother of all that’s good. It had to be a man. Why couldn’t it be a woman?
“I’m okay.” I squeak like a damn chipmunk.
I attempt another stupid wiggle in the hopes of actually finding the top step. I hear a chuckle from below, and my butt freezes in mid-air.
Is this dude for real? He did not just laugh at me.
Irritated, I glare down. “Seriously?”
Considering I’m stuck on a ladder in skimpy shorts, I don’t think glaring is helping much right now. Crap,I haven’t shaved in a few days. I must look like a baby woolly-mammoth by now.
It’s by far the worst check-in experience I’ve had since I started working here during my senior year. It’s even worse than the time Mrs. Hardy booked in with what I thought was her son. I went and shoved my foot in my mouth by saying, ‘I hope you and your son enjoy your stay at Pebbles of Destiny,’ only to be glared at as if I was gum stuck under a shoe.
Turned out he wasn’t her son.
Turned out he wasn’t Mr. Hardy either.
I didn’t sleep that night, because it turned out she’s a screamer, and she only knows one sentence, starting with a four letter word followed by, ‘… me harder’.
But tonight, yeah, tonight beats that one hands down.
When I see the man my glare fizzles away faster than I can summon it to my face, like if you get a firecracker that you light and you expect this big bang, but instead all you get is a lousy ‘pffft’ sound.
He walks closer, taking hold of the ladder, and it’s right about then I take in the fact that he’s tall. Damn, he’s taller than the ladder. Seeing his uniform, my heart stutters, and shock ripples through me.
Shit, this can’t be happening to me while I’m up here.
Cole Trenton is back?
My eyes jump to Aiden, then back to Cole. My world stops spinning right then and there as I look back to Cole’s drop-dead gorgeous face. From where I’m standing he looks like a dark-haired, perfect specimen of all things defined as male.
I need to get down right now.
“Aiden.” I have no idea why I say his name first. Maybe it’s because Aiden knows about the worst in my life, and right now he’s standing right next to the man who’s responsible for the best experiences I’ve ever had. I don’t want to see them together. I don’t want the bad to taint the good.
Cole reaches a hand out to me. “As much fun as it is watchin’ you up there, I think we should get you down.”
I stare at his hand for a moment, not sure what to do.
“Put your hand in mine, Birdie,” he says, sounding much calmer than I feel with my heart beating frantically.
I reach down, placing my hand in his. I almost tumble forward as tingles race over my skin, electrifying every single inch of me. His strong fingers wrap around mine, swallowing my hand whole.
“Now your other hand,” he says.
I start to crouch slowly down so I can reach his other hand when my whole body is jerked forward. Just as I realize Cole has yanked me off the ladder, he lets go of my hand, and I nose dive toward him.
My eyes grow huge as an embarrassingly loud shriek escapes me. To make things worse, I fall ungracefully like one of those big ole’ trees when they yell timber.
Cole’s hands grab hold of my waist, and an intense sense of relief spreads through my chest.Somewhere between the ladder and my feet meeting dear ole’ Mother Earth, I grab hold of Cole’s shoulders. I manage to get my hands around his neck, and as he brings me down my brain cells must be short-circuiting, or self-destructing, or both, because I pull myself right up against him as if I’m some octopus who’s just found its next meal. Given a few more minutes,I might’ve left an imprint of myself on him.
“Birdie, you really think I’d let you fall?” His breath spreads warmth over the top of my head, and it keeps spreading like a runaway fire, only intensifying everything about this moment by a gazillion times.
Cole’s arms wrap tightly around me in a hug. My feet lift off the floor as he holds my body to his. His one arm slackens its grip, but only so he can take hold of my chin and tip my head up.
When our eyes meet, Cole says, “Hi, Birdie. How have you been?”
I almost blurt out that I’ve missed him but swallow the words back just in time. I thought I managed to get over the crush I had on Cole, but seeing him again, the fluttering in my stomach is back with full force.
“Hi, Cole. Welcome back,” I answer automatically as I step out of his embrace while doing my best to get the walls back up around myself to keep others out. Any chance I ever had with Cole disappeared the day I got the first letter from my father. I need to remember that Cole’s come back to bury Hunter, and my father’s coming back to bury me.
I can’t make the mistake of letting Cole in again. Not knowing my psycho father is on his way to finish what he started all those years back.
Cole tilts his head trying to catch my eyes, just like the Holden brothers always do. The family trademark tilt is guaranteed to turn your heart to mush, and boy, it’s sure doing a great job right about now.
I bite the inside of my mouth to keep it from trembling as emotion pushes up my throat. This moment is way too intense for me to handle. I’ve been hanging on by a thread of my sanity and seeing Cole is stretching that thread too thin. It’s going to snap.
I look past Cole at Aiden, hoping he’ll save me from this awkward situation.  
“Hi, Aiden. Can I make you guys some coffee? Maybe a beer?” I hear the tremble in my voice and hate that I can’t control my emotions better.
Aiden just gives me the usual comforting smile he always does when he’s here to talk about my psycho father. My eyes drop to the file in his hand, and just the sight of it makes my stomach fall somewhere at my feet.
Why did Aiden bring the file along with Cole?
My eyes dart between the two men as an anxious feeling starts to gnaw at my insides.
“Hey, Birdie,” Aiden answers, drawing my attention back to him. “A beer sounds great.”  
I went to Aiden in a moment of weakness, and I regret it. I should’ve hit the road instead. With Cole standing only a few inches from me, I now regret more than ever not running when that first letter came all those years back.
It’s been so hard trying to distance myself from the people I love. Mom, Dad, and Reece wouldn’t have any of it and kept fighting me whenever I tried to push them away. Clay’s been so busy lately that I don’t even have to worry about him.

But now Cole came back at the worst possible time.


About Michelle:
Michelle Heard is a Bestselling Romance Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She loves an alpha hero who is not afraid to fight for his woman.

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