STORY EXCERPT

Ava (at eighteen)

“Ava…my angel, thank God. Where the hell have you been?” Logan’s voice is thick with relief and panic. “You haven’t answered me in two days. I went to your daddy’s ranch, and no one would tell me anything. They were just acting weird and dodging my questions. What’s going on?”

I step inside and close the door behind me like I’m sealing myself off from him forever.

“I left,” I say deadpan. “And I’m not coming back…I’m in Connecticut now…for good.”

“What?” His voice breaks. “Why would you just leave like that? We still had time…why wouldn’t you say goodbye? Why would you… Ava, why?”

I clench my jaw as the image of Lily on his lap flashes like lightning behind my eyes.

“Is cheating on me with my cousin enough of a reason?”

“What?” Logan’s tone is gasping, like I punched him in the gut.

“You heard me.” I hold back a sob. “Daddy saw you two. He told me everything and I saw it in my head, Logan. I know what you did and you’re not who I thought you were. You’re just a liar and a cheat!”

“No, no, angel…you know me. You know I’d never do anything like that. Not with Lily…not with anyone. I love you, Ava. I love you so much it hurts…I would never…”

“Don’t.” My voice shakes as tears fall freely. “Don’t say that. Just… don’t.”

“Ava, please…”

“We’re done,” I whisper. “Don’t write. Don’t call and don’t even think about showing up here.” I hang up without waiting for a response and block his number.

I sever the final thread binding me to the only person who’s ever truly seen me for who I am, not just who they wanted me to be. Today, I begin again whether I want to or not.

It’s time to embrace my new life and block out the old one.

ADULT EXCERPT

Ava
Eleven years later (present day)

“You’re putting words in my mouth, angel,” Logan says softly. “That’s not what I was going to say. You think I regret touching you? Kissing you?” He steps closer as his eyes search mine. “I’m not sorry. Not for a second.”

My heart slams in my chest.

“But you do regret it…I’m not good enough for you…is that it?” His voice is full of pain and my heart cracks.

“No. Logan…no, that’s not it.”

“That’s what you said the last time we saw each other.”

“I was angry and hurt. I didn’t mean it.”

Logan’s jaw clenches. “A bull’s never brought me down, Ava… but you have.”

Something breaks open in me and I spin around to face him. Logan’s eyes are locked on mine as his breathing comes hot and fast. He moves like a predator stalking prey as we move toward each other.

“Logan…this…this is wrong.” I can’t seem to catch my breath either all of the sudden. “Our parents… they’re …getting married in a week…”

Logan closes the space between us, and his lips brush down my neck in a trail of heat that melts my bones.

“Oh, God,” I gasp. “My daddy…he wouldn’t be happy about this.”

“Don’t care.” Logan growls against my skin. “Not kissing your daddy.”

Logan’s mouth crashes into mine and my knees buckle as heat explodes through me. His kiss is carnal, possessive, desperate. The sound I make is half moan and half whimper as electricity shoots straight to my pussy.

Logan’s hand finds my breast through the thin silk of my robe. He cups it as his fingers circle one of my aching nipples until it peaks into a hard bud. I gasp as he brushes across it, and then his mouth is on me as he sucks and licks through the fabric until it’s damp and clinging.

“Oh… God… Logan,” I moan as my fingers tangle in his hair and my body arches into his mouth.

The belt of my robe slips free with a gentle tug of his hand, and the soft fabric falls apart as it exposes my bare breasts and the lacy black panties I’m wearing.

Logan stares at me like he’s starving. His chest rises and falls fast as his fingers skim the waistband of my panties, testing the edge of my restraint. I reach down and cover his hand with mine.

“Logan…stop…” I plead and he stills as he steps back, breathing hard. “We’re going to be step-siblings.”

“Fucking hell… what are you doing to me, woman?” Logan’s jaw clenches and his nostrils flare slightly as he drags a hand through his hair.

His eyes are dark with something between hunger and heartbreak. I bite my lip as I glance down and see how hard he is as his cock strains behind the fabric of his pants. My thighs clench.

“What are you doing to me?” I whisper, unable to disguise the hunger in my voice.

Logan growls low in his throat. “Tell me what you want, angel… I’ll make you feel so fucking good.” Logan’s eyes smolder as they rake over me, and my knees feel like they might give out.

“We can’t,” I whisper. “My daddy and Caroline…”

He cuts me off with a shake of his head. “No…fuck that. You, angel. What do you want? Forget everyone else…this feeling has never gone away. I know you feel it too…it’s only gotten stronger over time. Tell me you want this…”

Logan’s arms wrap around me, and he pulls me close until I’m pressed to the hard wall of his chest. I bury my face in the warmth of him as the scent of cedar engulfs me.

“I… but…”

“Tell me.” Logan’s lips brush against my forehead.

I melt into him as his rock-hard cock presses against my belly, and I swear my entire body aches for him.