It’s been almost a month since then, and I’m well on the way to breaking things up with her. I know she isn’t the one for me. The only reason I’m even here now is because she told me all about her daughter, who just acquired her Bachelor’s. Her field of study was criminal justice. I must admit, that piqued my interest. I actually need a new analyst in my department. I haven’t told Stella this because I didn’t want her to just assume that I would give her daughter the job. I needed to meet her first and decide for myself.
As we sit at a table in La Bistro, a restaurant in Reston, I take in my surroundings. It’s a lovely autumn day, and people are making the most of the lasting sunshine by sitting outside. The tables are full, and laughter erupts as everyone enjoys the atmosphere. I’ve ordered a beer for myself and a glass of wine for Stella while we wait for her daughter to arrive.
I don’t realize I’m even doing it at first, but my foot is anxiously tapping under the table. I’m starting to wonder if she will ever make her presence known. She was supposed to meet us at one, and it’s now five after. This isn’t a good start as first impressions go.
I’m about to ask Stella if she knows when her daughter will be here when she speaks. “Ah, there she is.”
I turn to seek her out, but my breath catches when I see this beautiful young woman striding towards the restaurant. The image of her is burned into my mind. I can’t stop myself from staring. In all my thirty-two years, I have never come across such perfection.
I watch as she virtually dances along the sidewalk. She’s tall with long, silky blonde hair and legs that go on forever. An image of those same legs wrapped around me instantly flashes through my mind. My cock twitches at the thought.
Shit! What’s wrong with me?
As I stare up at her face, I feel a sense of loss because I can’t see her eyes, and I want so desperately to look into them. They’re hiding behind a pair of sunglasses, and I have this sudden urge to stop her in her tracks and gently lift them away from her face. I need to see her eyes. In fact, my frustration seems to seep into every pore of my skin. I feel my skin start to itch violently—daring me to take action … daring me to lift the glasses from the face that I now know will haunt me forever.
She’s wearing a knee-length pencil skirt which accentuates her beautifully rounded hips. The tight-fitting turtleneck sweater she’s wearing curves around her phenomenal breasts. I can tell they are just aching to be touched and caressed.
I’m aching to oblige.
This girl is the most beautiful creature I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. She’s evoking reactions in me that I never thought myself capable of having before this moment.
Sudden hunger erupts within me. I need to touch her and caress her beautiful skin. My own skin feels sensitive, nearly on fire. As I stare, she absent-mindedly places her finger on her lips and proceeds to move it back and forth like she’s deep in thought. My cock comes to life again just from observing that one tiny movement. It’s the sexiest damn thing I have ever fucking seen.
What the fuck is wrong with you, Bennett?
I notice very quickly that I’m not the only one entranced by her beauty. Other men are admiring her presence too. Men either stare at her immediately or notice her out of the corner of their eyes and then look up and start staring. I want to fucking kill them all for daring to even look at her.
My reaction both shocks and frightens the hell out of me. Before I know it, intense anger burns in my stomach and spreads throughout my body. On the heels of this wave of anger, a voice I don’t recognize violently surfaces, shocking me to my very core as it screams, “Mine!”
I almost turn my head to seek out the source of this voice. I briefly wonder where it’s coming from, and then I realize it’s coming from me.
Fuck, I really need to get a grip! She’s just a girl. She also looks like she’s at least ten years too young for me.
I can’t be obsessing like this, but at the same time, I can’t look away. I’ve become lost in her. For a time, she is the only thing I can see or think about. Even when I try to avert my eyes, they seem to rise of their own accord and seek her out again. It’s as if she’s a human magnet. She is pulling me in, coaxing me towards her … and by fuck do I want to be coaxed!
Butterflies I didn’t realize I was even capable of feeling suddenly grow bigger as she comes nearer to our table. My hands start to ache, and it’s only then I realize I’ve been holding onto the edge of the table with a vice-like grip as if my entire life depends on it.
She glances in my direction, and my chest constricts at the sight. Stella waves at her, and this dream of a woman begins to wave back.
Shit! No.
This cannot be happening. Please tell me that she isn’t who I think she is! But I know who she is. I knew the first moment I saw her. She is indeed the last person in the world I want her to be. I now know I am looking at Stella’s daughter. This beautiful woman is Ana.
Now, it’s official.
I’m truly fucked!
To be continued in…
Take it Deep (Take 2)
Take it Deep
Hit with the worst news possible, I seek shelter with my best friend, Jessie.
I’m torn.
I’m broken.
Nevertheless, life must go on, and even though we are desperate to be together, we have no choice but to live apart.
When my past begins to haunt my present, however, things start to spiral out of control.
Thrust together once again, I try hard to resist him.
Until I can’t.
And that is when the real trouble starts.
Notes & Acknowledgements
Take a Breath will always have a special place in my heart because it is the very first book I have ever written. A year or so before I began writing, this overbearing alpha-male began taking up space in my head, and “he” refused to go away. Just like his character, he dominated my thoughts day and night.
On a day when I had more time on my hands than usual, I decided to do something constructive with my extra time. I started writing, and I didn’t stop until Take a Breath was born. But—and there’s a big but—I made a huge mistake with this book. Not only did I release it without using betas, but I also neglected to use an editor. Lacking these elements, my story was riddled with inconsistencies. One major source of the disconnect was due to the fact that it badly needed proofreading and editing. I believe the story was there all along; it just needed a little extra TLC to make it shine.
Around three years ago, I decided to take both Take a Breath and its sequel, Take it Deep, down. Yes, I released that one without any proofreading or editing either. While the changes to Take a Breath were mostly cosmetic (relating to editing more or less), more significant changes to the story were made in Take it Deep. It’s safe to say that the latter has definitely had the most work done.
I just hope that you will enjoy (or have enjoyed) reading Jake and Ana’s story as much as I’ve enjoyed telling and working to perfect it over the years.
As usual, I would like to thank a few people.
To Shannon Steed and Kim BookJunkie, thank you so much for editing and proofreading Take a Breath. The inside—as always—looks far better now that you ladies have put your magic in.