I see Tom move then, out of the corner of my eye. He’s leading the two women he’s with out of the bar. But there’s no mistaking the look of satisfaction on his face and in his grim smile. He overheard us and he’s pleased.
I smile quietly. I’m pleased too. It has been hard to imagine losing that house, one of the few constants in my life along with my bike and my job as a mechanic. Against all the odds, we managed to save it and we might even be able to rebuild it.
You watching, George? I ask internally, thinking about my old friend, the one who started this club so long ago. We’re still going strong.
I glance around at the others. Alex looks so pleased with himself, and he orders another round as we begin finishing our first drinks. Ethan has a stupid grin on his face, and Liam is gesturing wildly as he talks to Grant. Grant has a small smile on his face, one that he hides as he gets called away by another customer.
Everyone is in a good mood. I fight down a yawn and prop my head in my heads, unable to help grinning at them all. We’ve been fighting this for a month, and it really did look like we were about to lose.
Now, though…
Slowly, the hours slip away. All too soon, I find myself unable to fight my need for sleep any longer. The night is still young, but the rest of the customers are gone, now, and I still have work tomorrow.
As such, I stand and let them know I’m leaving.
“You can’t leave, we’re celebrating!” Liam exclaims.
“Sorry, guys, I have an early morning tomorrow,” I say, waving off further protests. “I have to go.”
“Yeah, fine,” Alex pouts. I can smell the alcohol on his breath. “You okay to ride?”
I consider this. I haven’t had much to drink, but I am intoxicated. Driving home wouldn’t be wise, even over such a short distance. It means I’ll have to leave my bike here, overnight, but I’ve done that before.
I grimace. More than that, it means I’m going to have to get up even earlier tomorrow to walk back to the bar and get my bike before work.
No sleep, here I come.
“Probably not,” I admit. “I’ll walk; home isn’t far from here.”
“Alright,” Alex says with a shrug. “See you later!”
I wave to them all and then leave the bar. As soon as I step outside, the cheerful sound of talking customers and quiet music instantly cut off, leaving the world quiet and cold. It’s always an odd sensation, like I’m stepping out from one world and into the next.
I huddle deeper into my jacket for warmth and start to walk. The night air is brisk, and I regret drinking so much that I am over the driving limit. The bike’s exhaust would have warmed me up in no time.
I walk quickly, hoping to gain some warmth through my speed and to return to my apartment quickly. I don’t live far away, but the walk suddenly seems to stretch out in front of me while forced to walk in the cold.
I yawn widely. I’m tired, too. It’s been a long day, working on the cars at Brooks Automotive, and I’m more than ready just to crawl into bed. I glance down at my watch with a grimace. It’s almost midnight, and I have to be up in a few hours to start work again.
Up ahead I can see a small convenience store. I debate stopping in and getting some coffee to at least wake me enough for the rest of the walk. But I decide it isn’t worth it; I’ll likely find it difficult to fall asleep when I do get home if I have both caffeine and alcohol in my system.
I’m so tired that I almost miss it; movement in the shadows. I turn my head and see a man advancing on a woman. It’s difficult to see either of them clearly in the night, and I scoff. Normally I will intervene, but, tonight, I’m just too tired.
Then the woman steps back, under a street light. She looks up and meets my gaze. Her blue eyes sparkle and the fear in them catches my breath.
And, without my body’s conscious permission, I step forward and words burst from me.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
I hope you loved the prequel and are now ready to read the 1st book in this series.
Well, the 1st book is sizzling hot and is called “Sinful Protector.”
You can grab you copy now on Amazon or also read it for FREE with your Kindle Unlimited membership.
Simply click on the link below…
SINFUL PROTECTOR
Excerpt
3 full length novels specially created for readers who love HOT Billionaire Bad Boys, Second Chances at Love and Secret Babies. These men will do anything to claim what belongs to them.
Books included:
Just For You
Unprepared Daddy
Take My Breath Away
SECOND CHANCE BABIES
Author’s Note
Thank you to all my readers, especially those who are reading my work for the first time. I know there are so many books to choose from these days, and I am glad and thankful that you all chose to spend a day or two reading mine.
If you have a minute—or even, say, like 30-40 seconds—please take a moment to leave a review on Amazon for CROSSING LINES. Reviews help indie authors so much!
XO, Mia
Stay connected with Mia Ford
Mia is a contemporary romance writer who loves to write about strong, gorgeous, Greek God like alpha men who love protecting their sassy and sexy women.
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Also by Mia Ford
Second Chance Babies Boxed Set
More than ‘JUST’ Friends
His Boss’s Daughter
Billionaire Bad Boys Boxed Set
Next Door Daddy
Crossing the Line
Those 365 Letters
Accidental Meeting
Damaged Box Set
Accidental Kiss
Sweet Revenge
Rock My World
Accidental Love
Falling in Love Again
Her Boyfriend’s Friend
Keep Me Going
Filthy Dirty Brother
Wet for Christmas
The Promise
Baby Maker
That Christmas Eve
Ignite My Passion (Book 3 of “The Vegas Men Series”)
City of Sin (Book 2 of “The Vegas Men Series”)
Burning with Lust (Book 1 of “The Vegas Men Series”)
One More Time
Forever Yours
You’re Everything I Need
The Risk
Come for Me
Oh! Katherine
Love at first sight
In Too Deep
Take My Breath Away
Just For You
Protecting Her Box Set
When Wrong Feels So Right
Desire
The One Who Got Away - A Second Chance Romance
Playing For Keeps
Fake It: A Fake Marriage Baby Romance
Saving HER: A Brother's Best Friend Fireman Romance
The Perfect Gift: A Bad Boy Christmas Romance
Fatal Attraction
A Chance Encounter: A Billionaire Office Romance
Trapped in the Cabin
The One I Love
Fair Play
Friends to Lovers: A Fake Fiance Romance
DR. Delight: A Standalone Forbidden Romance
Broken: A Mountain Man's Romance
Lust to Love: A Second Chance Romance
Tempt ME: A Si
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Beach Daddy: A Single Dad Romance
Auctioned to the Biker
Dad's Best Friend
Going Deep
Inseparable: A Second Chance Romance
The Perfect Holiday: A Bad Boy New Year Romance
Claimed
Body Heat
Mine Forever
Coming Together: A Billionaire's Baby Romance
First Time with the Major
Falling For Her
Auctioned
His Brother's Wife
The Most Eligible Bachelor: A Texas Love Story
Train Me
Falling for the Seal
Twin Brothers
Billionaire's Date (69th St. Bad Boys Book 1)
Second Chance on St. Patrick's Day: A Billionaire Romance
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Betrayed: A Dark Romance
Dirty Professor
Entangled: A May December Romance
TORN: A Dark Romance
Obsessed: A Billionaire Love Triangle
Thirst
Taken
Seduced By Two
Billionaire Daddy & Nanny
Breaking Rules: A Billionaire & Virgin Romance
Playboy Billionaire
Rescue Me: A Bad Boy Romance