Table of Contents
Loving You
Books by Kelly Elliott
Wanted Family Tree
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Epilogue
Bonus Epilogue—Six Years Later
Bonus Epilogue—Earlier that same day
About the Author
Thank You
Playlist
PIATKUS
First published in Great Britain in 2016 by Piatkus
Copyright © 2016 by Kelly Elliott
The moral right of the author has been asserted.
All characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
ISBN 978-0-349-41353-2
Photographer and cover designer: Shannon Cain | Photography by Shannon Cain
Editing: Nichole Strauss | Perfectly Publishable
Design and Formatting: Christine Borgford | Perfectly Publishable
Piatkus
An imprint of
Little, Brown Book Group
Carmelite House
50 Victoria Embankment
London EC4Y 0DZ
An Hachette UK Company
www.hachette.co.uk
www.piatkus.co.uk
www.kellyelliottauthor.com
SPEED
Ignite
Adrenaline
WANTED SERIES
Wanted
Saved
Faithful
Believe
Cherished
A Forever Love
Wanted Short Stories
THE BROKEN SERIES
Broken
Broken Dreams
Broken Promises
Broken Love
JOURNEY OF LOVE SERIES
Unconditional Love
Undeniable Love
Unforgettable Love
LOVE WANTED IN TEXAS SERIES
Without You
Saving You
Holding You
Finding You
Chasing You
Loving You
STANDALONES
The Journey Home
Who We Were
Stay With Me ~ Coming May 2016
Searching for Harmony ~ Coming July 2016
JOINT PROJECTS
Predestined Hearts
For upcoming books and more information about Kelly Elliott, please visit her website at www.kellyelliottauthor.com
For exclusive releases and giveaways signup for Kelly’s newsletter
This book is dedicated to everyone who has ever picked up and read Wanted or Broken and fell in love with these amazing families. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me.
“Family is like music. Some high notes, some low notes, but always a beautiful song.”
Taylor
July—Paris, France
I stood frozen as I stared at the Mona Lisa while everyone around me went on about some café we were headed to after this. Doing my best, I tried to ignore the fact that Jase kept staring at me. It was our sixth and final day in France and I had somehow avoided him successfully the entire trip. Of course, the fact that Cammie never left his side was another reason I had successfully kept my distance.
“Qu'en pensez-vous? Elle est belle, est-elle pas?”
With a quick look to my left, I saw my French professor standing next to me.
“I think it’s amazing and yes she is beautiful,” I beamed.
“As is your French, Taylor. Please don’t lose it.”
Glancing down, I nodded my head. I’d been taking French since high school and loved it. At one point I thought I wanted to move to France, until my father told me I’d break my mother’s heart and put him in an early grave if I followed such a dream.
“We’re going to be headed out for lunch after this.”
With a weak smile, I nodded my head and replied, “I’m not feeling that great, Professor Beaumont. I’m going to head back to the hotel and rest.”
Her hand immediately touched my forehead as she frowned. “You don’t feel hot.”
“No, I think I’m tired and in need of some alone time. I have a book I’m ready to crawl into bed with.”
She frowned as she said, “I know you’re staying on a few extra days along with a few other students, but this is our last day out as a group. Are you sure you’re not feeling up to it?”
My eyes shot over to where Jase was. He was standing in a small group of people, but his stare caught mine. His angelic blue eyes stood out even more against his dark hair.
Professor Beaumont’s voice pulled my attention away from Jase. I gave her a pleasant smile and replied, “I’m positive. With me staying on a few extra days, I think it’s best if I rest up a bit.”
With a sad expression, she nodded her head, turned, and headed over to the group.
“Okay, listen up. I know you’re all adults and some of you have opted to stay on a few days after the tour ends this evening. Taylor is not feeling well and will be heading back to the hotel, so if you’re not staying the extra days or going to dinner tonight, and you want to say goodbye to her . . . now is the time.”
My mouth dropped open as all eyes were now pinned on me.
“You’re going back to your hotel?” Jase asked as I shot Professor Beaumont a dirty look.
Clearing my throat, I gave my best smile and said, “I am. I’ll see y’all for dinner though; I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Ugh. The last thing I wanted to do was sit through dinner and have to listen to some of the pompous classmates I’d been forced to deal with the last few years. Especially Cammie North, who currently wore a smile so big she could light up the entire Paris skyline at night. She had been trying like hell to get Jase to spend time with her the entire trip.
After the tour, everyone decided to head back to the hotel to change before heading to lunch. Sitting down on the bed, I dropped back and let out a moan. Every time I stole a peek at Jase he was watching me. I loved it and hated it at the same time. With him I didn’t know whether I was coming or goin
g. Did he like me? Did he not like me?
Sighing, I tried to wipe all things Jase Morris from my mind.
The knock on the door had me sitting up quickly. “Damn it,” I whispered as I got up and headed to the door.
Throwing it open, I started talking. “Professor Beaumont, I really don’t—”
Jase stood in front of me with a grin that showcased both dimples, and eyes that sparkled like diamonds.
“Jase? Wh-what are you doing here?”
“I wasn’t hungry.”
My eyes narrowed as I gave him an uncertain look. “So you thought you’d come to my room? Why?”
He took a few steps closer to me, causing me to back into the room. “Because I can’t stop thinking about you.”
With a heavy heartbeat, I stood tall and in my place. I was not going to let him see how his words affected me. “Jase, I’m not going to play games with you. This push and pull thing has gotten old and honestly, I’m done playing it.”
His eyes fell to the floor as he took in a slow deep breath. My breathing was so labored I was sure he noticed.
“I’ve been an asshole and I know it.” He pierced me with his blue eyes. “I want so badly to be the perfect guy for you because perfect is what you deserve, Taylor. If I was half the man my father raised me to be, I’d walk away from you forever.”
I slowly shook my head. “Why do you think you’re not good enough for me? You’ve never even given us a chance.”
A wicked smile spread over his face while his eyes turned dark. “When I think about you all I can think about is taking your innocence. I want to bury myself so deep inside of you I forget everything and everyone around me until I’m consumed by only you.”
My breath hitched as I reached out for something to hold on to. “I thought you weren’t interested in me and that’s why you moved on.”
His gruff laugh felt like a slap. “Moved on? You think I’ve moved on?”
Anger quickly engulfed my body. “Yes, I think you’ve moved on. You act like you want me, Jase. Then the next thing I know you’re out with different women and not even looking twice at me. It’s as if I don’t even exist to you. And I’m sorry, but I think I deserve someone who wants me.”
His brows pinched together. “You think I don’t want you?”
I knew the moment I spoke my voice would tremble. Admitting what had been swirling around in my head for months proved to be harder than I thought. It needed to be said, and even though I was scared to death it might push him away, I forced it out.
“I’m a virgin and that scares you. Admit it. I’m not experienced enough for you, so you take up with women who know what they’re doing.”
Jase slowly shook his head. “I want you more than the air I breathe. I’ve woken up countless nights because I can’t get you out of my head. My dreams and thoughts are consumed by you. You make it seem like I’m sleeping around with a million different girls. I’ve made a few mistakes, Taylor, and I’ve done some things I’m ashamed of and the last thing I’d ever want to do is hurt you.”
My mouth parted open to talk, but I quickly lost my words.
“Taylor, I’ve never been so attracted to a woman before like I am you. From the first moment I saw you I knew you were different. That is what scares me. That is why I’m so confused. You have the power to bring me to my knees and destroy my entire world.”
A single tear rolled down my cheek. “I don’t want to destroy your world, Jase. I want to be a part of it. Why won’t you make love to me? Why am I not even worth the chance to try?”
Walking all the way into the room, he shut the door behind him. Cupping my face with his hands, he leaned down and brushed his lips against mine. “Taylor, why aren’t you listening to what I’m saying? Please listen to me when I say I’m the one not good enough for you.”
It was time to speak from my heart. I wanted Jase to be the one to take my virginity. I wanted to look into his eyes as he made love to me. I wanted him more than I wanted anything in my life.
“Make love to me, Jase. Please want me.”
His eyes looked lost for a moment, as if he was battling an internal struggle. “Sweetness, I want you more than anything. Are you sure you want to do this? Once it’s done, there is no taking it back,” he whispered as he gazed into my eyes.
“I’ve never been so sure of anything in my entire life.”
The smile that spread across his face caused me to do the same. “Taylor,” he whispered before pressing his lips to mine. I’d never experienced such a kiss before, and I knew no other man would ever be able to make me feel that way again.
He frowned and his eyes looked so confused. “I don’t want to hurt you, Taylor.”
Taking a step back, I lifted my shirt over my head and tossed it to the floor. “Then go slow,” I spoke in a quiet voice as I stepped out of my shorts and stood before Jase in nothing but a lace push-up bra and matching panties.
My stomach felt as if it was flipping from a thrill ride when Jase licked his lips and let his eyes move over my body. “My God, you’re absolutely perfect. So damn beautiful.”
The way he looked at me did weird things to not only my stomach, but my heart as well. “Are you just going to stand there and look at me?”
Shaking his head, he took a few steps closer and pulled the T-shirt he had on off. Trying not to react to his perfect body, I suppressed the moan I wanted to let out.
He had the most amazing body with abs to die for. Good lord he had that ever-loving V that was plunging into his jeans. “Sweet Jesus,” I mumbled as he smiled and unbuttoned his jeans.
“I want to kiss every inch of your body. Touch you until you beg me for more.”
My eyes snapped up to his as I took a few steps back and hit the bed. “I’ve never . . . I mean . . . I haven’t ever . . .”
Swallowing hard, I watched as he pushed his jeans down and his dick sprung out.
Oh no. He’s huge!
Panic filled my body as I continued to stare at him.
It’s never going to fit.
When his hands touched my arms, I jumped. “Hey. If you’re not ready for this, we don’t have to do anything.”
Slowly shaking my head, I looked up as I clamped down on my lip. “No. It’s just I’ve never seen a man naked before and I need a second to . . . to um . . .”
The thoughtful smile that spread over his face made me blush. “You are so innocent; it makes me want you more.”
Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes as I felt his hand on my cheek. “Talk to me, sweetness.”
My breath hitched as I looked into his beautiful blue eyes. “I’m scared.”
“Of me?”
My eyes drifted away before locking back onto his. “In part. You have invaded my thoughts and dreams for so long. I can’t tell you the countless nights I’ve dreamt of this moment.”
His eyes burned with something I’d never seen before. “It’s the same for me. I’ve pushed you away for so long because I’m afraid.”
My brows lifted. “Of?”
“Hurting you. Not being good enough for you. I could keep going on.”
“That’s nothing but nonsense.”
He shook his head. “Not to me. I look at you and all I can think of is if you married me you’d be stuck in Llano being a rancher’s wife and that’s not what you deserve.”
My heart pounded in my chest. Married?
“Aren’t you jumping a little ahead?” I asked with a giggle.
Jase attempted to hold back a smile. “I guess so, but those are the things that have invaded my thoughts.”
This was the moment I had been longing for. Waiting for. There was no way I was going to let our stupid fears get in the way.
“Make love to me, Jase. I don’t want to think about anything else but you and me together.”
Taylor
My chest heaved as he reached behind me and unclasped my bra, letting it slowly slip down my arms until it fell to the floor. When his hand c
upped my breast and his mouth sucked on a nipple, my head dropped back as the pleasure rushed through my body.
“Oh God,” I whimpered.
I’d never felt like this before and I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do.
Whispering his name seemed the logical thing to do . . . that and take his dick in my hand, causing him to moan while he gently bit down on my nipple. It felt so soft, yet so hard.
Sucking in a breath, my body shuddered as his lips moved across my neck while I continued to stroke him.
Once my other nipple was in his mouth, I was sure I had died and gone to heaven.
What would the rest of it feel like? Would it hurt? Surely it would.
I’d listened to my sister and the girls talk about how the first time was not so great. If anything, they had wished for it to be over quickly.
I couldn’t imagine wanting this to end. Ever.
“I want to taste you, sweetness.” Jase spoke against my skin as he peppered kisses down my body until he was on his knees. I missed the feel of him in my hand the moment he was gone.
“Yes,” I mumbled as I reached up and touched my sensitive nipples.
“Fuck that is hot as hell.”
My mind was spinning. What was hot as hell? Lifting my head, I stared down at him looking up at me. “Wh-what?”
“You touching yourself. It’s driving me crazy.”
It was then I really noticed what I was doing and I dropped my hands. Jase smiled as he slowly peeled my lace panties off.
My breathing grew heavier as I fought to drag in one breath after another.
“So beautiful,” he whispered as I stepped out of my panties and he ran his hand up the inside of my leg. “Sit down on the bed.”
Before I had a moment to think, I did as he said. He was still on his knees as he moved forward a bit more and ran both hands over my legs, causing a shiver to run over my body.
“I want to memorize every inch of your body.”
Slowly pushing my legs apart, he kissed the inside of my thigh.
Oh God. I’ve never felt so amazing.