Between Love & Fire (Backstage #1) (21 page)

Between Lust & Tears - Book Two

(Release date late 2016)

Liam

“Do not fuck this up brother.” Callum’s glare hits me with a ferocity I have only ever once seen on his face. When I drove him home from the hospital and I helped Tay carry him in. My hand slipped and I touched her breast. It was an accident. I swear. He didn’t think it was, my brother knows me all too well. How am I supposed to spend almost twenty-four seven around her and not wonder what she would feel like around my dick. Yea, I know. I’m an asshole. I would never do it though. I love my brother and I respect Tay too much to be an ass to her.

“I am not a child. I can handle being around Emm without trying anything. Just go.” Not sure if I am trying to convince him or myself.

“Liam, you can’t fuck around with Emma, she’s Tay’s sister and I do not want her crying into the wedding cake.” With a groan I turn to walk away, but he follows me. I knew he would. “You’re not to fuck her, date her, kiss her, or anything with her.”

“Anything? So I can’t pick her up from the airport?”

“Don’t be an asshole.”

“Fine. Nothing. She’s my kid sister. Kind of.”

“Exactly.” He spins on his heel and walks out. He’s taking Tayla to Napa for a week before the wedding. I am supposed to babysit Emma, but the only problem is, I remember what she feels like, and what she tastes like. This is going to be one long fucking week.

“Liam.”

“Ryan.”

“I know what you’re thinking. It’s not a good idea.”

“What am I thinking?” I turn to face my best friend. He’s known me for ten years. Everything I’ve done he’s been there, either telling me I’m wrong, or giving me advice.

“Don’t sleep with her. Please.”

“I already slept with her. In London, remember. She was hot, sexy, and sweet.”

“Liam, you know that you’re a heartbreaker. This is Tay’s sister—”

“Goddammit, Ryan. I know who she is. Why the fuck does everyone keep reminding me?” My frustration is getting to me. I need to get out of here. “I’ll see you later.” Grabbing my helmet, I make my way towards the garage. A long ride on my girl will make me feel better. And before you go thinking I am talking about a girl with tits. I’m not. I am talking about the 750cc horsepower that is my Suzuki. The only woman who never lets me down.

The only thing my bike can’t do for me, is suck my cock. Turning the key, the engine roars to life, and I pull out onto the road. Maybe a ride down to Santa Monica will ease the tension of the upcoming week.

To be alone with that feisty little minx is going to be difficult. Maybe I can convince her to stay at the house, and not my apartment. But if her sister and my brother find out I dumped her there, I will be in more shit that it’s worth. I will just have to suck it up.

I wonder what she sleeps in?
Something slinky I bet. Those curves are going to kill me. I remember them like it was yesterday that my hands roamed them. That smooth tanned skin that trembled under my touch.
Fuck it!
Opening up the engine, I speed down the motorway. Hoping to rid my mind of images of that beautiful brunette. She’s too young for me anyway. She’s only just turned twenty-five. I am thirty-six. That makes me an old man in her books.
Doesn’t it?
I mean.
Would she even want me?

She did when we met in London.
Maybe it was just for fun?
As I pull up to the parking lot, I stop in the space allocated for bikes, and kill the engine. Who knows what could happen. It’s been almost four months since I saw her. She might have a boyfriend.

Why the fuck do I care?
This isn’t me. I’m losing my touch. My spark. I need to get laid, badly. Swinging my leg over the bike, I kick out the stand and make my way into the store. The blonde that’s behind the cash register eyes me up and offers a bright smile.
Yea, darling. I definitely came here for the view.
I can feel her gaze drinking me in. Every fucking inch. They’re all the same. Need. Want. Desire. When they hear my name, or recognize me, that’s even worse.

See, my brother thinks I enjoy it. And, to a certain extent I do, but there are times I want the fight, the chase.

Keep an eye out for more from the Backstage Series. Book Two follows Liam and Emma. Can they get together without repercussions? Or will Liam’s bad boy ways be too much for Emma to handle?

Coming to a Kindle near you soon!

Music plays an important role in my writing process,

from the character development to the scenes in my stories.

I love sharing the songs I listen to, so if you’re on Spotify,

you can find my playlists for all my books over there.

But these are the songs that inspired me while writing Between Love & Fire.

Aaron Richards – Monster

Foxes – Devil Side

Seether, ft Amy Lee – Broken

Ron Pope – Wherever You Go

Within Temptation – Dirty Dancer

Maroon 5 – Maps

Lana Del Rey – Born To Die

Kerli – Chemical

Black Elk – Intro

Birdy – No Angel

Birdy – Not About Angels

Boy Epic – Tell Me You Love Me

Lana Del Rey – Religion

Kiiara, Jai Wolf – Feels

Tove Lo – Talking Body

Maroon 5 – Animals

Hinder – Rather Hate Than Hurt

Selena Gomez, A$AP Rocky – Good For You

Jason Walker – Echo

Ron Pope – A Drop In The Ocean

The Cab – These Are The Lies

Pink – Try

Zendaya – Replay

RESH – Half The Man

Ed Sheeran – Bloodstream

Lady Gaga, R. Kelly – Do What U Want

Jewel – Foolish Games

Jasmine Thompson – Like I’m Gonna Lose You

Madi Diaz – Ashes

Tim McGraw, Faith Hill – It’s Your Love

BANNERS – Start A Riot

Alan Walker – Faded

S. Carey – Fire Scene

https://open.spotify.com/user/22qzclbobe2imphgpvtuktvbi/playlist/7sklnGEDrdgSjBUZPYIBB4

To the crazy peeps who TRY TO keep me in line

They all say that you can’t choose your family, but you can choose your friends. That’s very true. And the friends I surround myself with are incredible. The ladies that are always there, to listen to me whine, moan, and freak out. Who constantly keep me going. The support, love, laughs, tears, and everything else that goes into being incredible friends. Granted, some of you I have only met online, but you’ve become an integral part of my life.

Now without further ado, let’s get this show on the road…

At the end of my third book, I still freak out when I hit the publish button. We all do. But, I wouldn’t change it for anything else in this world. Unless you’re offering me my own island where I can lay in the sun all day. Actually, no, not even then. I love what I do, and I love the people who have supported me from the first word, until I hit publish, and then after, asking me for the next book. I appreciate the support, the teasers, and edits, the reposts, the messages of support and jokes. The honest feedback I can count on, that means a lot to me.

First and foremost, Mimi, you’re the incredible force behind my books. The shoulder I cry on, the one who listens and gives advice, and the amazing support behind me. Since I wrote my first story, to this moment where I have three published books. (Which still freaks me out.) All I can say is thank you. I have no other words that could ever explain how much you mean to me. At all. Ever! This book is for you. *Sorry, no nude shots of Callum in the back of the book either! LOL*

My BETA readers, this book would not be possible without you. Dee, Melissa Ann, Mackenzie, Jeannette, Emma, Simmy, Heather, & Selin. There is no way I can thank you enough for taking time out of your busy schedules to read and give me feedback. The honest, and extremely helpful advice you gave made this book better. Thank you! <3

Emma (@emmbooks) & Simmy (@booksare.everything), you two ladies are incredible. I love you both so much! Thank you for being an incredible support system. xo

To the readers and the bloggers, I don’t even know where to start, thank you for buying the books, thank you for reading the ARCs and reviewing them. Thank you for supporting my dream, if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be here, doing something I love. I hope that you enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. Find me on social media, leave reviews, message me, connect! I love hearing from each and every one of you. This is your book as much as it is mine.

Please leave a review, on Goodreads and Amazon, I would appreciate it!

Much love and until the next one

Dani xo

Hey darlings,

I am an indie author and freelance graphic designer. I started focusing on writing in January 2015 and after a few fan fiction stories, I decided to publish Ace of Harts it was my first full length novella. On a daily basis I have a few hundred characters, storylines, and ideas floating around in my mind. If I am not on Pinterest or Instagram looking for my next muse, you can find me on Twitter or Facebook. So head on over, I love meeting new readers and authors.

When I am in the cave, I am happiest. If you can’t find me sitting behind my trusty MacBook writing about hot alpha males, I am probably drinking coffee at a coffee shop, or wine tasting one of the few hundred wine farms in my home city of Cape Town, in South Africa.

I have an addiction to reading (who doesn’t?), TV series, music, tattoos, chocolate, and ice cream.

I am constantly looking for a new book to get lost in and new book boyfriend to fall in love with.

My favorite authors include – M Never, K Webster, KL Kreig, Meghan March, and that’s just to name a few!

Chat soon xo