Exposed (Free Falling)
Read Exposed (Free Falling) Online
Authors: Raven St. Pierre
Free Falling
Book Three: Exposed
By Raven St. Pierre
Free Falling
Book Three: Exposed
© May 2014, Raven St. Pierre
This book contains strong sexual themes and content not suitable for persons under the age of 18. This work is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including, but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Raven St. Pierre.
This e-book is licensed for personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.
Synopsis
They’re back. They’re grown. It’s on…
In the third and final installment of the Free Falling series, five years have passed since the tragedy that changed Samantha Kelley’s life forever. She made the difficult decision to walk away from the man she once thought to be her soul mate. Looking back, there were a few regrets, but she still believes in her heart that fleeing to New York was the right move….or does she? For the most part, she’s settled and content, but there’s a question still brewing in the back of her mind - Will her current relationship ever measure up to the passion that she experienced with AJ?
When Sam walked away, AJ found himself spiraling uncontrollably through every emotion possible – grief, anger, and depression, to name a few. It took almost two years for him to fully get over the idea of her leaving him behind without so much as an address where she could be reached. But he didn’t get through the darkest time of his life without a little help from someone who seemed to just appear out of nowhere – a woman
who now has dibs on his heart.
It was simple for the pair to pretend like old feelings had faded into the abyss while they were hundreds of miles apart, but what will happen when Sam and AJ meet up again for the first time in years? Will resentment forever keep ‘what could’ve been’ just at arm’s length? Will it be love at first sight like they experienced in the past? Or will they fight against the insatiable pull that they have always had toward one another, choosing to keep their current relationships intact instead?
Special Thanks
T
o the readers who have supported the Free Falling series, as well as my other works – thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!! The outpouring of love and support has truly overwhelmed my heart.
Shout out to the
feisty group of ladies who I’ve connected with via Facebook (you guys know who you are)!!! Through our random antics, rants, and musings, I’ve grown to appreciate the bond that we’ve developed despite the fact that we haven’t formally met. I have never come across a more die-hard group of readers in my life and I’m so honored that you have grown to love Sam, AJ, and all the others over the past several months.
It’s because of you that I continue to do what I do.
To my editor, friend since the age of 14, and talented poet, La Kata Kling – you are an awesome human being and I am blessed beyond words to know you. You’ve been down for me since this whole writing thing was just something we did for fun. I love you, girl!
For anyone who hasn’t already, do yourself a favor and check out her book of poetry,
A Deeper Me
, on Amazon.
To the wonderfully talented author, my sister from a different mister, Victoria H. Smith – without your help and your patience, I would have pulled my hair out trying to write “Exposed”. I appreciate your encouragement and support more than words can express.
Read an excerpt of her upc
oming interracial romance novel,
Found by You
,
at the end of this book!
To my friends and family who have been an endless well of support, I love and thank you
ALL from the bottom of my heart!!!
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There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.
– Friedrich Nietzsche
C
hapte
r
O
ne
Five Years Later…
S
am
Wading through the sea of pedestrians on the streets below Dr. Gill’s seventh floor office, I fought my way
there every Wednesday like clockwork. First, I’d stop for a strawberry-banana smoothie from a kiosk a few blocks away, run by a sweet-spirited, older gentleman named Giuseppe. He learned my routine after seeing my face week after week at the same time, rain or shine. Now, when I made it to his stand, my beverage was always prepared and waiting beside the register. I’d grab the drink, pay him with exact change, and we’d trade smiles before I continued on. Sure, an actual lunch would’ve been nice; however, these thirty-minute sessions were too precious to forfeit.
My thoughts all ran together like a 10-car pileup as I searched
for the answer to Dr. Gill’s question, and all she’d asked was, “How’re you feeling about all of the changes you’ll be facing in the upcoming weeks?”
I sat
there cross-legged and silent.
She
saw the frustration as my brow tensed, prompting her to amend her statement. “Okay…let’s take this one step at a time. We’ll start with your feelings regarding Angel moving out of your apartment.”
I shrugged and took a deep breath. “Honestly? I
’m
encouraging
her to go. Things are going well between her and Lamar and they’re both ready to make that step.”
“Has
Angel’s impending move made Jason push harder for the two of
you
to share a place?”
Another sig
h escaped. “He brings it up at least once every few days, but I manage to avoid the conversation for the most part.” I laughed a little, but Dr. Gill saw straight through me as usual, leveling a concerned glare my way.
I smoothed my dress
down my thighs to distract myself. “I’ve given it some serious thought, though. Really, I have…I just don’t know if I’m ready for that.”
When I met her gaze, Dr. Gill
already knew why I wasn’t keen on the idea of sharing my space – or my bed – with Jason on a full-time basis. Of the many scars I bore as a result of the sexual assault, my intimacy issues were perhaps the hardest to shake. Jason had been patient thus far, not letting my hang-ups affect his feelings for me. It wasn’t that we didn’t have sex, there were just…
rules
.
Dr. Gill cleared her throat while making a note. I waited, hoping that she’d move on to a new topic.
“There’s a wedding coming up soon, correct?” She wore a smile, but I was anything but excited about next weekend. I mean, sure I was happy for Terrell and Maisha deciding to tie the knot; however, I was
not
happy about Terrell’s choice for his best man.
“It is next weekend, right? Or did I confuse the date?” She asked, checking
her notes when I failed to respond.
“No…it’s next Saturday; you’re right.”
She cocked her head to the side, noticing the vacant expression that I wore. “These are good friends of yours. I thought this would actually be a
good
thing for you.” Based on the confused look on her face, I remembered that I hadn’t told her about AJ being there and having to face him for the first time in five years…since I walked away.
“My ex will be there,” I forced out in one breath.
Dr. Gill cocked her head to the side. “
Thee
ex?”