Love's Taming (The Love's Series)
Read Love's Taming (The Love's Series) Online
Authors: Maryann Jordan
Tags: #Romance, #Dark, #Fiction
The Love’s Series
By
Maryann Jordan
Love’s Taming
Copyright © 2014 Maryann Jordan
Kindle Edition
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except where permitted by law.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Cover Design by: Kari Ayasha, Cover to Cover Designs
Cover Photography: Mandy Hollis, MHPhotography
Cover Models: Steven Preston and Mandy Hollis
Editor: Shannon Brandee Eversoll
ISBN 978-0-9916522-6-6
This book is dedicated to a group of fellow indie authors who have joined with me, whose sole purpose is to support each other, rally behind each other, nudge each other along, and most importantly…become my friends. We share suggestions, promote each other’s work selflessly, and have immense respect for our diverse talents.
The laughter we share lasts long beyond our sales. To MJ Nightingale, Andrea Michelle, Andie M. Long, EJ Shortall, V.L. Brock, Jen Andrews, Sandee Love, A.D. Ellis, M.L. Steinbrunn: you all have my devotion, my heart, and my love. The IEZ ladies absolutely rock!
First and foremost, I have to thank my husband, Michael. Always believing in me and wanting me to pursue my dreams, this book would not be possible without his support. To my daughters, MaryBeth and Nicole, I taught you to follow your dreams and now it is time for me to take my own advice. You two are my inspiration. Also, special thanks goes to my daughter, MaryBeth, who is a veterinarian and gave technical assistance to the story.
My best friend, Tammie, who for eighteen years has been with me through thick and thin. You’ve filled the role of confidant, supporter, and sister.
My dear friend, Myckel Anne, who keeps me on track, keeps me grounded, and most of all – keeps my secrets. Thank you for not only being my proofreader, but my friend.
Going from blogger to author has allowed me to have the friendship and advice of several wonderful authors who always answered my questions, helped me over rough spots, and cheered me on. To Kristine Raymond, you gave me the green light when I wondered if I was crazy and you never let me give up. MJ Nightingale and Andrea Michelle – you two have made a huge impact on my life. EJ Shorthall, Victoria Brock, Jen Andrews, Andrea Long, A.d. Ellis, ML Steinbrunn, Sandee Love, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
My beta readers kept me sane, cheered me on, found all my silly errors, and often helped me understand my characters through their eyes. A huge thank you to Denise VanPlew, Sandi Laubhan, Barbara Martoncik, Tera Northcutt, Kayla McCoy, Vanessa Spradling, Jennifer Alumbaugh, Anna Mychals, Danielle Petersen, Amber Vaughn, Shannon Brandee, Leeann Wright, and Tracey Markin for being my beta girls who love alphas!
Shannon Brandee Eversoll as my editor and Myckel Anne Phillips as my proofreader gave their time and talents to making Love’s Taming as well written as it can be.
My street team, The Ladies of Fairfield, you all are amazing! You volunteer your time to promote my books and I cannot thank you enough! I hope you will stay with me, because I have lots more stories inside, just waiting to be written!
My Personal Assistants Amber Vaughn and Barbara Martoncik are the two women that keep me going when I feel overwhelmed and I am so grateful for not only their assistance, but their friendship.
This is the fourth book cover that Kari Ayasha from Cover to Cover Designs has created for me and her talent is evident in every detail. Thank you for working with me. This cover utilizes the amazing talents of Mandy Hollis (photographer from MHPhotography) and model Steven Preston. I thank all of them for capturing my idea and making it a reality.
As the owner of the blog, Lost in Romance Books, I know the selflessness of bloggers. We promote indie authors on our own time because we believe fully in the indie author community. I want to thank the many bloggers that I have served with, and who are assisting in promoting my series.
Most importantly, thank you readers. You allow me into your home for a few hours as you disappear into my characters and you support me as I follow my indie author dreams.
Maryann Jordan
I am an avid reader of romance novels, often joking that I cut my teeth on the old bodice rippers. I have been reading and reviewing for years. In 2013, I created the blog, Lost in Romance Books to promote and showcase indie authors. In 2014, I finally gave in to the characters in my head, screaming for their story to be told. From these musings, my first novel, Emma’s Home, The Fairfield Series Book 1 was born.
I am a high school counselor having worked in education for thirty years. I live in Virginia, having also lived in four states and two foreign countries. I have been married to a wonderfully patient man for thirty two years and am the mother to two adult daughters. When writing, my dog or one of my four cats can generally be found in the same room if not on my lap.
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T
he illumination from
the dim street lights provided little guidance, but perfect cover for the man slipping through the darkness. Staying close to the shadows next to the brick buildings, he carried his heavy load, watching carefully around for signs of life in the alley he dodged into. He knew his destination. He’d been watching her for weeks, knowing that at some point the time would be right. It hadn’t been hard – watching her. She was beautiful, but her skills were what he needed.
Yeah, keep telling yourself that. She’s fuckin’ gorgeous.
His mind drifted to watching her in the neighborhood. Nice. Sweet. Wholesome. Clean.
Not for you, man. Not where you’ve gone and what you’ve seen. Fuck!
Rubbing his hand over his face, feeling the rough stubble of his unshaven face, he locked those thoughts down.
It’s a job. Just do your fuckin’ job.
Looking down at the bundle in his arms, he wondered how long he would have to wait before making his next move. I’ve got to get her when she’s alone. Knowing her routine, it wouldn’t be hard to do that.
Jesus, a woman alone, keeping the same routine.
In another world, he would have protected her. Made sure she was safe. Now, she was just a mark. A mark with skills he needed. Shifting his weight so that he was more comfortable, he crouched down, waiting. He’d done a lot of that in the past two years. Just waiting.
* * *
(Earlier in the Day)
The radio alarm
belted out the latest country music at six-thirty a.m. jerking Annie Donavan awake. Slapping her hand on the snooze button she rolled over, keeping her eyes tightly shut.
Just ten more minutes.
A soft pad touched her face; first her forehead, then her closed eyelid. Then a wet nose sniffed her ear. Opening her eyes, she grumbled, “Go away, Boo,” while reaching out her hand to stroke the large tabby cat’s fur. Letting her hand fall back to the bed, she attempted to snooze once again. In what seemed just seconds the alarm was playing again, only this time when she opened her eyes she was presented with an up close view of a cat butt.
Great. Just what I want to see first thing in the morning.
Pushing the cat to the side, she turned off the radio while swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Boo quickly came back, rubbing his whole body against hers. Two more cats wandered in the bedroom, circling her legs while meowing in unison.
“I know. I know guys,” she acknowledged, heading into the kitchen to feed her menagerie. Putting the coffee on to brew, she walked back to the tiny bathroom. Staring critically into the mirror at her sleepy image, she shook her head. Her long, coppery hair was untamed and curling around her face. Pulling the mane into a messy bun, she quickly washed her face and applied simple makeup.
Changing out of her pink drawstring pajama bottoms and matching pink camisole, she stood at her minuscule closet pretending to wonder what to wear.
Hmmm, should I wear the pencil skirt and sex-kitten heels? How about the low-cut blouse and tight pants. Or maybe a kick-ass pair of boots. Yeah. Right.
Her closet held none of those items and she smirked as she dressed in clean scrubs, pulling her lab coat off of the hanger. Her cats had finished their breakfast and were lying on the living area rug cleaning their faces by the time she walked back into her kitchen.
Pouring milk into her bowl of cereal, she walked into the living area, sitting on the sofa to eat. Her thoughts were already on her day, as they were each morning.
First thing, surgery. Two spays, one neuter, one dental. Jesus, I hope Mrs. Rosini remembers to not feed her dog before bringing him in. After surgery, seven known appointments, not including walk-ins.
Finishing her cereal, she allowed her eyes to roam around her small apartment as the morning’s sunlight began to filter through the blinds. All three cats moved over to the old, dark green rug trying to find a place in the barely-there sunspot. The rug covered the wooden floors which were not in bad shape, but worn from many years of tenants. The tan sofa Annie sat on was as worn as the floors, but it was clean, and since it came with the apartment she couldn’t quibble about a free couch. Two chairs faced her, both bought on Craig’s List, along with the coffee table in between.
The living area was just that. One room. A small table and two chairs sat near the kitchen, but since it was covered with her laptop and papers, it hardly qualified as a dining area. The tiny kitchen held serviceable, although outdated appliances, as well as a few cabinets.