To have and to hold from this day forward – to love and to cherish, till death do us part – and these are the bonds we break.
My name is Mia Stone. You may know how my story ends, but the truth is buried between the headlines. A secret that was meant to be taken to the grave – Until now.
I promised myself to one man, while still in love with another. I came between two best friends and by betraying one, I lost everything. In the end, we both knew, those bonds were always meant to be broken.
These men want to own me, possess me, or hold me down, but I was never meant to be tamed.
I have been told that I am a force of nature, but even a hurricane comes to an end.
Authors Note: If you have read Blood & Bone then you know how Mia’s story ends. If you require a happy ending, this book may not be for you. You can choose to skip this book and read Bound To Burn. If you choose to read Bonds We Break, know that this book contains sensitive subjects so please read with care.
The creek of the metal stops him in his tracks and he strokes the back of his neck, dipping his head nervously. His black engineer boots are rooted to the concrete floor as we stare at each other. Even though no words are spoken, the enormity of our conversation is palpable as he holds me captive with his eyes.
I see the war raging inside of him, and if I didn’t want him so much, I would tell him to turn around and run. But I can’t, because I’m selfish. The small space between us is heavy with the weight of our pasts.
His decision is made like a gavel hitting the block the moment he steps forward and crashes into me. Sparks fly and the air swirls around me, making me dizzy with the feeling of his body on mine. I am tangled up in him like a ball of string and I’m slowly unraveling. The door shuts behind us with a kick. I have missed this feeling of being consumed by someone, the need so great you might die without it. I tear at his shirt as he pulls down my shorts, our clothes left on the floor like breadcrumbs leading to our demise. I fall onto the edge of my bed and everything slows down. My heart races, the blood pumping in my veins, and I can still feel his touch on my body even though he’s hovering over me.
I am breathless with anticipation and have stars in my eyes, but I know how this story ends. Cash will be the victim to the recklessness of my chaotic heart, but I can’t make myself push him away. At this moment I should only be thinking of him, but images of Jack’s face cross my mind because I realize something; it’s not Jack who is my weakness, it is this man standing before me.
There is so much on the line and it could easily end badly for both of us, again. He once offered me forever, and I didn’t treat it as the gift it was meant to be.
“I’m only going to break your heart,” I warn him.
He leans over me, his mouth inches from mine. “Smash it, shatter it, do whatever you want.” Somber eyes meet mine as if he knows how this will end, but he’s willing to take the risk. “It’s yours.”
I place a hand to his chest, feeling the slow beat of his heart and the hard muscle is hot under my palm. “We can stop this before it starts,” I offer him one last reprieve, because once we start, I won’t ever be able to stop. “It’s been in motion for a long time, Mia.” Cash looks at me darkly, his body hovering over mine, pushing me further into the mattress. “Couldn’t stop it now if I tried.”
Paula Dombrowiak grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois but currently lives in Arizona. She is the author of Blood and Bone, her first adult romance novel which combines her love of music and imperfect relationships. Paula is a lifelong music junkie, whose wardrobe consists of band T-shirts and leggings which are perpetually covered in pet hair. I am a sucker for a redeemable villain, bad boys and the tragically flawed. Music is what inspires her storytelling.
Check out my website for more ways to learn about me and my books, as well as purchase signed paperbacks and book merchandise @ www.pauladombrowiak.com
Out of the Ashes will be the best bar in the county. At least that’s what I promised my uncle before he passed away.
With all the changes we’re making, more challenges arise. The crowd seems to get rowdier with every day that passes, and most days I feel like I can’t keep my head above water.
That is until Dylan, the kid I used to babysit, walks in. He’s definitely not a kid anymore. But he might just be what I need to keep the bar running smoothly. Too bad he isn’t staying in town.
Guarding my heart is the least of my problems, but I’m not sure how long I can fight my attraction.
The hallway to the office is a short distance away, and I make my way toward it. The loudness of the bar fades away the closer I get to the office. Now where is that box? Scanning the shelf, I don’t see it anywhere. I squeeze behind the door, bumping it slightly as I reach up to look at the boxes higher on the shelf. There. Of course, it’s on the top one. I really need to get some kind of a ladder in here. Especially since there are more people working here that may need to get something.
My hand goes up to grab the box, and I feel a sudden presence behind me. The door creaking before a soft thud as it shuts. “Here, let me help you with that.”
Before I have a chance to turn around or offer any sort or rebuttal, Dylan’s hands are covering mine on the box. They are warm and softer than I expected, and I can’t deny the sparks that course through my body at the contact. My hands slide off the box as he brings it down in front of us. Me, caught between him and the shelf. “You didn’t have to do that. I’m perfectly capable of pulling a box down.”
I turn around to face him. That was a mistake. With my back to him, I could pretend his mere presence didn’t have an effect on me, but now…I don’t know if I can hide my reactions as easily. “You sure about that? The last time you tried aprons fell all over the floor.”
Don’t look up. Don’t look up. Keep your eyes focused in front of you. His chest is perfectly reasonable to talk to, right? “And that’s because you intervened.” Jesus, this is ridiculous. My eyes move up his body. Above his chest, to his chiseled jaw, and up until I can see his eyes. Yep, big mistake. They hide nothing. Want simmers in their deep brown depths. The ball is in my court, and the way he’s looking at me makes it hard to keep my wits about it.
A part of me wants to knock the box out of his hands and climb him like a tree. The other part knows damn well I don’t need to venture down this path. This way lies heartache and broken promises. “Angie, are you still with me?” The box holding the mini straws and napkins falls to the floor. “Hello?”
That shakes me out of my thoughts. “Yeah, sorry what were you saying?”
“I was talking smack on your awesome box getting skills.” He bends down until he’s eye level with me. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just can’t think.” I turn, but I’m trapped between Dylan and the shelf. His arms are on either side of me. My hand goes to his arm to push him away and stop at the sound of his voice.
“Is there a reason you can’t think? Am I that reason?” I don’t have to see his face to know he’s smirking. I can tell by his voice, low and seductive. When the fuck did he master that?
“Does it matter?” I try for annoyed, but it’s clearly not working. “I need to get this box to Carlos.”
“Okay,” he leans in closer. His breath a soft whisper against my ear. “But, answer one question.” He waits for me to speak up, and I don’t. I want to know what he’s going to ask. “Do you feel anything toward me? I think I’ve made my interest pretty damn clear.”
I could lie. Lying would be a hell of a lot easier, but I can’t. Not now. Not with him so close to me. “I’m attracted to you. In ways I shouldn’t be.” A glance toward him is all it takes to know that he doesn’t give a damn that I shouldn’t have any feelings toward him. A wide grin is all I can see. And fuck if I don’t want to kiss him. To see if he’s as confident as he lets on.
My toes lift of their own volition, and I do just that. I need to know. Maybe then whatever the hell I’m experiencing around him will stop. I mean for it to be a quick peck, but soon my lips are parting and I’m deepening the kiss. I fully expect him to pull away, or grab me. Something to give me an idea of what he’s thinking. All I can hear is the metal shelf behind me shaking. He has some restraint at least. Before I can pull away the door opens and we jump apart from each other. “Angie, did you find the straws and napkins?” Carlos asks as he rounds the door. Dylan picks up the box and hands it to him before hurrying out of the office. Carlos pins me with a glare. “I sure hope you know what you’re doing, Ang.”
Katrina Marie lives in the Dallas area with her husband, two children, and fur baby. She is a lover of all things geeky and Gryffindor for life. Welcome to Your Life is her debut novel and she hopes you enjoy reading it as much as she enjoyed writing it.
Princess Aubrey of Malquar has loved Grady Basset since they were kids. She followed him and her brother around wherever they went; she wrote his name in her diary repeatedly; and she even practiced saying her name with his last name—for years.
Only once has Grady shown any romantic interest, and things did not turn out well.
As the son of the king’s secretary, Grady grew up playing with the royal children. He’s known them his whole life, and while he’s drawn to Princess Bree, he knows that there’s no way they can be together. The princess’s station is too far above his.
As the captain of the royal yacht, Grady sees Bree often, but in recent months the princess has been rude, belligerent, and an all-around pain in the butt. When unforeseen circumstances have Grady and Bree spending time together on her family’s island, things really start to heat up.
Will Grady finally give Bree a chance? Will it be too late?
Find out in the deliciously fun fifth installment of the Seven Brides for Seven Mothers Series.
As Lu gets up to welcome another guest—one I didn’t know was coming—I pull the window sheer to the side and watch as none other than Grady Basset strolls up the front path. He’s carrying a bouquet of yellow tulips. What in the world is he doing here?
I’m torn between running out the back door and confronting the man who’s been a thorn in my side since, well, forever. Leaving would be the nicest thing I could do for everyone, but suddenly I’m not feeling very generous.
I stride toward the entryway like a general marching onto a battlefield. My shoulders are squared, and my jaw is sticking out so far it leaves the living room well ahead of the rest of me. Lu yanks the front door open. “Grady! We’re so glad you could make it.”
He’s about to hand her the flowers when he sees me. “What are you doing here?” His tone suggests that he’s as happy to see me as I am to see him.
“Why am I here?” I put my hands on my hips in fury. “What are you doing here?”
“I was invited.” He dismisses me and turns to Lu, offering her the bouquet.
“I was invited, too.” Then I tell my soon-to-be sister-in-law, “You didn’t mention that Grady would be here. Why is that?”
Before she can answer, Alistair comes out of the back room. He immediately takes in the scene but doesn’t seem eager to explain himself. I should have known this was his doing. “Grady, Bree, we’re so glad you could join us.”
“Yes, well, I’m thinking about leaving,” I blurt out.
“Please, let me do the honors.”
Grady turns and is nearly out the door when my brother says, “Children, is there any chance you two can act like adults long enough to enjoy lunch? There is a perfectly sound reason we asked you both here. It has to do with this petty feud you have going on.”
“Petty feud?” I sputter. “The man picked me up and threw me off a boat. Off a boat! That’s not petty, that’s … that’s …” Words escape me. Barbaric? Contemptuous? Illegal? Apparently, words don’t escape me, after all.
“It’s the only sensible thing to do when you’re being harassed by an annoying child who refuses to grow up.” He has no right to be mad at me. I’m the injured party here.
I square off and face him, my hands firmly on my hips. “I’m sorry, Grady.” I’m not and nothing in my tone suggests I am. “Are you, or are you not, the ship’s captain?” Before he can answer, I tell him, “You shouldn’t be entertaining women on my family’s boat while you’re on duty.”
“I had your brother’s permission. I did not need yours.” His face turns an unnatural shade of red.
Instead of commenting, I abruptly turn toward my brother. “Let’s get this over with. I have a million things I’d rather be doing than wasting my time here.” Like tending to a den of vipers. I was not raised to be so rude, but Grady Basset brings it out in me.
Lu leads the way into the dining room. I follow begrudgingly, wishing custom and courtesy didn’t dictate that I walk in front of Grady. I can’t stick my tongue out at him when I’m in front of him.
Once we’re all seated and the champagne is poured, Lu raises her glass. “Alistair and I were hoping the two of you would…”
“Aubrey.” Grady says my name like he’s speaking to the devil himself. “If you act like an obnoxious, spoiled brat, I will treat you like one. But if you can grow up and behave with some decorum, I assure you, you will have no further trouble from me.”
“Obnoxious … spoiled …” I’m full-on sputtering. “I’m not the one who threw the daughter of his employer into the ocean. If anyone is being taken to task here, it’s you.”
“It’s both of you,” Lu interjects firmly. She looks at Grady. “You cannot toss Bree overboard until after our wedding.”
“But he can then? What kind of friend are you?” I demand while picking up my chair and sitting back down in a huff.
“You had it coming, and you know it, Bree. Alistair gave Grady permission to bring a date onboard, so he was in the right, and you were in the wrong.”
Instead of answering Lu, I glare at my brother. “As long as you don’t let Grady get above himself and treat the yacht like his own, I’ll agree.” I sound like a petulant child, but I can’t seem to help myself.
The room becomes so quiet you could hear a pin drop on a pile of freshly shorn Malquarian wool.
Grady clears his throat loudly. “Princess Aubrey, if it will tame the shrew in you, I promise to never bring another woman onto the boat unless you personally give me permission to do so.”
Tame the shrew in me? As if. My life is no Shakespearean comedy. “I’m sorry, Petruchio, but I think you’ve mistaken me for another.”
“Ah, Katherine,” he drawls, “I can assure you, I’m not your Petruchio.” Everything this man says makes my skin tingle with outrage.
Instead of arguing further, I turn to Alistair. “I’ll do my part.” I sound like I’m agreeing to a public execution.
“Good.” He nods his head once. “But you’re going to have to prove it to us before the wedding.”
“Excuse me?” Grady and I say at the same time.
Lu exhales loudly. “Alistair and I have decided that before we confirm your status as wedding attendants, you will need to exhibit the fine manners you claim to possess.”
“How?” I’d rather eat the rug.
My brother smiles smugly. “Starting tonight, we expect the two of you to accompany us on several outings, both public and private, to ensure that you can be trusted on our wedding day.”
“I’m sorry, Alistair, but I have a life of my own which consists of an array of commitments. I’m not going to audition for the role of bridesmaid.” How insulting.
Standing up, my annoying sibling approaches the sideboard and collects a small stack of papers. He shuffles them into two smaller piles before handing them to us. “If you have any commitments that aren’t on this list, Lu and I would be happy to join you.”
“You can’t expect to monopolize my time for an entire year!”
“We won’t need you for the entire year if you can prove yourselves to us before then. The amount of time it takes is entirely up to you.” Lu raises one eyebrow like a stern nun contemplating corporeal punishment.
“How long will it take to do that?” Grady wants to know. His expression is hard to read, but if I had to guess, I’d say that he’s as pleased as I am.
Which translates into not at all.
“We’ve decided ten consecutive pleasant outings should do the trick,” Alistair tells him.
“And if we have a minor altercation on the tenth?” I demand.
Lu smiles smugly. “Then you start over.”
I slam back my entire glass of champagne in one gulp. “I don’t want to be in your wedding that badly.”
“What will the king and queen say?” Al taunts. Damn him. He knows our parents would make my life a living hell if they discovered why I wouldn’t agree to be in his wedding. There’s no way to sell that to the press without making myself a laughingstock.
“What if I don’t want to be in your wedding that badly?” Grady interjects.
“You don’t think you can do it?” I taunt. Then I look at Al. “There you have it. Grady can’t be a gentleman for that many outings in a row. As he’s thrown in the towel, we can all go back to our regular lives without any fuss.”
“I didn’t concede, Aubrey. I was just asking.”
“Then back out now so we don’t have to jump through these stupid hoops,” I tell him.
“I would, if I were the problem. But you’re the one who can’t stay in her own lane.”
Oh, no, he didn’t. “Grady Basset, I can accomplish this blindfolded with my hands tied behind my back.”
“I think you might need a gag, too,” he mumbles.
Alistair refills my glass before raising his into the air. “To both of you being in our wedding!” While there was once a time that I would have loved to be around Grady that often, that ship sailed years ago. In fact, it didn’t just sail, it sank.
Whitney loves to laugh, play with her kids, bake, and eat french fries — not always in that order.
Whitney is a multi-award-winning author of romcoms, non-fiction humor, and middle reader fiction. Basically, she writes whatever the voices in her head tell her to.
She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, Jimmy, where they raise children, chickens, and organic vegetables.
Gold Medal winner at the International Readers’ Favorite Awards, 2017.
Silver medal winner at the International Readers’ Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016.
