J. Daniels

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author

The Tragedy of Felix and Jake is LIVE in KU! <3

It’s finally here!

My boys are out in the world today and I couldn’t be more proud! Thank you to everyone who preordered and helped spread the word, and to everyone who is one-clicking today, thank you so, so much! <3

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Happy reading!

Jessica xo

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A Jake & Felix Sneak Peek!

It’s almost time! 4 MORE DAYS until The Tragedy of Felix and Jake is released out into the world! I can not WAIT!

Don’t forget, this book will be published directly into KU and sold exclusively on Amazon. Preorder now so it hits your Kindle at midnight on 2/2!

Keep reading to check out the first chapter of The Tragedy of Felix and Jake! <3

 

So Maybe I’m Not Okay

Jake

 

I’m sure you saw this coming. You know how miserable I’ve been. If you were stationed closer, things would be different. I can’t keep doing this. We never see each other. Dale is here. He’s here and you aren’t. It just happened. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry, Jake. I love you. I only wish you the best. -Katie

The torn-out notebook paper crumples inside my fist. I feel myself shaking.

Jaw tight, I turn toward the wall, cock my free hand back and strike my knuckles against it, pounding until I see blood smear.

That bitch. That stupid fucking bitch.

“Fuck you! Fuck you! Fuck you!” I roar.

I toss her bullshit onto the floor and tear through my room. I flip over the small table I keep shit on—shit of hers she gave me. Framed pictures and souvenirs from road trips and stupid fucking shit that means nothing. Two years of lies. Two years that were supposed to lead to more, but it just happened. Dale is there. I’m not. She’s fucking him. She’s giving him framed pictures and days that’ll turn into two years.

Fuck her. Fuck. Her.

I send everything crashing to the floor. I crush it beneath my boot.

The desk I share with my roommate—that piece of shit who said Katie didn’t seem the type to handle deployments and distance well—is next.

Fuck him for knowing.

Cheap plywood splits apart when it hits the floor, and the laptop I’d use to Skype on crashes against the wall after I hurl it.

She told me she loved me on that. She got off watching me get off. She’d smile at me on the screen and tell me she couldn’t wait to be done with school so she could move here.

She lied.

She’s done with me and wishing me the best and fucking her neighbor and “FUCK YOU!”

I pick up the end of my bed and toss it as far as I can. I rip the phone cord out of the wall and throw the receiver.

I only got that shit because of her. Why the fuck would I need it now?

The Walmart purchase crashes against the door.

I punch the wall again. I keep moving. I keep pacing and kicking shit and breaking anything I can until I force myself to stop before I crush bone.

Chest heaving, I look around the room at my destruction.

My hands tremble.

My skin burns and itches, and I feel like I’m on fire.

I grip my hair and squeeze my eyes shut as relief waters my mouth and rushes in my blood.

The high I could chase to take all of this away is right there in my pocket. I just need to reach for it.

It’s simple. It’s easy.

“Do it,” the best feeling in the world whispers in my ear.

I just need to go numb for a day or an hour or a minute. I need to stop feeling this.

I need to forget her.

I need to forget what she’s done.

I need I need I need I need.

My phone is in my hand and a number I shouldn’t know is on my screen, and I can barely see it through the tears in my eyes.

I want this.

I hate this.

My hand in my hair pulls. I can already feel better. My fingers shake.

I’m going to do it.

I’m scared.

I’m going to do it.

I’ll feel nothing in an hour.

I’ll hate myself tomorrow, but I’ll feel good first.

The high is better than the comedown. It’s worth it. It always is.

Dale—I can see that fucker in my head. He’s touching her. Kissing her. Fucking the girl I thought about buying a ring for. He’s shaking my hand and telling me he’ll keep an eye on what’s mine.

He’s smiling. They’re smiling. He’s taking everything I have.

“Just one more time,” my favorite memory beckons me.

She loves me. Cocaine-fueled and blackout drunk. She always will. There’s no one else for her but me.

Katie doesn’t feel that way. She won’t love me ever again. She never did.

Never.

My back hits the wall, and I slide to the floor. I almost hurl my phone across the room. Thank fuck I don’t.

“What’s up, man?” The rough voice in my ear sounds happy to hear from me. He’s smiling.

I want to kill myself.

“I need your help,” I croak. My throat feels like it’s ripping apart.

“I’m leaving now.” His tone changes to something that scares me. Something I’ve heard more times than I can count. “Give me two minutes, and I’m out the door, Jake. Hold on. I’m coming.”

My brother is coming.

Tears fall to my cheeks.

I hang my head and begin to sob.

~~~~~

It takes six hours for my brother to get to me.

I’m sweating and shaking and scared out of my fucking mind, and it takes six hours until he’s calling me because I won’t let him in. I won’t answer the door. I forget why he’s here.

CJ?

Holy shit. Hi.

He’s screaming for me, and he sounds as scared as I am (was), and I don’t understand, but then he’s breaking into my room, throwing his shoulder into the door until the wood splits at the frame. He stumbles inside.

I smile so big because I love my brother and I miss him.

I laugh because my door is gone.

“Bro. You’re fucking crazy, you know that?”

My voice sounds far away, but not as far away as CJ’s.

I’m in South Carolina and he’s in Alabama, and we never see each other anymore, but he’s here now. My big brother.

He stands there, staring at the remains of my room. He looks over at me and curses.

“What?” I ask. “Come here, man. Get over here.”

I smile again, and my speech is slurred. I feel good now. Great, actually. I’m so happy to see my brother—I want to cry.

CJ finally rushes over to me.

I don’t know why but I’m on the bathroom floor, and I’m so fucked up I don’t stand. He has to crouch down to put us eye to eye.

“Jake. Fuck, what happened?”

He’s feeling my pockets and the tile beneath me.

What is he doing? What is he looking for?

“What. Nothing happened… come on. Stop.” I try to put my arms around him. “Come here. Give me a hug.”

“What the fuck did you take?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Jake! Goddamn it!” He grips my shoulders, shaking me hard. “What. Did. You. Take?”

I smile, but he doesn’t, and I want to laugh in CJ’s face. He should be happy I’m happy. Why isn’t he?

I blink.

My brother looks miserable, and I feel like a fucking god.

“Jake.”

“What?”

CJ’s face is inches from mine, and he’s scared.

No. He’s terrified. I can see it now.

My breath catches, and I’m not smiling anymore. I forget how to.

Because I finally remember what I did and why he’s here.

I remember what I took.

My hand opens, and I show him the empty bottle.

“Oh fuck,” I croak.

My roommate’s Oxy.

He hid them in the desk. I didn’t know, but I found them. They were five feet away from me where I sat on the floor, the drawer he kept them in busted apart, and I tried to ignore the bottle. I did.

I made it an hour.

And then another.

I buried my face in my hands and screamed. I paced the room.

Four hours.

My skin sweated and itched.

Five hours. Almost six.

I thought about leaving and never coming back, but maybe…

Maybe I didn’t need to leave. Maybe it wasn’t even something I wanted to take.

I just had to check—one look. A glance, and I could forget all about them. I could relax. I could maybe even breathe.

I just needed to look.

Six hours.

I take every fucking pill in that bottle.

“I tried,” I say, voice cracking. “I didn’t want to, CJ. I didn’t.”

“I know.”

“I was waiting for you, and then I found them. I almost made it. I almost made it, CJ, but six hours. It took you six hours.”

“I know.” CJ sounds as devastated as I feel. “I’m sorry. Hey.” He gently holds my face, pressing his forehead against mine. “I’m so sorry, Jake.”

Tears fill my eyes.

My brother is good. He’s so good. He’ll do anything for me. He’ll drop whatever it is he’s doing and drive four hundred miles the second I need him. He’ll break speed limits. He’ll break down doors. Anything and everything.

He’ll even blame himself for this, but he’s not the brother who needs help. He’s not the addict. The fuck-up. I am.

Not him. Never him.

“It’s not your fault,” I say.

“I should’ve driven faster.”

“No. Bullshit.” I drop the bottle and it rolls across the floor. I peel his hands away from my face. “I won’t let you feel guilty for this. You don’t get to feel guilty for this, okay? You can’t.”

“How many did you take?”

“I don’t know.” My head feels heavy, too heavy to lift anymore, and I drop it back against the wall. “I don’t know how many were in there. I didn’t count them.”

“Fuck.”

I start laughing.

I don’t know why, but everything is funny to me again. “You broke my door, shithead.”

I think he wants to smile at me, but he doesn’t. He looks too sad to smile.

“Katie broke up with me.”

CJ’s brows lift, but only for a second. “I’m sorry.”

“She’s fucking Dale now, so. It’s cool. Whatever. I don’t even care.” I flex my hand and think about punching another wall, but I can’t get up. “I’m really scared, you know?”

“I know.”

“I fucked up, CJ.”

“It’s okay. Hey. It’s okay.” He lifts my chin, forcing me to look at him. “I’m not going anywhere. I won’t leave you. We’ll figure this out.”

“What do I do?”

“We need to get you to a meeting.”

“Yeah.” I nod, liking that idea. He’s so smart. “Yeah, that’s good. That’ll work.”

“You got one here?”

“No.”

He sighs. “Shit, Jake.”

“I haven’t needed to go to one! I’ve been good. You know I have.”

“I thought you were checking in with people. You’re supposed to.”

I kick at him, which is really fucking dumb because CJ probably has at least thirty pounds of muscle on me and could easily whip my ass, but I’m pissed that he’s pissed.

So, I do it anyway.

“Fuck off, okay?” He doesn’t even budge an inch. “I’ve been clean for seven years! Stop talking to me like I’m a junkie.”

“You are a junkie.”

“I fucked up once! Get the fuck out of my face!”

“And go where, huh? You want me to leave you like this? You can’t even stand! Not to mention what you did to your room. This place looks like shit.”

“It’s not that bad.”

“Not that bad?”

He stands then, looming over me like some massive asshole.

I don’t know when he got to be so big.

He’s not that much taller than me. But his arms and chest and shoulders are huge. He’s intimidating as fuck.

And he looks stupid.

But I don’t tell him that because again, thirty pounds of muscle. I don’t want to get punched.

“Your desk is destroyed. Both beds. Your laptop. There are holes in the walls—”

“Oh no. Call the police. I punched a wall.”

He glares at me. “What about your roommate, huh? What do you think is gonna happen, Jake? Have you even fuckin’ thought about the consequences of your actions? What if an MP finds you? What then?”

“Oh, here we go. Here we go. Officer Tully emerges.” I flip him off. “Suck my dick, pig. Do you really think I need you? I don’t. I’m fine.”

“You’re high off your ass.”

Whatever. I am not.

“Fuck you,” I spat. “Fuck my roommate. And fuck the MPs. You’ll probably rat me out to them anyway. I bet you want to.”

Goddamn military police. They can all suck a dick.

CJ looks at me like I’m crazy. “You need to stop talking before I beat the shit out of you. I swear to God.”

“You need to stop talking,” I grumble, looking at the floor and praying he doesn’t hear me.

CJ sighs and curses under his breath, but he doesn’t say anything else to me.

Not for several minutes, at least.

And the longer he’s quiet, the worse I feel and the sadder I get.

He drove four hundred miles to save me. A locked door couldn’t keep us apart. He’d do anything for me right now, I know he would, and I’m telling him to fuck off and trying to kick him. I’m wishing he wasn’t here so he doesn’t have to see me like this, again, because he’s seen me like this before and I promised him, I promised him it was the last time when I stole from our parents to get high and my own brother, my own flesh and blood had to arrest me. I swore to him that I was done fucking up my life and his and theirs. I was going to do better. And he said he knew I could do it, he believed in me.

“I’ll do anything for you, Jake.”

I cried on his shoulder when he dropped me off at rehab, and he smiled and told me he was so proud of me, and every year, he calls and tells me the same thing. “I’m proud of you, little brother.”

And I’m so fucked up right now, I can’t even stand beside him.

“NoNoNoNo.” I drop my head into my hands as tears fall down my cheeks. I can’t believe I did this. “CJ,” I sob.

His arms are around me before I can tell him how sorry I am. He lets me cry into his neck, even though it’s gross, and it’s like the last conversation didn’t even happen because he isn’t leaving me, I don’t need to do this alone.

“It’s gonna be okay, Jake, I promise,” he says, and I believe him.

I feel better already because my big brother is here. He knows I can do this.

And when he tells me we’ll figure this out, I nod and hold on to him tighter. It’s all I can do.

Everything is going to be okay. He promises me again. And he’s never broken his promises.

I made a mistake. A tiny mistake.

“It’ll be okay, Jake.”

It will. I know it will because CJ will make sure of it. He always does.

“What… the… fuck? Jesus Christ! Are you kidding me, man?”

CJ’s body goes rigid.

He can’t know who that is, he’s never met my roommate, but he knows.

Somehow, he knows.

And he leaves me on the floor to try and explain the situation and save my ass. He’s up and moving, and their voices are colliding.

CJ justifying what I’ve done (God, I love my brother) and my roommate yelling over him and trying to get to me (I fucking dare you), and they’re both talking/screaming at once—it’s muddled together, and Jesus, my hand looks fucked up.

I probably shouldn’t punch anything else.

“You’re a piece of shit!” my roommate yells, trying to get past my brother. “I’ve always hated you, you know that? Fuck you—get off me! Jesus! Do you see what he did to my stuff? You’re dead, Tully. You’re so fucking dead!”

I laugh and laugh. I can’t help it. My roommate doesn’t stand a chance against my brother.

“Oh, and by the way, I fucked your girl last year. Yeah. Who’s laughing now, motherfucker?”

My roommate smiles so fucking big.

I fly off the floor, and I think CJ lets me at him because my brother could stop me if he really wanted to.

Or maybe he’s just too shocked/stunned that I’m finally up and moving or too focused on keeping my roommate back that he doesn’t have time to turn around and grab me before I swing, connecting with cartilage and shattering that motherfucker’s nose.

“Jake! What the fuck?” CJ roars.

“What!” I yell back.

My brother is always worried about me. Maybe he thinks my hand is broken now. I should check.

I look down at my knuckles.

They’re bruising and swelling up, but I feel great.

Oh, and I know why too.

I leer at my roommate over CJ’s shoulder. “I bet you wish I hadn’t found your stash, man, cuz that looks like it hurts.”

CJ yells at me again, but I just laugh and cry. It feels so strange to do both. But at least I can stand now, and I don’t think my hand is broken, so, hey, good news all around.

And my roommate? That dick?

He’s bleeding all over the carpet and spitting out threats as the room starts filling with more people, all of them siding with him.

“You’re such a dickhead, Tully.”

What the fuck? He’s the one who fucked my girlfriend!

And then that douchebag is gone to rat me out, and for a moment, I think that’s the funniest shit I’ve ever heard.

“He’s going to tell on me. Oh no.” I crack up, bumping shoulders with my brother.

I expect him to agree. I listen for the low rumble of his laugh. I keep waiting for it.

“Jake,” he says, he begs, because that’s what it sounds like he’s doing. He’s scared now. I probably should be too.

I laugh enough for both of us.

It doesn’t really sink in and terrify me until hours later when all my shit is packed in the back of my brother’s truck, and we’re leaving the base I’ve been stationed at for five years, and I realize I’m never coming back here because I can’t.

That’s when it hits me.

And I spend the next six hours crying and wanting to die as I replay everything I did and every word my brother said to my staff sergeant when he pleaded with him to overlook this one tiny mistake.

“Look at everything he’s done for you. Look at everything he’s done for his country! Three tours! He’s given you everything. Please don’t do this to him. Please.”

His voice broke on that one, I heard it.

I cry harder and curl into a ball on the seat.

“It’s going to be okay, Jake,” CJ tells me again and again, and I want to believe him like I always do, but how can I?

I’m jobless and homeless.

I’m an addict who just lost seven years of sobriety.

I’m a Marine (former) who’s been dishonorably discharged.

And I want to get high, again. Right now, even though my life is over because of it.

That’s how I really know I’m fucked.

Preorder your copy of The Tragedy of Felix and Jake now!

Meet Jake! (Excerpt from What I Need) <3

The Tragedy of Felix and Jake (which will be LIVE in 9 days! omg) is a complete standalone novel, meaning you do not need to read any prior book before this one. However, Jake is briefly introduced in What I Need (he is CJ’s brother), so if you read that story, you will recognize him. If you didn’t, no worries! You can meet him now!

Keep reading to meet Jake!

 

Excerpt from What I Need

Sprawled across CJ’s body, eyes closed, head on his bare chest, leg slung over his hip and arm curling around his waist, I think about how happy I am right now, laying naked except for a pair of panties on the couch in the middle of the afternoon while CJ watches baseball highlights.

Do I typically lay around mostly naked? No.

Do I enjoy listening to baseball highlights? It’s okay. I don’t hate it.

Aside from the two days this week when I’ve had class, have CJ and I left the house at all? Nope.

Coming to my conclusion and deciding it’s too important to keep to myself, I share it.

“I don’t think I have ever been this happy.”

CJ’s arm around my back gives me a squeeze, then his warm breath is in my hair.

“Me either, baby,” he murmurs in that deep, smooth as honey voice that feels like a touch moving over my body.

And he means that. I know he does.

Scratch that. Now, hearing his response, I am officially at my happiest.

My reunion with CJ couldn’t have come at a better time.

Due to my schedule change this week, I’ve been off three days out of the five, meaning we’ve had tons of time to spend together.

And all of that time, whether we’re kissing and touching or doing nothing but this, has been amazing.

We’ve talked. We’ve laughed and played. We’ve gone to bed together and woken up together.

And we’ve had sex all over this house.

I’m pretty sure the only place we haven’t done it yet is on top of the TV.

It’s a flat screen so, otherwise, I think it would’ve been attempted.

Never have I smiled this much with a guy. Never have I laughed and joked around the way I do with CJ. I know he said we could never be friends again, but I still kind of feel like we are. Just more.

We’re lovers who became friends who became… everything.

I wasn’t lying. I have never been this happy.

There’s just one minor issue we may have that needs to be discussed, and I’ve honestly been avoiding it.

Not that CJ has been bringing it up, I’ve just made it a point not to. But I can’t do that anymore. No more stalling. We need to talk about this today. Now.

Reed cannot know about us.

Turning my head, I press my lips to CJ’s pec and stare at his profile, relaxed and fixated on the TV.

The side of my foot rubs against his shin. I’ve been doing that for minutes and he hasn’t said anything or moved the slightest.

I think he might like it—me touching his injured leg when I’m not being medical about it. When I’m not rewrapping it or rubbing vitamin E on his scar or helping him do his exercises when he’s not at PT.

I lift up and slide my hand under my chin, tapping my fingers rhythmically as I continue looking at him, and that draws his attention.

His eyes search my face, then his brows pull together. “Riley.”

“Mm?”

“You got something on your mind?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

Now his brows are lifting and nearly reaching his hairline. “Is it about tonight?” he asks.

I blink. He knows?

“It sucks that you can’t be there,” CJ continues, face tensing a little. “You don’t have PTO or anything you can take so you don’t have to miss out on it?”

CJ thinks I’m sad about my overnight clinical rotation landing on July Fourth.

And while it does suck that I’m going to miss all of the festivities, especially considering how much I love fireworks, that isn’t what we needed to talk about.

I let out a deep sigh. “No, I can’t take off,” I tell him. “I’d get marks against me if I did.”

“That’s fucking lame. They shouldn’t schedule you to work a holiday.”

“When I’m a nurse I’m going to have to work holidays.” I shrug. “It’s fine. Hopefully I’ll be able to see the fireworks next year.”

CJ’s mouth twitches.

He looks like he knows something I don’t. And although I’d love to lay here for the next hour and pick his brain, I really need to get to my point before we get sidetracked.

My nudity tends to lead to us getting sidetracked.

“Everyone will be there tonight,” I begin, holding his eyes. “And I didn’t know if you were planning on saying anything, but I’m just worried that―”

A knock sounds on the door, cutting me off.

“Go away!” CJ hollers, his muscles beneath me flexing as he looks toward the noise. He meets my eyes again. “You’re just worried that what?”

“Um,” I look curiously over my shoulder, then back at CJ. “Well, it’s just that―”

Three more knocks interrupt me, these being made with a heavier fist.

CJ curses under his breath and glares at the door, face tense and angry, but he doesn’t make any attempt at getting up to answer it.

“Maybe you should check and see who that is,” I suggest. “They could keep knocking.”

“They can come back,” he replies curtly, eyes cutting to mine. “You got something you want to talk about. That’s more important than whoever’s at the door. Don’t worry about them.”

My lips press together as something wonderfully warm flutters in my stomach.

Holy crap, that’s sweet. Those Publisher’s Clearing House people could be here, holding one of those giant checks for CJ, and he’d rather listen to me talk than collect his millions.

I press a kiss to his chest instead of attacking his face like I want to do, knowing that will just lead to more sex, and we really need to have this talk.

“Well, I didn’t know what you were planning, but I just think that—”

The sound of the front door swinging open and a man’s voice entering the house halts me from saying anything more.

“Fuck you. Go away. What… oh, damn. My bad.”

I squeal as CJ curses under his breath, grabs onto me and flips us with lightning speed, covering me up with his massive body and shielding my nakedness from whoever just rudely walked into his house.

Seriously. I mean, unless you’re family or something, why would you do that?

“What the fuck, Jake?” CJ roars, head whipping around to peer over his shoulder in the direction of the entryway. “Goddamn it. You couldn’t wait a minute?”

I suck in a breath. Jake?

Oh, my God…

“Oh, fuck you. Like you were going to let me in,” he replies, his voice similar to CJ’s in tone, but sounding rougher, as if he needs to clear it. “I would’ve been standing out there all night.”

My arms are bent up between our bodies. I uncurl my fists from underneath my neck and press my fingertips to my mouth.

“Your brother just saw me mostly naked,” I whisper.

CJ looks down at me. “No, he didn’t.”

“Yeah, I did.”

My eyes widen. Worst family introduction ever! I cover my face with my hands and groan.

CJ shifts above me. “Turn around and stay that way until I fucking tell you otherwise, you hear me?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Jake mutters. “God. Some welcome party.”

“You didn’t tell me you were coming today, asshole.”

“I said I was coming in a few weeks. It’s been a few weeks.”

“You couldn’t give me a heads up? Let me know you were dropping in on the fourth?”

“I didn’t know I was approved for leave until last minute. This is your heads up. Goddamn.”

CJ lets out an exhausted breath above me. “Come on, darlin’,” he says, dropping his knee to the couch space between my legs. “Let’s get you to the bedroom.”

“I don’t want to move,” I grumble from behind my hands. “Just stuff me underneath the cushions and leave me here to die. My butt was totally hanging out of my underwear.”

I feel his body quake with a laugh. He kisses the back of my hand. “He’s not looking anymore. And if he does, I’ll kick his ass.”

“You can try, gimp,” Jake counters. “Pretty sure I’ll have an advantage.”

“Bro, for real? It’s good to see you. Always is, but don’t make me embarrass you in front of my woman.”

Awkwardddd. 🙂

Preorder your copy of The Tragedy of Felix and Jake now!

From New York Times bestselling author, J. Daniels, comes an all new standalone forbidden romance.

They say the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.
They say the best way to stay sober is to love yourself.

I’m great at making bad decisions.
Addict? Check. Poor impulse control? Check. Obsessed with the guy I’m sponsoring? Check Check Check.
There is no one worse for me to want in my bed than Jake Tully. He’s hot and grumpy and literally a terrible idea. Terrible. Worse, no one has ever made me feel the way he does — valued. But here I am – thinking about him again.
Falling for my sponsor is not my worst idea yet, but it’s damn close.

Felix Fields is everything good. He’s thoughtful and kind. I can’t help but think about every bad thing we could do between these sheets.
But we can’t be together. I’m not willing to risk my recovery for anyone – even if he might be perfect for me.

Finding a love like this is nothing short of a tragedy.

Tropes: Forbidden Romance, Small Town, Found Family, Grumpy x Sunshine

The Tragedy of Felix and Jake Cover Reveal and Preorder <3

It’s finally here!

 

Here is the absolutely STUNNING cover of The Tragedy of Felix and Jake! Ahh! I love it so much!

 

I’ve never done a “title only” cover before and couldn’t be happier with the way this one turned out, thanks to the incredible Hang Le. Thank you to everyone who liked, commented, and shared this cover and helped me get the news out. I really couldn’t do any of this without all of you. <3

This book will be releasing straight into Kindle Unlimited on 2/2 and sold exclusively on Amazon! (Something I have never EVER done!) The Preorder is now LIVE.

I can’t believe I’m finally releasing this book soon! Keep reading for details <3

The Tragedy of Felix and Jake

Tropes: Forbidden Romance, Small Town, Found Family, Grumpy x Sunshine

Coming 2/2/23

They say the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.
They say the best way to stay sober is to love yourself.

I’m great at making bad decisions.
Addict? Check. Poor impulse control? Check. Obsessed with the guy I’m sponsoring? Check Check Check.
There is no one worse for me to want in my bed than Jake Tully. He’s hot and grumpy and literally a terrible idea. Terrible. Worse, no one has ever made me feel the way he does — valued. But here I am – thinking about him again.
Falling for my sponsor is not my worst idea yet, but it’s damn close.

Felix Fields is everything good. He’s thoughtful and kind. I can’t help but think about every bad thing we could do between these sheets.
But we can’t be together. I’m not willing to risk my recovery for anyone – even if he might be perfect for me.

Finding a love like this is nothing short of a tragedy.

Brooke and… yoga? (Joey’s POV!)

I think I’m asked at least once a month if I’m ever going to give Joey his own book, and the truth is, it is something I planned on doing a few years ago. And there was a time when I was working on it.

But, life. The pandemic. Basically all of 2020.

My mental health took a serious nose dive, and I took a big break from writing after having my little one, and when I returned, I jumped into another story and put Joey’s on hold.

Rude, right?

Anyways. Joey’s story may still happen. I’d honestly love to return to it one day. I mean, what in the world is he up to? Aren’t you curious?

I’ll tell you what he’s up to…

He. Is. STRESSING OUT.

In typical Joey fashion, he’s quite possibly exaggerating over something Billy-related (Goddamn-it, Billy!), or maybe he’s completely justified in his freak-out. And for now, only I know the answer to whether or not Joey is over-reacting to this little mystery ‘problem’. And while I can’t tell you what it is that’s got him so flustered, I can give you a little glimpse into how Joey is trying to handle it.

Here’s a little Joey and Brooke, and sweet Mason. I hope it makes you smile. 🙂

 

I check the time on my watch. 6:47 a.m..

I was trying to be considerate and wait until a more reasonable hour before I called on friendships, knowing full well that most of the women in my life don’t like their beauty rest disturbed this early on a Sunday, but I need help. I need girlfriend time. And for fucks sake, I need air conditioning.

Brooke is up first. Mainly because she’s never threatened to do anything rude to my balls. Not even in her wild days.

When I get a break in traffic, I jog across the street and pull on the yoga studio door, figuring there’s a good chance it’s unlocked.

Mason, Brooke’s hot Aussie husband, gets up at the ass crack of dawn to twist his body into appealing positions. So I’m not surprised to see him limbering up on a mat when I step inside the studio.

I am surprised to see Brooke awake though. I figured she’d still be asleep upstairs.

Sitting cross-legged in the center of the room, eyes closed and her palms open. Peaceful expression on her face.

Huh. Brooke looks Zen as fuck.

Is she seriously meditating?

“Hey. How are ya, Joey,” Mason says, grinning through his pose.

He’s so enjoyable. And always happy to see me. If he were a chick, I’d totally tell him all of my problems right now.

“Honestly?” I fix my sweaty hair. “Not that great.”

“Anything I can help with?”

“Sadly, no. I need my squad for this mess.”

When I finish speaking, I glare at Brooke, who has yet to even acknowledge my presence with a simple glance. Not even after hearing how distressed I am.

Some nerve, right? And I’d consider us close. The bitch used to live with me, for Christ sake. Is she forgetting that?

“Excuse me, Ms. Namaste?” I glare harder. “Could you wake the fuck up?”

Her chest rises with a slow, deep breath. “What is it, Joey?”

“I need you. Obviously… I know you heard what I just said to Mason. I’m having a bit of a crisis and thoroughly freaking out about it.”

“Come back in fifteen minutes.”

The fuck?

The brush off? Did she really just dismiss me?

“What?” I fight the urge to stomp my foot like some child. “No, I’m not coming back in fifteen minutes. I need you now, Brooke.”

“Can’t you see I’m busy?”

“Doing what exactly? Daydreaming about my stellar dick?”

“I’m meditating.” She finally opens one eye and peers at me. “And you’re interrupting. So either shut up or get out.”

“Bitch, are you high? Seriously, did you take some weird, Australian herb that’s completely numbed your ass this morning? Because I just said I’m having a crisis…”

“Which I’m sure can be dealt with after I’m finished.” Brooke closes her eye again and pulls in another deep breath. “Why don’t you grab a mat? You look like you could use some self-reflecting.”

“No need. I self-reflected in the bathroom this morning.”

“Masturbation doesn’t give you a better understanding of your life’s purpose, Joey.”

“Then you’re doing it wrong, Brooke.”

“I hardly even do it anymore, for your information.”

“Excuse me?”

She hardly does it anymore? Oh, she’s definitely smoking something on the regular.

“Brooke, seriously, you can meditate later. This shit I have going on can not wait.”

My mouth drops open when instead of responding with words or, I don’t know, getting her ass up and being an actual friend to me, Brooke makes an obnoxious “aum” sound, holding out the note for as long as her breath allows.

I point at her as if she can see it. “Bitch.”

“Hoe.” Her mouth twists into a smirk.

“I don’t even know who you are anymore, Brooke King,” I snap, heading for the door since my time here is obviously wasted. “I’ll be across the street where people actually give a fuck about me. Mason, as always, it’s been an absolute pleasure. Wish you were gay.”

I’m awarded another grin, this one upside down as Mason holds some God-awful pose, before I step back outside.

Well, lesson learned, I guess. Always go with your bestie first. You really can’t count on anyone else these days.

 

Poor JoJo 🙂

Thank you all for sticking around and sticking with me all these years. I can not wait to give you another story. xx

Back to writing,

J

KINDLE UNLIMITED NEWS!

Hi Friends!

It’s been too long, hasn’t it? Boy, have I missed you. I took some time off after having a baby (who is now TWO! WHAT?) but now, I’m back! And while I work on my next book, I wanted to give Kindle Unlimited subscribers access to TWO of my fan-favorite series’.

And honestly, what took me so long, right?

For the first time EVER, the complete Sweet Addiction Series AND Alabama Summer Series are both available to read on KINDLE UNLIMITED! Let’s go!

I’m excited! Are you? 🙂

Please share share share with your friends, family, enemies, kid’s teachers, and that neighbor you always see out at the mailbox. And enjoy some of my favorite stories I’ve ever written. I really hope you love these characters as much as I do.

Now, back to writing (and chasing around a toddler).

Happy reading!

J

START READING NOW! (Click below)

Sweet Addiction Series

Alabama Summer Series

Sexy Wedding Hookups & Small Town Romance

Book Tropes:

Enemies to Lovers

Brother’s Best Friend

Fake Relationship

One Night Stand

Friends to Lovers

Childhood Bully

Single Dad

Love | Hate

Secret Relationship

 

Shop is open for orders!

Hi Friends! My store is back up and running! If you’ve been wanting a signed paperback from me, now is the time to order. AND limited edition paperbacks are up for grabs! Woo!
Click on the SHOP tab at the top of my site.
xo, J
*As of right now, we’re shipping within the US only.

Happy *late* Valentine’s Day, from Nolan!

Okay, so I just now realized I never posted Nolan’s sweet, sweet love note to Ryan after I shared it this past Valentine’s Day all over social media. MY BAD! So here you go. If you missed my posts about this, enjoy it for the first time!

And if you’ve already read it, give it another read. It’s NOLAN! You know you want to.

Dear Ryan,

Happy Valentine’s Day and Birthday! I hope this gets to you before the 14th. I wanted to give it to you in person but my mom said we couldn’t drive to Chicago because I got school and stuff. I don’t mind missing a couple days. I don’t see what the big deal is. I just really wanted to see your face but maybe we could Face Time? Can you ask your dad? I think he should say yes now. We’ve been talking forever, you know? He’ll let you do it. He has to.

I think Valentine’s Day is cool. My mom gets real happy when my dad surprises her with flowers and stuff. I’d do that for you. I will. I’ll do everything. I’ll get you so many flowers, all the kinds you like. And chocolate too. I know you love chocolate. I’ll find cupcakes that are just as good as the ones your mom makes. I’ll look everywhere if I have to. I’ll look all over the world. I promise.

You know what? This kid at school doesn’t think your real. I told him about you and he said I was dumb cause I made you up but he’s gonna look so stupid when you move here.

Your still gonna move here, right? Keep asking. I really think your parents will let you. They got your sisters so they’ll be ok. You can stay in my room and we can go to the same school. Then everyone will know your real.

I can’t wait until I see you again. If I could drive I would come see you now. When I get my own car I’m going to drive to you every day. I don’t care how far it is. We’re supposed to be together. I really believe that.

Okay I gotta go.

I love you just like my dad loves my mom. I think I love you more than that.

Happy Valentines day Ryan. And Happy Birthday. You’re the best girl I’ve ever met.

Love, Nolan

Ringing in 2019 with CJ & Riley

Happy 2019, Bama Girls!

So, this was something I worked on over the holiday and meant to post last week, and then life happened. I also kept adding to this little scene, editing and re-editing it, and then adding some more because I just love these two SO MUCH. I finally got my act together this week and wrapped it up, and you guys, I am so excited to share this CJ & Riley bonus scene with you. I’ve missed them, darlin’. 😉

For those of you who follow along with this series, this bonus scene takes place the New Year’s Eve after All We Want.

Enjoy!

xo, J

CJ

I move out of the bedroom and down the hallway as I finish buttoning my uniform shirt. As I step out into the living room, I notice Riley on the couch. Her back is to me. She’s focused on something in her lap, and doesn’t turn her head or even lift it when I approach.

Staying quiet, I step up behind her and bend down, pressing my lips to her cheek.

She gasps, turning her face into me, smiling so fucking big while pulling the sketch pad she’s holding against her chest. I barely get a glimpse of it before her drawing is concealed.

“Whatcha got there?” I ask, kissing her jaw, her neck.

“Nothing.”

“Doesn’t look like nothing…” I pick at the corner of the pad.

“Stop!” Riley leans over until she’s out of reach and falls to her back, laughing, keeping the sketch hidden. She grins up at me. “You can’t see it yet. Not until after midnight.”

“What is it?”

“My anti-resolution.”

“Ah.” I reach down and slide her glasses up her nose, fixing them for her. Damn, she’s sexy in those. She winks at me. “Just one this year?” I ask.

“Just one.”

“And I can’t know about it until after midnight?”

She shakes her head.

Riley shared her anti-resolutions with me last year the day after Christmas, after explaining to me what exactly an anti-resolution was. I’d never heard that expression before. Aside from getting the definition, I learned something new about Riley. My woman does not do New Year’s resolutions. She won’t keep them. But she likes the idea of having goals or intentions to strive for, so she picks a few things she would like to see happen and calls them her anti-resolutions. Naming them that somehow prevents her from giving up.

“It’s not ready yet anyway,” she says, sitting up and placing her drawing face down on the old trunk we use as a coffee table. “Do you have any anti-resolutions for the new year?”

I smirk when she peers back at me. “There’s not a chance in hell I’d ever top this year, so what’s the point?”

“Oh? Did something amazing happen this year? I can’t remember.” Riley kneels on the couch and grabs my hips. She’s smiling so big now.

“I don’t know, Mrs. Tully, you tell me.”

“Mm. I love the way that sounds.” She tips her chin up, inviting me in for a kiss.

We were married in August at Sparrow’s Island. Riley wanted a beach wedding, but not just any beach. She wanted to do it at our spot. We got to know each other at Sparrow’s Island when her brother, Reed, got married there a year and a half ago and paired us up. Riley and I kissed for the first time at that beach. We fucked for the first time there too. Our wedding day was fucking incredible, but honestly, it would’ve been incredible no matter where it happened. I only cared about one thing when it came to getting married, and I’m currently slipping her the tongue. We could’ve gotten hitched in my back yard and I would’ve been just as happy. Making this woman mine was my only priority.

Riley moans and fists my shirt. “Are you sure you have to work tonight? I don’t like not being together on New Years.”

“Wish I didn’t,” I say, meaning that. I cup her cheek, running my thumb over her blush. “You still going over Reed’s?”

“Yeah. Everyone’s going.” She frowns. “Well, everyone except you.”

“It’s not like it’s our first New Years together.”

“It’s my first New Years as a Tully,” she argues, huffing out a breath. “I hate your job.”

I smile and press my lips to her forehead. “No, you don’t.”

“No. I don’t.” She sighs, fingers teasing my belt. “I can’t imagine you not wearing this uniform. I’m just mad no one could cover you tonight.”

“As long as I don’t get caught up in something, I should see you right after midnight. I’ll be at Reed’s by twelve-thirty at the latest.”

She tips her head up, bringing us eye to eye. “Don’t get caught up in something.”

“That an order?”

Gaze deadly serious, Riley nods.

I chuckle. “Yes, Ma’am.”

She grabs my face, bringing our mouths together in the hardest, hottest kiss. Her wet tongue probing, licking my lower lip before she drags her teeth there. Sucking on me. Then she’s kissing me deep again, moaning my name and playing with my tongue. And it’s so fucking good. I rub my dick against the back of the couch through my slacks and fight the urge to take her right here, knowing I don’t have time.

“Be careful tonight,” she says, breathless against my lips. “People get a little crazy on New Year’s. Please, tell me you’ll be careful.”

“I will.” I run my hands down her back. We keep kissing. “I have to go.”

“Okay.” She sucks on my tongue.

I palm her ass, making her yelp, and lift her over the back of the couch easily, it doesn’t take an effort. Her legs wrap around my waist. We keep kissing. “Fuck, I don’t wanna go…”

“Don’t.” She wiggles her hand between us and reaches for me. Fingertips graze my cock.

We keep kissing.

I walk her to the door, saying, “I have to, darlin’.”

“I know.”

I stand in the foyer with Riley in my arms. Her ankles locked around my back. Her fingers in my hair, pulling.

“I’m gonna be late,” I warn before kissing my way down her soft neck. I’m two seconds away from tearing her clothes off and pushing her up against the wall.

Why is it so hard to stop with this woman? It’s like I won’t have her again tomorrow.

She grabs my face and tips it up, pressing her mouth against mine once more. “Okay. Go.”

“Okay.” I tilt my head and lick inside her mouth.

She shudders against me. “Even though it’s tradition, I’ll try not to do this with anyone else at midnight,” she says.

I jerk back, finally separating us. My jaw clenches. What the fuck? “You better not.”

Even though I’m damn near positive it’ll only be our close friends at this party, there’s still a small chance I’m wrong about that. Reed could’ve invited some of the guys he works with. Some construction-worker asshole could see Riley at this thing, alone, and think he actually has a shot. He might even be stupid enough to try something.

“Fuck,” I mumble. “Why did you tell me that?”

“Please tell me you aren’t seriously worrying… I’d never kiss anyone else.”

“Reed might’ve invited people who don’t know you’re mine. They could try somethin’.”

“Everyone knows I’m yours.”

“Wear my hoodie just in case.”

Riley smiles, no doubt liking that suggestion. She loves that hoodie. “I’m sorry I even joked about it. I just had to get you to stop kissing me somehow. We were two seconds away from doing it.”

“I still am.”

“Mm. As much as I’d love to, you can’t be late. Come on. Let me down.” She wiggles until I set her on her feet.

I adjust my erection, making it less obvious. “You drinking tonight?”

“Probably not.”

I cock my head.

“What?”

“No tequila for you?”

“I’ve sworn that stuff off. You know that.” She crosses her arms under her chest. “It’s good and everything, but totally not worth the headache the next day.”

“I bet you a blowjob I get my first drunk text from you before eleven.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “Oral bets? So if I don’t text you drunk, you’ll go down on me?”

I nod.

“Okay.” Riley darts out her hand and we shake on it. “Good luck, Officer.”

“Darlin’.” I yank her against my chest and steal another kiss. “I’m kinda hopin’ you win.”

“Funny.” She smiles. “Me too.”

**

I’ve worked New Year’s Eve in the past, so I knew what to expect tonight. But even if I hadn’t, I know how stupid people can be when alcohol is involved.

Drunk driving is something I will never fucking tolerate. And it’s inexcusable. Especially now with Uber and Lyft. People have options. If you’re out and you want to drink, go for it. I don’t have anything against having a good time. But don’t even think about getting behind the wheel after so much as one fucking sip.

I get back to the precinct with my mood in the fucking toilet. I picked up three dipshits tonight who put not only their own lives at risk, but the lives of everyone else on the road. Keeping my rage in check was difficult. I’m ready for this fucking night to end.

I’m ready to get to Riley.

I sit at my desk and pull out my phone to check the time, and also to verify I haven’t missed any texts from her yet. She’s been at Reed’s for over two hours now. I’m surprised I haven’t heard from her, especially since I’ve messaged her twice.

I consider our bet. Maybe she’s staying quiet because she’s drinking and doesn’t want me knowing. One text and I’ll be able to tell—Riley wouldn’t be able to hide this from me. I know how she gets with tequila.

And even though I said I was kinda hoping she’d win this bet, I’m also rooting for myself here. I’d be stupid not to.

Riley gives incredible head.

I scroll through my contacts until I reach Reed, then I shoot him a text. I need to know what’s going on. There’s no way Riley forgot her phone or doesn’t have it on her. She’s staying quiet with me for a reason.

 

Me: riley’s with you right? she came over?

Reed: yeah she’s here. why?

Me: i’ve been texting her and haven’t heard back. thinking she forgot her phone

Reed: nope. she’s making me hold onto it

My brow furrows. Before I have the chance to question him, another text from Reed comes through.

Reed: i’m not supposed to tell you I have it, but what the fuck

Me: she gave it to you?

Reed: yeah

Reed: want me to give it back?

Me: absolutely

 

I grin and wait, because I fucking know it’s coming. Riley hasn’t been texting me all night because she couldn’t. There’s not a damn thing that’s going to stop her now.

 

Riley: hiiiii!!!!! omg reed had my phone i hate him

I chuckle as I type my response.

Me: is that your story you fucking cheater?

Riley: it’s not a story! he did have it!

Me: how many shots have you had?

Riley: zero 😉

Riley: i love you

Riley: like LOVE you

Me: i love drunk Riley

Riley: well that’s good cause she’s RIGHTHERE!!!!!

I throw my head back and laugh.

Riley: UGH! I REALLLY wanted to win our bet

Me: like I’m not going to take care of you

Me: probably get you off first. It’s hard to wait

Riley: oooo

Riley: how hard? 😉 😉 😉

Riley: fyi i’m talking about your penis

Me: i got that

Riley: i love it

Riley: it <– your penis. it’s the best one I’ve ever seen like ever

Riley: iloveyousomcuh

 

Over the next hour, Riley’s texts get more drunk right along with her.

Riley: i lobe you

Me: i lobe you too

Riley: what are you doinggg

Riley: i lov you more than this tekella and i really love this tekeela shit i forgot how spell it my favorite drink ever

Riley: cj

Riley: i wish you were here we could drnk together and then do that stuff with your big penis

Riley: omg we could find reed’s sex dungeon

Me: your brother has a sex dungeon?

Riley: YES. i bet he does i’m going to go look

Riley: i forgot my drink hold on

Riley: back. looking for dungeon now

Riley: i didn’t find it

Riley: how big is your penis?

Me: no clue

Riley: you need to measure it! 9 is the number to beat!

Me: wtf are you talking about

Riley: let’s take shots!!!!!

Riley: ilvyouok?

Riley: i’m so lucky 2b yourrz

Riley: HPPYNEWYERRRR!!!!!!!!

Riley: iwant to kis yu so bad

Me: leaving now

Riley: YEAHHhsss!

Riley: come her best frand

Me: fuck I love you

 

I get to Reed’s house twenty minutes later, barely making it through the door before I’m nearly tackled to the ground.

“CJ!” Riley’s limbs wrap around me and squeeze as she presses kisses all over my face. “Happy New Year’s, Officer Husband.”

I grin like I hit the fucking lottery. It feels like I did.

“Darlin’.” I palm her ass and use my other hand to guide her mouth to mine, tasting the tequila on her lips. “Happy New Year’s.”

We kiss while the party carries on further inside the house. There’s music playing and laughter. I can still hear fireworks going off in the distance outside.

“I missed you,” Riley says.

“Missed you too.”

“Guess what?”

I lean back a little to see her more, smiling as I push the hood back off her face. Her long, blonde hair is messy. “What?”

“I totally lost our bet.”

I chuckle. “No shit.”

She grins, looking triumphant all of a sudden. “Wanna know a secret though?”

“Always.”

“I did it on purpose,” she whispers, her words slurred.

“Oh yeah?”

“’Cause I want to blow you and now I get to and this is the best day of my life now because of tequila. I mean, besides when we got married. That was the best day, but this is too now.” She drops her head on my shoulder and sighs. “You won.”

I press my mouth to her hair. “Fuck yeah, I did.”

“Jesus Christ, finally,” Reed says, walking toward us. “She won’t shut up about riding the Tully train, which is a phrase I’d love to never hear again. Plus, she drank all the tequila.” He takes a swig of his beer.

Riley jerks up and whips her head around. “I brought the tequila!”

“So?”

“You have a sex dungeon here and I know it.”

Reed freezes, eyes wide like he’s stunned. “The door was unlocked?”

“What?” Riley asked.

“What?” I echo, which is purely reactional. I am in no way interested in learning about my brother-in-law’s sex life.

Reed looks around like he’s trying to remember where he left his keys.

“I knew it!” Riley points at him. “You totally have a sex dungeon here!”

“No, I don’t.”

Beth steps into the room.

“Beth, do you have a sex dungeon?” Riley asks.

She smiles coyly and shrugs. “Sort of…”

Riley pumps her fist into the air. “My girl!”

Reed shakes his head, then drains his bottle.

“I think it’s time for us to go, darlin’,” I say, returning the grin she’s giving me.

We move into the other room to say our good-byes to the group, which only consists of our closest friends. None of the kids are here though, so everyone must’ve gotten sitters. I chat for a minute with Ben and Luke about my night, then I carry Riley outside.

She’s happy staying in my arms. Plus, I know her. Tequila fucks Riley up, but it also makes her sleepy. If I let her down, she’s likely to crash somewhere.

Twenty minutes later, we’re home and Riley is dragging me down the hallway toward the bedroom, laughing at nothing and looking so damn happy she lost that bet.

“Want to take a bath with me?” she asks.

“Do I ever say no to that?”

She smiles over her shoulder.

I follow her into the bathroom and turn the shower on while Riley gets the bath water going.

“Let me rinse off first,” I say as I begin to undress.

She strips off my hoodie, staying in her jeans and bra for now. Her breasts spill out of the cups. And godfuckingdamn, her cleavage. Riley giggles when our eyes meet, even though there’s nothing funny about the way I’m looking at her.

“You got me so fucking hard, darlin’.” I shove my pants and boxers down, showing her my stiff dick.

She walks over after turning off the bath water and wraps her hand around me, giving it a pull. “I can’t wait to suck you dry.”

My breath catches. “Jesus. Me either.”

“I’ll be right back.” She gives me another little squeeze, then she’s releasing me and moving out into the bedroom.

I step inside the glass shower and stick my head under the spray, and fuck, my mind is so goddamn filthy right now. With a soapy hand, I stroke myself. I can’t help it. I think about everything I want to do with Riley tonight, in the bath and then out of it. How I want to touch her, taste her. How close I could get right now just picturing those pretty lips of hers around my cock. But I don’t let myself get close. I finish rinsing off while wondering what the fuck happened to Riley?

“Darlin,” I call out, looking toward the ceiling. “You asleep?”

Quick footsteps pat the floor, then Riley is knocking on the glass at my shoulder and pressing her sketchpad flat against it, showing me her drawing.

I wipe the condensation away and lean closer.

“Can you see it?” she asks.

Oh, I see it.

It’s us. It looks just like us. We’re standing together with my hands on her hips, looking at each other and smiling. Riley’s sketches are always spot on in detail, and this one is no different, only, it is different, because this isn’t how Riley looks right now. In the sketch, her hand is cradling the lower part of her stomach.

A very rounded stomach. Riley is pregnant in this drawing.

“I want to explain,” she says, sliding the sketchpad down the glass and meeting my gaze over top. “I don’t want to have a baby this year, because we just got married and I love what we have right now. I love it just being us, CJ, and I want more of that, but I thought maybe later this year we might want to start trying. I don’t know. Maybe this summer we don’t send in the goalie? Am I saying that right?”

I smile, wiping water out of my eyes. “You mean, pull the goalie?”

“Is that the expression? I don’t really know sports.”

“Yeah, but I think it only applies to condoms when you say it like that.”

“It can still apply to my birth control. I’ll just flush the goalie down the toilet… See? That works.”

Christ, she’s so fucking cute.

“Come here.” I press on the door until it pops open.

Riley sets her sketch pad next to the sink. She’s undressed completely now. “What are you thinking?” she asks, taking the hand I hold out to her and getting inside the shower with me.

I turn us so the water hits my back and slide my hands around her smooth waist. “I’m thinking a lot of things.”

“I know we haven’t really talked about this yet, but—”

“It’s something we both want.”

She blinks up at me. Her fingers on my chest pulse. “It is. It’s not something we have to rush though.”

“I don’t think we’d be rushing it this summer. Do you?”

“No.”

I smile at her. “Then what are you even sayin’, darlin’?”

“I don’t know!” she chuckles. “I was nervous! I’ve never drawn anything like that before. And hello—tequila. I’m drunk, remember?”

“How could I forget?” I rub myself on her stomach, moaning when Riley reaches between us to grab onto me. Her fingers curl around and run the length of my shaft. “Fuck.”

“Ready?” she asks, lowering to her knees.

“Wait.” I guide her to stand again and cup her face with both hands. “I love your sketch. I can’t wait until that’s us.”

She smiles, those pretty blue eyes filling with emotion. “Me too.”

“Pull the goalie.”

“You mean, flush him…”

“I don’t give a shit what you do with him. Kill the motherfucker for all I care.”

A laugh tears out of her throat. “I love sports references now. They’re my new favorite thing.”

“Yeah?” I reach between us and grab my dick. “You wanna take one on the chin?”

Riley’s eyes go wide. “What!” She smacks my chest. “Oh, my God! Is that a sports thing?”

I laugh. “It can be…”

“Huh. Let me think of one.” Riley keeps smiling at me as she drops down to her knees. Her hand replaces mine. She licks the crown. “Shit.”

“What?”

“The only thing that’s coming to mind is something about a backfield, and that insinuates anal.”

I grin down at her. “I’m listening.”

“Shut up.”

“Suck me.”

“You act like you won or something.” Riley winks and takes me deep, sucking me to the back of her throat.

I close my eyes, feeling like the luckiest man who’s ever lived. “I did.”

 

Read CJ & Riley’s story in What I Need. 

Binge the Alabama Summer series now! Click here!

 

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Woo! Look what’s FINALLY available! Now you can have ALL WE WANT on your bookshelf! Yay!

Click HERE to purchase on Amazon.

“OH MY GOD! I’m not crying YOU’RE crying. All We Want has literally broken and consumed me in the BEST possible way! This book is EVERYTHING.” — Chloe Reads

? ALL WE WANT is LIVE everywhere! ?

★ AMAZON
★ IBOOKS
★ NOOK
★ KOBO
★ PAPERBACK
★ TBR

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The New York Times bestselling Alabama Summer series continues in this sixth installment.

Luke and Tessa Evans are solid.

They’re crazy in love and in this forever, and now, they’re anxiously awaiting the next step.

Children.

But when month after month ticks by with nothing but disappointing news, and the stress gets too much to take, their relationship will be tested in ways it’s never been tested before.

When all they want is something they might never have, will their love for each other be enough?

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  • Let’s Connect

  • Meet J. Daniels

    J. Daniels is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Sweet Addiction series, the Alabama Summer series, and the Dirty Deeds series. {Read More}

    email-iconCONTACT J. DANIELS

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