Keeping Her Read online

  Keeping Her

  By: Alexis Noelle

  ADVANCED READER COPY

  DO NOT SHARE

  Copyright

  Copyright © 2014 Ashley Piscitelli

  All rights Reserved. No parts of this book may be used or reproduced in any matter without written permission from the author, except for inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, establishments, organizations, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously to give a sense of authenticity. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be given away to another person except when loaned out per Amazon lending program. If you’re reading this and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then it was pirated illegally. Please purchase a copy of your own and respect the hard work of this author.

  ADVANCED READER COPY

  DO NOT SHARE

  Acknowledgements

  To all the people that help me I am so very thankful. Just to name a few Rachael Duncan, Stephanie Phillips, Missy Borucki, Angie Stanton, Marisa-Shor, Ariana McWilliams, Mindy Guerreiros and Desirae Shie. Also to my friends, family, and my husband thank you for you everyday support.

  To the readers that love the story and the characters you are my rock stars!

  Table Of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty One

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Epilogue

  Prologue

  Eight years ago

  Brian’s hands slide down my sides. “Stay here. Don’t go.”

  I laugh as his fingers tickle me. “It won’t be long. It’s just for the summer.” I stand on my tip-toes and place a kiss on his lips. “The time will fly by and you’ll barely notice I was gone.”

  His hands grip my hips. “There is no way I wouldn’t notice you were gone.” His mouth gently kisses my neck, making its way down, stopping at the base. “Stay with me.”

  “No, Bri. I want to go and it’s a once in a lifetime experience. I just—“

  My phone buzzes and I look down to check it. It’s a text from Dan.

  What are you doing tonight? I want to see you before you leave.

  Dan is one of my best friends but it sucks because Brian can’t stand him. We have been friends since the first grade and I told Brian it’s too damn bad that they don’t get along. We have gotten into so many fights over me hanging out with Dan that I try to angle my phone so he can’t see it. Apparently, I suck at being sneaky.

  “Tell that fucker that you are spending tonight with me.” His hands pull me so my back is pressed against his front and I can feel him pressing inot me. “Besides you’re gonna have a lot more fun with me.” He pushes against my ass. “I can guarantee that.”

  “Bri, I can’t just blow him off. He wants to say goodbye to me too. You already claimed taking me to the airport tomorrow.” I rest my head against him hoping that his Alpha male will calm down just a bit.

  “Damn right I claimed taking you tomorrow. You are mine, Jules. I intend to claim every inch of you tonight and every memory with you for the rest of our lives.” His mouth captures mine and I get lost in his kiss, until my phone buzzes again signaling another text, which I can only guess, is from Dan.

  “Bri, I really can’t ignore him. It’s not right, he’s my friend.” My voice is pleading, hoping that a fight doesn’t break out tonight. I love Brian but our relationship can be a little insane at times.

  Brian pushes away from me. “Fine, Jules, if you want to be with him then fucking leave.” His voice has turned cold and he turns his back on me.

  “Seriously? You’re really going to start a fight with me the night before I leave? Could you be anymore immature?” I start to walk away from him. I am not going to stay here if he is going to act like an ass.

  Brian grabs my arm and spins me so that my back is now pressed against the wall and my front is pressed against him. His mouth captures mine as his hands hold my arms above my head. I try to move but I can’t. I’m completely at his mercy.

  “Brian, we have to talk.” I say in a mumbled voice in between kisses.

  “No, I’m way beyond talking. I need to remind you of exactly why we are so good together.” His teeth bite down on my neck and I can’t help the moan that pours from my lips.

  Brian’s fingers hook into the waistband of my yoga pants before pulling them down taking my underwear with them. A chill runs through me as I hear his belt jingle and what I can only assume are his pants hitting the floor. “You are mine, Jules.” He growls in my ear before slamming into me.

  My fingers dig into his arm that is still holding my hands above my head. I wrap my leg around his waist. His hand slowly strokes my thigh before grabbing the opposite leg and placing it around his waist also.

  “This is mine, babe.” He forces his hand between us pressing down hard on my clit with his thumb. “It seems you forgot that earlier.” Brian pulls back a little before slamming into me once more. “I am going to have the best time reminding you though,” he chuckles in my ear and goose bumps break out across my skin. His hand releases mine. “You better hold on, baby.”

  I grab onto his shoulders as his hands move to my ass gripping it. When his mouth dips down and captures my nipple, my fingers dig into his skin. His teeth gently scrape over my skin. Brian moves us away from the wall and his hands start to lift my ass up and down. At this angle he is reaching a part of me that I don’t think has ever been touched before. Each time I come back down, I moan needing more and needing a break at the same time. We are moving again this time toward the kitchen table.

  He lays me down on top of it while snaking his hands around my front and caressing every inch of my body he can touch. He starts to move in and out of me again and his hands join in making me scream. His fingers tease my clit as I grab onto the sides of the round table to keep from flying off. I can feel myself building and I arch myself into him. Begging him for more, begging him to get me there and stop this torture.

  When Brian stills I look up at him, disappointment prominent on my face. “Say it.”

  “Seriously, now?” He is so damn frustrating. When he only stares back at me I groan with a mixture of annoyance and sexual frustration. “I love you, Brian Evans. I’m yours. Always and forever.” Every time he thinks I doubt our relationship or we fight he asks me to say this. I know it’s because of his insecurities and because a part of him is scared to lose me.

  His hand strokes my cheek before he places a kiss on my lips. “That’s my girl.” I don’t have a chance to respond before he’s wildly fucking me. A part of me is scared that the table is going to flip over. His hands are everywhere, moving so fast, hitting so many of my spots that I can barely keep track of them. “Let me hear you, Jules.” His fingers pinch down on my clit as I scream and spiral into the orgasm that has been teasing me. “Fuck.” H
e groans before spilling himself into me, collapsing down on top of my chest, and leaving us both a panting sweaty pile of limbs.

  My hands wrap around his neck, my fingers play with the hair at the nape. I know how hard it will be for me to leave him tomorrow. My parents gave me a trip to Europe as a graduation present. They have never been the type to do something out of the kindness of their heart and I expect they gave me this trip to try to put a wedge between Brian and me. They have never liked me dating someone below my “class,” however I don’t care about any of that. I never have. I’m not like them.

  My best friend, Lacey, is coming with me and I really am excited to travel. The only cloud hanging over me is leaving Brian. I guess that this will be the true test of our relationship. We have been together for four years now. I met him when I was a freshman and he was a senior on my first day of school. The connection between us was so strong that we have been almost inseparable ever since.

  Our relationship has been anything but easy. We are so different and get into a ton of fights, but as much as we fight it doesn’t last for long. Most of the arguments stem from the fact that he is a crazed alpha idiot and I refuse to fall in line. I like our dynamic though, it’s exciting and passionate.

  “Let’s go to bed, take a nap, and I’ll give you an encore.” His mouth kisses my neck and I am so tempted to give into his offer. I can’t blow Dan off though. We’ve been friends and neighbors since grade school and it wouldn’t be right for me to just leave without saying goodbye. I take a deep breath knowing that even after what just happened we will end up arguing when I tell Brian I’m leaving. He hates Dan, for what I’m not really too sure. They have been at each other’s throats for as long as Brian and I have been together. He is convinced that Dan is into me no matter how many times I tell him that’s not the case. We are just friends and have been for half of my life.

  “You know I can’t go to bed right now. Even that amazing distraction isn’t going to accomplish your goal.” I wrap my arms around him trying to calm his emotions and just get him to see it’s not a big deal. “Come with me.”

  Brian uses the table to push himself up off of me. He walks back toward the living room and when I follow him I see that he is getting dressed. I start to pick up my clothes and put them on.

  “Why do you have to be so damn stubborn and pig headed? Nothing is going on between me and Dan, I just want to go say goodbye.” I‘m pleading with him to stop his craziness.

  “Then go.” That’s all he says to me before making his way upstairs.

  I let out a loud screech before calling after him. “You are such a damn child!” I open the door and slam it as I exit. I swear to God that man will be the damn death of me.

  ***

  I pull up to Dan’s house still pissed off from the fight with Brian. I just don’t get why he acts like that. I have never given him any reason to doubt me. I know he has been through a lot but I just don’t understand why he can’t see that he can trust me. Dan opens the door as I’m walking up.

  “Hey, Julia! You excited for tomorrow?”

  I put on the same face I use with my parents when I don’t want them to see what’s really going on and reply, “Yea, just super tired already I have no idea how I’m going to do that flight.” I walk into the house and head into the living room plopping down onto the couch.

  “I figured we would just watch a movie and hang out if that’s good with you.” I nod and he heads off into the kitchen. After a few minutes, I hear popping coming from what I’m assuming is the microwave. I stare at my phone wanting to text Brian. I hate when things are like this with us.

  Dan comes walking back in and turns on some comedy that I can barely pay attention to. He can probably tell something is off but thankfully he doesn’t ask. I’m so tired and emotionally exhausted from Brian’s roller coaster that if I could I’d go home right now.

  ***

  My alarm is going off and all I want to do is hit snooze and go back to bed. I open my eyes, sitting up in shock when I realize I am still on Dan’s couch. I must have fallen asleep during the movie last night.

  “Hey, sleepy.” I turn around to see him walking into the living room drinking a cup of coffee. “You fell asleep about fifteen minutes into the movie last night and I figured I would just let you crash.”

  “Thanks.” I reach for my phone, disappointment washing over me when I see that I don’t have any missed calls or texts. Brian is supposed to take me to the airport in about a half an hour so I text him.

  I’ll be ready soon. <3

  I stand up and walk over to Dan. “Sorry I was a bum and fell asleep. I have to run home to get ready to go.” I give him a hug and turn to leave.”

  “Do you need a ride?”

  I smile at him. “No, Brian is taking me. Thanks though, I’ll see you at the end of the summer.” I run out the door trying not to freak out about what little time I have to get ready. Thankfully, Dan just lives next door. I head into my house and jump right in the shower. When I get out I check my phone and there is no answer from Brian.

  Hey, I know we fought, but you’re still coming right?

  He probably just overslept, I think. I get dressed in yoga pants and a comfy t-shirt. The flight is long and I’m not trying to impress anyone on it. When I still don’t have a response from Brian, I call him—once, twice, three times. Each call goes straight to voicemail. Is he really that mad? Is he really going to stand me up? I only have about five minutes before I need to leave so I text Dan that I will take him up on that ride. I send Brian one more text, not understanding what is going on.

  I can’t believe you’re not even going to say goodbye to me. I know we fought but it was over something so stupid. If you want to let that ruin us that’s your choice. I guess I’ll see you in a couple months.

  A tear falls from my eye as the fact that he isn’t coming sets in. When the doorbell rings, I jump up and put on some sunglasses to hide my bloodshot eyes. I make my way down the steps with my bags to see my mom and dad waiting at the bottom. “Julia,” my mom says, her voice as perfect as her outfit, “have fun dear. We will see you at the end of the summer.” She gives me a careful hug so she doesn’t mess up her head to toe perfection.

  “Call us when you land,” my father says, his emotionless voice business as usual.

  “Okay Dad.” We exchange a rare hug, which feels so awkward.

  I open the door to see Dan. He greets my parents before carrying my bags to the car. Once we are on our way he turns to me and asks, “What happened to Brian?”

  I shake my head. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  Dan nods but doesn’t say anything more. When we get to the airport I see Lacey waiting for us, but my eyes are scanning the crowd for someone else. A part of me was hoping that maybe Brian would meet me here, tell me how sorry he is, how much he loves me. No such luck.

  Dan unloads my bags before giving me a hug that lasts a little too long. “Be safe, Julia.” He gives me a kiss on the forehead.

  “Bye, Dan, I’ll see you in a couple of months.”

  I turn and walk toward Lacey trying to hold in my emotions until we are alone.

  As I walk through the doors of the airport not only am I leaving the country for the summer.

  I am leaving the man I love.

  Chapter One

  Brian

  As I drive into town my body tenses. I know where she is and what she has been doing with her life and to say it doesn’t piss me the fuck off is an understatement. Jules was my girl, until she decided I wasn’t good enough for her and her high class life. I thought I knew her. I thought she was better than that, that she was the type of person who looked beyond the material shit. Basically, I thought she was nothing like her parents.

  Jules was the love of my life. The one that got away, or should I say flew away. She screwed me over for some damn clown, left for the summer, and then I hear she ended up with him. Eight years of my life have passed since the day I lost her
and the emotions are still as fresh as they were that night. The feeling of knowing that I wasn’t good enough for yet another person in my life, especially someone I loved as much as her, cut me to the core.

  Did she care? Did it affect her? Nope. She came back that summer and in only a couple of months she was seen by one of my friends with Dan the Douche. I hated that fucking guy since the day I met him. He had this way of speaking down to you in a completely nice way. He’s everything that’s wrong with people who were born into money. I never got why he and Jules were friends because she was nothing like that. At least I thought she wasn’t.

  Apparently, Jules followed her dream of opening her own bakery and it’s been doing well these past few years. Half the reason I fell in love with that girl was because of the things she could do with food. I don’t know how in the hell she pulled that shit off with her parents. Her dad had been grooming her to be a part of his company for as long as I knew her. I think that’s a big part of why he hated me—he saw me as an obstacle in his dream of what her life should be.

  When she chose Dan over me that night I couldn’t handle it. The next day, a few of my buddies were enlisting in the marines and I decided getting the hell away from everything that reminded me of Jules was exactly what I needed. My best friend, Jordan, had said they were all applying for Special Forces. I followed suit with them and luckily we all passed the ridiculous amount of tests, health screenings, and background checks. I was sent to training camp a week before Jules was set to come home from Europe, which was bittersweet. A part of me wanted to say screw it and beg her to take me back, but the other part of me said that she had finally accepted what everyone else told her behind my back: I wasn’t good enough for her.

  I pull up outside of her shop and freeze as my hand reaches to open the door. I can see her through the window and her smile knocks me on my ass as much as it did the first day I met her.