The unxpected one amazon.., p.1
The Unxpected One Amazon Final, page 1
The Unexpected One
A Bad Boy Second Chance Romance
BY
CLAIRE ANGEL
Copyright © 2019 by Claire Angel
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This is a work of fiction. While, as in all fiction, the literary perceptions and insights are based on life experiences and conclusions drawn from research, all names, characters, places and specific instances are products of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. No actual reference to any real person, living or dead, is intended or inferred.
THE UNEXPECTED ONE: A BAD BOY SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE
Claire Angel Reader’s Club!
Sign up to my list to receive news about my new releases, ARC opportunities, exclusive giveaways, weekly free reads & so much more!
I AM BAD is available for free. Click Here to get your freebie. You will be automatically subscribed to receive my newsletters.
Click Here to Join Claire Angel’s Readers Club
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/claireangelbooks
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/claireangelbook/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/claireangelbook
Newsletter Sign Up:
http://eepurl.com/cXNQBT
Table of Contents
THE UNEXPECTED ONE: A BAD BOY SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
EPILOGUE
Priscilla
Everett
SAMPLE: MARRIED IN VEGAS: A BAD BOY ROMANCE
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
THE UNEXPECTED ONE: A BAD BOY SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE
BLURB:
Life changes unexpectedly when you’re sent down a different path. My life was set in stone the day I married.
I jumped in when he proposed, ready to support my hard-working man.
It was just a few months in that I realized he worked so hard, he was hardly around.
I missed him. I wanted newlywed s*x and sweet things, but he wanted to build a future.
We were still paying off the destination wedding and I caught him with a woman just a few months into our marriage.
It was so cliché to have a sexy stranger catch me in his arms.
But I felt beautiful and younger.
I knew I was going too fast. But I felt safe with him.
He never kept anyone women’s attention for more than two nights.
He’d been a jerk, but I never seen this side of him.
Could I work through my insecurities from my past?
Could he find a way to stop running away from me?
Did the fact that he worked for my brother-in-law wreck the best relationship that I’d ever have?
Chapter 1
Priscilla
I watched as Jake walked away from our bed, dressed in a suit. He always looked so handsome when he went to work, and I sighed. Since he had gotten a job at another investment firm that was a notch above his old one, he worked a lot.
We were only married for six months and I barely saw my husband.
I tried to tell myself that he was working towards our future and this was temporary, but Jake had always been a workaholic.
I rose and made some coffee, deciding to take a yoga class today. I didn’t work at the office until the next day and I was hoping that Jake would take the day off with me. I took my coffee back to the bedroom, looking at the nearly pristine bed with narrowed eyes.
I changed into my black yoga pants and a fitted tank top, slipping a sweatshirt over everything. I put on my shoes and made my way outside, closing my eyes against the Spring sun shining down on me. I loved this season. I slipped my sunglasses on and started walking to the studio as my hair blew in the wind. I had something around my wrist to pull it up once I was ready for the class but for now, I decided to let the blonde and pink strands go.
I heard a few whistles and smiled as I kept moving. It was flattering to hear them since I felt like Jake let our relationship go, but I wasn’t a cheater. I needed to face this head on instead of jumping into anything else.
I took a long hot yoga class, stretching hard as I pushed my limits. I needed this today and dropped to my mat as class ended, breathing heavily. Now I felt like I could face life and slowly rose to go into the air-conditioned room, taking long sips of water. I dug into my bag as I felt my phone vibrating, seeing Delila’s name flashing across the screen.
She always made me happy, and I answered as I walked outside. “Hey, sis!”
“Hi, Silla. I was wondering if you’d like to come over for dinner tonight with Jake.” Delila asked as I shoved my water back into my bag.
“I’d love to see you, but I’ll be coming solo. Jake is working a lot right now and has some meeting with clients tonight.” I replied as she went silent on the other end. She was with a man who worshiped her though he was her former boss. She moved on to work for herself in the photography in fashion industry and they were living together now and happily engaged.
“Seriously?” She asked as disappointment filled her voice. “I haven’t seen the two of you together since the wedding, I think.” I thought back to our wedding sadly, thinking how gorgeous the day had been. We’d had a sweet, intimate ceremony and the most romantic day. I was madly in love with my new husband that day and had stars in my eyes, not expecting this as our future.
Now, I wasn’t so sure.
“That sounds about right.” I agreed softly, thinking back to the small apartment that I shared with my sister when we came here over five years ago. It was a rough beginning, but it was ours. I’d always cherish it and it seemed like there was more heart in that than living in my upper story brownstone. “I’ll be there. What time and what should I bring?”
“I am home all-day editing, so anytime. I think we’re making ribs, some vegetables and a salad.” She said thoughtfully as I made a mental reminder to grab one of the cakes that we both loved so much.
“I just left yoga. I am going to shower, and grab lunch and I’ll be over. Okay?” I asked, and she happily agreed. I ended the call and felt grateful for having something else to do besides sitting alone in my big house.
When did this happen to me? I moved here with dreams about working for a great law firm in the background, using my research skills. Here I was, watching my new marriage slowly going down the drain without having a clue as to what to do about it.
I returned home to shower and changed into my favorite jeans and a thin gray t-shirt. I knew that I could go casual to my sister’s house and relax. I could truly be me. I braided my hair over my shoulder and slipped a denim jacket on before leaving my house. On the way, I grabbed a salad at a local corner store and a cake from the bakery a few doors down. Delila always complained that she needed to lose weight, but she had perfect curves and a fiancé that adored all of them. I personally felt like I needed chocolate to get through the spiral I was heading towards.
I knocked on their door before trying the knob. She left it open for me many times and now was one of those times. I headed in, making my way through the foyer to the kitchen. I grinned at my sister at the table and she glanced at the bags in my hand. “Is that a cake from Nikki’s?”
“Indeed.” I replied, slipping the salad into the fridge and placing the cake on the granite counter.
“You know I am trying not to shove sugar in my face. I’m getting married in six months.” She pouted at me and I walked over to hug my beautiful sister.
“You look stunning,” I assured her as I looked at her computer and notebooks with a raised brow. “Buried?”
“I have to edit two sessions to send off in two days. Big projects. Thanks for coming over to help me save my sanity.” She secured her ruby hair into a messy bun and stretched.
“Can I help?” I asked with a grin. I loved what she did for a living and enjoyed helping when I got the chance.
“Get the wine from the fridge and pull up a seat.” She begged, and I did just that. I watched as she flipped through pictures from the modeling shoot in Belize, adjusting things as she took every detail.
“God, it’s gorgeous there.” I murmured as she nodded.
“It’s one of my favorite places to go.” The model was a bronzed goddess with wild highlighted curls and bright green eyes, modeling a few different swim suits.
“That’s why you’re getting married there.” I said, thinking about my own destination wedding. It had been so beautiful, and my smile faded as I reached for my glass.
“What’s going on, Silla?” She asked, pushing her laptop back.
“He’s just acting like we’ve been married for twenty years. I don’t even feel like we’re new.” I told her, sounding selfish. “I know that he’s working for us and appreciate that, but I need him more than the money.”
“I know.” She said as she scrubbed her c
The thought sickened me though it had crossed my mind. That made no sense to me after the event that was our wedding.
“Would he? He asked me to marry him and cried, Del. He cried at the wedding. What would make him do that so quickly in?” I gazed at her as she gave me a sympathetic look. “We were the couple that people were jealous of. He’d never hurt me.”
“He’d be dumb to even consider doing that, you know.” She smiled, and I nodded, sure that wasn’t it.
We got back to work until Michael arrived home to grill the ribs on their spacious balcony. He kissed Delila deeply before grabbing the meat from the fridge and she moved to roast the veggies in the oven. I watched her with pride from the table at her insistence, proud of the woman that my little sister had become. She was an incredible photographer and would make a wonderful wife. The idea of her having a baby melted my heart. It used to melt my own when I imagined the baby that I created with Jake, but that fantasy was fading away.
We were eating in forty-five minutes and I clinked my glass against Delila’s and then Michael’s. We dug in, chatting about the wedding over the meal as the couple shot each other loving looks. I couldn’t help but remember that was me several months ago when I planned the move from our small apartment, we had together in the beginning here. I was happy to be out of it and raised a fist into my air when she announced that she was moving in with Michael.
She was sitting down at the laptop again when Michael gestured for me to join him in the kitchen. I did, giving him a questioning gaze.
“Is your husband alright? I’ve been trying to get a hold of him to come over for a game.”
“He’s just working a lot. I barely see him.” I tried to smile but Michael frowned before touching my shoulder.
“Are you okay?” He asked, surprising me with his kindness. It wasn’t that he wasn’t nice, but he came off as such an alpha male in the beginning. He had my sister in a mess when they started out but now, they were a team.
“I don’t know.” I admitted as he stared into my eyes.
I ended up drinking several glasses of wine and they offered me the guest room for the night. I accepted, taking the pajamas that Delila offered me before crawling under the covers. I’d eaten two slices of cake and felt both full and buzzed as I closed my eyes. I blindly reached for my purse on the table beside the bed. I slid my hand into the front flap to pull out my phone, looking at the screen. It was near me all night, but I never heard the text that Jake sent about staying so late that I shouldn’t wait up. I didn’t bother telling him where I was, just let the device fall to the carpeted floor and let myself pass out.
Chapter 2
Priscilla
I woke up to the sun shining through the window in the morning. I spent enough time here to know where I was and stretched, glancing around the welcoming room. It was painted in a soft green and decorated with cream bedding and a few pillows that matched the walls. I called it my room as a joke but lately, it felt that way.
I knew that I’d had wine last night but felt okay. I did want some coffee and maybe cake for breakfast, moving my feet to the floor. I glanced at my phone that was now dead, picking it up to charge it.
“You alone?” I called out from the bedroom, not wanting to traipse around the house in pajamas if Michael was home.
“Yep. Come get some coffee!” She sang out, and I pulled my hair back into a low ponytail. I used the bathroom to freshen up and brush my teeth before finding her at the table working at the laptop.
“Do you always work?” I asked as she giggled. My sister was one of the most successful photographers in the world right now and I knew how much work she turned away.
“Yes, I do.” She deadpanned before we both laughed. I asked if I could charge my phone and she nodded as I attached it to her charger in the kitchen. I poured some coffee and sliced some cake to enjoy with it as she raised a brow at me. “Nice.”
“What did you have?” I knew that she was an early riser and usually woke up with Michael.
“The same thing. Tastes so good with coffee.” She giggled, and I shook my head. “Sleep good?”
“I did. Wine has a way of doing that to me.” I replied as she looked at my phone.
“Have you talked to him?”
“He sent a message about not waiting up for him. I guess that wasn’t a problem, but I didn’t respond.” I admitted as she reached for her coffee.
“Silla don’t do that. Just talk to him and find out where his head is at. He’s probably worried about you.” Her tone was reprimanding, and I rolled my eyes.
“It’s on and charging. I don’t hear any alerts.” I shot back at her before I closed my eyes for a moment. “I’m sorry. I’m so testy these days but I know you’re right. I need to nip this in the bud and soon.”
“Good. I’d do the same thing if it was me.” I nodded, knowing that she would. She’d laid down the law with Michael a few times once she got over the taboo aspect of their relationship.
I stayed for a while, considering my options as my phone remained silent. When we left to have lunch with Michael, I decided to go see Jake at his office and surprise him with lunch. I hugged her at the corner and kept walking to the building that held his office. It was massive and tall, just that glass structure in the air. I looked at it before crossing, knowing what he liked from the deli across the street. There was the usual crowd in front of the glass doors, and I searched through them to see my husband sitting at a bench as he gazed into the face of a woman standing in front of him. He looked serious, and I paused, feeling someone bump into me before I moved to the left.
All I could see was thick, dark hair that hung in a curtain down her back. She was dressed like someone that worked with him, wearing stiletto heels that made her toned legs look amazing. My eyes rested on him as he reached out to touch her hip, smoothing his fingers over the material of her pencil skirt. It could be an innocent touch but there was something so intimate about it.
I blinked as he stood, slipping his arm over her shoulder before walking towards the deli. She slipped her own around him and I caught a glimpse of her beautiful face. A rush of emotions filled me as I watched them disappear and I decided what my next move was. It would be easy to run home and cry in my bed all day, exhausted when he finally came home. Easy but a way to just put this off. I headed into his building, taking an elevator to his floor and walking straight to his office.
“Priscilla?” Tammy asked, her face pale. She’d been his assistant for five years and undoubtedly knew his business.
“I’m just going to wait a bit for him.” I offered her a smile and opened his door, closing it as I looked around. The room was beautiful with a generous view of the buildings and Hudson River just beyond that. I walked forward and set my purse on the desk before I sat down in his chair. There was nothing personal on his desk and while he was new that seemed odd to me. He’s had time to set a picture or two out at the very least.
I’d have something on my desk if I had one.
I checked my phone, seeing nothing from him. I knew why and I let myself suffer through the pain for several moments as the truth of his betrayal settled in. I let reality hit me, wiping a few tears away as I waited. One hour turned into two and I was leaning back when I heard the knob turn. I watched as my husband walked in, looking surprisingly good for not coming home last night. He was followed by the brunette as Tammy said something to him, and our gazes locked. Shock crossed his handsome face, and he held a hand up, stopping her as she leaned around him to see me. Her red mouth dropped open, and I took her in for a second before focusing on him.
“I’m going to need some time.” Jake told her in a low voice as he looked at me. She turned to leave, and he glanced back before closing the door.
“How long, Jake?” I asked as he sat down in the seat across from me.
“Fuck.” He cursed, running a hand through his dark hair. “One month. I don’t even know how it started other than I was working a lot. She’s an employee here as well and was training me when I started. I was here a lot, as you know. We were eating take out together at first and then we drank some wine another night. We hung out with staff at the bar late into the night. There was one night when she kissed me, and I didn’t stop her.” My heart ached as he spoke, and tears slid down my cheeks.
