Provocation temptation s.., p.1
Provocation (Temptation Series Book 3), page 1
PROVOCATION
TEMPTATION SERIES #3
T.K. LEIGH
PROVOCATION
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental or, if an actual place, are used fictitiously. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
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Copyright © 2022 Tracy Kellam
All rights reserved.
PROVOCATION
One week. No names. No expectations.
That was our agreement.
We were supposed to walk away once our time in Hawaii was over.
No matter what.
But that was before I finally decided to take a risk and jump.
And that’s precisely what being involved with Lachlan Hale is… A risk.
Between the complications that go along with dating a celebrity and the real possibility that my ex-husband is still watching my every move, there are times I question whether it’s worth it.
Whether I’m selfishly putting Lachlan’s life at risk, too.
But like he promised… We’ll get through it. Together.
Until the bottom drops in a way I never could have anticipated.
Lines are drawn.
Loyalties are tested.
And I’m stuck in the middle, engaged in a fierce battle between my head and my heart.
But there can only be one winner.
BOOKS BY T.K. LEIGH
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
The Dating Games Series
Dating Games
Wicked Games
Mind Games
Dangerous Games
Royal Games
Tangled Games
The Redemption Series
Commitment (Redemption Duet #1)
Redemption (Redemption Duet #2)
Possession (Possession Duet #1)
Atonement (Possession Duet #2)
ROMANTIC COMEDY
The Book Boyfriend Chronicles
The Other Side of Someday
Writing Mr. Right
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
The Temptation Series
Temptation
Persuasion
Provocation
Obsession
The Vault
Inferno: Part 1
Inferno: Part 2
Inferno: Part 3
Inferno: Part 4
The Beautiful Mess Series
A Beautiful Mess (Beautiful Mess Trilogy #1)
A Tragic Wreck (Beautiful Mess Trilogy #2)
Gorgeous Chaos (Beautiful Mess Trilogy #3)
Chasing the Dragon (Deception Duet #1)
Slaying The Dragon (Deception Duet #2)
Vanished (A Beautiful Mess Novel)
Heart of Light (A Beautiful Mess Novel)
Mature Young Adult
Heart of Marley
For more information on any of these titles and upcoming releases, please visit T.K.’s website:
www.tkleighauthor.com
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CONTENTS
A Note from the Author
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Playlist
Connect with Me
Free Book!
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for picking up a copy of Provocation. Your support means a lot.
Before you dive in, I just wanted to repeat the same warning I included in the preface to both Temptation and Persuasion.
As with the previous book in this series, this book will also contain certain content that may be triggering for particularly sensitive readers. While I never glorify or go into detail, certain content will be alluded to throughout this story, including suicide, sexual assault, psychological abuse, and murder. Please keep that in mind if you are a particularly sensitive reader who may trigger easily.
Thank you and I hope you enjoy Provocation!
PROLOGUE
END OF PERSUASION
Nick
Chains rattled against concrete in the long empty corridor as Domenic Jaskulski shuffled the best he could with the shackles around his ankles, two guards in front, two behind.
Nick could just barely make out the occasional, faint buzz of doors being opened and closed, but otherwise, it was relatively quiet in this area of the prison.
Or as quiet as anywhere in a prison could possibly be.
“You know the drill,” one of the obtuse guards grunted in an unrefined, Southern accent that gave all people from this part of the country the reputation of being an inbred hillbilly.
Nick had zero patience for those who had no desire to better themselves. To educate themselves. It made him wild with rage.
But he wouldn’t act on it.
It was important he not draw any attention to himself.
Otherwise, the plan to finally be reunited with his one true love would fall apart.
He couldn’t have that.
“Would you be so kind as to remind me of the drill again, Officer?” Nick asked, his voice exuding superiority and class. “I don’t believe I quite remember, as I’ve only been doing this very thing every week for the past several years.”
“Enough with the snotty remarks, jackass.”
The officer opened the door, practically pushing Nick into the room, causing him to stumble slightly. Grabbing his elbow, he dragged him toward the table where a man dressed in black sat, patiently waiting for their weekly spiritual advisement.
“But I do so enjoy our banter. I find our conversations quite…invigorating. Intellectually stimulating. Why, just last week, I was surprised to learn you knew the proper use of regardless, instead of using irregardless. I’ll be honest. Hearing some of your brethren utter that abomination makes me just…murderous.”
“Shut it, asswipe,” the officer ordered, all but shoving him onto the cold, metal chair. “Or I’ll revoke your visitation privileges for the next month, irregardless of whether it’s a clergy visit.”
The officer retrieved a key from his belt, forcing Nick’s hands on the table. With rough motions, he secured the cuffs to the bar in the center, shot Nick a glare, then retreated from the stark, cold room.
Unlike the other visitation rooms, there were no windows. No cameras. Nothing.
There couldn’t be. It wasn’t allowed when inmates met with their lawyers or spiritual advisors. It was truly the only place one could conduct any conversation in private.
And, for these conversations, privacy was essential.
Once the heavy door slammed shut, the buzz indicating it was locked, Nick slowly lifted his eyes to the young man sitting across the table, a leather-bound bible in front of him.
He pushed it toward Nick, who opened it to a book in The Old Testament. Leviticus, to be precise. When his eyes fell on a photo, his heart skipped a beat, a slow smile curving on his lips at the woman in the image.
Beautiful.
Naked.
Dead.
“Forgive me, Father,” Nick began, slowly raising his gaze to meet a pair of clear, blue eyes, “for I believe you have sinned.”
The visitor’s lips twisted up in the corners, his devious grin nearly identical to Nick’s.
“You know what they say. Like father, like son.”
ONE
Lachlan
Was this what happiness felt like?
Considering it had been years since I’d experienced anything remotely close
But as my eyes slowly opened, the sun streaming into the bedroom of my house in the Chastain Park neighborhood of Atlanta illuminating Julia’s naked, slumbering form, I couldn’t remember ever being so at peace. My heart feeling so full.
We’d only been back on the mainland for ten days, so we were still in the honeymoon stage. With her daughter away at camp, Julia was able to spend every free minute at my house. Couple that with the All-Star Game being in Atlanta, along with a stretch of home games, it was as if nothing had changed.
Unfortunately, that all ended today.
In a few hours, I’d head to D.C. for a series of away games. And Julia would pick up her daughter from camp.
This new dynamic would certainly be an adjustment. I wasn’t going to worry about it, though. I had to trust it would all work out. That there was a reason our paths crossed in Hawaii.
This woman was my absolution. My redemption.
And in my soul, I felt I was hers.
“I can hear you thinking.”
Julia’s sleep-filled voice cut through the silence.
A low chuckle rumbled from my chest as I hooked my arm around her waist, pulling her body back against mine.
“You can hear me thinking?” I left a trail of kisses along her shoulder blade, focusing my attention on that spot where her neck met her shoulders, fully aware how much it drove her wild when I kissed her there.
“Always.” The word came out as a moan.
“Then what am I thinking?”
“I don’t know what you’re thinking. Just that you are.”
I circled my hips against her. “How about now?”
Her laughter filled the room. It should have seemed strange to hear such an endearing sound in a house that had never been home to anything resembling happiness.
But with Julia, it felt right.
“Okay. Now I know exactly what you’re thinking.” She wiggled against me, hardening my erection even more.
“You little tease.” I nipped at her neck.
She turned to face me, our eyes meeting. As I stared into those brilliant, green pools, my heart brimmed with an emotion I couldn’t even begin to understand.
For the past several weeks, I kept thinking I’d wake up and discover everything had been nothing more than a dream. That I’d imagined Julia.
But if this were a dream, I didn’t care. I didn’t need to live in the real world. I’d happily reside in this place of fantasies, as long as Julia remained here with me.
“I thought you liked it when I teased you.” She ran her fingers through my hair, nails digging into my scalp, setting me on fire.
“I don’t just like it.” I pushed her onto her back and hovered over her, smoothing a few auburn waves behind her ear. “I bloody love it. Crave it. Am desperate for it.” I lowered my mouth to hers. “I’m so damn desperate for you.”
“Then have me.”
With a needy groan, I positioned myself at her entrance before easing inside her. She arched her back, mouth opening in bliss.
It didn’t matter how many times we’d done this over the past few weeks. Every time felt different. A new way to experience her. A new way to cherish her.
I grabbed her wrists in my hands, pinning her arms over her head as I slowly and sensually rocked my hips against her.
“You’re a dream, love. A fucking perfect dream come true.” I covered her mouth with mine, swallowing her moans as I showed her how much I needed her in my life.
I wasn’t a fool, though.
We may have left Hawaii, but we were still in the clouds. Still enclosed in the bubble we’d constructed around ourselves during what was only supposed to be one week together.
But today, we had to return to earth. Had to face reality.
I had to believe everything would be okay. That despite the obstacles ahead, we’d survive.
Like Eme said… It was just noise.
So instead of worrying about something I had little control over, I focused on this place where Julia and I did connect.
As I watched her body writhe beneath mine seconds before I succumbed to my own bliss, I knew this was where I was meant to be.
With this woman.
In her life.
And hopefully in her heart.
TWO
Julia
The aroma of onions and peppers surrounded me as I stirred the potato mixture, taking advantage of Lachlan’s gourmet kitchen.
For a man who paid someone to prepare all his meals, he had an incredible setup.
Then again, this house was a dream. I practically had to pick my jaw up off the ground when I first pulled up to it.
I grew up in a wealthy family. The daughter of a notable architect. Now the sister of one.
But Lachlan’s house was on a completely different level. Maybe it was because he was so young that it seemed much more impressive. It served as a stark reminder of exactly who he was — one of the highest paid pitchers in the history of baseball.
I considered myself successful. But my success paled compared to Lachlan’s. And this house was evidence of everything he’d achieved in such a short time.
Despite all of that, it lacked…personality. Sure, the back yard boasted a baseball diamond and batting cage. Not to mention a massive, detached garage filled with classic cars, another love of his I’d recently learned about.
Other than that, though, this could have passed as one of my brother’s model homes. Gorgeous. Glamourous. Impersonal.
Maybe I’d been a mom for so long that I’d grown accustomed to a chaotic home and life. Nearly every surface of my house was covered with photos of Imogene throughout the years. Her first step. First lost tooth. First day of school.
Why didn’t Lachlan have any photos of his family?
It seemed odd, considering how close he claimed to be with his sister.
I tried not to fixate on it. Figured there had to be some logical reason behind it. Told myself not everyone liked to clutter their homes with photos and mementos.
Perhaps with his hectic schedule and the fact all sorts of people had access to his house — housekeeper, groundskeeper, pool cleaner, car detailer, chef — he didn’t want to leave personal photos lying around for fear someone might share them.
At least that was what I tried to convince myself as I gave the potatoes another stir, then opened the oven to check on the frittata.
Typically, Lachlan liked making breakfast for me. But since he had to leave town today for a stretch of away games, he was the one who needed to hop into the shower and pack. So I offered to make him a breakfast filled with all the stuff he needed to eat for peak performance. Tons of carbs with some lean protein and healthy fats thrown in for good measure.
Another reason I hated him.
If I so much as looked at a morsel of pasta, I gained weight. However, when Lachlan polished off huge plates of food, I swore a few more ripples of muscle sprouted on his already sculpted body.
“Whatever you’re making smells absolutely incredible.”
