Novels by Natalie Roche

VANESSA"I'll be back soon."I told him and kissed him before leaving his hospital room. As I walked the corridor my phone buzzed with incoming texts into the group chat between Alex, Natasha and I. "How is the patient?"Alex asked. He's checking up on me for the third time since he left me earlier. "The patient is sick of being a patient. I'd rather be at home."I replied as I walked. Home... Where is that? It's not the apartment that I live alone in. Is it the Austin Mansion? I don't know anymore."Vanessa..."I heard Ava call me and I stopped walking and turned around. She walked towards me with a smile so I tucked my phone away to be respectful."I'll walk you back to your room, Darling.""Oh okay."I replied and we walked down the corridor towards the elevator. We talked the entire way about Jeremy and what happened to him at the opera house. By the sounds of it, she got a fright seeing her son that way. "How are you feeling... I mean really feeling?"She asked."You don't have to hi

VANESSAI SAT IN MY HOSPITAL ROOM ALONE...Thinking about what happened tonight was traumatising my mind. I was replaying it over and over again, trying to imagine what I could've done differently. What could I have done to change this outcome?I don't know!Michael is dead. Good riddance I guess. I don't know what is the correct way to feel right now, happy that he's gone maybe? I can move on with life and I don't have to worry about seeing him again. His death... The way it happened. It shouldn't have happened like that. He was on his knees, I shot him and he was down in the dirt bleeding. The police were coming... it was already over. Why did he pull that trigger? The door to my hospital room burst open and Alex rushed towards me pulling me into a tight embrace."Oh my God! Thank god you're safe. We were all so worried about you."Alex interrupted my thoughts taking me by surprise. Now I have to find the words to speak when all I wanted to do was forget."I'm okay, so survived."I

JEREMYTHE CABIN CAME INTO VIEW... It was secluded, just like I thought it would be. There were woods surrounding the cabin and they went on for miles, which meant there were no neighbouring houses to witness what was going on. No one would be close by to hear her scream for help. A car was parked out front... it could be his. MrsWatson mentioned that Bill doesn't come up here much anymore, it can't be a coincidence. The car has to be Michael's. I loaded my gun before getting out of my car which was parked a distance away from the house. I don't want him to know that I'm here before I'm ready. It's dark out so I call that an advantage. He won't see me coming. He probably thinks that I'm out of the way. I walked towards the house and noticed the front door was open wide. A million things were running through my mind but I tried not to get carried away. I walked into the house with my gun out ready to use it. In the living area, there was a fire burning low and a kitchen chair had

JEREMY"He wasn't familiar, the police think it might've been the landlord. Maybe he was looking for rent money and Michael didn't have it... I don't know."I said as my father listened on the other end of the phone that was on speaker as I drove. "Michael is clearly a very dangerous human being. The only comfort we have here is that he cares for Vanessa, I don't think he will harm her."My father replied. He was trying to be positive because he knows that I'm fucking losing my mind right now. He knows the man I am, especially when it comes to her. I didn't see a positive in this situation... Not when she's not with me. I was supposed to keep her safe and I failed. "I've been getting calls of condolences all day because of the fake news all over the internet. People think that you're dead, Son. But maybe it will work out in your favour, Michael won't be expecting you to be looking for her.""Maybe... I don't know."I pulled my car up outside the house and turned the engine off. "Eve

MICHAELI COULD SENSE HER FEAR...Vanessa doesn't understand where I'm coming from, she doesn't understand how important she is to me. That my life would be nothing without her in it.She's scared of me now, but I had to do what I did. Everything I've done... I've done for her, so we can be together. I was willing to go the extra mile to make sure that she's in my arms and not his.She needs to know everything about me... the things that I keep buried deep down inside. I need her to realise that I'll do everything I can to keep her safe. Everything..! "When my mother died I knew that it was coming, I expected to feel a certain way, Lost or perhaps an overwhelming feeling of sadness like I never felt before. But that's not what I felt. I felt relieved."She gave me a look, judging me for my words just like I knew she would. But wait for it... Because what I tell her next will bring me sympathy, and perhaps if I'm lucky I will gain a little trust."I felt relieved to have her out of m

VANESSATHE BEDROOM DOOR OPENED...The light came in from the hallway and it hurt my eyes to look in that direction. It felt as though I have been in darkness for days, but I knew that it had only been a matter of hours. Michael walked into the room and stood in front of me. His tall figure towered over me as he extended his hand out with what looked like fresh clothes. I was still sitting on the bedroom floor with my cut knees against my chest, still dressed in red from the night before. "I brought some fresh clothes for you."He said softly but I continued to look away."Why don't you clean up in the bathroom... when you're done we can talk in the living room. It's warmer in there."I took the clothes from him and stood from the floor. I was more nervous around Michael now, than I've ever been. Now I know what he's capable of and he's worse than I'd ever imagined. Michael unlocked the door to the on-suite bathroom in my bedroom and I walked inside."I can wait right here until you

JAMIEOh my God, I could just die. Was what I thought when I looked at myself in the mirror. I was rocking a red dress that was a little below the knee and trying my best to contain my exciting emotions.Dinner with Mason.I was excited about tonight, I was excited about seeing him after our few days apart. Those days felt like forever. A part of me was really worried about how this dinner will go. We didn't exactly leave things off on a good note when he left so I still don't know where we stand."That dress looks stunning on you. Red is so your colour."Sara grinned."I think you should accessorise with gold. Those two work really well together.""Let's move onto shoes next then."I turned and looked in the mirror again. I hope he likes

JAMIE"Mom-Mom!"I called out as I walked through her hallway towards the kitchen. I heard nothing back. Usually, I would hear the clattering of plates as she put them away in the cupboard or her singing along with the radio so loud she wouldn't hear me.Where is she?I walked into the kitchen and no one was in sight, which was very unusual for the Harris household. I walked further towards the kitchen island and pulled out my phone to call her.My Mom's car is parked out front, she wouldn't usually go out without her car because her knees get sore if she walks a long distance. She wouldn't be with my father, he's in work at this hour.Her phone rang aloud and the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I instantly had a bad feeling, you know when you can just sense that something

MASONWas this it for us?I was sitting behind my desk for what felt like a lifetime, my body was aching from sitting in the same position for hours on end. I haven't left my office since midday. My laptop screen was in front of me, I was trying to work but I couldn't. All I could think about was her.Her hair, her lusciously plump lips, her eyes so big and brown. With or without clothes she was perfect either way.Two nights out of her bed and I'm fucking sleep deprived. Usually, Jamie would rest with her head on my chest and the majority of the time that's the way it would stay until the sun rose. Now I sleep alone and I don't like it.I threw my pen down on my desk and reclined back in my chair. My head is fucked. I can't do anythin

JAMIESid and Barb had renewed their wedding vows in a rustic style ceremony and now the party was in full swing. The band was playing sweet music on the stage, while couples danced on the lit up dance floor in front of it.The garden was lit up with fairy lights above us and amongst the trees and tables of 6 were scattered to the sides of the dance floor for those who wanted to sit and chat.It was late evening now and the sun was beginning to set, bringing an end to the perfect day that Barb and Sid had been planning for months. All this effort that they put into this special day and it goes by so quick.Over the years I've heard many brides express how that didn't enjoy their own wedding, that it went by so fast and there was too much stress. I didn't w

MASONI took hold of her wavy blonde hair wrapping it around my hand, thrusting harder and faster as we both drew closer. I was watching her in the floor-length mirror in the corner of the room, her facial expression of enjoyment every time I slammed into her from behind and the way her breasts moved with every thrust.I never expected to be doing this on my lunch break, but the opportunity presented itself and I couldn't resist. Despite the 2 pm meeting that I'm probably going to be late for, I couldn't stop myself!I reached my hand around rubbing her clit and causing her to moan even louder. I was still holding her little black thong to the side of her toned ass with my other hand."Fuck!!"I groaned, unable to contain how turned on I was t

JAMIEThe clock ticked closer to 5 pm, closer to the end of the workday. The thought of a long hot bath with a naked man has kept me going the entire day.Speaking of a naked man, Mason is picking me up in 15 minutes as per his orders. He doesn't want me being out alone so I'm basically escorted everywhere I go. He's lucky he's gorgeous — otherwise, I might not stick up with his crappy rules!"I'm leaving now, Jamie," Sam said, as he walked around the reception desk. He was pulling his jacket on over his work uniform."We should plan something soon — I haven't seen much of you lately.""Sure, Text me. We can work something out.""See you tomorrow then. Don't forget it's your turn to bring the coffee and doughnuts."He shouted back and winked at me. I chuckled, but that laug

ZACHARY I noticed Kate acting a little off at tonight's retirement party. Maybe it was a little much for her meeting so many new faces at once. I don't know!!She can be hard to read sometimes. It's a little hard to find out what's going on in her head.. Her life too.. The life she had before she came here."Is everything okay?"I asked, as I closed the front door behind us. "Sure, I'm fine."She replied. The only words that she had spoken to me since we left the bar. She wasn't chatty at all, it was clear that there was something."Really, Because you were a little off tonight and I thou

Introductions at the retirement party were going well, everyone was so nice and welcoming. Despite that, I still couldn't help the overwhelming feeling that came over me with being out in public. So many new faces and not many places to hide..If Liam was in this crowd I wouldn't even know it. So many men around me with similarities to him, weather it's hair colour, dark features or his loud obnoxious laugh.This is my life.. This is what I have to get used to. I got out, I'm away from him, and because of that I'm going to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder wondering IS TODAY THE DAY??Zach snaked his arm around my waist and I jumped at the sudden contact. "You're a little on edge, Kate. Is there something wrong?"

Michelle's pampering of me was making me feel like Cinderella getting ready for the ball. My make up was done to perfection and my hair was in loose curls that flowed effortlessly, looking at my reflection in the mirror I felt good about myself.When Zach invited me to a retirement party that he was throwing for a member of his staff, I was hesitant at first. I wasn't keen on the idea of being in a crowded room with people that I didn't know.But on the other hand, I wanted to spend time with him, even if it is in an outdoor setting. I didn't have a good excuse not to go, Zach knows my day to day pretty well."Did you shave?"Michelle asked, whilst looking at me in the mirror.I was sitting on the fabric chair in my bedroom, staring back at her."Yes, I shaved."

I woke, seeing his head on the pillow next to mine. Sound asleep and looking so handsome. I thought back on last night, how drunk I was, but I wasn't drunk enough that i didn't remember what happened.We talked after the kiss, we drank wine, a lot of it-Well I did! Things got a little heated between us and I remember the feeling of how much I wanted him. Zach said that it wasn't the right time and nothing happened after that. We fell asleep together and now I'm completely mortified.Maybe I should make a run for the bathroom and avoid the embarrassment before he wakes up. I moved the sheet off me and sat up quietly."Where do you think you're going?"He said, and wrapped his arm around me pulling me over to him."Were you trying to do a runner before I woke up?""Um, Maybe! I was go

EMILIAZach pulled his car up by the docks, the sun was shinning down on us and the water was calm. I didn't know why we were here of all places. We're supposed to be on our first date.I looked across at Zach, sitting in the drivers seat."What are we doing here?""Do you see that yacht?"He asked, and pointed towards a yacht on the water. I nodded my head in reply."That's mine. You and I are going to spend the weekend on it."The weekend alone with him on the water, the thought of being alone on a yacht didn't worry me. We live together, when we're at home we're always alone."That's some surprise. But you know I'm not going to sleep with you, Right?" I had to put it out there. Being alone on the water is pretty romantic, I don't want him thinking that he can get into my pants that easily.He chuckled."I wasn't expecting that. I just want to spend some time a

ZACHARYI Fucked up - I know I did!I should've told her the truth from the start, I should've told her about Blake. She deserved better than that.The truth is, I've known for months now that Blake and I weren't right for each other. I've known this even before Kate came along. Blake is that kind of woman that's used to getting what she wants, I was working my way up to breaking it to her gently.But now here we are...Blake glared at me, her hands were folded across her chest."What the hell do you mean we're over? We're not over. You're joking,Right? This is just a joke!"I sighed."I'm sorry. I've been trying to tell you for awhile.""Really? All those time we've spent in bed together you were trying to tell me. Were your moans of pleasure too distracting from what you really wanted to say?""I tried to make it work, but yo