Jessiah is a make-up artist aspiring to break into the modeling and beauty industry. She moves to LA when she lands a job at one of the biggest production companies in Hollywood. On her first week on the job, she meets Jenson Ross, a big-deal actor with a murky past and a dark secret only a privileged few know about. × Genres: Romance, Werewolf, Crime EXCERPT [BOOK I of CALI ALPHAS ] _ _ _ "Dollface," he murmured with a little smirk. He snickered and caressed the back of her head, pulling her closer to his chest. "You're like an antidepressant, in human form." Her breath caught. Her heart sped up when his hug tightened. His warm face pressed onto her neck, his strong hands lightly squeezing her hips. Moments like this only worsened her attraction to him. The flirty jokes, the easy conversations, the small smiles, his furtive glances, and his unusually sweet gestures lately... She was in deep trouble. Was he kissing her neck? Shit. He was no longer thinking straight. About this. About her. About the consequences. He drew her closer when she tried to pull away. As if he didn't want her out of his sight. While his beard scraped her skin, his thighs touched hers. Her throat ached as he stared into her eyes. "Dammit," he sighed, his thumb tracing the curve of her neck, his touch both gentle and eager. "Why are you so f-cking beautiful?" "Joss, I need to g—" "Why now?" he murmured, stroking her cheek. He wasn't acting drunk or playing with her. Not like this. He wouldn't. Not with her real feelings barely held together by some unspoken truths. Otherwise he wouldn't dare let it get this far. But why wouldn't he let go? "Just stay. Please. Stay here with me." _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
View More× “Morning.” Jessi put on a smile as she watched the sweater-clad guy carrying the snoring little boy with remarkable ease. It didn't look like it was his first time holding a baby. “Morning,” Jenson greeted back with an ear-to-ear grin, almost whispering like her. While holding their sleeping son in his arms, he cautiously approached the front door, slightly swaying as if he was rocking the baby to sleep. Her smile grew wider. Her heart swelled. She almost got teary-eyed just looking at the two. First time seeing them together, but everything about it just felt innate. Just heartwarming. Reign didn't even budge when Jenson picked him up from the couch. The child was such a heavy-sleeper like her. His sister was the total opposite, though. Jenson stepped forward. “Ready to go?” “Yeah.” With Emerie in her arms, Jessi stepped closer to the father-and-son duo, keeping her voice down and her movements minimal, like Jenson. It was only nine in the morning. Reign fell asleep again mi
× Game over. White flag. The show's done.He already knew the things she did to hide her biggest secret from him and everyone else. Secrets, to be precise. But the optimist idealist in her just wouldn't give up.Perhaps she could still convince him it wasn't the whole truth. If she tried hard enough, her backup lie might just work. Then he would finally leave her alone, and he would no longer want to take her babies away.Emerie and Reign would stay with her and her parents, living with her until they grew up. No visitation spats. No lawyers. No custody battle. No fuss.“They're not yours. And I'm married.” Jessi showed off the ring on her left hand before turning her back to him, holding in the tears he need not see. “Please just go home.”Before he could say anything in response, she grabbed the door handle and rushed out of t
×Cry. Regret things. Blame herself. Recall the good and fun times. The memories they made. Feel sorry for him and herself. Regret how it ended. Then cry her eyes out all over again...The stupid cycle went on and on, keeping her locked up in her room, just depleting what's left of her will and energy. Then the the doorbell rang. The low-pitched, almost ominous noise echoed around the house. lt broke off the tense silence around her. But maybe it was just her who felt tense.That confident, determined look on his face just..."Shit." Why now? Why did he have to be here? How long had he been waiting out there? In the dark. By himself. And for what? For her to change her mind? When he rang the doorbell again, Jessi froze on the floor. Her mind switched back to full alert, her ragged breaths put on pause. The nerve-wracking thoughts in her foggy head wrenched tight knots of anxiety inside of her, making her forget about sleep and her exhaustion. Her face and nightdress both felt dam
×"Why didn't you tell me?""What for?" What for? Was the man serious? Jenson swore inwardly while gripping the phone, his breaths already ragged from the onslaught of lurid thoughts that consumed his attention. For hours, he had been waiting for the man to return his calls so they could talk. Discuss some longstanding glaring issues.It seemed his uncle simply didn't give a shit about anyone else's feelings. Not atypical for a man of his stature. But for something this serious and life-changing, everything about it should be an exception.Awkward silence filled the line before Magnus let out a long sigh on the other end, seeming tepid and inconvenienced by the subject altogether. "It's not my fault she didn't want a future with you. And still doesn't, apparently.""Because you told her to leave! And you made her sign a contract? The heck?" "No need to scream your guts out. I can hear you perfectly fine."Jenson kept his eyes shut and clenched his jaw, his breaths turning noisy, his
×- Jessiah (new) -"Sorry. I think you got the wrong number. Please stop texting and calling this number."Received 21:27Wrong number? Sorry wrong number?Seriously? That's the best she could do?Pure annoyance boomeranged in his aching head as he stared at the thin white letters on the screen, glaring at the steaming pile of bullshit he just read."You've gotta be kiddin' me..." Jenson muttered under his breath. He shook his head weakly, restraining himself from hurling the useless phone onto the ground till it split into pieces.For hours on end, he waited and waited. Not even a single text from her.Until now. And a stupid lie was all she had to say? After all this time?
× "You look like shit." "I feel like shit." Jenson sighed. "Nice hair." "Yeah? Used to call this rehab cut." Rehab cut. "Sounds kinda wrong." He made a face. "But also kinda funny." Jenson slid the glass door closed as he matched his friend's lackluster grin. Unlike the spacious dining room, this part of Dr. Rasmussen's house needed some bright lights. Some ventilation. But this mansion's interior and exterior design still rivaled the pages of famous architectural magazines. Seeming oblivious, Darren kept his old varsity jacket zipped and leaned against the thick column. He gripped and stared at his phone, the glowing screen highlighting frown lines and the bags under his eyes. "Still season break, anyway. Give it two months." "Sure." Jenson cleared his throat and stepped closer. No hint of booze, or anything worse. Good enough. And for a change, his friend looked like he should be wearing a tailored suit tonight like the other guests downstairs. The VIPs. "Dinner?" "Nah. I'm g
×"Charm, you home?""Hi, darling. No. In the office. How's your birthday?""Fine." Jenson sat still as he clasped the shiny fork next to the small chocolate cake. It was big enough for one person, though."Just 'fine'?" Charmaine repeated, giggling at his glum response. "Where are you? Home?""New York.""Really?""Yeah," he replied flatly. Despite his current feelings, Charmaine's calming voice soothed his bleary head, prompting his thoughts to delve into some good memories they'd made over the years.They'd kept in touch even after Charm left California. They didn't talk every day, but, more often and better than he expected. Even after everything.Her choice to leave Los Angeles upset and saddened him. Butgoing after her career goals obvious
× New York × Busy streets. Loud noises. Headache-inducing traffic. Dark skies. Smog all over. People everywhere. Some didn't even bother to wear face coverings. Just going about their day like nothing happened. The rush hour crowd already teemed the streets this early in the morning, reminding him of why he never liked New York. Los Angeles was also populated but at least he could breathe better there. Jenson scowled and kept his mask on as he walked into the empty restaurant. High ceiling. Covered windows. Gilded furniture. In the public dining area, wooden chairs remained upside down on the tables. The place didn't open until nine. But since he'd called in advance to book a reservation, the guard welcomed him in with a quick bow after checking his ID. "Good morning, Mr. Ross. Welcome." "Morning. Thanks." Jenson walked straight into the private dining room, where he would be waiting for someone who may or may not show up today. He had no more time to waste playing hide-and-seek. H
× The plane just took off. Roughly five minutes ago. Jenson scowled. He could only imagine how Jessi felt right now. The cab she'd paid for had driven her straight to the airport. No detours. For the past three hours while he stalked them, he didn't see anyone else with her. Not that he expected some random guy would pop up outside her apartment to kiss her goodbye, and then personally take her to the airport. As far as he knew, Jessi didn't have any close guy friends apart from him and Darren. Was she feeling okay? Sitting alone in her aisle? Did the management beef up their airport security this week? Did she have to get tested again? Masked up and wearing a new baseball cap, he looked one last time at the large screen displaying the flights today. Another boarding announcement chimed from the PA system. Jenson walked off. Before reaching the exit, he checked his phone again. No texts or calls. Not even a simple "bye". Or a half-meant "take care". She might be preoccupied. Or ju
Copyright © 2020 by M.Z. MauveAll rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this story or plagiarism of any kind is prohibited by ...
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