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A Beautiful Man
Last Updated:
2023-10-26 03:48:56Related chapters
Jaded A Friendly Town
KariDreams of Jake stained her night, her sleep restless and filled with hope for something that might occur. His strong hands demanding, his lips soft, his words sweet and full of promise.Kari woke up to the sound of her phone buzzing near her ear, her alarm set for eight to ensure that she had time to shower and find her clothes before meeting with the editor in chief at the local newspaper that morning. Steve had made a few calls, and for that, she was grateful. Doing anything other than taking pictures for a living would be suffocating to her free spirit. She just hoped like hell they wouldn't want her to do any news casting. Doubtful, but one never knew.She walked down the hall to the small bathroom, listening for sounds of life and hearing nothing, thankfully. A quick shower and she was ready to conquer the day ahead. Kari pulled a white sweater dress over her head and slipped into a pair of brown flats, her belt and matching earrings in various shades. She towel-dried her ha
Last Updated : 2023-10-26Jaded The Interview
Kari"Hello? Anyone here?" Kari took a few tentative steps into the hall and lifted her voice a little more. The sound of a door opening far down the hall caused her to pause. Taking a few steps back, she pulled her purse in front of her, almost hugging it absently."I'm here, I'm here... keep your panties on," a female voice rushed up to greet Kari, the large, red-headed woman it belonged to quickly following. She looked up and smiled, waving at Kari.Kari walked toward her, her hand extended. "Sorry. I didn't know if I should come back or not.""No worries, child. I'm Martha Wittington. You must be Kari?"Kari nodded, finally making it to the woman and shaking her thick hand. "Yes, ma'am. I appreciate you seeing me on such short notice."The woman turned and motioned for Kari to follow her. "Oh, nonsense. I've been looking for someone with your skills for almost two years now. You'd think being up here in the most beautiful part of the country would afford you a good photographer, b
Last Updated : 2023-10-26Jaded It's Him
KariKari gathered her things from her car, her camera bag strapped over her shoulder. She'd have to ask Martha about painting the walls, as it was just too clinical with all the white staring at her. She set her stuff on a small, round table that sat at the far corner of her office and walked to sit in her large leather chair. Not that she'd be in the building much, but when she was there it was nice to know that she'd have a great place to be - a place of her own. That was unheard of at the Herald. She was lucky to have a badge to get into the front door, much less a key.She picked up her phone and texted her friends, then her brother, Steve, and then her mother. Everyone would want to know if she'd gotten the job. She got a handful of texts right back congratulating her and giving her accolades. Steve told her to call later to get the scoop on Martha and the town in general. She couldn't help but chuckle. There wasn't anyone her boss didn't know and any amount of dirt on them he w
Last Updated : 2023-10-26Jaded Not Who He Was Expecting
Jake She was the last person he expected to see when he turned, her raven colored hair draped across her shoulders, accentuating their feminine slope. He smiled and extended his hand, his body aching from pushing himself so hard in his workout. He knew she was trouble the minute he’d laid eyes on her the night before, but he couldn't seem to help himself to move closer. It was simply a gentlemanly move to help her with her wine selection, a nice welcoming spirit. Nothing romantic or showing interest, just being polite.Yeah right. The look on her pretty face told him quickly that she was as surprised to see him standing there as he was to see her. She quickly righted herself, her expression changing to supreme confidence."The wine was surprisingly good." She shook his hand and looked around the gym. "Anywhere we can sit down and talk for a few minutes? I need to interview you for your award and then get a few shots.""Jump shots or pictures?" He smiled and turned to point to a smal
Last Updated : 2023-10-26Jaded A Perfect Gentleman
KariHe laughed at her question and she shook her head. "I'm the worst at this kind of stuff. I'm a photographer, not a reporter, but Martha needed me to fill in today."Jake extended his hand. "Give me the pad and I'll write a few more things for you to give to her. Let's not get you fired your first day."She stood up and handed him the pad, smirking like a teenage girl at his playfulness. He was gorgeous, dark spiked hair and tanned skin, with incredible dark brown eyes that seem to see right through her. She moved toward the far wall of the small office, her eyes moving across the various awards he'd won, pictures of him with various kids littering the walls. She reached up to touch a picture of him with a small boy in a wheelchair, the child holding up a blue ribbon."What's the story behind this one?" She looked over her shoulder as he stood, the large muscles of his arms flexing and grabbing her attention. He stopped just behind her, closer than she felt safe with, farther than
Last Updated : 2023-10-26Jaded Nothing Happened
Kari"Wait, you have to tell me everything, like every little detail." Lisa threw her hands up in the air as Kari pulled her sweater dress off her head with a loud sigh."I did tell you everything. He was beautiful, like the most gorgeous man I've ever seen.""And he didn't ask for your number?" Lisa scoffed and reached to pick up the dress and put it in the hamper.Kari shook her head. "No he didn't. He's way out of my league, and did you really just put my clothes in the dirty clothes hamper? You're the most unorganized person I know.""Unorganized does not mean dirty. I hate dirty messes and clothes turn into a monster if left out.""Don't go into the guestroom where Marc has been then. He's a hot mess when it comes to losing his clothes wherever he stands. My mom used to always say that the clothes basket in his room looked like four hoodlums were standing around the basket talking about nothing when the apocalypse came."They laughed and Lisa started back up. "How is he out of yo
Last Updated : 2023-10-26Jaded It's Fate
KariMarc shrugged. "Lisa is hot and she likes me. What else is there to tell?""Um, she's my best friend and if you hurt her I'm likely to stab you in your sleep and feed you to the large fish in that lake.""That's the ocean and those would be sharks."Kari laughed despite herself. She turned a little, resting her elbow on the railing and looking at her brother. "I'm serious. She means a lot to me and you guys getting close and then you leaving isn't going to be good for her already jacked up stance on men."He nodded. "I understand. I'll just take her to dinner and explain that I am interested too, but now isn't the time.""Really?" Kari asked, shock washing over her. "Wait... I don't want to be the reason you guys don't get together, but I don't want to be the one here left to pick up the pieces should things not work out.""I don't think this is as much about you as you're making it seem. She likes me and I like her. We're not kids, sis. We're adults and if things go farther with
Last Updated : 2023-10-26Jaded Head in the Clouds
JakeHis morning was off. His thoughts were scattered and he could've sworn he could still smell Kari's perfume in his office. He walked to the restroom, kids yelling and having far too much fun in his gym, but he couldn't focus. He pushed the door to the men's restroom open and walked in, stopping at the mirror and reaching down to splash cold water on his face."Get it together. What's wrong with you?" He looked up at himself, reaching for a paper towel to wipe across his face. "One good looking woman stops by your office and you act like you haven't been around them in years."He hadn't. Bethany had done a number on him, and after her he'd sworn them off, hoping to one day get back in the game. He ran his hand down his chest, patting the firm muscle of his pec as he closed his eyes, trying to hold onto the reason for giving up on love. This girl didn't even seem interested and yet he knew quite well that seeing her twice in two days was more than coincidence.He exhaled slowly, ope
Last Updated : 2023-10-26
Latest chapter
Jaded Easter Proposal
Drake"You sure you don't mind stopping by my momma's house real quick? I just want to give everyone a hug before we head back to Maine." She leaned over and puckered up, looking too cute for her own damn good."I don't mind at all, plus, we're already here." He kissed her. "Tease.""You don't have to come in." She kissed him once more and got out of the truck, jogging toward the door. Her white coat fit her well, her jeans beautiful on her pert little butt.He smiled, letting his thoughts dive into the night they would have when they got back to his place.A knock right beside his head on the window had him stifling the need to jump. He turned to find Johnny standing out in the snow.Drake rolled down his window and nodded. "What's up, man?""I was thinking about what you said the other day about loving my sister." He glanced around, obviously uncomfortable. "I can't do anything about who she falls in love with, and I know I don't need to do the 'kick your ass if you hurt her' spiel,
Jaded You're My Gift
Drake"You sure you don't mind stopping by my momma's house real quick? I just want to give everyone a hug before we head back to Maine." She leaned over and puckered up, looking too cute for her own damn good."I don't mind at all, plus, we're already here." He kissed her. "Tease.""You don't have to come in." She kissed him once more and got out of the truck, jogging toward the door. Her white coat fit her well, her jeans beautiful on her pert little butt.He smiled, letting his thoughts dive into the night they would have when they got back to his place.A knock right beside his head on the window had him stifling the need to jump. He turned to find Johnny standing out in the snow.Drake rolled down his window and nodded. "What's up, man?""I was thinking about what you said the other day about loving my sister." He glanced around, obviously uncomfortable. "I can't do anything about who she falls in love with, and I know I don't need to do the 'kick your ass if you hurt her' spiel,
Jaded Perfect Christmas
DrakeDrake woke up the next morning before Sicily, realizing it was Christmas and he had everything he needed. He rolled onto his side and reached out, brushing his hand down her back as gratefulness washed over him in suffocating waves.D and Michael Carrington had gone to great lengths to help him restart his life. They'd helped fake his death in a warehouse explosion, put on the funeral and D had played the part beautifully through the event. It was horrifying to think he let his brother go through that shit, but D wouldn't have had it any other way.Drake rolled out of bed, his heart aching in his chest. He'd been wrong the night before. He and Sicily couldn't just look away from D and Izzy's bullshit situation. Where he wasn't sure he could get involved in the syndicate again, he could browbeat his brother into being a man and taking Izzy as his woman. There was no other girl for Demetri.After ordering a huge Christmas morning breakfast, Drake wrapped up in an extra blanket, sl
Jaded Kadia
Sicily"That was fun tonight." Sicily squeezed Drake's hand as they walked toward Kadia in downtown New York. The sign lit up the night, taking attention from anyone who passed by. It was magnificent, the largest club she'd seen."Yeah. I had a good time," he glanced down at her, "and I was serious about what I said. We can go back and join your family after we spend a little bit of time with D and Izzy. I doubt they’re staying long. We just wanted to see each other, and it's safer if we do it in the middle of a large crowd."The line was wrapped around the building, people huddling together and singing Christmas songs with all sorts of odd costumes for the event that night. Sicily smiled and snuggled closer to Drake as they walked to the front of the line."The line is back there, man. Go get in it." A sexy bouncer with a great smile and beautiful aqua-colored eyes barked at them. She let her eyes move down to his name tag, wondering who he was for some reason. Had she seem him befor
Jaded Tradition
DrakeDrake let his eyes run across Sicily as she stood in front of the mirror in the hotel bedroom and turned slowly, checking herself out."You look amazing."She walked toward him as he fiddled with his tie, taking over and working on it for him."My brothers never could get a tie on right. The last time I did this for someone, it was at Momma’s funeral." Her hands shook a little. "I did it multiple times that day."He reached up and ran his hands over her hips, enjoying the soft silky black material of her dress. "I'm really good at it. I just wanted you closer."She laughed as a tear ran down her nose. "I'm sorry.""Don't be sorry." He stood and pulled her into a hug, kissing the top of her head as he brushed her hair back. "You can be sensitive over your mom anytime you want, for as long as you want. I'm right here to hold you up."She nodded and pressed her face to his chest. "I just have so many memories of Christmas Eve with her. My chest hurts so bad it feels like acid is ea
Jaded Live with Me
Sicily"What did you do while I was shopping?" Sicily stood beside Drake later that afternoon as he loaded up the truck with her packages."I was taking a nap honestly." He put the last of them in the truck and gave her a look. "What in the world did you get?""Presents for all of our friends and something for you." She shrugged and walked around the truck, getting in on her side.He got in and buckled up as the scent of his cologne filled her nose. She breathed in deeper and let out an appreciative growl.Drake chuckled. "What was that for?""You smell good.""Stop diverting. You shouldn't have gotten all those gifts, baby.""Why not? We didn't fly. We'll just put them all in the back seat when we go back home, right?""It's not about where to put them on the ride home, Sis. It's about you spending your hard-earned money on gifts for us. We don't need anything, at least I don't. I have you, baby. That's more than enough." He pulled out his wallet. "Let me give you some money so you c
Jaded Just the Siblings
Sicily"You sure you don't want to come with me?" Sicily forced a pout on her face. She knew without a doubt that Drake would do anything she wanted him to, but shopping was too much. Having some time with her brother and sister for the afternoon would be fun for her, but most likely a drag of sorts. Especially seeing that the brother going was Johnny."I’m sure, beautiful girl." He pulled up to her mother's house. "I'll catch up with you this afternoon.""Will you take me out to see my momma’s grave before we have to get ready for dinner and church?" She leaned over and touched the side of his handsome face. Butterflies danced in her stomach, which seemed silly, but she hoped that he would always have such a strong pull on her."Of course I will." He leaned in and kissed her softly before deepening it a little. She opened herself up, letting him in as he rolled his tongue past her, dominating the kiss in a way that made her blood boil."Behave." She pulled back and smiled."You're th
Jaded It's Going Down
DrakeThe night was filled with him and Sicily taking turns to explore each other. By the end of it, he was weak, exhausted and completely infatuated with the beautiful woman tucked against him. Not ever being able to sleep well, he was shocked when he woke the next morning to the smell of bacon and the sound of Sicily talking.He jolted up in the bed, worried that he had missed something. "Baby?""Right here." She opened the various trays sitting on the counter by the TV. "I ordered room service because I didn't want to get dressed yet. Besides, it's snowing like crazy out there."He dropped back down and ran his hand over his chest, watching her as she moved around in a large fluffy white robe. She looked adorable. Sexy."Mine," he grumbled and pulled the covers up. "You know that? You're mine.""I know, you gorilla. You made that more than obvious last night." She nibbled on a piece of bacon and walked over to sit down on the edge of the bed. "You want some?""Of course I do." He r
Jaded A Night on the Town
Sicily"Wow. This place is...""Fancy?" Drake asked as he pulled out her chair. "I heard they have the best steaks in New York.""Something tells me that you're probably right." Sicily sat down, feeling way underdressed for the steakhouse Drake had brought her to. He had on a sports coat over his jeans and white polo, and looked like a million bucks. The best thing in her suitcase was a plain white skirt and a blue sweater with winter boots. She felt cute, but that didn't seem like enough."Evening, folks. Glad to have you in the city and here with us tonight for dinner. May I make some suggestions?" The server wore a white pressed shirt, black slacks and a tux jacket.Sicily sat quietly as Drake encouraged the guy to give his spiel. Once he was done, Drake ordered their drinks and an appetizer. He moved his seat closer to hers and draped his arm over the back of her chair. "You look amazing.""You're just being sweet." She smiled and worked to get her napkin in her lap, not wanting t
