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Chapter 7
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Someone to Watch Over Me: The Thorntons Book 5 Chapter 8
Rose threw the tennis ball, laughing as Callie sprinted in the opposite direction to fetch it. At the local dog park that evening—on her day off of work—she’d decided to get some much-needed fresh air to clear her head.Callie returned with the ball and dropped it at Rose’s feet. Rose ruffled the dog’s fur. “Good girl,” she crooned. “Go get it!”She threw the ball so far that it landed in the lake. Not one to be put off by a little water, Callie jumped into the lake before Rose could catch her.“Good thing I just had you groomed,” Rose said in exasperation as Callie returned the ball. Callie panted, water dripping onto Rose’s bare toes, and just waited for Rose to throw the ball for the millionth time.Rose kept tossing the ball—far away from the lake each time—letting her mind drift.She’d run into Seth a few times since she and Heath had returned from The Rise and Shine. Seth had been courteous but distant. Rose told herself it was for the best, although she couldn’t help but re
Last Updated : 2021-10-03Someone to Watch Over Me: The Thorntons Book 5 Chapter 9
Seth watched as a shutter fell across Rose’s features, and it only made him want to know her better. Shouldn’t women burst into tears and tell men like him about all the monsters under the bed?He almost snorted. He’d never met a woman like that and he probably never would. He only dealt with stubborn women, brave women,annoyingwomen. Like his twin, Lizzie.“I don’t want to talk about it,” Rose finally said.He clucked his tongue. “Look, I heard you screaming. Screaming, Rose. Something’s going on, and I’m not leaving this apartment until you tell me what it is.”Anger flashed in her eyes. Good. He could deal with anger better than he could deal with hysterics. He understood anger.She glared down at him from her perch on her chair. “I didn’t think you were into harassment, Seth Thornton.”“I’m not, but I know when somebody needs to talk. You need to talk. You look like shit, by the way.”That made her laugh, which he’d hoped it would. “You’re an asshole. Go away.”
Last Updated : 2021-10-03Someone to Watch Over Me: The Thorntons Book 5 Chapter 10
The weekend before the Fourth of July, the entire Thornton clan and their various significant others rented a boat to celebrate Caleb’s thirty-fourth birthday. Caleb had told Megan he didn’t want anything big, but she’d decided that he should definitely have a party. Not only to celebrate his birthday, but to celebrate his promotion at work.When Caleb and Megan got on the boat, everyone yelled “Surprise!” when they walked to the stern. Caleb jumped a little and then laughed.“Happy birthday!” Megan kissed him with a smacking sound, and Seth was amused to notice his brother blushing a little.“Didn’t I tell you I didn’t want a party?” Caleb shook his head, but he looked pleased nonetheless. “How did you manage to plan this without me knowing?”“Oh, a woman never tells her secrets,” Megan demurred.That resulted in laughter all around, and then the drinks were being poured. Since Harrison had rented the boat, they had a captain to make certain the boat didn’t go anywhere it shouldn
Last Updated : 2021-10-03Someone to Watch Over Me: The Thorntons Book 5 Chapter 11
When Rose heard Seth cry out in the middle of the night, her heart twisted. It wasn’t a shout like when you stubbed a toe or banged your knee against a piece of furniture: it was the kind of cry that was equal parts terror and rage. It was the kind of shout that she understood all too well.She closed her eyes and dug her fingers into Callie’s plush fur. She waited for another shout, but there was only silence from next door.Rose hadn’t been able to sleep, although Seth’s yell would’ve awoken her, no doubt. Rising from her blankets, she padded to the living room, which shared a wall with Seth’s apartment.She placed her ear against the wall and listened. She could make out Seth walking around, and she heard his low voice. It was too muffled to hear his words, but it confirmed that he was awake.Callie stood next to her and woofed softly. Rose petted her absently.She’d missed him—that she couldn’t deny. She’d avoided him since she’d essentially kicked him out of her apartment, bu
Last Updated : 2021-10-03Someone to Watch Over Me: The Thorntons Book 5 Chapter 12
Rose saw Seth and his brothers sit down at a table in the back at The Fainting Goat, and she almost ran into Rebecca when she whirled around.“Whoa, watch out! I almost dropped my tray.” Rebecca glared as she pushed past her.Rose took a deep breath and forced her heart to slow. She owed Seth an explanation—and an apology. Again. This seemed to be her lot in life: want Seth, offend Seth, avoid Seth. Rinse, repeat ad infinitum.“DiMarco, you okay?” Ash Younger asked as he walked past her to Trent’s office. “You look like you saw a ghost.”She gave him a wan smile. “I’m fine. Sorry, I’ll get back to work.”She didn’t give a chance for Ash to ask more questions before she hurried into the kitchen, only to realize that there weren’t any orders to pick up. She loitered until the chef told her either to start cooking or go be productive.She checked on her tables, refilled water glasses, and made absolutely certain to avoid any glares directed her way via Seth Thornton. Considering she
Last Updated : 2021-10-03Someone to Watch Over Me: The Thorntons Book 5 Chapter 13
Rose had never hated not having a car more than when Heath called her to tell her his place had been broken into. He’d told her she didn’t need to come over, but of course she would. He was her brother, for God’s sake.The bus system in Fair Haven was mediocre at best. Deciding to pay for an Uber even though she really couldn’t spare the cash, Rose arrived about fifteen minutes later at Heath’s small bungalow on the south side of town. One of the few benefits of living in a small town was that you didn’t get stuck in traffic just driving a handful of miles away.There was a Fair Haven police car outside Heath’s house, and she approached to see Caleb Thornton talking with Heath.“Rose! I told you didn’t need to come,” Heath admonished, but he didn’t look upset.She hugged him hard, and he laughed.“I’m fine. I wasn’t even here, and they didn’t take anything that I can find. Just messed up the place.”That only made her feel worse. When she started shaking, Heath made her look him
Last Updated : 2021-10-03Someone to Watch Over Me: The Thorntons Book 5 Chapter 14
That night, Rose lay in her nest of blankets with Callie and thought. She thought about everything she’d told Heath, and everything he’d told her.You can’t let fear rule your life.Those words thrummed in her mind like a single chord of music. She stroked Callie as she thought, and considered, and finally, made a decision.She knew very well it wouldn’t be as easy as letting go and dusting her hands of everything that had happened. But that didn’t mean she should stay in a kind of stasis, either.If she didn’t push herself to move forward, no one would.It was close to midnight. She wondered if Seth was asleep, but then she heard the creak of footsteps next door.The universe was giving her a sign, that was for sure.“I’ll be back later,” she whispered to Callie. Before she left, she brushed her teeth—a second time—brushed her hair, put on her prettiest bra-and-panty set, and then added a little lipstick on top of it all.If she was going to seduce a man, she might as well giv
Last Updated : 2021-10-03Someone to Watch Over Me: The Thorntons Book 5 Chapter 15
Rose knew her happiness couldn’t last. The morning after, she went to her apartment to shower and get ready for work. Seth had made it difficult for her to leave, though, as he’d kept kissing her and luring her back into bed. After they’d eaten breakfast, he’d carried her to his bed again, the sex slow and tender and so amazing Rose couldn’t believe any of it was real.Toweling her hair dry, she heard her phone ring. Her heart beat in excitement, thinking it was Seth, but when she saw it was an unknown number, her heart sank.“Hello?” she answered. She refused to sound scared.“Rosie, it’s been too long. I got your message,” said Johnny, his voice almost jovial. “I’d love to meet with you, but I don’t have much time to waste. How about Saturday afternoon, at the Sanditon Pass?”“That’s at least an hour away. I don’t have a car—”“Figure it out.” His jovial tone melted away. “Either agree to meet me there, or you can kiss your boyfriend and your brother goodbye.”“And what if I sa
Last Updated : 2021-10-03
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Someone to Watch Over Me: The Thorntons Book 5 About the Author
A coffee addict and cat lover, Iris Morland writes sexy and funny contemporary romances. If she's not reading or writing, she enjoys binging on Netflix shows and cooking something delicious.Stay in touch!irismorland.comIris Morland’s MermaidsNewsletter Facebook Twitter BookBub Goodreads Instagram
Someone to Watch Over Me: The Thorntons Book 5 Also by Iris Morland
Say You’re MineAll I Ask of YouMake Me YoursHold Me CloseOopsie DaisyHe Loves Me, He Loves Me NotPetal PluckerWar of the RosesincludingThen Came YouTaking a Chance on LoveAll I Want Is YouMy One and OnlyThe Nearness of YouThe Very Thought of YouIf I Can’t Have YouDream a Little Dream of MeSomeone to Watch Over MeTill There Was YouI’ll Be Home for Christmas
Someone to Watch Over Me: The Thorntons Book 5 Enjoy this exclusive excerpt
After eating dinner and changing her clothes, Jubilee almost lost her nerve. What if Heath wasn’t home? What if he was home, but he told her to go away? How humiliating. Her stomach churned as she imagined all sorts of scenarios.“Did I make myself a promise?” she said to herself as she began to put on her shoes. “I’m not going to let Heath beat me.”She wasn’t going to be that shy wallflower anymore. The girl everyone overlooked. The girl everyone assumed was too delicate, too naive, to take seriously. She wasn’t going to be that girl any longer.She only knew where Heath lived because she’d stopped by with Rose one evening a few months ago. She just hoped he was home at all tonight.When she saw Heath’s car in his driveway and a light on inside the first-floor apartment, her heart started to pound. She almost lost her nerve right then. Taking a deep breath, she told herself to remain calm, cool, collected. She’d seen how Heath looked at her. She only had to use that desire to her
Someone to Watch Over Me: The Thorntons Book 5 Epilogue
“Okay, I’m ready.” Rose glanced one more time in the mirror, checked her makeup for the thousandth time, and took a deep breath.She walked into the living room, feeling rather absurdly exposed. Seth’s eyes widened.“Well?” she said, trying not to fidget. “Is it stupid? I’ll take it off—”“No, no. I love it.” His grin was swift as he pulled her close and into his lap. “The wings are amazing.”“Really? Do I look like a hummingbird? I thought I might look more like a blue jay—”“No way. It’s perfect. Best Halloween costume ever.”She looked at his costume and rolled her eyes. “You’re not even in a costume!”“Yes, I am.” He showed her a sign he’d made that readNudist on Strike.“I’m on strike, babe.”“Oh well, does that mean you’re on strike for me? Because that’s a damn shame.”He nuzzled her neck. “No way. You can get me naked anytime.”She laughed, and he kissed her, although she eventually pushed him away because she was not going to let him ruin her makeup. She’d
Someone to Watch Over Me: The Thorntons Book 5 Chapter 20
It was nearly dawn by the time Rose and Seth returned to Seth’s apartment. He had to get stitches in his hand, his bicep and throat were bandaged , and after long interviews with the cops, they were allowed to go home. Johnny and his gang would remain in jail for the time being.Heath had taken Callie for the day, and when they’d all met up at the hospital, he’d returned her with a shake of his head.“She wouldn’t calm down all day,” he’d reported as Callie cavorted around Rose in excitement. “I think she missed you.”Rose had almost cried at seeing Callie again. Burying her face in the dog’s fur, she’d had to gather her composure to thank her brother for everything.Now in Seth’s apartment, they both collapsed onto Seth’s bed, Callie lying at the foot of the bed. Seth winced when he rolled onto his side.“How’s your hand?” Rose asked as she curled next to him.“Fine. I think they gave me enough painkillers to sedate an elephant.”“Good. Then if you annoy me, I’ll put some into
Someone to Watch Over Me: The Thorntons Book 5 Chapter 19
After Johnny left her, Rose took in the room, looking for any means of escape. There was no furniture, nothing to use as a weapon to get the zip ties loose. Rose struggled for a while, until she realized all she was doing was hurting herself in the process.She forced herself to stay calm. She’d texted Heath her location, and she knew her brother would move heaven and earth to find her. Closing her eyes, she breathed deeply, in and out.What would Seth do? Sitting in this prison cell, tied up and terrified, she felt all of her feelings of anger and grief toward Seth melt away. She wanted to see him one last time because no matter what, she loved him. What if she never got to tell him how much she loved him again?She choked back a sob at that thought. She couldn’t devolve into panic, or she would never get out of this alive.Johnny had used zip ties on her wrists and her ankles, tying each ankle to the chair itself. Years ago, she’d taken a brief self-defense class, and she forced
Someone to Watch Over Me: The Thorntons Book 5 Chapter 18
Rose entered her own apartment and stood in the middle of her living room. Her brain couldn’t compute what had just happened. She stared at the dirty dishes currently sitting in the sink, the mug on the coffee table where she’d left it this morning. It had seemed ages ago, drinking from the mug.Callie whined and sat next to Rose. She whined again, but Rose didn’t respond.It was over. After everything that had happened to her, she’d fallen in love with a man who didn’t want to fight for that love. He wanted to let himself fall deeper into his own doom, and she could do nothing about it.A stray firework exploded some miles away; she flinched. She waited for a second one, and she breathed a sigh of relief when that seemed to be the only one.She washed the dishes that had been sitting in the sink all day. She washed her face, brushed her teeth, got dressed for bed. Pulling out the futon, she realized that her pillow smelled like Seth. Exchanging it for another pillow, she almost sc
Someone to Watch Over Me: The Thorntons Book 5 Chapter 17
One moment Seth was next to her watching the fireworks, the next he was pushing his way through the crowd. He disappeared from her line of sight for a moment.“What’s wrong?” Caleb yelled over the latest firework explosion.“I don’t know! I need to go after him.”Rose ducked under someone’s arm and headed toward the Thornton house. She saw a door close, and she went inside the house, which was mostly dark except for a dim light from the hallway. She’d gone through a back door that led into a mudroom. She waited a moment and then heard footsteps. She ran after the sound.She discovered Seth in a room upstairs, his head in his hands. She glanced at the decor and realized that this must have been his childhood room: there were posters of rock bands on the walls, a giant but old stereo on a table near the bed, and a scattering of rudimentary wooden figurines. She almost smiled when she saw the desktop computer still sitting on the desk.“Seth.” He didn’t respond, and she sat down next
Someone to Watch Over Me: The Thorntons Book 5 Chapter 16
Rose awoke to the sound of Seth’s voice. Yawning, she sat up, her brain slowly clearing of sleep.Seth’s shoulders were tense as he spoke to someone on the phone. “Yeah, you’ll have my answer soon, sir. Yeah. Yeah, I understand. Bye.”He seemed not to realize she was next to him. She began to rub his shoulders, concerned, but he pushed her hands away.“I need to take a shower,” he muttered. “I’ll be back,” he added in a gentler voice.Rose heard the water turn on next door, and as she made breakfast for herself and Seth, she frowned. Who wanted an answer from him? He hadn’t mentioned anything of the sort lately.Rose gave Callie a bite of bacon. “It’s just one thing after another with us, isn’t it?”Seth returned twenty minutes later, his hair wet and looking a little less dazed. They sat down to eat, not speaking, and Rose decided not to press him until he felt ready to tell her what was going on.Seth set his plate down on the table, smiling when Callie tried to nose another p
