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Chapter 9
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Till There Was You: The Thorntons Book 6 Chapter 10
The week before Thanksgiving—and days after her first seduction lesson—Heath sent Jubilee a text saying that he had to go out of town that weekend.A teacher training in Seattle, he wrote.Super boring. I’d rather stay in town with you.That last line made her heart flutter. She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about that night, or how amazing Heath had been. And they hadn’t officially had sex yet! She had a feeling when they got to the actual sex, she might not survive it.I wish you had stayed here, then,she replied after she arrived home from The Rise and Shine that Friday night.What am I supposed to do tonight? Netflix and chill by myself?Don’t you have twenty siblings you can hang out with? :)Jubilee laughed.No, thanks. I see them enough as it is.Besides, she thought, the last thing she needed was for one of her nosy older brothers to see how happy and distracted she was and put two and two together. Especially Harrison. He was still suspicious
Till There Was You: The Thorntons Book 6 Chapter 11
“Rich attacked her.” Seth stood over them both. He looked like a grim specter, and Heath knew the only reason Seth wasn’t out there hunting Rich down was because Rose needed him to stay close by.“I was walking Callie,” Rose said, the dog in question lying at her feet. “She started barking right when Rich tried to—” She swallowed. “I don’t even know. Kidnap me? Scare me? He tried to drag me away, but Callie attacked him. She bit him in the leg right when Seth arrived. I’d left my gun at home. Stupid. I know better.”“Not your fault. You should be able to walk home without being afraid.” Heath wrapped an arm around Rose, although he wondered if he was comforting himself more than he was comforting her. “What happened to Rich?”Seth narrowed his eyes. “He ran. Only reason I didn’t break his fucking neck was because Rose told me not to.”That caused Rose to smile slightly. “I’m so sorry I stopped you from murdering someone.”“For you, I’d kill anyone who’d try to hurt you.”Heath si
Till There Was You: The Thorntons Book 6 Chapter 12
Hearing footsteps behind him, Heath whirled, only to see the last person he expected to come for him at Fair Haven Elementary. Harrison Thornton stalked toward him, his expression stormy, and Heath was only surprised he didn’t get a punch in the jaw from Harrison right then.“What’s going on with you and my sister?” Harrison demanded. He wore a shirt and slacks under his coat, so he must’ve come straight from work at his private practice.Heath looked up at the sky: gray and gloomy, and apparently there was a chance of snow in the forecast. Just what he needed, although it reflected his own mood.“Hello to you, too. Did you want to get a drink after work?” Heath crossed his arms. Although they were in the school parking lot, there were enough people around to keep Harrison from decking him.Hopefully.“I don’t drink with men who hurt my sisters. Either tell me what’s going on between you and Jubilee, or I’ll make you tell me.”Heath rolled his eyes. Harrison had been a good frien
Till There Was You: The Thorntons Book 6 Chapter 13
Jubilee had imagined this exact moment so many times that it was difficult to believe it was really happening now. She almost pinched herself to make certain she wasn’t dreaming.But in her dreams, she couldn’t feel how warm and solid Heath was, and she had to admit, he didn’t kiss like this in her dreams. He’d kissed her sweetly in her dreams.In reality, he kissed her like she was necessary to his very being—nothing sweet about it.“Are you sure?” Heath asked. He searched her face. “You want this?”She smoothed her hands down his shirt, and he shuddered. “I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything else.”Groaning, he pressed his forehead to hers, but he didn’t ask her again if she was sure. He kissed her temple before capturing her mouth in a kiss that made her entire body yearn for his.She knew that losing your virginity could be painful. She’d always been a little afraid of it, if she was being honest. What if it were awful? She’d heard enough horror stories that she cou
Till There Was You: The Thorntons Book 6 Chapter 14
Jubilee smiled as Heath gave her more pancakes on her plate the following morning. They’d both woken up starving, and although Heath had been tempted to go a second round, their rumbling stomachs had been so distracting that he determined they needed breakfast before any more sex.It didn’t help his self-control one bit to see Jubilee wearing his shirt and nothing else, her hair still mussed from his running his fingers through it. She was flushed and happy, and she kept giving him looks from under her lashes.Heath decided he’d cook them breakfast, mostly to give himself something to do that didn’t involve pouncing on Jubilee.She’s probably sore. Give her a break, his mind said, but his mind had very little influence over his libido at this point.His gaze was far away as he flipped pancakes and scrambled eggs for them both. Last night had been…mind-altering. When he’d told Jubilee that the sex had been the best he’d ever had, he’d meant it. And now that he’d been the one to
Till There Was You: The Thorntons Book 6 Chapter 15
Jubilee took out the infamous list and crossed outLose my virginity, smiling widely. She’d been able to accomplish a handful of things on this list already, hadn’t she? Except for one, which now glared at her with seemingly neon letters.Go skinny-dippingConsidering it was now December, she wasn’t sure how she’d pull that off without freezing off her bits and pieces. She could always wait until summer, but then she’d be in Seattle, wouldn’t she?If only she could find a hot tub in town to use instead…She sent off a quick text to her sister Lizzie, who would be the most useful person for accomplishing this. Lizzie texted back readily, and then Jubilee found herself waiting outside one of the swim clubs in Fair Haven for Heath to show up. This particular club sat on a hill overlooking Fair Haven, which made it feel private.Heath did show at the appointed time, giving her a wry look as they stood outside the gates that were closed for the winter. “Are we breaking and enterin
Till There Was You: The Thorntons Book 6 Chapter 16
Jubilee stared straight ahead as she sat in the driver’s side of her car, Heath silent in the passenger seat. She’d initially thought they could talk at her apartment, but the thought of going there, where Heath had first touched her and shaken her world, seemed unbearable right then.Jubilee shivered despite the heater going full blast. She’d tried to get the water out of her hair, but then it had seemed so pointless in the grand scheme of things.Heath had lied to her. When she’d asked him if something was going on, he’d lied to her face without flinching.So she waited, hoping he had an explanation she could understand, if not swallow so they could move on.“I should’ve told you everything a long time ago,” Heath admitted. He sighed. “I didn’t know how to tell you, Jubilee. And I didn’t want to lay that burden on you.”She flinched, but she said nothing. She knew well enough that one of the best ways to get people to talk was to wait. The words inevitably spilled out in an atte
Till There Was You: The Thorntons Book 6 Chapter 17
Jubilee stared at the bowl of batter in front of her. She’d completely forgotten what she’d been making. Banana bread? Pumpkin bread? She knew most of the recipes Megan used at The Rise and Shine by heart, so she couldn’t just read what she’d need.Staring at that bowl of nondescript batter, Jubilee felt tears rising. It was stupid, really, how anything could make her cry lately. It had been two weeks since she’d broken things off with Heath, and she missed him. She missed him like she missed a severed limb—or a piece of heart.She still loved him. She wished she could push that love aside and move on, but her heart wouldn’t let her. Every night, she dreamed of him. Every time she heard the bell jangle at The Rise and Shine, she looked up, hoping it was him.But it never was. He didn’t come to her apartment to beg her to come back; he didn’t stop by her work to tell her he was an idiot. He didn’t call her to say he’d been a coward to let her end things.She’d wanted him to fight fo
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Till There Was You: The Thorntons Book 6 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
Till There Was You: The Thorntons Book 6 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
Till There Was You: The Thorntons Book 6 Enjoy this exclusive excerpt
Violet couldn’t imagine where Ash wanted to take her at one thirty in the morning that wasn’t to his place. When she said that she trusted him, her boring, logical side yelled, You don’t know him! Go home! You’re crazy!And yet...her intuition told her she could trust him. She trusted that when he said he wanted to have “good, clean, wholesome fun,” he meant it. At least, as much as Ash Younger could do anything wholesome.She followed Ash down the street and out of the small downtown area. Tipping her head back, she could make out a few stars, and she felt like they were the only two people in the entire world. The town was so quiet. The only sounds were a dog barking and a single car driving by.When they arrived at the playground, Violet let out a startled laugh. “This is what you had in mind?”“What, do you have something against swings?” Ash sat down in one of the swings that was so low to the ground—especially considering that he had to be over six feet tall—that Violet start
Till There Was You: The Thorntons Book 6 Epilogue
Jubilee woke up to sunshine and birdsong. It was ridiculous, really, how gorgeous it was going to be today. Then again, after a rainy winteranda rainy spring, any sunshine was welcome.“Good morning,” she said as she passed her roommate Renee on the way to the bathroom. Jubilee had found Renee’s listing online for a roommate, and after a few emails back and forth, Renee had asked her to move in. Two weeks after New Year’s, Jubilee had packed up everything she wanted into her new car and driven to Seattle to start her new life as a college student.Her family had wanted to help her move, and it had taken all of Jubilee’s powers of persuasion to convince her brothers she didn’t have enough things to warrant all of them coming with her.“Heath is helping me, anyway. I’m not even taking much furniture with me.”Harrison, though, had convinced her he’d like to help, and Jubilee had finally agreed. During the Thornton Christmas get-together with all of her siblings and their
Till There Was You: The Thorntons Book 6 Chapter 19
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay with you tonight? I don’t think you should be alone.”Jubilee bit back a sharp reply, knowing all too well that her mother meant well. Lisa Thornton hadn’t left Jubilee’s side from the moment she’d found out about her car accident. Not only Lisa, but the entire Thornton clan had shown up at Fair Haven Memorial, demanding to know what had happened.Jubilee knew she’d been lucky. Despite everything, she’d only suffered a cut to her forehead from flying glass, which had only needed some stitches, along with a minor concussion. She’d been released from the hospital after forty-eight hours. The attending physician had said that she should take it easy and come back to the ER if she suffered any kind of dizziness or nausea, but so far, all Jubilee felt was tired.“Mom, I’ll be okay. Really. I just want to sleep.”Lisa looked like she wanted to protest, but then she just sighed deeply. “All right. Please call me if you need me. I’ll come straight aw
Till There Was You: The Thorntons Book 6 Chapter 18
Jubilee shivered as her car very slowly heated up. After a lot of persuasion (or, in Jubilee’s mind, nagging), she’d agreed to go to her parents’ place for dinner. Lisa had told her she wanted to talk, which Jubilee knew really meant listening to Lisa lecture her about whatever she’d decided Jubilee had done wrong.She’d never understand why Lisa was so set on keeping Jubilee from living her own life. She’d always be grateful for everything Lisa had sacrificed for Jubilee during her treatments, but when would Lisa finally realize that she had to let go?Jubilee had found an apartment in Seattle and had begun packing up her things for her move. Although it was tinged with sadness and loss, it also provided a distraction from thinking about Heath every hour of every day. Last night, though, she’d read her infamous list for the thousandth time before taking a lighter and burning it until it was nothing but ashes.At least she wouldn’t be stuck in Fair Haven, running into Heath all the
Till There Was You: The Thorntons Book 6 Chapter 17
Jubilee stared at the bowl of batter in front of her. She’d completely forgotten what she’d been making. Banana bread? Pumpkin bread? She knew most of the recipes Megan used at The Rise and Shine by heart, so she couldn’t just read what she’d need.Staring at that bowl of nondescript batter, Jubilee felt tears rising. It was stupid, really, how anything could make her cry lately. It had been two weeks since she’d broken things off with Heath, and she missed him. She missed him like she missed a severed limb—or a piece of heart.She still loved him. She wished she could push that love aside and move on, but her heart wouldn’t let her. Every night, she dreamed of him. Every time she heard the bell jangle at The Rise and Shine, she looked up, hoping it was him.But it never was. He didn’t come to her apartment to beg her to come back; he didn’t stop by her work to tell her he was an idiot. He didn’t call her to say he’d been a coward to let her end things.She’d wanted him to fight fo
Till There Was You: The Thorntons Book 6 Chapter 16
Jubilee stared straight ahead as she sat in the driver’s side of her car, Heath silent in the passenger seat. She’d initially thought they could talk at her apartment, but the thought of going there, where Heath had first touched her and shaken her world, seemed unbearable right then.Jubilee shivered despite the heater going full blast. She’d tried to get the water out of her hair, but then it had seemed so pointless in the grand scheme of things.Heath had lied to her. When she’d asked him if something was going on, he’d lied to her face without flinching.So she waited, hoping he had an explanation she could understand, if not swallow so they could move on.“I should’ve told you everything a long time ago,” Heath admitted. He sighed. “I didn’t know how to tell you, Jubilee. And I didn’t want to lay that burden on you.”She flinched, but she said nothing. She knew well enough that one of the best ways to get people to talk was to wait. The words inevitably spilled out in an atte
Till There Was You: The Thorntons Book 6 Chapter 15
Jubilee took out the infamous list and crossed outLose my virginity, smiling widely. She’d been able to accomplish a handful of things on this list already, hadn’t she? Except for one, which now glared at her with seemingly neon letters.Go skinny-dippingConsidering it was now December, she wasn’t sure how she’d pull that off without freezing off her bits and pieces. She could always wait until summer, but then she’d be in Seattle, wouldn’t she?If only she could find a hot tub in town to use instead…She sent off a quick text to her sister Lizzie, who would be the most useful person for accomplishing this. Lizzie texted back readily, and then Jubilee found herself waiting outside one of the swim clubs in Fair Haven for Heath to show up. This particular club sat on a hill overlooking Fair Haven, which made it feel private.Heath did show at the appointed time, giving her a wry look as they stood outside the gates that were closed for the winter. “Are we breaking and enterin
