An excerpt from the award-winning novel, Mended
Ashley turned her back and hurried away from the dance floor, away from what she was afraid was happening there. The image of Wade with that girl was a weight on her chest, crushing her, and making it hard to breathe. She was suddenly lightheaded and feared she might fall over. She put her hands against a tree trunk and leaned over as she struggled to pull air into her lungs, to ease the knife in her belly. It was as though she'd just run that mile again, the sharp stitch in her side pulsing with every gasp of air, but this time was worse. This time it was her emotions bubbling up and threatening to spill out instead of her breakfast. She steadied herself as she took small breaths in through her nose and out of her mouth. As her heart rate slowed and her head cleared, she felt a soft touch on her shoulder. “Maggie, I told you, I’m fine.” She dropped her arms to her sides and slowly turned around. But instead of finding her concerned best friend, Ashley found herself face-to-face with the man she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about all day. Her eyes narrowed. “Wade. It’s funny meeting you here. Are you having a nice time?” her tone were full of loathing.“I know you saw me with Roxy. You seemed upset so I wanted to check on you. Are you okay?”Her brows furrowed in anger and her voice turned to venom. “Well, at least you learned her name before feeling her up, so I guess you’re not a complete scumbag.”His eyebrows lifted with surprise. Before he could speak, Ashley cut him off. “I don’t get it, Wade. Yesterday, you say you have feelings for me and you ask me out for tonight, but then here you are grinding up against some tramp who was practically in her underwear. Not even a stripper would call that a skirt.”Now it was his turn to get defensive. “You rejected me, Ashley.”“And it was a good thing I did because apparently half-naked tramps with plastic boobs are more your type. Was that a butterfly tattoo on her back? How adorable,” she spat.“I wanted to be out with you tonight, Ashley”—his voice took on an edge—“but since you turned me down, I don’t see how it’s any of your business who I go out with.”“I can’t believe I spent the whole night wishing I was out with you! I don’t know why I ever liked you. But, you’re right, it’s none of my business. Feel free to go out with any floozy you want. Enjoy those plastic boobs digging into your chest tonight—that ought to be real sexy. Just make sure you use protection. You wouldn’t want to die from some horrible slut disease.” Fists balled, nostrils flaring, Ashley whirled around to storm away when strong hands caught her firmly and tugged her back. In the next moment, Wade pulled her flush against his body, making her gasp. His hands tangled in her hair and his lips found hers without hesitation. The kiss was fervent and wild, their tongues tangled together in a savage dance. He tasted of peppermint and smelled of sweat, spice, and Wade, a powerful combination that left an ache deep in her belly. Her skin heated until she felt as though she’d catch fire. Her knees were weak like they might give out at any moment. He deepened the kiss further and she wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him even closer, tangling her fingers in his thick dark hair. Too soon, he pulled away, leaving her panting and desperate for more. She could see the desire carved on his face and his pupils dilated all the way to black.            “Isn’t your date going to be pissed that you’re over here making out with another woman?” she asked, breathless.“Probably, but I don’t care. I only went out with her as a favor to Reid so he could have a chance with her friend. And to try to forget you. In case you were wondering, it didn’t work.”“It seemed like you were having a good time with her. I saw her try to kiss you.”“Did you also see me turn her down and follow you over here? She means nothing to me, Ashley. You're the one I want, not her. Nothing was going to happen with her tonight, even before I saw you were here.” He leaned in and gave her another kiss on the lips, slow and tender this time like she was precious to him. She closed her eyes and melted into it.“My offer is still on the table. I hope you’ll think it over.” With those words, he turned around and left her in the darkness.
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For more about Kayla Marie's books, visit her website atwww.kaylamariebooks.com
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