Damaged Love Read online

  Title Page

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  About The Author

  Copyright © 2017 by Riann C. Miller

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, distributed, stored in or introduced into any information storage or retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic, photocopying, mechanical or otherwise, without express permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, story lines and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons, living or dead, events, locales or any events or occurrences are purely coincidental.

  Cover Design, Interior Design and Formatting by Juliana Cabrera of Jersey Girl & Co. Designs

  Editing by Edee M. Fallon, Mad Spark Editing

  Standalones

  Living With This Regret

  Meeting The Unpredictable

  Unlikely Love

  Damaged Love

  Living With Lies Series

  Beneath The Lies

  Locked Away

  IF YOU’RE WILLING TO STOP and take a long look, you’ll find there’s more beauty and love in the world than most would guess is possible. Unfortunately, it seems that people tend to focus on the evil and darkness that consistently lingers in the backgrounds of our lives instead of witnessing life’s favorable moments.

  There was a time when I saw a light so bright it cast a glittering blaze over my cloudy life, and for a short time, I pretended that was enough. I allowed myself to believe that actions don’t always speak louder than words and that true love trumps everything.

  In the end, none of that matters; we all make choices, and I’ll live with mine for the rest of my life.

  JET

  “HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU want?” I choke on my water when I hear my date, a woman I barely know, talking as if she’s already planning our life together.

  “I’m thinking two tops, but if you’re willing to make it worth my while, I could maybe do three.” She bats her eyelashes with a smile that almost any man would find frightening.

  I rarely go out with women, but I don’t need to be an expert to know this is not a suitable topic for a first date.

  “I haven’t thought that far down the road yet, Julie,” I reply as I plaster a fake smile on my face.

  “Jill,” my date screeches in a less than friendly tone.

  My eyes instantly narrow. “Who’s Jill?” The second the words are out of my mouth, I know I made a huge mistake.

  “Me. I’m Jill, not Julie.”

  Shit. This woman went from attractive to scary with the snap of her fingers.

  Julie—shit—I mean Jill, happens to be a woman I met when I was leaving work yesterday. We somehow struck up a friendly conversation that led to me asking her out. Somewhere between the elevator and now, it appears she jumped aboard the crazy train.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I accidentally said Julie. I know your name is Jill. And to give you a better answer, I have no idea how many kids I want, but I do know that I don’t want any in the near future.” I made sure to use a carefree tone, but it does nothing to relax my date. She flips her blonde hair over her shoulder and sticks her lip out, pouting like a child.

  “Can I interest either of you in dessert?” the waiter asks as he unknowingly walks straight into my date’s wrath.

  “No,” I shout. “I mean no thank you. We’re ready for the check.” I don’t take my eyes off the now fuming woman sitting across from me.

  “Maybe I wanted dessert,” she snaps as soon as the waiter leaves the table.

  Oh, fuck me.

  I let out a deep sigh and glance at the woman I found desirable only hours ago. “This isn’t working. I think it’s best if we throw in the towel now and save ourselves from wasting any more time.”

  “Ugh. How can you say that? We’re getting along great.” Her voice has taken on a nasally sound that’s grating on my nerves.

  I slowly close my eyes and take a deep breath, willing myself to relax. Seconds later, I’m snapped out of my peaceful moment when I hear our waiter clear his throat. “Take your time, sir.”

  I quickly remove my credit card, hoping like hell I can get out of here in one piece. When I dare a glance at my date, I find her staring at me with lust in her eyes. My foot starts tapping under the table as she slowly licks her lips. This woman is certifiably crazy. I don’t care how attractive she is. I don’t think there’s a man on earth that could keep up with her ever-changing moods.

  I clear my throat and loudly swallow, delaying what needs to be said.

  “Look, Jill, I don’t go on a lot of dates, but I go on enough to know that this—” I wave my hand between us “—isn’t working.”

  Jill’s eyes flash before she cocks her head to the side, studying me in a way I find unnerving and slightly alarming. “The only reason I agreed to go out with you was because you’re hot, but after I looked your name up online, I decided this could be more. Now I’m starting to think maybe you’re not worth the effort.”

  I straighten my back and nod my head.

  At least I can give her points for being honest.

  I come from money, and I have a unique name. When I meet people my own age, more times than not, I discover they know of me, and that usually translates into people thinking we’re friends. Jill, however, practically admitted to wanting to date me because of what she found online, and while I shouldn’t be surprised, I still am.

  “You’re right. I’m not worth the effort,” I reply as the waiter returns with my card. “Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”

  “I don’t need a ride, asshole. I can get home without your fucking help,” Jill shrieks loud enough that the whole damn restaurant can hear her. She stands up and knocks into our table, almost spilling my water over as she storms off.

  I groan in pure frustration and rub my hands over my face. This right here is why I don’t usually ask a woman out, and why I don’t screw females I don’t know. I walk a fine line with women. Give too much, and they want it all. Don’t give enough, and they walk away without a backward glance. But, in this case, I’m happy Jill didn’t spend any longer than she did trying to impress me.

  My father has more money than he knows what to do with. This is common knowledge to almost everyone in California; however, my dad never acts like we have anything more than the average family.

  Years ago, I lost track of the amount of companies he owns or co-owns because, truthfully, I don’t care. Nickolas McKenzie is the best parent a kid could ask for. The fact that he has money is just a bonus, or a curse, depending on how you look at it.

  When it comes to my dating life, it’s definitely a fucking curse. The second a chick finds out who I am, the wheels start to spin as to how they might get their own personal payday. At least Jill didn’t hide her motives, which in some strange way almost causes m
e to respect her.

  I shove my wallet in my pocket and walk out of the restaurant. I wave toward the valet and hand the man my ticket. While I’m waiting on my car, I hear what sounds like a woman.

  “I said stop.” Her voice sounds raspy, almost scared. “I said stop,” I hear again, only louder, coming from somewhere over my left shoulder. When I turn and look around, I don’t see anyone. I do, however, spot the valet with my car coming around the corner at the exact time I hear the same scared voice scream, “I said stop!”

  An alarming sensation washes over me. I take a long look around until I spot an entrance to an alley not more than fifty feet from where I’m standing. I start moving in that direction before I even realize what I’m doing. When I round the corner, a deep grumble comes from my chest when I see a man towering over a woman. He has her pushed against the wall with his hands tightly wrapped around her throat.

  “Hey. What the hell are you doing?” I roar as I rush toward them.

  “Mind your own fucking business,” the man howls, which only increases the fury I feel building.

  I grab ahold of the jerk’s arm and yank him away from the woman. When he finally let’s go, I push him, harder than I was expecting, causing him to fall to the ground.

  Quickly, he jumps to his feet, ready for a fight, when his demeanor suddenly changes. His eyes dart back and forth between myself and his victim before he finally gives the woman a sharp look. He stares at her for a second before he sprints out of the alley.

  My heart beats against my chest as both the desire to help this woman and the urgency to take off after her attacker overwhelms my thoughts. I pinch the bridge of my nose, hoping to relieve some of the tension I’m feeling. I glance at the alley entrance and decide I should stay here to offer my help.

  I peek toward the woman whose back is still against the brick wall. Her face is tilted down while her chest rises and falls in an attempt to catch her breath.

  “Are you all right? Would you like me to call for help?” I politely ask, hoping like hell I masked my anger.

  Slowly, she tilts her head back. Light from the street shines just bright enough that when her crystal blue eyes meet mine, I momentarily stop breathing. Mascara is smudged across her tear stained face. Her lipstick is smeared, and strands of her pinned up black hair are falling in waves around her face. As my eyes wander down the length of her body, I notice her dress is ripped up the side, exposing a toned leg.

  For a moment, I start to forget why I’m standing here until I hear her sniffle.

  “Do you want me to call someone?” I repeat in a voice firmer than I intended.

  “No...thank you.” She wipes at her face then picks up her purse off the ground and starts walking toward the street.

  A second later, it clicks in my head that she’s actually leaving while I’m still standing in the middle of an empty alley. By the time my legs get the memo, I have to jog to catch up with her. “Are you sure I can’t call someone for you?” She lets out a startled scream and covers her chest with her hand.

  “Fuck, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you more than you already are.”

  “I'm not frightened. I just need a cab.” I watch as she attempts to pull her dress higher, hoping to cover her ample chest. When she notices me watching her, I quickly avert my eyes, only to see the valet waiting with my car.

  I glance in her direction again. “I can give you a ride. Where are you going?”

  She nervously glances around before bringing her eyes back to mine. She attempts to smile when I notice her lip is busted. Immediately, the madness I felt moments ago returns, causing her face to fall.

  “Thank you, but I’d feel better taking a cab.” She raises her hand, and a cab pulls up to the curb in front of us.

  Panic starts to consume me at the idea of her getting in this car and driving away, leaving me to wonder whom she is and if she’s truly okay.

  “Wait, you can’t just leave. At least tell me your name.” I hold her gaze as an ache starts to form in my chest.

  “Thank you for your help.” Her eyes continue to shimmer as she gives me a small, almost sad smile. Suddenly, I’m hit with how incredibly beautiful this girl is. Before I force my voice to work, she gets into the cab and never once looks back.

  * * * *

  For almost a solid week, I constantly thought about the breathtaking woman I helped in the alley after my date with Jill, but after the second week passed, thoughts of her finally started to fade from my mind.

  The summer has just begun, but rather than enjoying myself like most recent high school grads, I’m getting a jumpstart on college. No matter how many millions of dollars my dad has, a degree is something he feels is important. Adding to my already hectic schedule, I’m working on a major project with Kenner Technology, a company my father recently purchased.

  After class but before I was due at Kenner Technology, I stopped in a coffee shop that does an amazing job of delivering my midday caffeine fix. As I’m waiting my turn in line, my eyes scan the café, and that’s when I spot her. Her face is tilted down while she reads a book. After almost two weeks and in completely different circumstances, I, without a doubt, know it’s her.

  I order my coffee, and I walk over to the table she’s sitting at. I stand less than a foot away from her, watching until she finally stops reading her book and looks up at me. Her cheeks are a light shade of pink and her eyes...her eyes are just as blue as I’ve imagined over the last two weeks.

  “Hey.” I quickly clear my throat. “Do you remember me?” Her cheeks flood with even more color as she flushes from my question.

  Gently, she nods her head and mumbles, “Yes. I remember you.”

  “Do you mind?” I point to the chair across from her.

  “No, not at all,” she replies in a shaky voice. I hastily sit down before she has the chance to rescind.

  “How are you doing?” Her brow arches at my question.

  “Jet? Jet?...Jet?” Shit, I can hear the barista hollering out my name.

  “Just a second.” I jump up, and instead of leaving like I had originally planned when I first arrived, I stroll back over to her table and take the seat across from her again.

  “You must be Jet.” She nervously shifts in her chair.

  “Yep. That’s me. What’s your name?” My eyes scan her cup, but I come up empty.

  “Rachel. Rachel...Ashmore.”

  “Nice to meet you, Rachel Ashmore. I’m Jet McKenzie.” I extend my hand to shake hers. She hesitates for a moment, but she finally reaches across the table. The second our hands meet, I feel a jolt in my arm, but she doesn’t appear to notice.

  “Nice to meet you,” she shyly replies before she quickly pulls her hand away.

  I’ve met a lot of girls over the years, but none of them has perked my interest like this one. Maybe my attraction stems from how she needed my help from the second I met her, or maybe it’s something more. If that’s the case, then I owe it to myself to find out.

  “Do you live in the area?” I force myself to remain calm, but the need to know more than just her name starts to consume me.

  “No, but I work close by. I got out of class early today, and I figured I’d kill my extra time here with a cup of coffee and a good book.”

  “Really? I actually work down the street. That’s the only reason I know about this hole in the wall joint,” I add, still taking in her beauty. Her black hair is pulled high on her head, exposing her delectable neck. My eyes move further down, only to find her nervously chewing on her plump pink lips.

  Rachel glances down at her watch. Her face instantly changes from relaxed to panicked. “I’ve gotta go. It was nice to meet you...again, Jet.” Hearing my name come from her lips almost sounds musical until I realize she’s leaving. She leans down and scoops her bag off the floor then rushes out the door.

  Damn, this is the second time she’s walked away from me and each time she’s left me wanting more.

  * * * *
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br />   “Where are you going tonight?” my dad questions as I pick my keys up off the table.

  “There’s a party up in Thousand Hills. I’m swamped with homework, but Matt and Eric keep calling me. I figure if I show up for a few hours that should keep them off my ass for a while.”

  My dad’s smile is weaker than normal, but it’s still there. “Be careful, and if you decide to drink, call me. I’ll come get you.”

  I nod my head. “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything stupid.”

  “I know you won’t, bud, but I like it when you remind me.”

  “Okay, I’m out of here.” I push my wallet into my back pocket and walk out to my car. I don’t even know whose house I’m heading to. I was only told there’s a huge party that I had to get my ass to.

  Matt Lewis and Eric Graham have been my partners in crime since childhood. The three of us couldn’t be more different if we actually tried, which is why I think we get along as well as we do.

  Eric has had a baseball in his hand since I could remember. Not only is he leaving in the fall on a baseball scholarship, I’ll be shocked if he’s not playing in the pros one day very soon.

  In high school, the girls liked to call Matt a bad boy. Like mine, Matt’s family has a lot of money. But, unlike me, he doesn’t get along with his dad. He usually takes any opportunity he can find to stick it to his old man. Typically, that guarantees everyone around him has a good time.

  I park my car and make my way through the mess of partygoers. I barely round the front of the house when I hear Matt’s voice.

  “It’s about time you got your ass here.”

  “Homework and work, dude. Story of my fucking life.” I laugh. “Why the fuck are you doing either? You know your dad is going to give you his fortune, anyway. Enjoy life now. We’re only young once.”

  “Whatever, man,” I counter with a smirk. Matt will always have my back, but we’ll never agree on the importance of earning a college degree.

  “Where’s Eric?”

  “In the back by the pool, holding down the ladies.” He chuckles as he lights a cigarette.