Slowly, one of her hands traveled south along his hard abdomen. She let it rest where the hem of his boxers would have been if he were wearing any, and she lightly trailed along the spot with her fingers. He eyed her suspiciously as she traveled farther south and lifted her tiny skirt over her hips, so just her thong separated their bodies. Her hand was so close to him, and just when it appeared he might protest, she moved her hand to her matching white lace underwear.
Her fingers gently swirled around herself until she was near gasping for air. Orgasm was just out of reach, and she was dying to hit that peak. Eric’s eyes were intent on her face as it began to match the looks of pleasure playing above her head. Getting overzealous as she pleasured herself before him, her hand came out and stroked the length of him. Eric shuddered beneath her. The shudder caused a tremor to move through her body, and she felt herself getting ready to climax. She groaned and stroked him again.
He reached up unexpectedly and grabbed Bryna by the shoulders. She humphed at the interruption, but he seemed not to have noticed. Using all of his weight, he flipped her over and crushed her back against the bed. Bryna lay there motionless against his chiseled chest, panting, breathless, and aching.
“Are you finished?” he asked emotionlessly, arching one manicured eyebrow. His voice was even and alert.
“I was close,” she teased. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to.”
“Well, I do mind. So, go call your moron and have him finish you off. I need a shower,” he muttered, standing and walking to the bathroom.
The door slammed behind him, and soon, she heard the water running.
Bryna sighed in frustration. She so desperately wanted to finish, but he had completely cooled her fire. Him on top of her, pressing on her—fuck, she could have come right then and there. Now, she was left wanting again, and she didn’t even have it in her to do it herself. She would have to visit Rohde after all.
She took another second to compose herself, and then she quickly stripped off her remaining clothing. She sauntered into the bathroom and confidently pushed open the glass door to the stand-up shower, walking inside and joining Eric as if she had been given an invitation.
“Bryna, I’m not in the mood,” Eric said before walking forward into the stream of steaming hot water.
“I was just playing, E. No need to have a hissy fit…unless you enjoyed it.” She poked him playfully in the ribs.
“Stop that,” he said, jumping away from her.
“Well, share the water then,” she said, walking into the line of water. She changed the subject easily back to where they had been before she had tried to get him to fuck her for the umpteenth time. “Let’s go out tonight. I think Trihn and Stacia will be up for it.”
“Those two girls are always up for it,” Eric said. “Are you going to see Rohde first?”
“Unclear. I haven’t talked to him,” she admitted.
“But you’re going to?” he asked, leaning his head against the tiled wall.
“I usually do when I get home after a long day of work,” she said, giggling.
Eric couldn’t help it. He laughed. “Darling, if you even knew what work was.”
“I work hard for my money. So hard for my money,” she singsonged into his face as he pushed her out of the water.
Writing the conclusion to the Avoiding series has sent me through a wide range of emotions that I’m sure is reflected back to the readers. At times I was happy, sad, heartbroken, depressed, ecstatic, jumping up and down, wanting to throw my computer, clutching my chest, and so much more. These characters brought so much joy and anguish to my life, and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the help of so many people.
First of all, I would like to thank the readers! You are the ones who let me continue to write, who yell passionately about the characters, and encourage me to keep going. I always appreciate my girls in the Bekah Haters Club who know that every problem is all Bekah’s fault, and stuck by me for over a year to make this happen. Thank you Dawn, who assisted with research in New York City, and Richelle for “not having friends like that.” As always, I am eternally grateful to my FictionPress readers who have been with me from the beginning back when the books were free and no one had ever heard of me.
Several people helped with brainstorming, reminded me that my vision for this series was the right route, read early copies of the manuscript. So thank you—Jessica Carnes, Bridget Peoples, Rebecca Kimmerling, Lori Francis, and Katie Miller. Thank you S.C. Stephens and Taryn Cellucci for listening to me cry and freak out about what I wanted to do, for getting on the phone with me in early stages and freaking out with me about my choices. Also for the use of the D-Bags, Kellan Kyle, and Sienna Sexton! They helped shape the final product. Also, thank you Amy Telep for the help, guidance, and support with the book and the book world that brought this to life.
I worked with several authors who read and loved the series, and I can’t thank them enough for their kind words and understanding the power of redemption—A.L. Jackson, Madeline Sheehan, Claribel Contreras, K.A. Robinson, J. Sterling, Rebecca Donovan, Samantha Towle, and Gail McHugh.
Special thank you to Toski Covey Photography for the incredible cover photo and Sarah Hansen of Okay Creations for bringing the cover to life. Thank you Jovana Shirley at Unforeseen Editing for polishing my manuscript before sending it out into the world. I love the running commentary throughout, and I’m glad that I found someone to work with who gets me.
I’d like to thank my family for supporting me while writing and raising me to be the kind of person who loves reading and writing. And for all the crazy nights, brainstorming, hectic schedules, insane ideas, heartbreaking lines, book boyfriend obsessions, and much much more, thank you Joel for being there through it all. You make all the madness worthwhile. Also, Goose and Hippo for being my late night writing buddies.
K.A. Linde is an independent author and publisher. She enjoys writing novels that keep you guessing to the very end. She grew up as a military brat, moving from base to base. Books were her solace and continue to be to this day. She studied political science and philosophy at the University of Georgia and received her Masters in political science in 2012.
She currently resides in Georgia with her boyfriend and two puppies, Lucy and Riker. She enjoys dancing in her spare time. She plans to finish the Record series, the All That Glitters series, as well as her future endeavors.
You can contact K.A. Linde here:
kalinde45@gmail.com
www.kalinde.com
www.facebook.com/authorkalinde
@authorkalinde
Avoiding Series
Avoiding Commitment (#1)
Avoiding Responsibility (#2)
Avoiding Intimacy (#2.5)
Avoiding Decisions (#1.5)
Avoiding Temptation (#3)
Record Series
Off the Record (#1)
Following Me