Love Lights: Ties That Bind

By Ana B. Ronning

Juliana "Jules" Wolfe is a woman with deep emotional scars from being sexually abused for two years by her older brother, Jonathan's friend, David, who turned out to be a psychopath and a Dominant monster who practiced hardcore Bondage and Discipline. After a good caning from David, Jonathan found the bruises across her back and became infuriated, stormed out in a rage and disappeared for days. With him gone, Jules didn't know what to do and fled.

Escaping David's clutches and tormented by her brother running out on her when she needed him most, Jules changed her last name and went into hiding, moving from place to place randomly, hoping David would never find her.

After four years of running, Jules decided she's safe enough to settle down. She found a good job as an assistant for Emma Malone at Malone Enterprises and decided to stay and plant her roots in Texas.

Then she met him.

Clay Sharp, was larger than life, yet gentle as a kitten. Jules unwillingly falls for him despite her fear of falling into a dangerous relationship as she had before. She wants to trust him, but she can't find the courage to tell him her deep dark secret.

Clayton Sharp had always been shy and had a terribly low self-esteem. His closest friend, Mason Malone, had helped him crawl from the shadows and work his way up to become the Head Construction Engineer at Malone Enterprises. He seemed to have everything going for him; wealth, success, good looks and good health. He'd even been seen with a model or two on his arm. Things were looking up for Clay and he felt he was on top of the world.

Then he met her.

Juliana Cross is everything he never even knew he wanted in a woman. When he tries to pursue her, she turns him down flat. His insecurity returns with a vengeance as she tries to push him away. She has a dark secret that keeps her at a distance and he wants to know why.

Will Jules be able to put her fears of being abused or even worse, being abandoned by someone she loves aside and trust Clay with her fragile heart and live a normal happy life with him? Will Clay be enough to make her stay?

Clay yearns to find out what happened to Jules in the past. He wants to know who or what he needs to protect her from, but she refuses to tell him. Will he be able to convince her that he loves her and that he will never hurt or leave her?

Will their love for each other be enough to keep her from running again? And keep her safe from the danger that has been following her and lurking in the shadows?

• Language: English
• Publisher: gazebopublishing
• Release date: Jan 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301387083

Ana B. Ronning

My name is Ana B. Ronning and I live in North Texas with my husband of twenty four years, Garrett, and our beautiful teenage daughter. I’m a stay at home mom at present, will be an empty nester in a couple of years and I plan to remain at home until retirement catches me. I grew up in a small southern Texas town where people didn’t lock their doors at night in fear. My sister and I could be found either on our bikes, in a tree or just running barefoot through our huge back yard. We were rarely indoors and our mother would stand on the back porch and call to us when it was dinner time. We could hear her from blocks away when she’d call us, and come roaring into the yard on our bikes, usually racing to see who could get there first. Most of my life, I really never liked to read. I was the athletic type and loved to play all kinds of sports. Reading was just plain boring to me most of my life. So, you can imagine my surprise when I found something that sparked a fire in me that I never knew existed. I suppose I was stuck in a rut, not knowing what direction my life needed to go. I didn’t feel I was contributing enough. My daughter was growing up and didn’t need me anymore, for one. I wanted to feel that I was equally contributing to my family and to society. And, I most certainly wanted to make my amazing husband as proud of my accomplishments as I have been of his. Garrett has always been there for me, supported anything I wanted to do and he’s always had my back, no matter what. I was searching for something to make me feel more adequate. I felt there was something missing...something important I was supposed to be doing. As luck would have it, Garrett dragged me to a half price bookstore one day looking for something in particular for him. I was browsing through the Romance Novels as I waited for him, not intending on buying one. I noticed one that book that stood out among the others. It looked quite appealing, so I took it home and started reading it. By the end of the next day, I was finished with it. I loved it so much I asked Garrett to take me back to get the other two books I learned were in the series. They were read in three days. This was sometime in Autumn of 2011, when I found my love for Romance Novels. I read just about everything this particular author wrote then found other authors I really liked. Garrett encouraged me to write a book of my own, so I wrote my first 19th Century Romance Novel in January of 2012 and finished it in April of 2012. I had never enjoyed something so much in my life, well, almost nothing else. I found what I wanted to do, my passion, and it only took me forty-three years to find it. I finished the novel and went on to read more Romance novels, but more modern than 19th century. I fell in love with modern romance even more and started working on the “Love Lights” series. This was my true passion for writing romance. I enjoyed writing these three books and I do hope that you enjoy reading them. I will eventually publish my first, 19th century novel, in addition to a sequel to it, in the future, but for now, I have more writings that I am currently working on. I truly loved writing this series and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Ana B. Ronning

Book preview

Love Lights: Ties That Bind

by

Ana B. Ronning

SMASHWORDS EDITION

Published by: Gazebo Publishing

Love Lights: Ties That Bind

Copyright © 2012 by Ana B. Ronning

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* Warning *

All rights reserved under the international and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from another publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.  All sexually active characters in this work are 18 years of age or older.

This book is for sale to ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It contains substantial sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which may be considered offensive by some readers.  Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with.  If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

About the Author

Other Books by Ana

Chapter 1

Okay! I think that's about everything. Karla said sadly as she sat a box full of things from her desk in the chair. She looked at Emma with tears in her eyes. I'll miss working in this office with you...Mrs. Malone. She emphasized on the name teasingly. Emma had just married the CEO of Malone Enterprises two weeks before.

Emma smiled sadly. I'll miss you, too, Karla. She squared her shoulders. You'll be a much better assistant for Ethan than Micah was.

Karla nodded and sniffed. I'm grateful that he requested me, but, I think I'd rather work with you.

Emma sighed and looked behind Karla at the young girl standing behind her patiently. Juliana. She motioned for her to join them. Karla, this is Juliana Cross. She's the temp the agency sent me until I hire a new assistant.

Juliana nodded with a curt smile. Pleased to meet you, Miss...

Please, call me Karla. She said, offering a hand to Juliana. You'll love working with Em...Mrs. Malone. She's really sweet and very good at what she does. If you need anything or have any questions, just give me a ring. My extension is on the desk by the phone. I'll only be a few floors up in Mr. Malone's office.

Oh. You're working for her husband, now? Juliana asked.

Emma chuckled. No, she's working for Ethan Malone, Mason's brother and VP of the company.

Oh, I see. Juliana smiled at Karla. I hope you like working for him, Karla. And, thank you for offering your help. I will certainly call you if I need anything.

Karla smiled. Well...Guess I'd better get to work. Mr. Malone awaits. She said, taking a deep breath.

Emma hugged her. We'll have to do lunch sometime this week.

I'd like that. She hugged her and reached for her box. She smiled at both women. See you girls on the flip side. And, she disappeared out the door.

Emma sighed. Well. Let's get started, shall we?

Yes, Mrs. Malone. Juliana said nervously.

First things first. Call me Emma. We're about the same age, so, we may as well be friends. She smiled.

Thank you, Emma. Please...call me Jules. She returned the smile.

Alright, Jules. She motioned for her to follow her into her office. Come...let's get started. Jules followed admiring Emma's poise and confidence. Jules was very insecure and lacked in the confidence pool. She noticed how different she and Emma were in appearance. Jules had long, straight, black, unmanageable hair. Emma's was long, with jumbo curls, two or three shades of blonde, and so beautiful.

Jules was very petite and thin with light brown skin. She was half Native American and half Italian. Emma was a little taller, had an hour glass figure, and a beautifully tanned complexion. Jules had dark brown/black eyes and Emma's were a dark sapphire blue. She had a very beautiful face, with high cheek bones, perfectly waxed brows, long lashes and a pretty white smile. Jules had high cheek bones, thanks to her Indian heritage, but she thought her face was too plain, and she never wore much make up. Just some mascara and lip gloss, is all she ever wore.

Emma's dress suit was impeccably professional, as well as flattering. It was an Armani pale blue pencil skirt and blazer with a white blouse. She wasn't as tall as she seemed because of the Stilettos she wore.

Jules looked down at her JC Penney suit and sighed. It was a plain, black pant suit and white blouse. She wore plain black pumps and the only jewelry she ever wore were her diamond stud earrings her grandfather gave her when she turned sixteen. That was seven years ago. He died six years ago, and she missed him very much. They were very close. Jules was a happy, fun loving person until he died. Now, she's just a shell of the person she used to be. Her grandfather dying was the beginning of a horrible downward spiral that she couldn't control.

Emma sat at her desk. Please, have a seat, Jules. She gestured to the chairs in front of her desk. I like to go over my calendar and receive any messages as soon as I walk in, whether it’s first thing in the morning, or after I've been gone from the office. That includes after lunch, of course. Then, we will discuss orders, invoices, deliveries, or anything pertaining to the project we're working on.

Yes, ma'am. Jules answered softly. Emma smiled at her nervousness.

Now, let's start with my appointments for today, shall we? She smiled brightly.

Jules opened up the calendar on her laptop.

You’ll want to put everything on the iPhone that you received from I.T. Things will be so much easier for the both of us that way. Emma suggested.

Of course, Mrs...I mean...Emma. She fumbled her words clumsily.

Emma sat up. Jules, relax. I am not going to be a bitchy boss. And, it's very hard to make me angry. She smirked. Just, be yourself. I'm not all business and no fun. She rolled her eyes. Just ask Karla!

They both laughed and Jules relaxed a bit. She started going over the calendar and went through Emma's messages.

They got along wonderfully and laughed a lot. Emma was so kind and a lot of fun.

I think I'm gonna like working with Emma. She thought with a smile as she closed Emma's door and sat at her own desk for the first time. I'll do my best to do a good job for her, so, maybe, she'll keep me on as her assistant, instead of hiring someone else. She sighed discouragingly. Fat chance, I'm sure.

*********

Lunchtime! Finally! Jules thought with relief. She'd skipped breakfast in fear of being late to work her first day. She'd done well, so far. She jumped to whatever task Emma asked of her and got it done in record time. She was actually proud of herself. Emma did nothing but praise her all morning. She's such a nice person to work for. She smiled, deep in thought. Then, she remembered that she begins interviews for Karla's permanent replacement tomorrow morning.

Well, hello, there. A man's voice came from the entrance. Jules jumped in her chair in fright. You must be Jules.

Oh...My...God! Jules’ eyes almost popped right out of her head. Standing in front of her were two of the most gorgeous, Greek godlike figures she'd ever seen. Both were tall and had bodies built for sin. One had short spiky auburn hair, the other even shorter, clean cut, and black hair. Mr. auburn hair wore a very GQ dark gray suit with a white pen striped shirt and a light blue tie. The other, wore faded jeans and a nice button down chocolate brown shirt, unbuttoned over a plain very white t-shirt and brown Dockers.

Both men were smiling at her. She blushed and just sat there, staring.

I'm Mason Malone. The auburn haired one held out his hand. As she shook his hand, he motioned to his friend with the other hand. And, this is Clayton Sharp. He smiled crookedly at her and cocked his head. I'm Emma's husband. He said uncomfortably as she continued to gawk at them.

She blinked her eyes twice and shook her head. I-I'm sorry! Yes! I'm Jules! Juliana Cross. She began to calm down a little. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. She looked at Clayton and held her hand out to him. Nice to meet you.

The pleasure's all mine. Clayton murmured, smiling slyly at her and shaking her hand. He blinked twice with wide eyes as he saw a strange, almost unnatural sparkle in her eyes. What beautiful eyes. He whispered, not realizing he’d said it out loud.

Mason! Emma said excitedly when she stepped out of her office. Just in time! I'm famished!

Mason gave Emma a good long kiss while Clayton continued to smile at Jules.

You'll have to excuse them. He whispered. Newlyweds, you know? He chuckled and she giggled.

Jules would you like to have lunch with us? Emma asked eagerly. My treat!

Jules dropped her head shyly. I...um...

Oh come with us! Clayton said. We're going to Babe's Fried Chicken! Ever been there? He asked.

She shook her head. No. I haven't. But, I've heard of it.

So, you'll come with us? He asked excitedly.

She looked at Emma and Mason and shrugged. Sure.

Great! Mason smiled. We'll take Emma's new car! He winked at her and she smiled giddily.

*********

They headed to Emma's car and Jules’ eyes grew wide. That's your car? She asked in surprise.

Yes! Emma shrieked. Isn't she gorgeous? Mason gave her to me as a wedding present!

She walked up to it admiringly. What is it? She asked in awe. Whatever it is, it's a convertible.' She thought to herself, running her hand along the door. And, a convertible is always good, in my book.

She’s an Aston Martin one-77! Mason grinned proudly. I got it in dark sapphire blue to match Emma's eyes. He said looking at Emma so lovingly. She asked for one for her birthday, the day we met. He chuckled.

Jules sighed heavily. Oh to have a man like that, looking at me that way. She thought dreamily.

Clayton opened the passenger door and lifted the front seat for Jules to climb into the back. When she was seated, he walked behind the car and climbed in beside her. Mason stood at the driver's door and gave Emma a quick kiss and shut the door for her.

Clayton smiled at Jules. So...today's your first day, right? He asked, curious about her. He wanted to learn more...much more about her.

Yes. She said shyly. I'm only temporary, though. She was nervous enough that he was sitting so closely beside her. Must he talk to her, too?

Emma started the car and took off, throwing Clayton toward Jules.

Damn, Emma! Clayton shouted.

Jules froze. Oh God! Now he's much too close! She thought in a panic. He was practically in her lap. She could smell his Stetson cologne. She felt faint, all of a sudden.

Emma glanced back and saw Clayton squishing Jules. She just laughed. Sorry! She winced.

Clayton sighed and looked at Jules apologetically. Sorry. He said in a low soft voice as he sat up and adjusted in his seat.

Jules blushed and she noticed he didn't move very far. He's closer than he was before he was thrown into her lap. His thigh is almost touching hers.

He cleared his throat and adjusted in his seat to face her, his knee brushing against her thigh. He didn't seem to notice. Jules did. It gave her a thrilling chill up and down her spine. You'll love working with Emma. She's great! He said.

Yes, she is. She's already made me feel so welcomed. Jules murmured.

Jules has done a fantastic job, so far! Emma shouted over the sound of the wind. She definitely hasn't slowed me down at all. In fact, she's got me up to speed for the rest of the day, already!

Clayton smiled at her and cocked his head. She was very pretty. He usually didn't like such small women. He preferred a woman at least five-seven to his six-two...and preferably blonde. Jules had to be five-three, maybe five-four with black hair. But, he couldn't seem to stop looking at her...and smiling at her with his ridiculous grin. Her eyes were dark and very spell binding with that strange sparkle. And, her smile...it was heart stopping.

What is it, about this girl? Something I can't put my finger on. There's something so...magnetic about her. He pondered.

Jules glanced at him, wanting a peek at his handsome face, again, only to find him staring at her, smiling. She jerked her head away.

Clayton took it the wrong way and frowned. She's not the least bit interested. Is she? His overly insecure conscience told him.

Clayton had issues with his self-confidence. He was always the wimpy kid in school. When he went to college, he began going to the gym every morning and afternoon. He had no social life, other than hanging with Mason and a few other friends. He had no girlfriend to occupy his time. Hell, he never even asked girls out. In the second semester of his junior year, at TCU, he started going out with a few girls. But, they thought him majoring in Construction Engineering was boring and heading nowhere. They preferred someone like Mason over him. His insecurity got the best of him in almost every situation where girls were concerned.

Mason was the only person he felt comfortable with for a long time. He brought Clayton out of his shell after they graduated. He'd made it his special project to bring Clayton to where he knew he could be. He had great potential, and, Mason knew it. Mason was being mentored by his father to take over Malone Enterprises when he retired. He majored in Architecture and Business at TCU. He saw to it that Clayton was hired right out of college.

Clayton moved up quickly to the top. He was now the Lead Contractor for Malone Enterprises. He oversaw all construction projects, personally. He had come a long way and