Love Lights: One More Night

By Ana B. Ronning

Katherine St. Claire has mourned the loss of her brother and fiancé on the anniversary of their deaths for the last four years. While drowning in her sorrows at a friend’s club, a very tall, dark and handsome stranger asks her to dance. Mistakenly thinking he is the guy her best friend has been trying relentlessly to set her up with for months, she tells him just what she thinks of him and his womanizing ways that he is notorious for. But, to her horror, she learns that he isn't that man, and apologizes. One thing leads to another and she finds herself agreeing to a one night stand with this handsome stranger. After a night of the hottest sex she's ever had, Katherine finds herself wishing she could have more of him. But, no strings attached was what he wanted. How can she get over the loss of the only other man she's ever been with other than her fiancé? The way he made her feel was incredible and it was tormenting her and her heart was aching for one more night with him.

Jonathan Wolfe had been searching for his long lost sister, Juliana for the last four years. He and his brother Jonas had finally tracked her down in Texas. After a night of celebrating with her and her friends, Jonathan found himself in need of some release that he'd been denying himself of until they found Jules. He had his eye on a certain brunette at the bar who seemed to be alone. After being rudely rejected, he tried to find another woman that would suit his needs, but he desperately wanted her for some strange reason and no one else. After salvaging what was an obvious misunderstanding, Jonathan took her to his hotel for a night of reckless abandon. Surprisingly, it was more than that to him and he wanted more of this raving beauty in his arms. But, he lived far away and would be leaving soon. He found his heart breaking to let her walk out of his life. If only he had one more night with her.

Will fate step in and bring these two together once more, or will unsuspecting dangers that linger with Jonathan's family keep them from coming together?

• Language: English
• Publisher: gazebopublishing
• Release date: Feb 14, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301369812

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: One More Night

by

Ana B. Ronning

SMASHWORDS EDITION

Published by: Gazebo Publishing

Love Lights: One More Night

Copyright © 2013 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

About the Author

Other Books

Chapter 1

Katie, are you sure you're okay? Peter asked as he laid a cocktail napkin and a Cosmo on the bar in front of her.

Katherine sighed. Sure Pete. I'll be fine once Dani and Carly get here.

Katherine St. Claire sat at the bar, deep in thought of her brother and her fiancé. It was the fourth anniversary of both their deaths. They had been killed in a car accident by a drunk driver. Peter Murphy was the owner of the bar and a longtime family friend. He took it upon himself to look after Katherine and her little sister, Harley when their brother died.

Peter let out a deep breath. You know, you don't have to be here, if you don't want to, sweetheart. I know today is not a good day for you, he looked at her sympathetically and held her hand in his, it isn't for me, either. I loved Nate like a brother and I miss him too.

Nathan St. Clair was Katherine's older brother and Peter's best friend. He and Katherine's fiancé, Bryan, had gone for pizza and movies one night. It had been raining for three days and going out on a Saturday night just wasn’t appealing to Katherine and Sherry, Nate’s new girlfriend, so they sent them out for some home entertainment. The boys were two miles from home when they were hit by a Hummer head on. Nate was killed instantly and Bryan died three hours later in the Emergency Room with Katherine holding his hand.

Every year since, Katherine and Peter would get together with Nathan's other best friend, Ty Chansler, on the anniversary of their deaths to remember them and to grieve, drowning in their sorrows together. Peter and Ty didn’t really think it was a good idea to dwell on it, but Katherine seemed to need it, so they mostly did it for her. She lost more than anyone that day. Harley never joined them. She did her best to forget it, rather than remember and wallow in self-pity.

Nathan was twenty seven, the oldest of three children in the St. Clair family and on his way to being a successful Orthopedic Surgeon. Harley St. Clair was the youngest at the age of fifteen when Nathan died. Katherine was almost twenty. Their parents died when Harley was five and Katherine was nine. So, they lived with their grandparents in Arkansas for two years until Nathan was old enough to get his own apartment and the three of them could live together. Nathan had received a scholarship to TCU and he didn't want to leave his sisters behind to have to care for their very dependent grandparents. They weren't old enough or responsible enough for a burden of that size.

When Nathan received his acceptance at TCU, their grandparents were put into an assisted living home and were very pleased with the place. Although they had never really been close to their grandparents before, they had grown close while living with them. Nathan saw that they were well cared for months before the three of them left for Texas. He was a very bright, responsible and thoughtful person. Katherine and Harley adored him. He would take them every day to see their grandparents and spend a lot of quality time with them, since they would be leaving soon.

Bryan Hollister and Katherine were high school sweethearts. They started dating the summer after their sophomore year, when Bryan moved to town. He saw Katherine walking down the street in a pair of Daisy Duke cutoffs and a white tank top. He fell for her hard, but, she played hard to get for a couple of months. By the time summer was over, she'd finally agreed to go out with him and they were never apart after that. As soon as they graduated, Bryan proposed to Katherine while they were still in their caps and gowns and they planned to marry after college. Of course, they would both attend TCU, like Nathan, and graduate together. His major was Economics and hers was Accounting. She and Bryan had made plans from graduation all the way through to retirement and beyond. They would build their own empire and work side by side as equal partners, have at least four kids, retire at forty five and travel the world in an RV, just the two of them.

Katherine drifted back to reality and she smiled at Peter. I know it's hard for you, too, Pete. I don't mean to be such a downer. She shrugged. I don't suppose you can take off the rest of the night and get blitzed with me? She asked hopefully.

He chuckled. I would, Katie, but Matt called in sick and Robbie is out of town. I'm the owner, I have to work if there isn't anyone else if I want this place to make it.

Katherine smiled and sighed. Just my luck. She smirked at him. Pete, maybe you and I should hook up, or at least pretend to, so Dani will leave me alone about meeting this guy she's been harping about for two weeks.

Peter laughed. I would, but…

I know, I know! She said sarcastically. It'd be like dating your sister, I get it.

He smiled crookedly. If it weren't for that, I would have asked you out a long time ago! He looked down at the bar and then up at her. I made a commitment to look after you and Harley when Nate died. I won't ever break that commitment, Katie. I love you and Harley like my own family, you know that. He murmured.

I know, Pete. We love you, too, and we appreciate everything you've done for us. She said with a grateful smile.

Hey! Bar Keep…Another round over here! A man called from down the bar.

He sighed. Well, gotta get back to work. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. Cheer up! Maybe this guy's not so bad. It wouldn't hurt for you to start dating, sweetheart.

She frowned at him. Oh, get back to work, you traitor.

He laughed and walked to the other end of the bar and Katherine watched his tight ass as he went. Man, I wish he wasn't like a brother to me. She thought to herself. That is one fine ass!

Excuse me. A man's voice came from behind her, snapping her out of her admiration for Peter’s killer butt. She turned to see a very tall, sexy man smiling at her. I was wondering, if you'd like to dance? He asked her politely.

Katherine’s eyes narrowed and she studied this man with suspicion. Dani had tried so hard to get her to meet with this guy, Ian whatever his last name is, and now he’s here? The nerve of that Dani, inviting this guy here and tricking me into coming, and tonight, of all nights! She’d heard about this Ian what’s his name from a girl she worked with, and he’s nothing but a one night stand on very long and sexy legs.

Dani had been hounding her about this guy for weeks, now. He fit her description to a tee. He was the epitome of hot and sexy. He obviously had some Native American Indian in his blood, his complexion was dark, had straight black hair, and his cheek bones were high. He was sharply dressed in a khaki pair of slacks, a white button down shirt and a tan sports coat. He looked like he had a very fit body just made for sin. And that cologne! Whatever it was, was very alluring. No wonder all the girls fall for this animal’s charm, he’s every woman’s wet dream. He'd be the most charming man they'd ever met, get them into bed, then move on to the next one. Animal!

Katherine didn't want to meet this guy and certainly not tonight of all nights! Damn that girl! She probably won’t even show up tonight, afraid I’ll kick her ass! Which sounds pretty good right about now!

Katherine smiled fakely and narrowed her eyes. She wasn't going to put up with this! She wanted nothing to do with this Ian and his womanizing habits and wicked ways. She'd only slept with one man and she wasn't about to just hop into bed with someone like him.

You can just go back to hell where you belong, you creep! She snapped and walked away. Did I just say that to him? A perfect stranger? She asked herself. I've never talked like that to anyone. She headed straight for the ladies room, embarrassed that she spoke to him that way.

Hmph! He deserved it, I'm sure. She tried to convince herself. After all the women he's hurt, he deserves more than that!

When she left the ladies room, he was still sitting at the bar. Damn! Now what?

There you are! A female voice shouted over the blaring music. Dani and her friend, Carly, stood beside her smiling brightly. We thought maybe you didn't come.

Katherine was furious that Dani would try to set her up tonight of all nights. She knew this was the one night she didn't want to meet someone. This night is always reserved for her to remember Bryan, and Nathan.

Oh! Well, I thought maybe a night out with the girls might help me not to think too much of Nathan and Bryan. She frowned. I can't believe you told Ian to come here, tonight of all nights, Dani!

Dani looked at her quizzically. What? I didn't! Not on the anniversary of Bryan's death! She cried desperately. I wouldn't do that, Kate!

Katherine's eyes grew wide. That's not Ian at the bar? She asked sarcastically.

Dani and Carly looked at the bar. No, he's not there! Dani said with confusion.

Oh shit! Katherine cried as her head fell back and she looked at the ceiling. She looked toward the bar. "I thought that guy was Ian. I got mad