Jilted Again

By Alexandra Andersen

Do you love steamy romance, champagne, butter cream icing, pretty things, sarcasm, and diamonds? Then this was written just for you.

Noelle Fournier dreamed of being a bride ever since she was born. After a devastating broken engagement five years ago, she’s now engaged to the dashing Dmitri Orlov and more than ready for her happy ending complete with an antique tiara and Tiffany blue wedding cake.

Her world is suddenly shattered when Dmitri reveals on their wedding day, he’s given his heart and soul to someone else.

Chaos ensues.

The following is an excerpt from Jilted Again, enjoy:

This young woman would be the perfect wife.

Noelle Fournier was lovely, poised, well spoken, and according to her paperwork, he thought she might be single. Dmitri Orlov felt an urge to smile at how easy it would be to capture her.

“Can you read the chart from top to bottom?” She read it clearly, loudly, and with a hint of something exotic in the inflection of her voice. Her posture was straight as an arrow.

It was time for him to marry. Why not her?

Noelle had decided to see Dr. Orlov for her eye exam after hearing his radio ads every morning and evening on her drive to and from work. She liked his voice.

Had she known when she walked into his office that he was going to be a late-thirties, sapphire-eyed, stunner of a man, she probably would have dressed differently.

Maybe not.

When she caught sight of him in the waiting room, she’d been shocked. With a small gasp, she did a once-over of her outfit and decided she had unknowingly captured sexy without the dash of slutty her younger self might have attempted to add.

Throughout his standard questions about her medical history, he maintained eye contact. She had to wonder if it was just her or if he gave this level of intensity to all his patients.

When he’d darkened the room and rolled a stool immediately in front of her, she noted how good he smelled. If she wasn’t mistaken, he was wearing the barest amount of Tom Ford Noir, her favorite men’s cologne.

Yeah, he was hitting all her personal triggers. She wondered how easy it would be to get his attention.

Please don’t let him be gay. With her losing streak, he was more than likely happily married to the man of his dreams. Worse would be if he was straight but seriously minded the fact that she was a size sixteen.

“Ms. Fournier, are you aware you have a slight astigmatism?” His voice on the radio had been sexy. His voice in person, in a darkened room, mere inches from her was almost more than she could handle.

She cleared her throat, embarrassed. “No. I wasn’t. My eyes started to hurt after my contacts were in for only a couple of hours. I figured I should come in for an eye exam before I couldn’t spend my usual endless hours in front of the computer screen.”

He nodded and stood to turn on the lights. Noelle blinked at the sudden brightness and sat back from the exam equipment. Her posture, always perfect as drilled into her brain by her mother, highlighted her generous cleavage for his viewing pleasure.

The moment his eyes dipped, she noticed and high-fived herself mentally. Most men, no matter their personal “type” could avoid appreciation of her girls.
He flashed her a brilliant smile that showed her his straight, white teeth. “Other than that and the nearsightedness, which I have as well, your eyes are in excellent health. Overall, you’re just about perfect.”

The last part was murmured under his breath and he turned to finish writing up her exam results.

“Miss Fournier or is it Mrs. Fournier?” he asked while still scrawling away, facing away from her.

“It’s miss. As in never married.” Noelle hadn’t intended to sound so eager when she replied.

“Miss Fournier. Would you like to go to dinner on Saturday?” He asked the question as if he wanted to borrow a pen.

Discover what happens next with Noe

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alexandra Andersen
• Release date: Dec 9, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311891433

Alexandra Andersen

Alexandra Andersen is a romance author, online editor, and founder of Wine & Drama. Alexandra is an avid traveler and spends her time drinking coffee and wine in between writing. It is her firm belief that the universe expands to allow you to realize your inner most dreams and desires. She believes you can get everything you want and deserve out of life. You deserve love. You deserve happiness. But, most of all you deserve a good life. Be passionate always. Your life is truly what you choose to make it. She plans on moving one day to a little cottage in the English countryside. Where she can write in peace and finally meet a horseback riding, whisky drinking, foxhunting Darcy-esque Lord to shack up with. For now, she'll settle for sushi, pedicures, small unruly children, crème brulee, and Malbec wine.

Book preview

JILTED AGAIN

Why is getting married so hard?

Alexandra Andersen

Jilted Again

Published by In Vino Publishing at Smashwords

Copyright © 2014 Alexandra Andersen

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author and publisher.  This is a work of fiction.  Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book 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 recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Also by Alexandra Andersen

Secrets of a Fat Girlfriend

Jilted Again

The Grind

Reader Bonus: Wine & Drama Mood Guide - Website

with three free short stories

Compilations

Just a Little Kilted – with Shayne McClendon

Just a Little Crazy – with Shayne McClendon

Just a Little Extra – with Shayne McClendon

Dedication

To all the ones that just wanna have fun and just wanna be lucky in love. Let your freak flag fly and embrace who you are. The right person is just waiting to show you theirs.

For my friends, thank you for letting me wave mine so high.

Love,

Alexandra

About the Story

Why is getting married so damn hard?

Noelle Fournier has dreamed about being a bride her entire life. After a devastating broken engagement several years ago, she’s now engaged to the dashing Dmitri Orlov, and more than ready for her happy ending. Complete with an antique diamond tiara and Tiffany-blue wedding cake.

Her world is shattered on her wedding day when Dmitri reveals that he’s given his heart and soul to someone Noelle never dreamed would hurt her.

Chaos ensues.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Epilogue

Sneak Peek of

Just a Little Kilted by Alexandra Andersen

About Alexandra Andersen

Chapter 1

This young woman could become his perfect wife.

Noelle Fournier was lovely, poised, well spoken, and according to her paperwork, single. Dmitri Orlov felt an urge to smile at how easy it would be to capture her. Instead, he continued the examination. Leaning forward, he touched the tip of his finger against her chin, and gently positioned her head closer to the chin rest. Her skin felt like silk.

Can you read the chart from top to bottom? She read it clearly, loudly, and with a hint of something exotic in the inflection of her voice. Her posture was straight as an arrow.

It was time for him to marry. Why not her?

Noelle had decided to see Dr. Orlov for her eye exam after hearing his radio ads every morning and evening on her drive to and from work. She liked his voice.

Had she known when she walked into his office that he was going to be a late-thirties, sapphire-eyed, stunner of a man, she probably would have dressed differently.

Maybe not.

When she caught sight of him in the waiting room, she’d been shocked. With a small gasp, she did a once-over of her outfit and decided she had unknowingly captured sexy without the dash of slutty her younger self might have attempted to add.

Throughout his standard questions about her medical history, he maintained eye contact. She had to wonder if it was just her or if he gave this level of intensity to all his patients.

When he’d darkened the room and rolled a stool immediately in front of her, she noted how good he smelled. If she wasn’t mistaken, he was wearing the barest amount of Tom Ford Noir, her favorite men’s cologne.

Yeah, he was hitting all her personal triggers. She wondered how easy it would be to get his attention.

Please don’t let him be gay. With her losing streak, he was more than likely happily married to the man of his dreams. Worse would be if he were straight but seriously minded the fact that she was a size sixteen.

Ms. Fournier, are you aware you have a slight astigmatism? His voice on the radio had been sexy. His voice in person, in a darkened room, mere inches from her ears was almost more than she could handle.

She cleared her throat, embarrassed. No, I wasn’t. My eyes started to hurt after my contacts were in for only a couple of hours. I figured I should come in for an eye exam before I couldn’t spend my usual endless hours in front of the computer screen.

He nodded and stood to turn on the lights. Noelle blinked at the sudden brightness and sat back from the exam equipment. Her posture, always perfect as drilled into her brain by her mother, highlighted her generous cleavage for his viewing pleasure.

The moment his eyes dipped, she noticed and high-fived herself mentally. Most men, no matter their personal type, couldn’t avoid appreciation of her girls.

Raising his gaze, he studied her thoughtfully for a long moment. There’s no need to worry. You can still wear your contacts. There’s a specific type designed for patients with astigmatism called toric lenses. You’ll like them. They’re very easy and comfortable to wear.

He flashed a brilliant smile that showed his straight, white teeth. "Other than that and the nearsightedness, which I have as well, your eyes are in excellent health. Overall, you’re just about perfect."

The last part was murmured under his breath and he turned to finish writing up her exam results.

Thank you, Noelle said quietly, momentarily taken aback. Was he attracted to her? She concentrated on aiming every open and available vibration in the universe squarely at Dr. Orlov.

Miss Fournier or is it Mrs. Fournier? he asked while still scrawling away, facing away from her.

It’s miss. As in never married. Noelle hadn’t intended to sound so eager when she replied.

I see.

A small sentence she wasn’t sure how to interpret. Hell, she was probably reading far too much into this. She sat on the edge of the exam chair, praying she would be able to stand gracefully if he asked her the question she hoped he would.

Miss Fournier. Would you like to go to dinner on Saturday? He asked the question as if he wanted to borrow a pen.

In a split second, the end of her former engagement flashed through Noelle’s mind. How she hadn’t been able to process the sensory overload of the rejection. How still she’d been as she struggled to remain upright.

She’d gone to his apartment in the middle of the day to drop off custom, sterling cufflinks as a surprise for their wedding day. She loved giving little gifts to people she cared about.

He hadn’t been expecting her and was talking to someone on the phone.

She only realized he was home when she heard him say, I will. I’ll tell her tonight.

The call ended abruptly as she stepped through his office door. He must have felt Noelle’s eyes boring a hole in the back of his head because he slowly turned around. Their eyes locked and somehow she knew he was thinking of a lie to buy himself time.

With crystal clarity, she knew exactly what was happening and what he needed to tell her. The betrayal she knew was coming felt similar to the falling sensation one had while dreaming.

For Noelle there would be no safe awakening to discover it was just a dream.

He shrugged in resignation, threw his hands in the air, and vomited out his oh-so-simple explanation. Every word had the ability to slice through bone.

He was in love with someone else and did not want to marry her anymore.

Just moments before her interruption, he’d discovered his ex-girlfriend was pregnant with his child. Not so ex after all. In that instant he realized he was in love with her…not Noelle. He had been in love with her all along. He didn’t want to marry Noelle. He felt pressured by Noelle.

"I didn’t ask you to marry me," Noelle said through gritted teeth.

"Not in so many words. It’s everything about you."

It was that sentence said so bluntly and coldly that still stung. As if there was something wrong with her. As if her desire for love and marriage made her abnormal in some way.

He began to recite all the things he found wrong with her – things that suddenly occurred to him once he could no longer hide the fact that he’d been fucking his ex-girlfriend behind her back.

He needed to shed some of that weighty guilt and what better way than to list her many faults? Who could blame him for being a lying, cheating piece of shit when she had so many character flaws?

Noelle was overwhelming with her thoughtful little gestures – who could compete with that? She did things for him without asking like a puppy always eager to please – didn’t she realize how annoying that was? She was hyper-organized – no one human should be so structured and it drove him crazy. She never got tired – what was she, the Energizer bunny?

Noelle listened as he rambled on. Her engagement was over. In less than one minute, this man had dashed her dreams of becoming his wife by getting another woman pregnant – and then had the fucking nerve to blame her.

She picked up the large, tan-striped Jonathan Adler vase from the side table in the living room and hurled it at him.

Then everything went dark.

Noelle had woken up in her own bed, in her own apartment, with no idea how much time had passed or how she’d gotten there.

Her mother, her best friend, her stepsister, and her mother’s-boyfriend-of-the-month all stood over her. Each of them had foreheads creased with worry. Their expressions ranged from concern and worry to sheer pity and mild disgust. Then Noelle laughed manically and passed out again.

She had been unceremoniously dumped one month before her dream wedding.

It had been four years, one month, and three days since her ex-fiancé broke her heart into a million pieces. She had pieced her heart back together with gorilla glue and duct tape.

She thought she might be ready to take a chance on another relationship.

Ms. Fournier? Would you like to go out with me to dinner? he asked again. She could tell he was wondering at her long hesitation. Probably thinking he had misread her signals or was trying to think of an excuse to turn him down.

She shook herself from her unwanted trip down bad memory lane. Yes, I would. she answered clearly and stood up gracefully. What time, Dr. Orlov? Her smile was confident yet demure.

It’s Dmitri, please, he told her.

I know. It was her turn to flash a megawatt smile.

May I pick you up at seven o’clock tomorrow?

As delightful as that sounds…I’d rather meet you. She was eager, not stupid. What if he turned out to be a psychopath or a stalker? "These days, women can’t be too careful.

Dmitri Orlov was handsome. The fabric of his button-down light blue oxford seemed to ripple off his shoulders. His hair was black as coal and his eyes shone like blue flames.

He owned a successful business – he was a doctor – but still…he could have a cage under his bed just waiting for his next sex slave.

Her train of thought meant his next statement caught her completely off-guard.

I agree completely. To allay suspicion, I prefer to stalk my victims in daylight, he teased her with a straight face but ruined it with a wink. He took out his cell. "Do you have a food preference or any allergies I should know about?

Food allergies? She had to laugh but admitted it was sweet of him to ask. It showed concern and forethought. She could get used to that again.

No. No food allergies but will there be dessert?

Here was her first subtle test. If he flinched or even squinted to indicate in the slightest that dessert should be the last of her dinner desires then there would be no dinner, ever. She wasn’t going to deal with that again. She dared him to do anything other than admire her endless curves.

"Oh, there will be dessert, Ms. Fournier." His dark eyes traveled to her lips and the slight smile at the corner of his mouth gave off an air of male smugness.

She liked his confidence.

Noelle was barely five-four. She always made sure she wore heels and they had to be at least three inches. The higher the heel, the stronger she felt. She didn’t care how they pinched or hurt her feet at the end of the day. She felt taller and that made everything better.

Her curves hit in all the right places and he glanced briefly in admiration at her full breasts. Yes, sexy and available had won. She reached up and brushed a lock of her dark auburn hair behind her left ear. He followed the movement. She was wearing gray pearl stud earrings, luminescent against her pale ivory skin, and her burnt-umber eyes stayed on his.

For just a moment, she wondered if he was thinking about kissing her. He had that look in his eye that waiting until their date might be too long.

Dmitri returned to making the dinner plans and she mentally sighed.

He swiped