Injured Souls

By Ann Corbett

From the All About the Girls collection:
Injured Souls - A holiday romance or something more?
Fay had been recovering from a bad relationship – and a bad breakup, when her friends persuaded her to take a holiday with them.
Maybe it was just what she needed – to just get away from it all, and the company of her good friends...
Then she meets Richard and the sparks fly between the two of them, but with the constant intrusion of her friends – and Richard’s brother Craig, can they ever get enough time alone to... talk... to see if those sparks can become something more?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AJC
• Release date: Jun 10, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301061747

Book preview

Injured Souls

By

Ann Corbett

Please note that the characters in this story are entirely fictional, any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental.

Injured Souls Copyright© Ann Corbett 2011

Smashwords Edition, 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 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.

Chapter One

(A handsome stranger & a holiday romance)

Richard stood on the balcony of the four star hotel, on the sunny island of Tenerife. It had been a long time since he’d done this kind of a holiday, but he had to admit that it gave him a sense of nostalgia and lost youth.

His calm was shattered by a high pitched scream, and four young women shot out onto the adjacent balcony.

They clustered together; chattering like magpies, and laughing hysterically.

Is there a problem? he asked politely.

He was fixed by four pairs of bright eyes, two pairs of brown, one pair of blue; and one a devastating green gaze, which froze him where he stood.

Cockroaches! blue eyes said dramatically and they all shuddered together.

He laughed. Typical females, one little bug, and you’re all in pieces.

Not just one. Blue eyes defended.

Two? He grinned mockingly.

A whole army of the things. She shuddered again and her eyes narrowed in revulsion. They were waiting for us just inside the bathroom.

They clucked and nattered and he just knew that if he wanted any peace, then he’d have to do something, or at least offer.

Why don’t you call down to reception? he tried helpfully.

It means going back in there! She looked at him in horror.

At that moment his brother Craig stepped out onto the balcony, with a towel slung low on his hips; and water dripping from his muscular frame.

Well hello there. He grinned charmingly at the four women.

They’ve got bugs, Richard told his younger brother dryly.

Not the contagious type I hope.

Cockroaches type! blue eyes snapped.

Craig puffed out his chest in a manly fashion. You want me to take care of it for you? he offered bravely.

Blue eyes didn’t even think about it; she leaned over the wall separating their two balconies and handed him the key card for their door.

Careful though, green eyes warned softly. They’re mounting an offensive in there.

Craig hesitated. They?

There’s more than one of them.

How many more than one?

A few, blue eyes hedged.

Craig’s brown eyes narrowed and he looked at the four women apprehensively.

Richard sighed in defeat. Alright mighty hero, let’s go and take a look.

Let me just get some clothes on.

Oh, don’t bother on our account!

The unfamiliar voice had to be one of the brown eyed ladies, and Craig grinned wickedly at the group of women. Patience ladies, patience! he advised them jovially.

*

They peered through into the bathroom and looked with revulsion at the mass of bugs, scuttling around on the floor.

I’m not even going to attempt that! Craig said laughing in disbelief as he backed away, his hands held palms up and out defensively.

I think that this is a management job. Richard agreed with a nod of his head.

He pulled the door too and walked through the apartment to the balcony.

Sorry ladies, but you really do need the experts to come and sort this out, Richard told the women regretfully.

Is it safe to come back in? Did you close the bathroom door? Did any of them manage to escape? blue eyes fired off the questions like a soldier firing off bullets, and Richard laughed helplessly, for a moment.

I’m pretty sure that they all stayed in the bathroom, and yes we closed the door, I can’t guarantee it but I think it’s safe to come back inside.

They fixed him with four sceptical gazes and once again it was the green gaze that rooted him to the spot where he stood.

Blue eyes pointed behind him. Phone’s right there, She told him helpfully.

Yes and I’m sure that you know how to use it, he retorted impatiently.

Please. Green eyes; and a beautiful soft voice...

Okay! he sighed.

He snatched up the phone and called down to reception; informed them that room 1224 had a bug infestation problem; and elicited a promise that someone would be up immediately to deal with it.

Sorted! he announced in a satisfied tone. He looked to the four women who still looked less than impressed and gave another little sigh. You want me to wait and let the pest control guy in?

Yes please. Blue eyes seemed to be the spokesman for the group, and Richard was beginning to find her more than a little bit tiresome.

My name is Richard Fawkes and hero over there. He pointed to his brother who hadn’t made it past the bathroom door and just stood lurking by the main door, looking slightly uncomfortable. He’s my younger brother Craig. He stuck his hand out and waited with baited breath for the beautiful green eyed goddess to take it.

Blue eyes got there first.

Claudia Bates, she said as she shook his hand firmly. Those two ladies are Cassie and Rachel Phillips. She indicated the two brown eyed ladies.

Richard turned to green eyes with