My Despicable Ex

By Sierra Rose

This is Part 2.

According to the terms of her mother's will, Ashly cannot cash in on her inheritance until she and Jake travel to nearly a dozen locations around the globe. The thought of pairing up with her old flame makes her blood boil, but she has little choice other than to put up with her despicable ex.

Can Ashly put up with Jake through her globe-hopping scavenger hunt to get her family fortune? Will she ever be able to forget or forgive being dumped on her wedding day? When wounds run so deep, is forgiveness even possible between old lovers? Or is it, "Goodbye!" all over again, after everything is said and done?

Book Trailer for the series: https://youtu.be/41TVh-9mvI4

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dark Shadows Publishing
• Release date: Oct 15, 2013
• ISBN: 9781497782334

Book preview

Chapter 1

A FEW DAYS LATER, I leaned back in my seat as the plane took off.

My heart’s still pounding from that croc, Jake said.

Mine too.

While those gorgeous sunsets and sunrises, our safari, the snorting giraffe, and our elephant ride had been unforgettable, providing me with stories I would tell over and over again, I was glad to be heading to our next destination, which I was sure would be so much safer.

Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia is located in the world’s oldest desert and the Naukluft mountain range. The dunes are the tallest in the world, rising up to 1,000 feet above the desert floor. I couldn’t have been more excited. Climbing sand dunes was definitely on my bucket list.

We checked into Kulala Desert Lodge, a beautiful place out in the middle of the desert, surrounded by picturesque mountain vistas. We would be sleeping in one of fifteen canvas chalets. I was a bit worried about sleeping in the middle of the desert, but I was told each unit was specially designed to keep cool air in and hot air out. Each hut was built on a wooden platform and had a deck on the flat rooftop, where bedrolls could be placed if one wanted to sleep under the stars. There was a common area, a lounge, a bar, a dining area, and a plunge pool. There was also a wrap-around veranda that overlooked a popular waterhole. This was often visited by gemsboks, springboks, wild ostriches, bat-eared foxes, aardwolves, hares, jackals, and spotted hyenas. 

After we unpacked, we ate dinner, and then I cooled off in the pool. Gazing around, I couldn’t fathom that I was in the middle of the desert. The beautiful views stretched for miles. I chatted with some of the other tourists who were also taking a dip, and they told me some incredible stories about the dunes.

Ashly! Jake called.

The blonde lady next to me grabbed my arm. "Oh, my gosh! Is he with you?"

It’s... complicated, I whispered back.

Jake stared at me with those dazzling blue eyes. His strong, rugged looks accentuated his chiseled features, and he boasted a five o’clock shadow, something I liked to call his designer stubble. Even when he didn’t shave for a day or two, I found it extremely masculine and sexy.

Mind if I join you for a swim? he asked.

I nodded, and my stomach quivered. His deep, husky voice always had that effect on me, but I dared not let it show. He was dressed in only red swim trunks, and I couldn’t help rolling my eyes over his gorgeous, muscular body. He flashed me his white smile as he jumped in. His hair was slicked back, and water dripped down his face. I couldn’t stop staring at his broad, bare shoulders and muscular chest. For a quick moment, I imagined myself pressing my hands flat against his chest and kissing him, but I knew thoughts like that were going to send me right back to therapy, back to square one, only to be inevitably hurt by him again. 

I smiled. I’m glad you came out here. You’ll really enjoy it. The water’s great.

He swam closer, his leg brushing against mine.

I cleared my throat. Uh, I’m gonna head back in now, but you’ll love it out here. It’s like a little oasis in the desert. You are going to love it out here.

He eyed me up and down. Yeah. It’s just gorgeous.

I wasn’t sure if he was talking about me or the beautiful scenery. I could feel his hot breath across my face as he inched closer. I knew it was best to push him away, but being so close to him, with only thin, wet fabric between us, brought all those old memories crashing back. I stared at his curved mouth, then looked into his eyes. For a moment, I felt that familiar connection we used to share. I remembered getting lost in his gaze; I could stare into those beautiful eyes forever. My breath quickened as I pictured his lips traveling down my jawline. My eyes were blazing with lust. He stared deeply into my eyes, until I had to look away. My stomach fluttered, and I couldn’t believe I was reacting like that. Part of me wanted to cup his cheeks and kiss him like he’d never been kissed before, but the other part knew better.

Um, I’ll see you back inside, I finally said, breaking myself free from Jake’s trance. Have a great swim.

He reached for my hand. I’d enjoy it more if you’d stay out here.

I pulled away and wrapped the towel around me. That’s really not a good idea.

So I guess saving us from a croc doesn’t score me any Brownie points?

I laughed. I’ll see you inside. And I’ll order you a brownie from room service.

Sounds fantastic. Thank you.

You’re welcome.

When I walked inside our hut, I was flabbergasted to discover that our bed was gone. I waited for Jake to return thirty minutes later.

That swim felt good, he said, walking in shirtless.

I met his gaze. Where’s our mattress?

While you were swimming, they gave me the option of taking the bed from the main bedroom of the hut and moving it upstairs to the area with the flat roof. I thought it would be wonderful to sleep under the stars, so I went for the roof option.

That actually sounds really nice... but what makes you think I want you sleeping up there with me?

Maybe I want to sleep under the stars too.

I smiled. It’s okay. I grabbed a blanket and spread it on the hut floor. It’s my turn to give you the bed anyway. I want to keep this fair and square. So I’ll just sleep down here. No biggy.

C’mon! You know I’m not going to let you sleep on the floor.

I’m not some delicate daffodil. I’ve got the floor.

Are you sure?

I’m sure.

Okay. But if the floor gets too hard, just call me, and I’ll gladly switch places.

He got ready for bed, then climbed upstairs to go to sleep.

Getting comfortable on the floor was hard to do. I tossed and turned and couldn’t fall asleep, and I decided that sleeping out in the sand would be a much better option.

Ashly! Jake’s excited voice called down.

Yeah?

You’ve gotta come see this.

I had been dying to go up there and take a quick peek, so I swallowed my pride and walked up the stairs to the flat roof. Moonlight shone down softly as bright stars twinkled. I was mesmerized by the thousands of diamonds in the clear black sky.

A breeze blew Jake’s dark, untamed hair into his face. He patted the mattress, beckoning me. Sit down and spend a few minutes looking up at the sky. I promise you won’t regret it.

The light reflected in his eyes in a million facets, destroying every bit of my focus. The pull between us was so strong that it almost had me weak in the knees. I finally gave in to it and lay next to him, propping my head up on my right elbow.

Man, I’d love to sleep up here.

What’s stopping you?

My eyes met his. Sleeping out here with you isn’t such a good idea. We could end up kissing or something right here in the middle of the desert. I knew he might take it the wrong way and assume it to be an invitation, but I didn’t care. Even I wasn’t sure it wasn’t one.

I just thought we could look at the stars, like old times. He gently stroked a strand of hair out of my eyes.

We stared into each other’s eyes for a long moment.

I’m so sorry, he said. If I could go back and do things differently, I would.

I believe you. I even believe you’ve been suffering as much as I’ve been, only your suffering comes from guilt.

I just wanna make it up to you, Ashly, he said, brushing his fingers down my arm. Can’t you try to let me?

We were so close, shoulder to shoulder. He laid his arm under my neck so I could use it for a pillow, and a shiver shot down my spine. I longed to feel his touch on my skin, but I also knew I had to focus and get back on track.

Stick to the plan, I told myself. I took a deep, cleansing breath. From that point on, I was careful not to touch him, because I didn’t want to lead him on in any way. I had to stay rational, because his gorgeous head was obviously in the clouds.

When he reached for my hand, I felt those cursed butterflies. Just stay with me for a few minutes. Please? I promise to be the perfect gentlemen.

I softly pulled away, my hand still tingling where his finger had touched. What girl could resist a sight like this anyway? And you know I’m a sucker for twinkling stars. I’ll stay for a little longer.

He grinned. That’s all I’m asking for.

Have you ever seen so many stars before? I asked, staring up at the spectacular night vista.

I know. The sky’s just covered with them. I don’t think there’s a single patch of open sky.

I’ve always dreamt of something like this, I said.

I’ve always dreamt about seeing it with someone special, someone like you, he softly said.

I smiled.

When it comes to you, I have to be. I can’t breathe without you. My life just feels... incomplete.

A tingling sensation flooded over me at his declaration. We lay there for a long time, far longer than the few minutes he’d asked me for, talking and stargazing until I fell asleep.

THE NEXT THING I KNEW, it was morning, and the sun was shining in my face. I looked at Jake, who was still sleeping peacefully, like an angel. He looked so cute with his head on the pillow, all snuggled up in the covers. I couldn’t help but stare at his messy bed-head of hair.

His eyes fluttered open, and he smiled. Oh, hey. Good morning.

Good morning.

He sat up and ran a hand through his hair. Guess we fell asleep.

Guess so.

Sleeping under the stars in the desert was on my bucket list.

I shot him a half-smile. Well, I guess you can cross it off now.

Will do.

Me too.

Last night was amazing, he said.

Um, you mean sleeping next to each other all night under the stars or the spectacular view itself?

Both, he said, winking, but mostly us.

His piercing stare made me feel weak in the knees all over again. Let’s not make a habit of sleeping together like that, I said.

He cocked a brow. It was entirely innocent.

That’s how it always starts, I said with a chuckle, walking down the stairs.

He let out a soft laugh. I kept my distance from Jake and went about my day. I walked in the sand, enjoyed the landscape, and relaxed by the pool. When nighttime fell, Jake insisted on taking the floor because he knew it’d make me more comfortable. Before I knew it, it was morning again.

I shook Jake. You’d better get ready. We have the sand dune tour in about thirty minutes.

I’m awake.

Good, let’s get moving then.

Hey, I was thinking... let’s do the hot air balloon ride tomorrow before we leave. They serve breakfast with champagne right there in the wilderness. We’d have so much fun.

I shook my head. Nah.

Why not? You scared of heights all the sudden?

No. I’m scared of romance, which is definitely not on the itinerary.

But imagine seeing the dunes from the air, he argued. We’ll see all kinds of wild animals too, and we can—

Maybe another time, I softly said.

But it’d be so special, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I thought we could—

You can go, Jake. Have fun and take a lot of pics. Or, you could always come back when you get your big inheritance. I’m sure a lot of women would die to come with you.

How about we stay one more day and go rhino tracking then? he asked.

You can come back and do that, too.

He let out a long sigh, then left the room.  

Chapter 2

IT WAS 4:40 A.M. WE were dressed in long sleeves, light pants, hats, and sunglasses to protect us from the sand that blew powerfully around us from everywhere. I was hesitant about wearing long sleeves in the desert, but our tour guide told us it would be wise; we could always peel off layers if we got too hot, but he assured us we’d be back before the boiling heat of the sun really kicked in. We started early for that very reason, not to mention that the sunrise was one of the very best views. I put sunscreen on every exposed body part, and I pinned my hair up in a tight bun so it wouldn’t be blown around and filled with sand. 

Jake’s white shirt stretched across his muscular chest, and his blue jeans fit him just right. He looked so sexy, especially when the wind teased his bed-head hairdo around. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach whenever I caught a glimpse of him. I tried to play it cool, but I couldn’t stop staring.

This time, we traveled with a group, six of us and a tour guide. The guide drove us through the main gates of the park in a four-by-four. After a few bumpy miles, I jumped out at the first dune, my heart beating in anticipation. We were in the oldest desert in the world, preparing to walk across the highest dunes known to man. I couldn’t wait to climb the endless mountains of sand.

I stared upward at the giant mountain of sand towering above me. Are we really going to climb all the way to the top?

Jake smiled. You bet.

Trudging uphill through the thick sand, I followed my guide and noticed that the only footsteps I saw were ours. I tried not to fall down in front of Jake, but the deep, loose sand challenged my balance. I noticed that our tour guide had a walking stick, and I wished I would have had as much foresight. The sandy trek was quite a workout, and I started to pant and wiped the droplets of sweat from my face as I took extra-long, deep strides. My calves began to burn as if I was on my Stairmaster. For a while, I felt as if I was on some kind of movie set, acting out a scene where we were stranded in the Sahara under the hot, scorching sun, with no civilization anywhere in sight.

While our climb to the top took some effort, we were rewarded with a stunning view. I felt like a tiny little person atop a huge sandcastle, or perhaps an astronaut walking on some other planet as I peered down at the otherworldly landscape. It was so quiet that I could hear the wind beating under the wings of blackbirds flying overhead. We trekked along for hundreds of feet, until we found the perfect spot to sit down and watch the sunrise. It felt so good to wiggle my toes in the soft sand.

At first, it looked somewhat dull, and I wondered if we were, in fact, in the same place I’d seen in so many pictures, but as soon as the sun peaked, a major transformation took place. As I watched sunlight dance on the sand dunes, something amazing happened: The dull sand turned into glorious and vivid colors that took my breath away. I stared at the backdrop of unparalleled beauty, nature at her finest. It was hard to imagine I was standing in the world’s oldest desert. The sea of sand was so barren, as smooth as silk. Under the bright glow of the sun, the tawny dunes morphed from orange and red to apricot and mauve.

I peered across the ocean of sand waves that stretched into infinity. The giant orange orb in the sky only added to the beauty, making the whole thing seem surreal. Staring out at the stretches of sand, I took a minute to reflect as the wind whipped my bun into a ponytail.

I hiked through the red, windblown sand, agape at the waves of dunes twisting across the basin. My shoes dangled from my hand; I figured there was no use putting them back on since they just filled up with sand with every step anyway. I reached down to scoop some of it up and let it slip through my fingers. There was not one rock