The Perfect Boyfriend

By Renee Novelle

Book #2 in the Boyfriend series.

The Perfect Boyfriend picks up right where we left Reagan and Ian in The Boyfriend List.

As their friendship blossoms quickly into a steamy romance, Reagan and Ian have to learn to navigate their shifting relationship...and everything that entails. But their newfound bliss doesn’t come without a few unexpected challenges.

In the midst of realizing just how sweet the romance can be between them, and all the benefits of their new dynamic, Reagan is informed that her ideal situation has changed. Not only will she need to begin taking on more classes to speed up her graduation date, but she’ll also have to start looking for a job to supplement her fading income. Meanwhile, Ian has chosen to pull out of school once his father is diagnosed with a terminal illness in order to help manage the family business and spend time with him while he still can. But he wrestles with the guilt of leaving Reagan behind, and the pressure of his new responsibilities.

As the two meet their new challenges head-on, they’ll be forced to discover whether or not they’re as compatible as lovers as they were as friends. With their focus pulled in so many directions, will they have what it takes to keep a long distance relationship alive? Can Ian prove that he’s still be the perfect boyfriend, or will they fold to statistics under the growing tensions of their lives? Throw in some manipulative exes, a new boss with an inflated ego, and a co-worker from hell and the two have a recipe for either a fairy tale ending, or a complete disaster.

The Perfect Boyfriend is a New Adult Romance about trust, love, and discovering the true depths of personal strength.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.S. Novelle
• Release date: Jul 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310479403

Renee Novelle

Formerly a freelance journalist, Novelle has found placement of her pieces in both online and print publications since 2008. Additionally, she has written multiple screenplays, and contributed her writing to many non-profit and for profit organizations. She has launched several blogs over the years, which garnered international attention.In 2013, Novelle returned to her first love – fiction. Writing under the names Renee Novelle and R.S. Novelle, she has a publication schedule that includes Psychological Thrillers, Suspense, Paranormal Fiction, Contemporary Women’s fiction, Chick Lit, and New Adult.Though she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Communication, summa cum laude, she considers herself a constant student of the written word. She’s an avid reader, an enthusiastic quote poster, and rarely takes “no” as a final answer. She has an unhealthy obsession for theater, dance, music and art, and strongly believes that wine is simultaneously the beginning of, and resolution to, all of life’s problems. She believes in following dreams, and that in the end, you always end up where you're meant to be.You can find out more about her books and connect with her here:Website: www.RSNovelle.comGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/RSNovelleFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReneeNovelleTwitter: https://twitter.com/RS_Novelle

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The Perfect Boyfriend

By Renee’ Novelle

PUBLISHED BY:

R.S. Novelle on Smashwords

Copyright © 2014 by Renee Novelle


SMASHWORDS EDITION

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof
 may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever 
without the written permission of the publisher 
except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

The purchaser of this book is subject to the condition that he/she shall in no way resell it, nor any part of it, nor make copies of it to distribute freely.

This book is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and situations within its pages and places or persons, living or dead, is unintentional and co-incidental.

Cover design by April Cosimano

Find out more about this author, and any upcoming works, at the following sites:

Website: www.RSNovelle.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/RSNovelle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReneeNovelle

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RS_Novelle

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Additional Titles

About the Author

Prologue

Once Petra had gone to bed and Katie was tucked in on the couch, Reagan laid awake just staring up at her ceiling fan. The alcohol was swimming nicely in her head, but not so much that it was helping her rest. In fact, she almost felt a surge of anxious energy that she needed to work out. Making up her mind, she grabbed a light sweater and snuck out her door. After peeking over at Katie and deciding a quick walk was safe enough, she crept out the front and locked it softly behind her.

She glanced up at Ian’s apartment, half wondering what would happen if she were to knock on his door. Would he invite her in, or slam it shut in her face? Would there be someone else with him on the other side already, or would he pull her in and show her what making up was supposed to feel like? The latter intrigued her, then she decided it was just the alcohol at work. The lights were off anyway, and considering the time, she really didn’t want to wake him up. Instead, she tiptoed down the stairs and crossed the street to stroll across campus.

Reagan hadn’t had any particular destination in mind, and she wasn’t exactly sure where she was heading when she’d first started out. So it surprised her when she found herself standing in front of the stadium, looking up at the tall iron gates with an enormous curiosity plaguing her mind. She slid one hand up the cool iron rod, wondering to herself if she had the courage to go in by herself. If it’s open, I’m going for it. Giving it a gentle nudge, she found it had only been pulled closed, and wasn’t actually locked. Creaking as it gave way, there was enough room to slip her body through, and she quickly disappeared into the shadows of the large structure.

She hadn’t been sure if she could remember the way up to Ian’s secret spot, but her body seemed to remember the direction, and she quickly found herself about to step out onto the rows of seats to finish climbing up. Taking a deep breath, she summoned her courage and relied on the alcohol to numb her initial anxiety about the height. Then she thought about Ian, and how safe he’d made her feel that night, and she held on to that feeling as she wound her way up.

Before she knew it, she’d stepped into the alcove and a blanket of twinkling stars spread out above her. It was no less magical the second time she’d seen it, but she couldn’t help the little twinge in her stomach that something was missing.

No, not something, she reminded herself. Someone. There was a little part of her that half expected to find him here, and she imagined that it was her subconscious desire to see him that had led her to this spot. She felt closer to him here, to the memory of what they’d shared here, without having to make herself vulnerable to him completely.

As she spent several long minutes breathing deeply of the cool night air, and allowing it to clear her mind, she made the decision to call Ian first thing in the morning. There was no reason why a friendship as special as theirs, and a love as strong as theirs could be, should be ruined over one misunderstanding. It wasn’t that she needed him, she didn’t need any man really. But she very much wanted him to be in her life. And she was being ridiculous and scared and had blamed him for the faults of so many other people. It was time to stop all that and be a different person.

Her resolution firm, Reagan stood to start making her way back, but she stopped dead in her tracks when a shadow moved in front of her.

You’re the last person I thought I’d find here.

Her breath caught in her throat as Ian stepped from the shadows, his broad shoulders slumped in what could only be uncertainty as he gauged her reaction, looking over every inch of her. No doubt he was waiting for her to yell, to cry, to have some sort of dramatic reaction. But he was there. And he was alone. And she’d never been quite so happy to see anyone as she was in that moment.

Where you expecting to see anyone at all? She could barely force the whisper from her lips.

No. He was half smirking, half laughing as he uttered the word. It seemed to relax him, and he thrust his hands deep into his pocket before stepping forward. No one knows about this place except you. But I didn’t think you’d ever come here again.

There it was, that tilt of his chin that she’d always found so damn appealing. Why not? She still couldn’t move, and the closer he came to her, the more frozen she felt. Not because she was rigid with anger or fear or uncertainty. Rather, it seemed to be her only way of stopping herself from falling into his arms now that they were so close.

I thought you were still mad at me. You haven’t been answering my calls. He stepped forward again, and now she could feel the heat radiating from his body. It warmed the center of her, and she closed her eyes, breathing deeply before speaking again. She didn’t want to have this conversation. She just wanted to fast-forward through the awkwardness, to the part where he was holding her again, kissing her again.

No, I’m not mad. Petra told me what really happened.

Then what’s going on?

I guess I’ve been scared. And a little embarrassed. And I’m not really sure what to do with all that.

Look, Reagan. He was standing right next to her now, his hand gliding casually up and down her arm in soothing strokes. It was a mistake for me to even talk to her last night, I’ll own that. But I learn from my mistakes, and I don’t repeat them. I promise nothing like that will ever happen again. He was laughing to himself at the memory now. I think I made it pretty clear to everyone in the room that you’re the only one I’m interested in anyway. I doubt anyone else would try something like that. Not for a long time.

Reagan found herself smiling as well, she couldn’t help it. But she also knew he was right. She could feel it in her gut that she could trust him, that it had all been a misunderstanding. Hell, even Petra had vouched for him, and she was as fiercely loyal as a friend could be.

I love you Reagan. I’ve never felt like this with anyone before, He cupped the side of her face gently with his hand, stroking the side of her cheek with his thumb until she felt her insides all but melt. and I don’t want to lose you over something so stupid.

You won’t. She reassured. You haven’t. And she pulled at his hand until it was wrapped around her waist, until their bodies were pressed together and their foreheads met in a simple acknowledgement. What passed between their eyes under the intensity of their gaze spoke more than their words would ever be able to convey, but somehow they understood each other in those moments and there was nothing more that needed to be said.

With lips just barely apart, Reagan’s breath was coming as fast as her heartbeat until she was dizzy with the sensation and could no longer think. But she could feel her center warming, burning as his grip tightened around her body, as his hands began to search. Then his mouth crushed over hers, and every emotion flooded through her. She met his force, no longer able to hold back, as she nipped at his lip and took them deeper. By the time they resurfaced, they were both breathless with need, but the top of the stadium wasn’t exactly the ideal place. Not when it meant this much to her.

Instead, she pushed him back in a teasing sort of way and laughed. Come on, let’s go.

Think I can get you back into my apartment this time?

She turned back on him, mouth open in feigned insult, to see a mischievous glimmer alighting his entire face. Don’t count on it buddy. You’re going to have to try a little harder than that!

Is that a dare? Though he was laughing, there was a depth to his voice that suggested his intent. It trembled inside her, anticipation rising until it all but paralyzed at her again. Before she could answer, he’d swung her up into his arms, cradling her against his chest. She let out a little squeal despite herself. I’d do anything for you. You know that, right?

Reagan smiled up at him, and threw her arms around his neck. Maybe. She teased, but everything about her expression was a confident yes.

Good. Then he gave her a gentle peck on the tip of her nose, and placed her on her feet again. Intertwining his fingers with hers, he lead her out of the stadium, and across the lawn, where he went about attempting to win that dare...

Chapter One

There were only two things in life that Reagan Carter was absolutely certain of.

One was that she’d never been this happy before. Whatever version of love and happiness she’d thought she’d felt for other guys in the past was nothing compared to the absolute bliss she had in this moment. That was a fact. A weight had been lifted – one she hadn’t even realized she’d been carrying all this time – and suddenly she saw the world from a whole different view.

The second was that Ian Scott was the hottest guy she’d ever laid eyes on. There was no end to his raw sexual appeal – the way his dark blue eyes penetrated and devoured her. The symmetry and definition of muscles so perfect that no guy in college had any right to own them. The confident way he moved through every situation. The way he knew exactly how to touch her... The truth was, all he had to do was look at her and wink and she completely melted in every possible way. And the worst part was, he knew it.

She was completely, undoubtedly, and ridiculously in love with him.

Okay, so maybe that was three things. It really didn’t matter, they were still all certainties in her life at this point. And as Reagan and Ian made their way out of the stadium and across the sprawling lawn of campus, she was bubbling over with excitement at her new revelation – life was about to get really, really good. So good, in fact, that it still didn’t feel real and she almost started to wonder if this wasn’t some beautiful dream that she’d wake up from eventually. Vowing to stay asleep forever if it was, she soaked up every wonderful second of it.

As they neared the building where they both resided, Ian tugged on Reagan’s hand and drew her close to him again, his warmth a subtle reminder that this was all very much real. He gently pressed her up against the side of the building, and she clutched the stone hard muscles in his shoulders for balance as an eager giggle escaped her throat. Then hands that knew exactly how to move and where to go ran slowly up her torso, grazing the side of her breasts until they found the soft skin of her neck. The tips of his fingers trailed lightly there, eliciting a shiver of pleasure that worked its way down her spine, until he finally cupped her face. Holding her gaze steady, his brilliantly blue eyes were lit with tenderness as he smiled down onto her face.

I love you Reagan. Ian’s voice was deep with emotion and need, and Reagan felt her body responding both to the words and the tone. I’ll never let anyone hurt you again. You’re safe with me, I promise.

The warm sensation that flooded her from the inside validated his words, and for the first time for as long as she could remember, she knew that she could trust again. And she could trust her heart to say the one thing she’d