Mistaken: Mistaken, #1

By Renna Peak

The first episode of The MISTAKEN Series

Jenna Davis has tortured herself over the death of her fiance. She's moved to a new city to escape not only the memories, but the shadow of her father, the senator. By meeting Brandon Richardson and succumbing to her desires, she takes a giant step forward in healing her grief-stricken heart. But Brandon has secrets that threaten to destroy her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Renna Peak
• Release date: Jul 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9781498910699

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

An old quote floated through my mind as I lay on the bed, staring up at the dark ceiling. Good judgment comes from experience and experience comes from bad judgment. I couldn't remember who said it, but it gave me something to do while I tried to figure out how to get out of my latest predicament. I have been the queen of bad decisions over the past year. When will enough bad decisions help me have good judgment?

I sighed to myself and he draped his arm across my chest.

I looked over at the clock on the dresser and I was sure it had to be wrong. Had I really just spent all night with him? How had 'just a drink' become an all-nighter? The gnawing feeling in my gut reminded me that I had just done something horrible, another terrible decision to add to the list. I had to get out of there, out of that bed.

I lifted his arm from me and placed it on the bed. I heard him take a sharp breath and I looked over at him. His eyes were still closed and I saw him settle back into the pillow. God, he was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. I had to stop myself from reaching over to touch his silky black hair. The panic I had been feeling was giving way to lust as I felt my body coming to life just looking at his sleeping body. The memory of running my fingers through those curls was fresh in my mind. I could still almost feel his hands moving up my sides, touching the tender flesh of my…

No, I had to leave. This was wrong—so wrong. A one night stand was definitely not in my character and I knew I would have to live with the consequences. If this ever came out, if he had recognized me... I couldn't even let myself think about it. I just needed to get out of there. I slid myself out of the bed and touched my bare feet to the floor. My clothes—where the hell were my clothes? I had the sinking feeling that only some of them were in the bedroom. My stomach almost dropped to the floor when I realized that I had taken the rest off on the way in.

I grabbed my panties and saw my bra across the room. I hadn't realized how huge the bedroom was in my lust-filled entrance. This room alone was bigger than my entire apartment. I tiptoed across the room, grabbed my bra and put it and my underwear on as I tried to sneak out of the room without making a sound. I looked back at him one last time before I slipped through the door. He took my breath away. I could still feel every ripple of his chest muscles on my fingertips. I had to look away. I had to get out of there.

I made my way back to the living room--the space was enormous. The converted loft was huge and open and someone had taken care with its tasteful decoration. I saw my dress lying on the floor near the door. I shook my head at what a slut I had been. I walked over to pick it up, smoothed it out and slipped it over my head. My shoes had to be somewhere around there, too, but I couldn't see them. I saw my purse on the table next to the door. At least I hadn't tossed that with too much haste.

I cursed myself for being so sloppy, so out of control. This wasn't me. I wasn't a one-night stand type of girl. A bad decision was one thing, but this had to be the biggest one I had ever made. I couldn't even remember what I had been thinking the night before to have allowed myself to do this. My head throbbed and I rubbed at my temples. The two Long Islands I'd had with him might have contributed to my stupidity. Maybe.

I scanned the floor for my shoes. I saw one under the dining table on the other side of the room and the memory of kicking it off when I wrapped my legs around him as we entered the apartment returned to me. God, I really was a slut. I walked over near the table and looked for the other shoe. I cursed myself again with my thoughts. How could I have been so stupid?

You don't have to leave, you know. I was hoping we could spend some time together today. I heard his voice behind me and I felt my stomach drop out of my body. I winced before I turned around--I was so hoping I wouldn't have to face him again. If I had only been able to find my other shoe, I could have left and I never would have had to see him again.

He grinned at me and filled a glass with water from the tap and took a long drink. I thought I'd at least make you breakfast. I'm not much of a cook, but I can do eggs and toast. Sit down. He motioned to the table behind me. Do you drink coffee? He started pulling things down from a cupboard.

I forced a smile and took a step away. I'd love to, but I can't. I have… He caught my gaze and I couldn't even finish the sentence. How could a man I just met yesterday take every thought out of my head like that?

Plans? His eyes crinkled with his wry smile. What plans do you have on a Sunday morning? He raised an eyebrow. Church? He started walking around the counter toward me.

I'm just... I just… My brain went to mush and I couldn't even form a sentence. I watched him move around the counter. He had put on his boxers before leaving the bedroom, thank God. I doubt I would have been able to form a thought, much less a sentence if he'd come out of the bedroom naked.

He walked up to me and took my hands in his. He pulled me against his body and breathed into my hair. I felt the stubble covering his chin on the sensitive skin of my neck and drew in a long breath. My knees almost buckled when I caught his scent. He let go of my hands and slipped his arms around my waist. He kissed that spot on my neck that I had never even known was there before last night, and I felt myself melt into him. He dipped his head toward me, his lips brushing against mine.