Beauty and the Beast

By Angela Fattig

Security...

Safety...

Fuck them and leave...

And the most important one...

Don’t give them your heart.

For both Shannon Taylor and Jareth Stein it’s been the same thing. Day after day, year after year.

Shannon Taylor knows all about hurt and betrayal. It’s something she never talks about. Not even her best friend knows.

High school is a very unkind place. Hell the whole childhood thing is Hell. Aren’t fathers supposed to love their children not hurt them?

Jareth Stein knows the secret of life. Leave them before they leave you.

That was the lesson his mother taught him all those years ago when she left him in the hands of his abusive father for another man. Never to be seen again.

In addition to the issues Jareth and Shannon face already; Jareth’s mom comes back with a message:

If you don’t give me what I want I will destroy you and everyone you love; starting with Shannon.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Angela Fattig
• Release date: Mar 29, 2015
• ISBN: 9781507061688

Angela Fattig

Angela Fattig spent most of her childhood reading any book she could find. That's when her passion of writing was born. When she was 10, she started writing short stories and poems and kept quite a collection. In 1998, she met Paul and they have shared a life together for 15 years. In 1999, she introduced the world to her first born, Brandi, and again in 2000, Sarah. Today, when she is not doing what she loves, writing, she spends time with her beautiful family and the addition of two dogs named Izzy and Herly. Angela's inspirations have always been Stephen King, E L James, and Poe.

Book preview

Dedication

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In honor of The Believe Series, I decided to give you an extra story within a story full of sass, spice, and all things nice.

Just a friendly warning; this book contains the subject of child abuse and sexual abuse. Although I don’t encourage it, it is still a part of life and too many children have suffered because of it. I will not close my eyes or turn my head and pretend it doesn’t exist.

I just hope that in the end, my books will make an impact on people so they will take a stand. No child should ever have to endure that kind of pain, that kind of horror because you’re too afraid to say anything.

I’ll step down from my soapbox now. I want to thank my PA, Amber McCarty, my Street Team, my editor, Cheryl Keene of Keene-Eye Editing, and all my loyal followers.

Beauty and the Beast will mark my fourteenth book published since 2014 and my third of 2015. I am excited that you have chosen to join me on this great adventure. I hope that years from now I will still be receiving your wonderful comments and private messages.

Thank you for the amazing journey!

~~Angela 

Quotes

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"The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned."

Maya Angelou

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Where thou art, that is home.

Emily Dickinson

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Learning to trust is one of life's most difficult tasks.

Isaac Watt

Playlist

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Broken Girl: Matthew West

Loverman: Metallica

Within You: David Bowie

Never Again: Nickleback

Stay: Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko

Sail: AWOLNATION

I’m On Fire: AWOLNATION

Try: Pink

Hold Me: Savage Garden

Remember Everything: Five Finger Death Punch

The Struggle Within: Metallica

The Memory Remains: Metallica

Bring Me to Life: Evanescence

Lovin’ You Against My Will: Gary Allan

I Knew I Loved You: Savage Garden

Near You Always: Jewel

Behind Blue Eyes: Limp Bizkit

Grey Street: Dave Matthews Band

Naked Without You: Taylor Dayne

I Need My Girl: Blake Shelton

I Will Carry You: Clay Aiken

Run Run Run: Kelly Clarkson and John Legend

True Love: Coldplay

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Prologue

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Fuck, I think. Alicia sure knows how to write a steamy romance. This is her fifth book that I’ve read and I keep asking myself the same question, Why do all the guys have big cocks? I just don’t get it. I mean, I’ve seen a fair share and I’ve never seen one that big. On top of that, I’ve heard that most men only think of themselves in the bedroom, forgetting that the woman needs to get off as well.

I chuckle to myself and then start to feel sad; if only I actually dated. I lead everyone to believe I’m a woman on the make, but in reality, men terrify the fuck out of me. I can thank my dad for that. I regret not taking a stand sooner; if I had, maybe mom would be here with me now.

I sigh and take a sip of my coffee. How nice; Meet Shannon Taylor, near virgin because her fucking father beat and molested her and his sick dick is the only fucking one that’s ever touched her, I mumble aloud.

Of course, I’ve seen men and read books that have turned me on, but I have never allowed myself any kind of relief. It’s like a person who cuts; they do it to either see if they still feel or because they believe they deserve the pain. I, on the other hand, withhold pleasure because I don’t think I deserve it; or at least that’s what my therapist says. Maybe my therapist is right. Maybe it’s time for me to give the male population a chance. Hell I’m twenty-nine; I should have a husband and a family by now.

Maybe the coffee house wasn’t a good idea. Not only is it not a good idea to read an erotic romance novel in public, but a trip down memory lane and dredging up past demons and future failures is something to be done in private.

Sitting my cup back down and wiping a tear away, I go to collect my things. This going out in public thing is highly over rated, even with the meds the doctors have me on. The panic attacks are becoming worse, and I find that just the thought of leaving the house for work to be overwhelming.

I sit back and try to shake off the attack that I feel coming on now. No, no, I whisper; it becoming harder to breathe, Not now, please not now.

Excuse me, Miss, I hear a deep and beautiful voice, Are you alright?

Now I want to panic more. I can’t allow people to see me like this. I slowly allow my eyes to travel up the stranger’s body. First I see jean clad legs; lean yet muscular, follow by a bulge in the crotch area that quickens my pulse and causes my mouth to go dry. Maybe Alicia’s not so far off. I mentally I shake myself; I can’t think like that, especially about a stranger and not while I’m trying to fend off a panic attack.

I must have lingered too long on his cock as I hear a chuckle. See something you like? he asks and my eyes bypass his rock hard chest and straight to his beautiful face. Those eyes; so ocean blue yet they hold the hint of mischief and that dimple. That fucking dimple and killer smile had my panties drenched. 

Oh my God! I think. I’m in trouble; big fucking trouble. What I wouldn’t give for just one hour with this beautiful man. It would be pure Heaven.

A day off, I think shaking my head as I enter the coffee shop. Not in my line of work, the term off duty doesn’t exist.

Stepping up to the counter, the young, pimple faced teen greets me, Afternoon Officer Stein, he starts and I cut him off by shaking my head.

David, I exhale, How many times have I told you that when I’m in street clothes its Jareth? It’s my day off and I want to enjoy it.

David looks all around us and then leans in, red faced. Sorry Officer... I mean Jareth, he says, What can I get for you?

I sigh, shake my head, and ask myself, will this kid ever learn? A large black coffee, I answer, As always. Damn, I’ve been in this windy city for over a year and the whole time I’ve been coming here and this kid still can’t remember shit. This is who will be running the country? We’re fucked now.

He nods and moves off to make it. I turn, scanning the room just like my training has taught me. No matter where you are, you can never be too safe and you must always know where all the exits are.

As I scan the now almost familiar faces of the coffee shop, I can’t help but bitch, of all the agents, I was shipped off to this fucking windy ass city and given the bitch of a task of bringing down the most ruthless mob bosses to ever breathe. Fuck my life.

Then I do a double take when I hear a female whimpering and see her, the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. Blonde, petite yet with the figure any woman would kill for. I can’t see her face, but I’m sure it would knock the socks right off of me, and at the same time, I feel my cock stiffening. A cocky smile forms on my face; it has been a long time since I got my dick wet, I think to myself.

I go to push myself off the counter and I get a glimpse of her beautiful face; she has tears in her soft blue eyes. My cock immediately deflates. Any other time I’m an asshole and I don’t give a shit, but my partner Gage has taught me a lot in the short time I’ve known him. I just can’t be my normal asshole self with her.

A shiver runs down my spine at the sight of her ashen features and for the first time in my miserable excuse of a life, I feel my heart warm. It’s a feeling that is very alien and uncomfortable. I’m not sure how to register it.

David sits my coffee in front of me, and without taking my eyes off of her, I throw cash down, pick up the cup, and walk towards her. I feel drawn, like this beautiful siren and I were destined to meet.

As I near her, the air begins to feel charged and my knees go weak. What the fuck is happening, I wonder, but I shake it off; I don’t have a choice as she is all I can see. I can see her trembling and then I hear her whisper, No, no, not now, please not now.

I frown and ask, Excuse me, Miss, are you alright?

She freezes and then she allows her eyes to travel up my body; first my jean clad legs, follow by the bulge forming in the crotch area again and it quickens my pulse and causes my mouth to go dry. Damn, I haven’t even heard her speak and I’m already hard.

She lingers a little too long on my cock and I chuckle, See something you like? Her eyes bypass my chest and go straight to my face. I stop breathing and the world stands still and spins out of control all at once.

The look on her face is priceless. It is one of confusion, shock, embarrassment, and lust all at once. It must be a mirror as to what my face is giving away.

What, she falters; her voice so soft that I almost don’t hear her.

I repeat, Are you alright? I saw you from across the room and you looked troubled. She just looked at me as if she wasn’t really seeing me. Do you mind if I sit? I ask trying a different approach and she slowly nods. Sitting down across from her, I smile.

Seeming to have her composure back she smiles. I’m sorry, she says, I guess my mind was somewhere else.

I smile, lean back in the chair, cross my ankles, and sip my coffee. And where would the mind of a beautiful girl like you go? I ask, surprising myself by the question. I work fast, but even this is fast for me.

Her face flushes as she looks away and shyly smiles. Thank you, she whispers, But I’m not beautiful.

I sit forward as the smile leaves my face. If that’s what you think, I start, Then you need to be sitting where I am. With you in the room, everything and everyone else ceases to exist; all I see is you.

I gasp, filling with shock and lust. No man has ever spoken like this to me and for some unknown reason, he seems to calm me. The panic that was raking my body just moments ago is long forgotten. All that remains is the beautiful man sitting across from me.

I need to play it cool and not let him see how much he is affecting me. So I sit back and smile. Does that line really work for you, I ask raising a brow.

He sits back again and laughs. I wouldn’t know, he says, I’ve only ever used it on you, sweetheart. Besides, it really wasn’t a line, it was true. Anyway, judging by your eyes, I wouldn’t need any line with you.

Really, I question, deciding to play along, So what would you use?

He shrugs. My words, he answers and leans forward again. If I wanted to get you into bed, all I would need to do is come right out and tell you I was ready to fuck. He says this in a low and deep voice that has my insides turning to mush and my panties soaked.

If, I question breathlessly. I can’t believe I’m still playing this dangerous game because he’s right.

He smirks. You know I want to fuck you, he says, How could you not. You were ogling a hole through my cock only moments ago.

I huff and cross my arms over my chest. I was not ogling you cock, I say although we both know that’s a lie.

He laughs. Well, he questions raising a brow.

Frowning, I say, Well what?

Wanna fuck, he asks his voice dropping even more. I’m shocked into silence as he stands and extends his hand for me to take. Come on sweetheart. You know you want me to fuck your brains out.

I swallow, place my hand in his, and he pulls me to my feet. I’m scared to death, but I’ve never wanted anything more than to have this man fuck me senseless and what surprises me is just the thought of it doesn’t make me want to run. Without a word he turns, pulling me out the door behind him.

Once out the door he stops, looks up and down the street, and then turns, still pulling me behind him. Wondering what has this man on a mission other than getting laid, I spy the motel just ahead. My stomach tightens more and suddenly I’m filled with dread and doubt.

Sensing my hesitation he stops only feet from the door of the motel, turning towards me he cups my face. He searches my face then asks, Are you sure you want this? Tell me now before I can’t hold myself back.

I nod nervously. I do, I whisper, I’m just scared.

He searches my eyes as his face softens. I’m scared too, he admits then his mouth is on mine. I gasp at the sudden movement and he plunges his tongue inside. His tongue moves with mine slowly, with measured movements as if he's making love to my mouth.

I break away fighting for air and I see that he’s also having trouble. I go to speak, but he shakes his head.

What in the hell are you doing to me? he asks shaking his head again, Stay here and I’ll get a key. I nod as he takes a deep breath and walks away.

My hand goes to my lips as I watch his retreating back. What are you doing to me, I repeat his words aloud.

Securing the key I head back to my beautiful siren, wondering for the hundredth time if this is a good idea. Then I see