A Home for my Heart: Matters of the Heart, #3

By Velvet Reed

A home is where love resides.
It's a feeling, more than just a physical place.
It's an environment that offers security, truth and happiness. It's the heart of a family.
Sam Evans and Ashley Brookes both know what it's like to lose their homes... their families.
When a stranger from Sam's past makes an unwelcome and unexpected appearance shattering everything he's always believed about his life, the emotionally inept doctor can't deal with the knowledge.
Left confused and brokenhearted, Ashley struggles to cope, and ends up leaning on an old crush for support. When Sam finally gets his act together, he knows he has a lot of fixing and apologizing to do. Aware he's going to lose Ashley, the only woman he's ever loved is not something he’s willing to let happen.
The only way he can get her back is to man-up and show Ashley exactly what she means to him.
To show her that the only home for his heart is with her.

** This book is NOT a standalone. The series NEEDS be read in order to fully understand the story. **
 
** This book is recommended for people over 18 years due to strong language and sexual content. **

• Language: English
• Publisher: Velvet Reed
• Release date: Dec 10, 2015
• ISBN: 9781519931801

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Copyright © 2015 Velvet Reed / Kristine Englefield

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written consent of the copyright owner, except by a reviewer who may quote a brief passage in their review.

This book is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to any person, living or dead is by pure coincidence. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the places and products referred to in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission and is by no way sponsored by the trademark owners. The author also acknowledges the artists and songs mentioned in this work of fiction.

This is a contemporary romance novel and is recommended for readers over the age of 18 due to strong language and sexual content.

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Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Matters of the Heart Series

Book One - The Rhythm of my Heart

Book Two – Saving Our Hearts

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

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Acknowledgements

Contact Velvet Reed

Books by the Author

To my readers,

You all mean the world to me.

I can’t thank you enough for standing by me and continuing to support me even though it’s taken a long time for this book to happen.

I wouldn’t even be an author without you taking the time to read my books and loving them. For that I am eternally grateful.

This is for all of you who love this series and the characters who live between these pages.

Thank You from the bottom of my heart.

MATTERS OF THE HEART SERIES

Author’s Note:

The books in this series are NOT standalones.

The series NEEDS be read in order to fully understand each book.

While there are different main couples, every story is intertwined and background information is given in the previous books.

This series is recommended for people over 18 years due to strong language and sexual content.

Beware there is a cliff-hanger at the end of book one.

BOOK ONE - THE RHYTHM OF MY HEART

Grace Rivers is your everyday twenty-five-year-old. She could have the world at her feet, but instead chooses to help run the family business. After experiencing great loss early in her life, Grace values what's most important: her family and friends. But she aches to find that certain someone—that one great, passionate love who values family as much as she does.

Cole Tierney loves his life. He has a wonderful family, a loyal best friend and a successful career as an ER doctor. The only downside is he wants someone to share it with. After being used and left heartbroken, he wants to find someone who will love him for him and not his or his family's status.

Every beat my heart makes is for you. Every time it beats faster it's because of you—because you're near me, because of your smile—because you take my breath away.

Their two hearts collide by chance and an undeniable connection is quickly made.

But when others are plotting against their happiness, will their love flatline, or will the rhythm of their hearts continue to beat as one?

BOOK TWO – SAVING OUR HEARTS

When your whole world shatters and time stands still, recovery is never easy. Plans and dreams ripped apart now seem impossible, and finding a steady rhythm for your beating heart seems unattainable.

Cole Tierney and Grace Rivers had a bright, uncomplicated future ahead of them, but the accident changed that. In the aftermath, there are wide reaching consequences, not only for Cole and Grace, but their loved ones, too.

Only together can they battle to survive the impact. Is it enough for them to heal and fight for their future?

With just one glimmer of hope before them, will a small miracle have the strength to save their hearts?

For an entire year it’s been building up to this night.

I’ll admit I found her attractive the first time I walked into that karaoke club. Ashley would kill me for calling it that. We verbally sparred that first night and I clearly remember her making smartass remarks about my job as an OBGYN and calling me Vagina Man. It annoyed me as much as it turned me on.

The next time I saw her was at the club again. I remember experiencing a mass of emotions; lust, anger, frustration, and desire like I’ve never known. I knew then she pushed all my buttons and when she appeared on stage in revealing black leather, my dick damn near exploded in delight. It wasn’t until a long time after, I learnt that the outfit and performance were meant to grab my attention. Of course, I acted like an asshole and insulted her, setting precedence for our future interactions.

I know now I screwed up again when I sent her flowers as an apology. Women love flowers, but I guess when you own a successful florist, receiving flowers from a competitor, no matter what the sentiment behind them is, doesn’t bode well for the sender. Lesson learnt.

For six months we co-existed at family gatherings, like the Fourth of July, barbeques and Christmas. We never deliberately interacted, apart from when I called her when Cole and Gracie had their big fight and break up. I always made sure I had a date for those occasions and it both intrigued and baffled me why Ashley didn’t. Not once in all the time I’ve known her have I seen her with another guy. Quite honestly, I think that might have been a good thing because I’m sure I’d have ended up being more of an asshole than usual. Not that I intended or wanted to be that way. She just made my emotions soar and dip like a freaking roller coaster which resulted in me behaving like one.

New Year’s Eve was definitely the turning point. I took Valerie, a nurse from the hospital, to Cole and Gracie’s party. While she was similar in appearance to Ashley, her eyes just weren’t the right blue and her hair not the right shade of blonde. I remember watching Ashley all night and pretending to be completely into Valerie when I knew Ashley was looking our way. A display of true assholery. Ashley slipped away before the clock struck twelve and I felt compelled to follow her. Heated words were thrown back and forth and when I couldn’t take it anymore I pushed her against the wall and claimed her mouth.

That kiss… That kiss was like no other kiss I had ever experienced in my life. I demanded she kiss me back even after all the shit I spewed at her. Then when she did and she threw herself into the embrace as much as I was, it threw me off balance and somehow touched something inside me. I couldn’t hold back. Especially not when she said that she thought I hated her. She drove me crazy but I could never hate her. It took everything I had in me to hold myself back that night and not take her right there against the wall in my best friend’s house in the middle of a damn party. But I walked away. I walked away and couldn’t think about anything but Ashley for days and weeks to come.

When all hell broke loose at the end of January, something snapped inside me. I don’t know if it was helping to save both Gracie and Cooper’s lives or if it was watching my brother and best friend almost lose the love of his life and his son, but that day, and the days that followed, changed me.

The moment I found Ashley by herself in a small waiting room, broken down and overwhelmed by fear and sadness, I knew I had to be there for her. In that moment it became my job… my responsibility to comfort her, to support her and to be her rock. And that’s exactly what I did. I never expected the moment to lead into another soul shattering kiss. I never expected to feel the comfort and tenderness Ashley was providing me. I never expected to feel all the things I felt and they scared me to death.

Gracie’s arrival home and Cooper’s excellent progress had everyone less stressed so I finally made my move. I kissed her again in Cole and Gracie’s house only to be caught by Olivia and threatened by Charlie, but from then on we were together.

It hasn’t been long, and we’ve had to work around our work schedules, but I’m in a relationship. An honest to God, adult relationship. Does it scare me? Absolutely. Would I rather be single than have Ashley by my side? Hell no! It’s just taking some adjusting.

While there have been excessive amounts of making out, and other manually achieved pleasure, we haven’t taken the step and slept together yet. Ash said she wasn’t ready and wanted our relationship to develop more. Most of the time I can understand her reasoning but when we’ve gotten to the point where my dick is rock hard and my blue balls are aching for release, I really wish there was some way of making her change her mind. Those times are when I’m mentally cursing up a storm and praying for her to be ready. But as I said, this relationship thing has taken some time to adjust to and I respect her enough to wait. Too bad my dick doesn’t feel the same way.

Which has lead us to tonight, and the first time in my life that I’ve ever experienced jealousy. We went to Pitch and Tone’s at Cole and Gracie’s request. It was their first time out since the accident and Cooper’s birth. I watched my girl up on stage singing ‘Betty Davis Eyes’ and, as usual, she had the crowd in the palm of her hand. She was incredible and I truly regret calling her a Pink wannabe the first time I saw her sing. Thank God she doesn’t know about that comment because otherwise, she’d have my balls.

We were dancing and things got a little too… let’s just say exciting. I told her I wanted her as we rubbed up against each other and kissed with desperation. I could tell by looking at her, though, that she still wasn’t ready and there I was, hard as a rock, ready to take her then and there on the crowded dance floor.

I couldn’t take it. I was on the verge of completely losing my shit. When the song stopped, I guided Ash back to the table and offered to get a round of drinks. I damn well needed a strong drink. Everything went a little haywire from there, though, because while I was at the bar, Valerie materialized and she’d had way too much to drink. She was flirting like crazy, giggling at things that weren’t even funny, and then she lost her balance and I had to catch her to make sure she didn’t fall.

Unbeknownst to me, however, was the fact that Ash saw me with my arm around Valerie’s waist and got the wrong impression. Her fiery little temper got the better of her and I’m sure she was a little hurt. She had decided that dancing with Tanner, the new mechanic at Bryan’s garage, who is also an old friend of Charlie’s, would be the perfect retaliation.

A red haze clouded my sight when I took in the performance that Ashley was putting on, on the dance floor. Rage consumed me. My body filled with intense and unadulterated jealousy. I left Valerie where she stood and charged across the room with one goal in mind… to introduce my fist with this asshole’s face.

Who the fuck did he think he was, putting his hands on my woman! He had no right looking at her, let alone touching her. My heart was pounding, adrenaline was pumping through my veins and my only thought was to kill the bastard.

Surprisingly, this Tanner guy backed away without a fight or any hesitation. I can’t say the same for Ashley, however. What resulted between us was an argument full of heated accusations and confessions, all culminating into a passionate kiss that changed something between us.

Everything had been building up to this for the past year. Ashley said she was ready to take the next step with me. I sit here, gripping the steering wheel, while driving back to my place after leaving Pitch and Tone’s, giddy as a horny freaking teenager right before he gets laid for the first time.

This will be our first time. The first time I have sex with this gorgeous woman sitting beside me, who drives me crazy but who I can’t get out of my head no matter how hard I try.

Yep… Tonight I make Ashley Brookes mine.

Sitting in Sam’s red 1965 Thunderbird, a car that Gracie falls into a lust induced coma over every time she sees it, I stare out the window watching the dark cover of night slip by. The sexual tension cloaks us in the confines of the car’s small interior, and I know if I chance a glance in Sam’s direction I’ll lose my grip on the control I’m just barely holding onto.

This is it! After denying our attraction for almost a year, and after weeks of long drugging kisses as we test the waters of our new status as a couple, the time has finally come to bare ourselves to each other completely. Considering the undeniable heat that Sam has always created within me and the fact that the buildup to this has been going on for quite some time, I’m ready to go off like a firecracker.

Ashley? Sam’s deep voice pulls me from my thoughts.

Hmmm? I mutter without turning to look at him and jump slightly when his hand comes in contact with my thigh and rests there.

He clears his throat. Are you okay? he asks, his voice full of concern.

Nodding, I continue looking out the window, my heart pounding a little faster and my thigh tingling from the sensation of his hand gliding softly up and down. I’m sure his touch is meant to be soothing but as it inches that little bit higher, that inch closer to my aching core, I drag in a sharp, ragged breath and press my thighs together tightly in an effort to alleviate my pulsing need.

His hand stills and then starts to pull away. We don’t have to do this, he mutters, his disappointment evident.

Knowing he’s gotten the wrong impression I turn to him and take the hand that was on my thigh. Sam, I want this. I want you. Please don’t think any different.

He looks at me, his gaze probing, and I hope he can see the sincerity in my eyes, as well as the desire.

You haven’t said a word since we left the club. He pauses. I’ll understand if you’ve changed your mind. I mean…

Sam! I cut him off. I’m seconds away from crawling over there and mauling you while you drive the damn car. I’m hanging on by a thread and if I keep looking at you, that thread’s going to snap. It would be a good idea to be behind closed doors before we rip each other’s clothes off, don’t you think?

Taking his eyes off the road for a second he looks at me again, his sinful mouth curling up into a sexy grin. Maul me, huh? Lucky we’ll be at my place in a few minutes. We wouldn’t want you getting arrested for indecent exposure, now would we?

Definitely not. I smirk and interlace my fingers with his, resting our entwined hands on my lap before turning to look out the window again. We lapse back into silence as we travel the final few minutes to Sam’s house.

The first time I went to Sam’s place I expected it to be like Cole’s house; homey and welcoming. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Sam lives in a very modern, very sleek and industrial looking apartment complex. The inside of his apartment is similar. Everything is white, silver or black. There’s no clutter, not a single thing out of place. Even the remote controls for the television are perfectly aligned on the glass coffee table in front of the black leather couch. The whole place is devoid of color and by no means feels at all like a home. Suddenly, I’m wondering if his place is where I want to experience our first time together.

I have no time left to think about it as Sam pulls into the underground parking garage of his building. He turns off the engine and sits for a moment before turning to me. We’re here, he murmurs and I suppress a laugh as he states the obvious.

Oh, really? I hadn’t noticed, I reply wryly with a smirk.

Sam just smiles and shakes his head You’re such a smart-ass, Ash. He gets out of the car and is around my side in a flash, opening the door and taking my hand as he pulls me from my seat. One arm wraps around my waist and drags my body against his, while the other dives into my hair and holds my head still. You need to put that mouth to better use, Beautiful. Then his lips are on mine in an instant, desperately staking claim.

Unable to control my need for him, I throw myself into the kiss. I’ve literally plastered my body to his so there isn’t the slightest space between us. My hands are clawing at his back and my right leg is wrapped around his hip. I can’t get close enough. Our teeth clash as our hunger for each other reaches a whole new level.

The loud beeping of a car alarm being activated has us breaking the kiss and I snap my head around, looking for the source of the noise, only to find another couple around our age huddle together laughing as they walk to the elevator, giving us surreptitious glances as they go. I bury my face in Sam’s shirt and giggle. That’s embarrassing.

I feel Sam’s chest rumble as he laughs. Not embarrassing at all. I bet we’ve just put them in the mood and they’re going to their apartment to get it on just like we are.

I turn and glance back to the elevator bay where the couple is waiting. Their hands are stroking each other and the guy is nuzzling the girl’s neck. Hmmm, I guess Sam’s right.

Come on. Let’s get upstairs, Sam suggests. He closes the car door and locks it before wrapping his arm around me and leading me to the elevator. Unfortunately, the other couple’s still waiting, so it looks like we’ll be riding up together.

After a few seconds the elevator dings to announce its arrival and when the doors slide open, we all step in. Sam presses the button for the seventh floor and pulls me into the back corner.

Same floor, the other guy says as the doors close, and they move into the other corner.

I feel Sam’s hand glide from my waist to my backside and he squeezes, causing me to jump a little in surprise. I look up at him and he winks at me. He rarely shows his playful side and I absolutely love it. Deciding to play along with him I give his side a quick squeeze with the hand I have wrapped around him and to my utter shock he practically convulses out of my grasp as he squeals. My eyes go wide and I throw my hand to my mouth, trying to muffle the giggles that have erupted at his reaction. The couple beside us, however, cannot restrain themselves and laugh out loud at Sam’s outburst.

I’m biting my lip still trying to quell my laughter while Sam tries to compose himself and regain some dignity. He turns to me and narrows his eyes before leaning down and whispering, You think that’s funny? You’re gonna pay for that, Ash.

His words are playful but his tone has a slight edge to it and I shiver involuntarily as his breath caresses the side of my face. He licks the shell of my ear and nips my ear lobe and I jump again. Delicious heat shoots like an arrow straight through my body to my aching core and I clench my thighs together. I need friction. I need relief. I need… something.

The elevator comes to a stop and the doors slide open once more. The other couple gets out first and the girl turns back with a cheeky smile. Have a great night, she giggles, before turning back around. I shake my head with a smile and make it two steps out of the elevator before I suddenly find myself airborne.

Sam! I shriek and close my eyes as my limbs flail about, until I’m settled over what I know is his muscled shoulder and he’s striding with determination down the hall. Opening my eyes, I’m gifted with the delectable sight of Sam’s tight, jean clad ass, and just to rile him up a bit more, I grab hold of both ass cheeks.

We move past apartment seven zero two, where the other couple continues to laugh at our display. When they no longer have a view of Sam’s front I move my hands from his ass around his body until I come into contact with a very hard and impressive bulge. Sam’s body flinches as I cup his erection with both hands, but he continues walking. You made me squeal like a little girl, Ash, so now I’m going to have to regain some of my male pride and show you exactly how much of a man I can be, he growls.

Excitement ripples through me and as he stops outside his door, I give his cock a gentle squeeze. Show me, I whisper.

Taking his keys out of his pocket he unlocks the door and moves into the darkness of his apartment. With a click the room fills with light and slowly but surely my body is sliding backwards over his shoulder until my feet finally touch the floor. His hands are on my waist again, while mine lay carelessly over his shoulders and we stare into each other’s eyes.

I know Sam isn’t one to openly express his feelings. I know he struggles with that so much, but it’s when he lets his guard down completely that his beautiful green eyes convey so many emotions it can be overwhelming.

You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this, he confesses.

Probably about as long as I’ve waited, I reply, because, honestly, I’ve wanted this man since the first time I laid eyes on him.

His expression grows even more serious as he stares down at me. His gaze roams from my eyes to my lips and it’s like he’s taking in every little detail of my face. You’re so damn beautiful, Ashley.

I melt. I feel every part of my body liquefy as his words infiltrate my heart and soul. Sam, I breathe, because it’s really all I can get out.

His right hand moves up to my face and I press my cheek into his palm, sighing deeply at the soft caress as my eyes flutter closed. His touch is tender and my body responds with sensual ripples of arousal traveling from my cheek all the way down to my toes. Without waiting a second longer, he releases my face and bends to pick me up again, and then hurries to his bedroom.

When he places me back on my feet and moves to turn on a light, I take in my surroundings since this is the first time I’ve actually been in here. His bedroom is the same as the rest of his apartment… devoid of character. The bedhead is black leather and his bedspread is white. The rest of the furniture is black as well, apart from the silver bedside lamps. Sam needs some color and warmth in his living space.

Turning back, I find him staring at me. His features are schooled and unreadable, but then he wiggles his eyebrows up and down, and his lips quirk in a salacious grin. Without giving me time to react, he’s on me. Strong arms circle around my waist and lift me off the floor as his tongue works its magic exploring my mouth. My fingers grip his biceps as adrenaline surges through my body, heating my blood and causing desire to pool heavy in my belly.

Skilled fingers make quick work of removing my clothes and now with our kiss broken and my body on display completely, he stands there gazing at me in mute contemplation. Squirming uncomfortably, I lower my eyes and make a move to cover myself.

Don’t! he exclaims, making me jump a little. Don’t you dare interrupt my view, he continues, his voice low and husky.

I chance a glance up at him. His pupils are dilated, his nostrils flaring as he swallows and takes a ragged breath. I stand there paralyzed under his heated gaze. No man has ever looked at me like this before.

So unbelievably perfect in every way, he murmurs as he closes the small gap between us and his hands find my body once more.

Our lips find their way back to each other while his hands explore and mine begin shedding his body of the clothes restricting my access to his skin. As the kiss deepens I’m vaguely aware of the fact that we’re moving, and then I’m being lowered until my back comes in contact with the cushiony softness of his mattress.

He straightens and makes quick work of removing the rest of his clothes and as his erection springs free from his boxer briefs, my heart skips a beat. Sam’s cock is impressive. I wouldn’t go all romance novel ’oh my God, he’s HUGE’, but he sure is packing more than the other two guys I’ve been with.

A soft chuckle has my attention averted from his penis to his laughing eyes. Anyone would think you haven’t seen a dick before, Ash. He snickers and I blush slightly again.