Bare Skin, Skin Deep #5

By J.M. Stone

Calland is hot, sexy, funny as hell, and rarely serious. He’s also fiercely loyal and protective of his family and friends. But they all despair that he’ll ever settle down, that he’ll ever meet the one destined to knock him on his ass (in a good way). Yeah, he’s never lacking female companionship, but it’s never serious. Yet, he still gets what he wants and he doesn’t get turned down.

Until he meets her.

Dani’s a stunning, tattooed, fiery red-head with an attitude that screams hands off. She’s a stranger in town, there with her own agenda, a ton of secrets, and a steel wall shielding her cynical heart. She’s untouchable...and Calland really wants to touch.

She’s finding that Calland is hard to resist, especially when he sets his mind on something. And that something seems to be her.

Is Dani the one that just might be able to settle Calland down, if he can get past her walls?

Or will her secrets tear them apart?

*Recommended for readers 18+ due to HOT sexual encounters, adult situations, and language.
**This is the final book in the Skin Deep Series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.M. Stone
• Release date: Feb 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311049261

J.M. Stone

J.M. Stone is a legal assistant by day, and a writer by night. She started writing at a young age, mostly poetry and song lyrics, some of which were published. She currently lives in Ohio where she's lived for most of her life, and enjoys spending time with her other-half, their mouthy daughter, two spoiled and crazy dogs, and the rest of her abnormal family. (Don't worry, abnormal is good!) In her spare time, she loves to read, write, sing, and make people laugh, which usually happens at her own expense! Skin Deep is her first novel, and is the first in the Skin Deep series. She loves to hear from her readers, so drop her line at [e-mail] Happy Reading!

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Bare Skin, Skin Deep #5

By J.M. Stone

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Copyright ©2016 by J.M. Stone

Cover Design by J.M. Stone

Cover Image Copyright © conrado/Shutterstock

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Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment. Ebook copies may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share with a friend, please buy an extra copy, and thank you for respecting the author’s work.

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written consent from the publisher, except in the instance of quotes for reviews. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded, or distributed via the internet without the publisher’s permission and is a violation of the International Copyright Law, which subjects the violator to severe fines and imprisonment.

This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, incidents, and places are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or actual events are entirely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used.

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Table of Contents

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

Author’s Note

Acknowledgements

About the Author

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Dedication

To my brother, Allen:

Without you, there could be no Calland. Half the stories (or most) would not exist. You are the reason terms like Golden Child and Penis Rule exist. You have been the bane of my existence (at times) my whole life, but you’ve also been my best friend. I forgive you (slightly) for thinking it was hilarious to do things to make me gag all my life (I blame Uncle Johnny for introducing you to this activity), for freezing my bras when I was in the shower, for hiding under my bed and scaring the bejeezus out of me, and for being so great as to step on my forehead with your Vans on, leaving me a wonderful honeycomb shaped bruise that was so fun to explain to my friends at school. HIGH school, might I add. I could go on and on, but I’m sure my readers want to read the book and not a long-winded list of your transgressions. I love you, anyways. Asshole.

P.S- I’m still the favorite. Mom lies to you, and Mammy admitted it in front of you. So there!

And to my Readers:

Because without you, I would be nothing. Thank you for being on this wild ride with me. I love each and every one of you to the moon and back!

Prologue

Calland

I waved goodbye to my sister and sauntered over to the bar, leaning against it beside the redhead I’d been eyeing all night.

She’s fucking gorgeous, pierced and inked up, and had legs for days, but the prickly vibes she was throwing off was keeping most of the fuckwads around here away.

Not me, though. I had to talk to her, just once, to try and break past that wall she had up and get her to smile. Even if I crashed and burned like Leah thought was gonna happen.

She was steadfastly ignoring me, but I still gave it a shot.

You’re new in town. What’s a beautiful girl like you doing in a backwoods place like this?

Her lips curled into a smirk as she turned to face me. Really? That’s what you’re leading with? she snorted.

I shrugged. Not leading with anything, just making conversation. I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true. You are beautiful…but you know that. And you’re definitely new in town, because I’d remember that face.

She tilted her head, studying me for a brief moment before opening her mouth and dropping me. Okay, stud. You’re a good looking guy. Used to getting what you want, right? So, right now, you’re expecting me to bat my lashes, twist my hair, giggle, and blindly follow you home for a brainless night of mediocre sex, she said in disgust. Am I close?

Ouch. Mediocre? Not close at all. Mind-blowing, maybe, I couldn’t help but retort, regretting it almost as soon as the words left my lips.

She rolled her eyes and twisted back around, blowing me off.

I tried again. You’ve got me all wrong, Red. I didn’t have you pegged for the simpering, giggly girl. You’re all woman, and that’s clear to see, but damn. My bad for attempting to make conversation with you. I stood straight, intending to walk away, stopping only when I felt a soft, small hand grab my wrist.

I looked at her, one eyebrow raised in question, not saying anything.

Look, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m here looking for someone and I don’t have time to mess around with every hot Tom, Dick, or Harry that glances my way.

Good thing my name is Calland, then, I said, winking at her.

Her lips twitched but she never let the smile come, just shook her head.

But that lip twitch left me determined to see her smile.

I extended my hand to her and she took it automatically, shaking it as I winked at her and said, Hi. I’m Calland. Come here often?

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Chapter 1

Calland

Damn.

That’s all I could think every time I looked at the woman. That and she sure wasn’t from around here, because I’d remember someone who looked like her. Especially with that red hair, those tattoos, a cute little diamond stud in her nose, and a piercing on her upper lip that I knew was called a Monroe.

And Jesus, when she’d touched my arm, I couldn’t help but cringe at the immediate dick twitch that occurred in my pants, which is something that hadn’t happened since I was young, just making my first forays into the world of backseats and the undersides of bleachers.

I waited patiently(ish) for a response from her.

With a sigh, she actually responded. Dani. Dani Rose, and no. What now, Calland? More pickup lines?

I scoffed. No, I don’t use lines. I grinned, winked again, then continued, Don’t need ‘em.

She snorted this time and shook her head before she delivered another burn. And what’s with the winking? You got something in your eye?

Mmm. Another dick twitch at that. Stunning and can hold her own…who the hell was this girl?

So, Dani Rose, can I buy you a drink? No lines, no come-ons, just a chance to talk to you. I stepped back from the bar and spread my arms wide, turning in a slow circle. See? Just me. C’mon…what are you drinking?

She sighed and swiveled back to the bar, and I took her silence as confirmation. Whether or not I assumed too much, well, guess I’d just have to wait and see. I sidled up beside her again, perching on the edge of the vacant stool next to her and nodded to Griff. He smirked and shook his head before he nodded, letting me know he’d get her whatever she’d already been drinking.

Once he’d slid the fresh drink in front of her, I sat back fully on the stool, letting the silence draw out between us.

I’m still not sleeping with you, she muttered at my side, right before she picked up the new drink and gulped it down.

The corner of my mouth quirked up in a smile. It wasn’t a win, but I’d take it. She turned her head and, though I tried to hide it, she still caught my smile.

Shaking her head, she started running her finger around the rim of her glass, ceaselessly circling.

Finally, I couldn’t stand the silence anymore. Not to mention, I’m a smartass. I know it, my family knows it, my friends know it…it’s ingrained in my DNA or something. Just a fact. But that’s exactly what it took to get what I wanted.

So, you think I’m hot, huh? I stretched back with my arms over my head, grinning as her head jerked my way, her eyes opening in shock before she gave it to me.

Her lips parted in a surprised smile and a small laugh bubbled from her lips, and I swear I’d found nirvana for that split second. It faded almost as quickly as it came, but it was there. And holy hell was it beautiful.

She coughed to cover it and replied, Uh, when did I say this?

I leaned forward, putting my elbows on the bar in front of me before I answered. You said you didn’t have time for every hot Tom, Dick, or Harry. We’ve established that I’m Calland, but clearly, you think I’m hot. And a stud. Not to mention, you blatantly said I was a good looking guy. I paused for a second. Do I need to go on?

She raised her eyebrows at me. I’ll admit, yes, I said those things, but if you can go on, then you’re totally lying. I didn’t say anything else along those lines. And I thought you weren’t gonna try any lines on me. Not a man of your word, Calland?

I cocked my head. What lines? I’m definitely a man of my word, and I haven’t used any lines on you. Why, though? Are my non-lines working? I waggled my eyebrows at her exaggeratedly and was rewarded with another small smile. This time, I could have sworn my heart skipped a beat. Which was weird, because I usually didn’t get all hit in the feels about shit like that.

She sighed again. You’re smooth. Definitely smooth. But no. She glanced at the clock on the wall behind the bar, reached into her pocket, and threw a couple bills down on the bar, nodding at Griff. Well, it’s been real. Maybe I’ll see you around?

With that, she slid off her barstool and turned to go.

My hand shot out of its own accord, carefully wrapping around her arm and pulling her back around to me. Wait.

She stared at me, shifting from foot to foot, and I got the feeling I was making her a little uncomfortable so I let go, stuffing my hands in my pockets. Sorry. I…just sorry. I didn’t know what else to say, but I couldn’t seem to just let her walk away.

Needless to say, I was taken aback when she jerked her head toward the door and asked, Walk me out?

I nodded once and followed her out the door after hastily adding my own stack of bills to the counter to take care of my tab. We stepped out into the dimly lit parking lot, but she didn’t pause in her strides. Instead, she strode up to a newer model car and stopped after hitting the locks open, turning to me at last.

Thanks for walking me out. It was nice meeting you, stud. She smiled briefly, her eyes shining in the moonlight, only increasing the impact of her beauty.

You, too. So… I hesitated, searching for words. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was unsure of myself. That’s it? Just nice meeting me? I’d like to see you again.

She sighed, but remained silent.

Where are you staying and how long will you be here? I felt like a broken record, like I’d already asked these questions a million times tonight, though I knew I hadn’t.

Without a word, she pulled open her car door and slid inside, starting it automatically. I stood there, waiting. For what, I wasn’t sure, but I was glad I did as the window slid down.

I’m staying where I’m staying. As for how long I’m staying, that depends on if I find who I’m looking for, and how fast I do it.

I felt my eyebrow raise in question, but she wasn’t giving me anything else. How about a number I can call you on? I asked, but only received a smirk in return. Fine, then. You call me. I rattled off my number to her.

She nodded and moved to put the window back up.

Not gonna write it down? I asked before I could stop myself.

Don’t need to. Dani replied, smirking.

You’re gonna remember it?

She shrugged. Maybe.

Are you going to use it?

She cocked her head. I guess that’s the question, then, huh?

With those parting words, she drove away, leaving me standing alone in the parking lot of the bar with a bemused look on my face and my hands shoved in my pockets.

I stood there for a long second, staring out into the darkness at the fading red light of her taillights before I blew out a breath and headed to my truck. The drive home was silent; usually I’d have music blaring, but my thoughts were consumed by a fiery redhead.

Finally home, I laid in my bed all alone, stretched out comfortably like I always did…but my mind wouldn’t turn off.

It wouldn’t be the last time I saw her…I’d make sure of that.

Chapter 2

Dani

I performed my morning routine by rote, the movements now so automatic that I could do it in my sleep. In fact, I was pretty sure I had at some point or another, but that didn’t diminish the enjoyment I received from doing it, no matter that sometimes, the tasks were less than pleasant.

Kind of like this one. I grimaced, making an exaggerated face as I fastened a clean, new diaper to the wiggling little body lying on the bed in front of me. I grinned at the giggle it elicited, my heart full to bursting with competing emotions, just as it always did every time I looked into his beautiful little face.

Once I had him fully dressed, I kissed his plump, rosy cheeks and lowered him into the playpen with a few of his favorite toys before I straightened everything up and got myself dressed for the day.

I stared at myself in the mirror as I brushed my teeth, wondering how I didn’t look as exhausted as I felt. I had expected to see gritty-looking, heinously red and dark circled eyes, but they were just their normal, pretty, hazel color that complimented my red hair (hair that started out as more ginger, but darkened as I got older, though it’s still very, very red) perfectly. My hair was piled in a messy knot on top of my head, making me look younger than my 28 years (and taller than my 5’5"), but when it was down, it fell halfway down my back in soft waves that looked relatively good without having to do a lot to them. I guess I got lucky that way.

I shrugged at myself and then sighed as I yawned again, like I had all morning. I knew I would pay for my late night last night (later than usual given the fact that I’d tossed and turned all night, too), but I didn’t feel the usual regret that I would have.

And there was only one reason I didn’t.

His name was Calland.

I turned away from the mirror, finishing up what I was doing and then sliding my feet into my shoes. In short order, I had my little man loaded up and we were headed to find some breakfast for myself, since he’d already dined on a delicious bottle and some baby cereal with banana baby food. Fine dining baby style, right? But when it came to feeding myself, the one downfall of living at a hotel for the moment was that I had limited kitchen resources, even though the room had a kitchenette. It’s not like I could prepare gourmet meals with a two burner stovetop, microwave, and an apartment-size fridge, all of which were crammed in with little to no counter space. Thankfully, the hotel provided a decent breakfast every morning, but I didn’t want to eat waffles and bacon every day. Personal preference, I suppose.

But, even as I pulled into a fast food joint and ordered, my thoughts kept circling back to the man I met last night. He would be trouble, with a capital T, but my God, he looked like he’d be fun and absolutely delicious in every sense of the word.

He was around my age, I’m guessing; tall, had to be at least 6’3", broad shoulders, muscular but lean build, flat stomach that I just knew would have a six pack, with short, dark hair, and bright green eyes, a combination that had me wanting to stare at him, even though I had been trying my damndest to put him off. I had an agenda, a reason for even coming all the way out here, and I couldn’t let him deter me.

No matter how much I might want to. Especially with that damn smile of his…

It wasn’t too long before I was back at the hotel, lugging everything up with me, including a happy little boy strapped into his infant seat. He was cooing and gurgling, and every now and then he’d screech and cry, Ma-ma-ma-ma!

That was a sound that warmed me to the bone and never failed to make me smile, though the ache that it generated in my chest cavity every time never got any easier. But, I couldn’t think about that now.

If ever.

With a sigh, I fed myself while he made a mess with a teething biscuit, and then cleared everything away, including the mushy, drool covered bits that were all that remained of said biscuit. The room we were staying in was decent sized, but if I didn’t keep things put away, it would look like a bomb had exploded baby paraphernalia and clothes everywhere.

Once that was done, I stretched out on a blanket on the floor for some much needed play time with the baby before I finally laid little man down for a nap and pulled out my laptop to start my daily research and to put out any new fires that may have popped out overnight in internet land.

A hour later, I was half-way through my to-do checklist when a knock sounded at the door.

I jerked my head toward the baby to see if the noise had woken him, but it hadn’t. I hurriedly answered the door,