Stay Alive: Orchard Falls, #2

By DEBBY CONRAD

She trusted him with her life, but not with her secrets.

Macy Winthrop is a fraud.  As a reality TV hostess, she has the perfect life, the perfect husband, the perfect relationship.  Only she doesn’t.  And when someone threatens to expose her and make her his, she turns to Daniel Finney (Finn) for help. 

Finn is reluctant to get involved with the sexy actress who won’t confide in him.  What is she hiding and why?  The more he learns about her, the more he distrusts her but it doesn’t stop him from falling for her—hard.  Yet she’s married, or is she?

And where does he fit in with her busy life?  The only reason he got involved was because he’d promised a friend he would protect her.  But once he gets Macy to come clean and he learns all her secrets he’s forced to share a few of his own.  And she is not going to be happy. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: DEBBY CONRAD
• Release date: Apr 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781519983268

DEBBY CONRAD

DEBBY CONRAD has been spinning tales since junior high school when she would force her younger sister and a few close friends to listen to her fantasies and dreams.  Back then she had no idea her silly tales would end up in print, or that her later dream of becoming a novelist would come true. Debby lives with her husband in Erie, Pennsylvania, has two grown daughters, three grandchildren, a Chihuahua and a miniature Dachshund who does not like being ignored while she writes.  Thank you for reading my novel CHANCES ARE.  It is the first book in the Chance At Love series.  If you would like to read more stories about the sexy Bolinger men, please be sure to visit my web site for more information.  Also, be sure to sign up for my mailing list.  www.DebbyConrad.com 

Book preview

1

Macy Winthrop blinked her eyes open and pushed her hair from her face. Her gaze bounced around the room, taking in her surroundings. It was morning although with the blackout curtains not much sunlight was able to peek through. She had a nightmare of a headache but was able to surmise she was in a hotel room. Nothing fancy. It looked vaguely familiar. Yes, it was the room she had checked into yesterday. In the corner sat her Louis Vuitton roller bag. Suddenly the night came flooding back

to

her

.

Her friend Caroline Appleby had gotten married last night. Macy had drunk entirely too much champagne. On top of that she’d had two martinis, if she remembered correctly. Why on earth had she thought that was a good idea? Especially on an empty stomach.

She had skipped the dinner at the reception once she’d seen who was seated next to her. The groom’s best man. She’d never caught his name, not that it mattered. But if she had to guess she would say it was probably something like Brutus, Axel or Thor. Or perhaps some other badass or macho sounding name. But he definitely wasn’t a Mike, David or Bob. That much

she

knew

.

Every time the brute had looked at her he kept raking his gaze over her body, all hungry-like, as if he was planning to put the moves on her. It had practically nauseated her. Did he think he was some kind of chick magnet? Just because she had seen other women eyeing him up last night, as if they thought he was hot, didn’t mean all women felt the same way. This woman certainly didn’t. He was rude, crude and abrasive to say the least.

But wait. She seemed to remember him following her to

the

bar

.

You got a problem with me, lady? he’d asked, looking at her with his good eye. The other eye was covered with a patch, making him look like not only a badass but a dangerous one as well. And that sinister look on his face was enough to scare anyone.

I don’t like you. How was that for honesty, even if it had sounded brutal? Some guys didn’t know when to take a hint. Since he seemed so cocky and sure of himself, she’d decided he was one of those guys. Best to let him know right up front how she felt; that he was wasting his time panting after her like she was some dog in heat. Have a little class, mister. They were at a wedding, not some

pickup

bar

.

He’d laughed, one of those forced laughs, probably just to show her he found her slightly amusing. "You don’t even

know

me

."

And I don’t choose to know you. Please go away. She’d swished her hand in the air as if to dismiss him but he’d only laughed again.

She was starting to regret coming back to Orchard Falls without any security. But honestly, she hadn’t wanted to draw attention to herself. So much for that working. From the minute she had checked in yesterday, people had swarmed around her and begged for an autograph. While she was happy to sign them, and she had done so with a smile pasted on her face, it was sometimes exhausting. Besides, it was

Caroline’s

day

.

Had her friend not asked her to sign autographs, she wouldn’t have. But Caroline was afraid people would be disappointed if they couldn’t talk to the famous

Dr

.

Macy

.

Macy wished just once she could go somewhere and not have people recognize her. That she could just be herself. The way she had been before she had become Dr. Macy, the relationship expert. Hah! What a joke! What the hell did she know about relationships? She didn’t even have a boyfriend. And how could she when she didn’t date? But what would be the point? The tabloids all thought she was married. It was one of the director’s requirements to be on the show. A lie that was eating her up inside.

Whatcha drinking? the brute had asked, too close to her ear. Even though she had asked him to go away he hadn’t. Instead, he’d climbed up on the stool next to hers, his massive shoulders brushing against her arm, his beefy thigh bumping into her knee. When she didn’t answer, he ordered another martini for her anyway and a shot for himself. She couldn’t remember much after that. Not that it mattered. She just hoped she hadn’t said or done anything to embarrass Caroline.

At least she’d made it back to her hotel room safely. Breathing in a sigh of relief she glanced at her watch lying on the nightstand. Holy cow! She had a plane to catch in less than two hours. Sitting up in bed, she took a deep breath, let it out slowly. Then she took another one before placing her feet on the carpeted floor. She’d only just realized she was naked. She normally didn’t sleep in the nude, but she hadn’t worn much beneath the red Chanel sheath last night. Only a pair of red panties. The plunging neckline didn’t allow for a bra. She’d probably come up to her room, stepped out of her clothes and collapsed.

She spotted a scrap of red silk lying on the floor next to the bed and bent to pick it up. Catching movement from the corner of her eye she noticed she wasn’t alone. She swiped the hair from her face and stared back at the male form while still hanging

upside

down

.

There was a man in her bed! And not just any man, but the brute from last night. The one with the eye patch.

The badass was awake and watching her with interest. He was also naked and fully aroused. Oh.

My

.

God

.

Macy jerked upright and spun around to face him, careful not to look at his erection no matter how impressive in size it was. And what the hell was the matter with her? There was a man in her bed! Suddenly, remembering she was naked, she held her panties over her sex and covered her breasts with her free arm. How did you get in here? she screamed.

He rolled onto his side, lifted his head and leaned on his elbow, while his good eye slowly grazed up and down her body. He smiled appreciatively. "You

invited

me

."

I would never have done something so stupid and careless. Which was the truth. She hadn’t dated anyone since the Dr. Macy show started five years ago. And she didn’t do one-night stands. Not ever. "

Get

out

!"

After all the fun we had together last night, you want me to leave? Baby, I thought maybe we could go for another round this morning.

She was horrified. Was he serious or just teasing her? It didn’t matter. She wanted . . . correction; she needed him out of her room. Get out, before I call Security.

He raised a hand in front of him. Calm down. I’m leaving. Can I at least grab a shower and take a piss first?

No! What the hell was his problem? Didn’t he understand what get out meant? Her blood boiled and threatened to explode. It was bad enough she had a hangover. She didn’t need his cocky attitude on top

of

it

.

"So I guess coffee is out of the question

as

well

."

He left her speechless as she stared him down. She took one deep breath then another. I have to catch a plane back to Chicago, she said between clenched teeth. "You need to

leave

now

."

Chicago. Right. That’s where you shoot your TV show. Isn’t that what you told me last night?

Macy had no idea what she’d told him last night. Hell, she couldn’t even remember bringing him up to her room. It wasn’t like her. If the tabloids caught wind of this she would be ruined. The show

as

well

.

And why wouldn’t he cover himself? Had they actually had sex? Of course they had. Why else would they be naked? She closed her eyes briefly and took a calming breath before opening them again. "

Did

we

. . ."

Did we what? he

mocked

. "

Fuck

?"

Her face and entire body flushed but she nodded. She had to know the truth. Please say no. Please say no. Please

say

no

.

His grin turned sinister. Baby, we fucked and a whole lot more. You were wild. Couldn’t keep your hands off me. The things you did with that sexy mouth of yours had me blushing.

She nearly collapsed. How embarrassing. She’d turned into a nymphomaniac. Although it shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Between the alcohol and the fact that she hadn’t had a date in years, it was no wonder she’d behaved so recklessly. She backed up a few feet and dropped her bare butt into the upholstered chair in the corner of the room, careful to keep her privates covered. Even though she was still in shock she had one more question.

Did we at least use a . . . condom? Please

say

yes

.

He rearranged his large body in the bed to face her. I don’t remember using one. But we were both pretty drunk. So I suppose it’s possible.

Possible? Shit! She refused to think of the ramifications of not using a condom. She might possibly throw up if she dwelled on it. "You need

to

go

."

Sighing, he slid across the bed, keeping his gaze on her. He flung his muscular legs over the side and continued to stare at her as he pushed to

his

feet

.

She sucked in a breath and tried not to look at his perfectly sculpted body with those powerful muscles, rock hard abs and that huge erection bobbing between his legs. She’d never seen anything like it. He was still at attention. Quickly, she lowered her gaze. Can you cover yourself at least?

What? He glanced down at his appendage. Oh sure, baby. He walked to the other side of the bed like he had all the time in the world and stepped into a pair of boxers.

"And stop calling

me

baby

."

Sure, honey.

Macy rolled her eyes and pretended not to gawk while he dressed in the clothes he’d worn the night before. The black tux and white shirt. He dropped his weight onto the end of the bed while he slipped on his socks and shoes.

Was he humming? Of course he was. Would he hurry up already?

Once he’d finished he stood and walked over to her. He had to be at least six-four and two hundred pounds of rock solid male. His sandy colored hair was cropped close to his head while his beard stubble was dark, almost black. He leaned down until his face was just inches away from hers. Close enough she could see the caramel-colored speckles in

his

eye

.

What are you doing? she groaned, heart pounding. Remnants of some spicy cologne clung to

his

skin

.

"I didn’t want to leave without kissing you goodbye. That would be rude

of

me

."

You can’t be serious. She narrowed her eyes. Get out! she seethed between her teeth.

Cranky in the morning, are we? He smirked and headed for the door. But before opening it he turned to face her once again. "Well, it’s been fun, Doc. We should do it again the next time you’re

in

town

."

Macy almost screamed. If she wasn’t bare ass naked she would have gotten out of the chair, marched across the room and slapped him silly. But finally, he walked out the door. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.

Then, bolting from the chair, she rushed across the room and put the deadbolt in place. She turned and leaned her bare back against the cool steel door that did nothing to calm her nerves or subdue the want and need between her legs. You would think after their sex fest the night before she would be thoroughly sated. But maybe the reason she didn’t feel satisfied was because she couldn’t remember any of it. Thank God she would never have to see that man, whatever his name was, again.

Oh. My. God. She’d had sex with a man—a stranger no less—and hadn’t even bothered to get

his

name

!

Daniel Finney, known as Finn to his friends, chuckled all the way to the elevator. Damn that woman was hot! Too bad he hadn’t gotten to fuck her last night. After the drinks at the bar, the two of them had ridden the elevator upstairs together and ended up in

her

room

.

They’d shared a few kisses and some gropes, but the minute they were both naked she had passed out cold. He had a code of honor when it came to drunken females. He wouldn’t have fucked her anyway unless he was certain she was sober enough to know what she was doing. He should have left her and gone back to his own room, but he was pretty drunk and decided to stay put until morning. He had kind of hoped she would wake during the night and they could finish what they’d started. But no

such

luck

.

Last night, with that fuck-me red dress, four-inch heels, hair piled on top of her head and ruby painted lips she’d looked older than she actually was. He would have said thirty-five like he was. But this morning, with her dark hair a tangled mess and the smeared make-up on her face, he would guess her to be no older than thirty. That made sense since she was a friend of Caroline Appleby’s, who was about that same age. Whoops, she was Caroline

Ryder

now

.

The door to the elevator dinged with its arrival and Finn stepped inside the car, pushed the button to go down two floors. He laughed again. The look on Macy’s face when he’d said he didn’t remember using a condom had almost made him feel sorry for her. He’d thought about coming clean and telling her the truth, that they hadn’t needed a condom because they hadn’t fucked. And he would have if she hadn’t acted so damn smug the night before.

She’d pissed him off big time, from the minute he’d first seen her in the hotel lobby when she was checking in, to the minute she had snubbed him when she’d seen the seating assignment. Not to mention beforehand while she was signing autographs near the restrooms during the reception. Who does that? The night belonged to Ryder and Caroline, not some reality TV star who probably wasn’t even a real psychologist.

What was it she’d said the night before? Oh, yes. The show was strictly for entertainment purposes so therefore she didn’t need to be licensed in the state of Illinois, or any state for that matter. What the fuck! He’d never heard of such a thing. A woman giving relationship advice even though she wasn’t qualified didn’t sit well

with

him

.

Where did she get off doing something like that? Hell, was she even in a relationship? He sure as hell hadn’t seen a man attached to her arm. So what did she know about such things?

And did he really care? Nope, not one damn bit. Because he would probably never see Dr. Macy Winthrop again. And that was just fine

with

him

.

Six months later

Candy Symes shoved several dresses into the roller bag on the bed, not caring if she wrinkled them or not. Then she went to the closet and grabbed a fistful of shoes. She jammed them into the bag as well. Something told her to just get the hell out of there, and not to worry about her clothing. But she had no money of her own. Unless you counted the two-hundred-thirty-seven dollars she’d managed to squirrel away. Although she needed that money for bus fare and food. So how was she supposed to buy replacement outfits and shoes? Closing the lid on the bag, she tried to zip it but it was

too

full

.

She swore aloud and tossed two pairs of shoes, a pair of jeans and one of the dresses onto the floor then tried to zip the bag again. This time she was successful. While that should have made her breathe a sigh of relief, it didn’t. She was too keyed up. Scared out of her mind was more like it. She needed a drink.

Hands shaking, she lowered the bag to the floor and then pulled it to the front door. She hurried toward the hall closet to retrieve her coat, boots and purse when she noticed the vodka and cranberry she’d left resting on the catch-all table next to the closet. The ice had melted, not that it mattered. She took a swig before setting it aside. She shoved one foot into a boot, zipped it, and then the other. Draping the coat over her shoulders, she shoved her arms into the sleeves and buttoned

it

up

.

He was going to kill her. Why had she made that call? Oh, please, God, she sighed, picturing the anger on her boyfriend’s face if he came home and realized she was leaving him for good. She remembered the last time she’d threatened to leave and shuddered. She’d ended up in the

emergency

room

.

Just one more sip. She picked up the glass and drained it, hoping it would calm her nerves.

Then it hit her. If she hadn’t been drinking she would never have made that call in the first place. She wouldn’t have had the nerve. Then again, she’d tried to give up alcohol—several times, in fact, over the last few years— but it had only made her bitchy. No one liked hanging out with a bitch. Besides, it wasn’t like she had a problem, or did she? No, of course not. Alcohol was her friend.

Without thinking she rushed off to the kitchen to get the bottle of Smirnoff she’d bought yesterday. She should probably do the breakfast dishes, but there wasn’t any time. The hell with it! It wasn’t like she was coming back here again.

She turned and ran. She’d just made it back to the hall when the front door opened. Candy froze in her tracks.

Going somewhere?

Slowly, she met his gaze. On the surface he seemed calm. A faint smile appeared on his lips and in his eyes. For a minute she believed he didn’t know about the call. So why was he home from work so early?

And then the sneer appeared as he took a step forward. I asked you a question.

What? She tried to stall. Oh, yes. I was just about to take some of my old clothes to the Goodwill box around the corner. But the lie was of no use. She could tell he knew about the call. Still, she went on with the lie. "Would you like to drive me so I don’t have to walk in the cold? Maybe we could have a quick lunch before you go back

to

work

."

He didn’t answer as he took another step closer.

She opened her mouth to say something, but before she could find her words he held up a finger in warning.

No more lies, Candy. He let out an exhausted sigh. Did you really think I wouldn’t recognize your voice on the phone?

I don’t know what . . . She knew better than to keep lying so she slapped her mouth shut. She needed another drink. Badly. She squeezed her fist around the vodka bottle, tormented between opening it and taking a swig or using it to smash over her boyfriend’s head. Could she do it? Did she have the nerve? Her shaking hands

said

no

.

I took you in when you had no place to go. His voice grew louder. "You’re nothing but a lying, drunken whore. I should have left you at the strip joint where I found you. Maybe you would have been happier giving blow jobs to strangers every night for

extra

cash

."

Candy shook her head. No. I hated that life. I like being with you. She paused before adding, I love you. Although it wasn’t true. She hated him. She’d just been too scared to leave him. She had no money. No job skills. And she was being truthful when she said she hated her old life. She was better than that. Deserved way better than being used by strangers.

She loved their house. It was far from the rodent infested apartment she’d lived in when they’d first met. She loved being taken care of, not having to worry how she would survive. She just didn’t love him. He kept promising he would stop hurting her. Sometimes he would go months without inflicting pain. He’d treat her like a princess. Then for no reason at all he would just snap. The way he had last night. He’d held her under the water in the tub for so long she thought for sure she was going to die. That was what had prompted her to make that call today. She had to tell someone. She needed advice. She needed a friend. And who better than Dr. Macy? Candy watched the show faithfully every day. So after breakfast she had made the call and now she would pay the price.

Cut the crap! He was on her in less than a second flat, one hand wrapped around her throat and the other cutting into her

upper

arm

.

Please don’t hurt me, she managed to wheeze. I’m so sorry. I don’t know why I did that. Her words were undetectable, but she had to try to

convince

him

.

"Hearing your voice and the things you said were like a slap in the face to me. After all I’ve done

for

you

."

I know. I’m sorry. She could barely breathe. I didn’t use . . . my name. No one knew it . . . was me. No one knew . . . I was talking . . . about you. She clawed at his hands, trying to get him to ease up on her throat but it was no use. The room started to spin and she knew she was going to pass

out

soon

.

Well, I knew, he growled. "And now you’re going to pay for what

you

did

."

She didn’t see or hear anything

after

that

.

2

Finn ran faster than he could ever remember running before. The frigid air burned through his lungs, and his muscles ached as his boots pounded the ground. He was covering Ryder’s ass. Although he had done that dozens of times while in the Marines, this time was different. Ryder was not only his best friend but recently became his business