The Urge (Finding the One - Volume Two): Finding the One, #2

By Aubrey Skye

Tara is a big, beautiful teacher living in a small town, and is engaged to a hot fireman named Aidan. The problem: He has secrets hidden behind his perfect hero image, and she starts to question whether he really is The One.

Tara is still reeling from the anonymous text she got about her and Rob when she wakes up the next morning. Does somebody really know her secret? Will they expose her?

After going back and forth between Aidan and Rob, emotionally and physically, she comes to a crossroads. Tara's head is all over the place, and so is her heart.

Following a night of passion, like she's never had before, Tara gets two texts that will once again change everything...but will it be for better, or for worse?!

Fans of Bella Andre and Kristan Higgins will love this quirky romance series with strong, independent woman and alpha heroes.

Note: Parts of Finding the One were previously published as Big Temptation.

Also includes some sneak peeks at upcoming novels!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roja Publishing
• Release date: Oct 13, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536510461

Book preview

Tara is a big, beautiful teacher living in a small town, and is engaged to a hot fireman named Aidan. The problem: He has secrets hidden behind his perfect hero image, and she starts to question whether he really is The One.

Tara is still reeling from the anonymous text she got about her and Rob when she wakes up the next morning. Does somebody really know her secret? Will they expose her?

After going back and forth between Aidan and Rob, emotionally and physically, she comes to a crossroads. Tara's head is all over the place, and so is her heart.

Following a night of passion, like she's never had before, Tara gets two texts that will once again change everything...but will it be for better, or for worse?!

Fans of Bella Andre and Kristan Higgins will love this quirky romance series with strong, independent woman and sexy alpha heroes.

Note: Parts of Finding the One were previously published as Big Temptation.

Also includes some sneak peeks at upcoming novels!

~Volume Two:

The Urge ~

I know what happened and soon Aidan will know too. You better stop before you lose a great man.

Those were the words that had shown up on my phone from a number I didn't recognize the night before. Someone knew about me and Rob, and I was racking my brain trying to figure out who the hell it could be. Anyone could have seen us leave the back room at the bar. They could have seen him pick me up at Lauren's house. Maybe they saw him headed to my back door. I thought we had been extra careful, but it's almost impossible in a small town. People talked, and if one person saw us, then it could spread like fire from gossip to gossip until it reached Aidan.

I had gotten about two hours of sleep, and I was just lying in bed worrying. I never responded to the text because I was afraid it would validate that I had done something or make me look more suspicious. Whoever it was either knew me or knew someone else who had my number. But it wasn't someone I had saved in my phone. What if Aidan already knew? I would lose everything. I would no longer have a man who loved and supported me. He also accepted me for who I am and for the most part, made me feel safe. He was a valued member of the community, a hard worker, and he was absolutely gorgeous. The man had just bought our wedding bands, and I had repaid him by bringing Rob into my bed. The only logical thing I could do was stay far away from Rob. If only it was that easy.

I checked my phone, and at 10:00 am, there was still no text or call from Aidan. I hoped that meant he was still sleeping. Since I didn't have anything to do that day, I rolled over and tried to fall asleep again. It must have worked because when I woke up to my phone ringing, the clock said 2:00.

Hello?

Hey, were you sleeping? It was Aidan, and even though I wasn't completely awake, I could tell he was annoyed.

Yeah, I tossed and turned last night, so I took a nap. How was your night?

Fine. Would've been better if I had heard anything from you.

I left my phone downstairs when I went to bed to watch a movie. I didn't realize it for a while. I did text you back.

I hate it when you don't text me back right away, Tara. You know that. I almost had someone drive me over there, but then I just decided to get hammered instead. You really piss me off sometimes. You just don't think.

I said I was sorry. I didn't even expect to hear from you on one of your fire house all-nighters anyway. Usually I am the last thing on your mind.

Whatever. Don't give me shit because I go out with the guys. I let you go out with your sister, too. And I let you dress showing your tits to the world.

Fuck you, Aidan. You know what? I don't need your permission to go anywhere, and I certainly don't need you telling me how to dress. I'm going back to sleep. Have a great day.

I heard him start to say something, but I hung up on him before he got it out. I was not expecting the conversation to go that way. Why was I so defensive? Was I feeling guilty or was he just being a big-time prick? I figured it was a mixture of both. This was the Aidan that no one else ever saw. He never talked to me like that around other people, so in their eyes, he was the perfect man. I wondered how they would react if they had seen the bruises he left on my wrists, my self-esteem, and my heart.

The tears started to come, and I didn't try to hold them back. I rolled out of bed and cried all the way to the shower. I let the hot water run over me and sobbed, knowing that no one could hear me. I felt so down on myself, both for what I had done with Rob and for the way Aidan had just spoken to me. I had gotten myself into this mess, but I didn't know what to do. After a good 20 minutes in the shower, I was clean and cried out. I put on some yoga pants and one of Aidan's old union t-shirts and added a pair of warm, comfy socks. I threw my hair up into a messy knot on top of my head and didn't bother to wear makeup.

I hadn't gone grocery shopping in a week, so there wasn't much to choose from in the kitchen. I was starving, and unfortunately, I had always been an emotional eater. I decided to head out to grab a sub. I threw on my fleece jacket and some boots and headed to the sub shop. My old friend Josh worked there, and he was a sweetie. He knew just what to make me.

Hey, Tara! Looking beautiful today. How about a roast beef and provolone to make you smile?

Hey, Josh. That sounds delish. How have you been?

Ah, you know. Same as ever. You ok? You look a little tired?

Yeah, I just didn't get enough sleep last night. After this, I'm headed home to lay on the couch and watch cheesy girl TV all day.

Damn, wish I could join you. Maybe another time. Josh smiled sarcastically as he handed me the sub, so I knew he was kidding.

Thanks, hon. I'll see you soon! I said my goodbyes to Josh and headed out the door. I was fishing my keys out of my purse and not paying attention when I ran into someone's chest.

Hey. The voice was soft and familiar, and my heart jumped. It was Rob, and I was a mess.

Oh, hey. Crap, I didn't think I'd see anyone when I came out. I just wanted to grab some food and head back to my couch. Don't I look gorgeous? He looked down and studied me carefully. I was trying not to look him directly in the eyes because I was afraid I would cry again.

You look beautiful. But sad. Are you okay, Tara? You can smile all you want but I can see it in your eyes.

Oh I'm fine. I just couldn't sleep after you left. I was thinking.

Honestly, you look like you've been crying. I'm worried about you. I don't want to make your life harder. And I don't ever want to make you cry. Please tell me what's wrong.

I can't talk about this here with you. We are right out in the open. God only knows who's watching us and getting ready to tell the whole town. I'm a nervous wreck, Rob!

Ok, ok. Calm down. You go home, and I'll go into the sub shop. I'll call you when I get home.

That sounds fine. If I don't answer, it's because Aidan showed up to yell at me more. I saw the expression on his face darken as he processed what I had just said.

What the fuck did he yell at you for? His jaw was tightening, and his fists were clenched.

When you were over last night, I left my phone downstairs. He was texting and calling, and I didn't answer right away. He said I don't think and I really piss him off when I don't answer him.

He is the one who doesn't think about how fucking lucky he is to have you! I see he hasn't changed a bit despite what everyone in town thinks. I hate him even more for talking to you like that.

I'm fine, Rob. Really. I don't want to get you all riled up. I better go. You can call me after.

Tara! Wait!

I hurried back to my car without looking back. There could have been someone nearby listening to that entire conversation. I was going to have to watch my every move now. But all I wanted to do was have Rob put his arms around me and tell me it was going to be fine.  I was hurting and needed a friend, and more, but there was no way I could let him comfort me out in public. I didn't know if I would ever get to kiss his sweet mouth or feel him pressed against me again. My heart got heavy again, and the tears started to pool in my eyes. I had to pull myself together quickly when I got home and saw Aidan's truck in my driveway.

I didn't want to face him today. I wanted to spend the whole day alone, wallowing in the enormity of my situation. Gathering up my nerve, I grabbed my purse and food and went inside.

Aidan was sitting in the living room with football on TV. He looked so hot, even though he was dressed in lounge pants, a t-shirt, and a hoodie. His hair was still a little damp, and I could smell his manly scent from the across the room. Again my heart jumped a little, until I remembered that I had hung up on him. And I thought of how he had spoken to me.

Where have you been? He still looked annoyed, and I knew immediately that my day to myself was ruined.

I ran out to grab a sub. I never went grocery shopping this weekend.

Well, I'm starting to get kind of pissed that I can't get ahold of you when I want to. I call, and you don't answer. I text, and you ignore it. I come to your house, and you're gone. What the hell, Tara? I set my stuff down on the kitchen table and tried to calm down before I spoke. Sure I was having sex with another man when he was trying to contact me last night, but I didn't need this shit.

Yeah, for one night. I'm sorry I left my phone downstairs, Aidan! It was a mistake! You're being a jerk for no reason. If this is what being married is like, then I don't know if I'm interested! I was yelling at this point because I was so pissed. I was also on the verge of tears because I cried whenever I got angry.

"Don't talk to me like that! Ever!