Love Changes Everything

By S. L. Gibson

This is the first book in the Mercinia series. Each book can be read as a stand-alone story because there are no cliffhanger endings and each couple have their own story. However, I would recommend you read the books in order as this would help you gather background to the Ursus shifters and Mercinia, as well as following the links through the series.

*WARNING* This book is for the reading pleasure of adults 18 years and above who will not be offended by descriptions of sex, violence, strong language and love.

From the moment he set his eyes on her, there was no doubting the feeling. Their attraction was instant, but whilst Brae Sinclair felt the pull of instant lust, Kincaid, Ursus shifter, knew what he felt was the pull of a life-mate. The problem was, he was not looking for a life-mate and he needed to return to his home planet, Mercinia, in twelve hours. The decision to return home with Brae was made the instant he touched her.

On Earth he is known as Richard Stratton, Private Investment Banker of Stratton and Family, back home on Mercinia he is Kincaid, Chief Warrior and Leader of the Ursus Behanzin Army. His planet had been ravaged by war, a war in which his first life-mate was killed for her genetic engineering breakthrough. Kincaid vowed to remain faithful to his first life-mate’s memory, fulfilling his promises and commitments to Mercinia, his clan and most importantly his family. He made a vow to build his planet back and protect the work his life-mate had been killed for. On meeting Brae Sinclair love returns to the heart of a warrior.

Brae Sinclair is the Founder and Chief Executive of Moving Ahead, a charity for ongoing physiotherapy of stroke victims in the UK and West Indies. She has moved a long way from her troubled past and estranged family. Love was something she had given up on a long time ago. Realising she would never have love to call her own, Brae was happy to capture fleeting moments with her mentor and the Chair of Moving Ahead, Professor Jonathan Montgomery. The night before a working holiday to Barbados, she meets and has a strong instant attraction to the tall dark stranger, Richard Stratton. Brae had no idea a night of passion would take her to another world and introduce her to a love she had every right to receive.

Unfortunately, love for Kincaid and Brae would not be such a smooth road to travel. Kincaid, Chief Warrior and Leader of the Ursus Behanzin Army, will need to fight in order to protect his new life-mate, and this time he cannot lose.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S. L. Gibson
• Release date: May 31, 2018
• ISBN: 9781999617905

S. L. Gibson

S. L. Gibson was born in the UK into the loving arms of Barbadian parents many young moons ago. Started writing in 2016 after being challenged due to opinionated thoughts being spoken out loud. Not one to back down from a self-inflicted challenge, she began to put words to paper. S. L. Gibson has learnt much on this journey and continues to learn, as her challenge sprouts legs and walks forward into the world of establishing her mark as a self-published author.Welcome to the world of S. L. Gibson.Love Changes Everything: Kincaid and Brae's Story (1st Book in the Mercinia Series) - Released May 2018Love Found Me: Sabrin's and Zaya's Story (2nd Book in the Mercinia Series) - Released June 2019Love Rescued Me: Nico and Yvette's Story (3rd Book in the Mercinia Series) - For release 2020

Book preview

Love Changes Everything

by S. L. Gibson

Copyright

© 2016 Love Changes Everything, Author: S. L. Gibson. All Rights Reserved.

ISBN 978-1-9996179-0-5

Disclaimer

This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, organisations, incidents and events portrayed in this book are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critic reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher with subject line Re: Permissions Requests at the postal address below

Attention: Permissions Coordinator

S. L. Gibson

PO Box 74697

LONDON

SW11 9LB

Cover designed by Ken Dawson, Creative Covers, www.ccovers.co.uk

Dedication

Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to believe I could do this and giving me the strength and support I needed to accomplish our first book and all those to come. All is of you and all is for you.

Sometimes when you are strong and used to doing so much yourself, you forget how much support and encouragement from family and friends can actually drive you forward. Thank you all, thank you, thank you, thank you.

I am dedicating this to my family and friends here and those who have passed. I know you are proud of my latest achievement and all those to come — you are in my heart and thoughts always. I love you all.

Table of Contents

Prologue…

The Sacrifice of Love…

The Feeling of Friends…

The Heat of the Night…

Can We get Together…

Taken Mind, Body and Soul…

No Turning Back…

The Journey Begins…

A Time of Transition…

Making Contact…

The Warrior Returns…

The Hunter and The Prey…

The Madness of Love…

The Ceremony Starts with Me…

I Claim You…

The End has Begun…

A New Beginning…

About the Author

Next Book in the Mercinia Series

Prologue

The Sacrifice of Love…

Brae looked out over the beautiful strange land and thought of how many times she had sought a place to belong, where she would be accepted and loved. She shook her head as she remembered how these feelings used to consume her and how well she had masked the pain. She had been naïve, searching for a love which could mend her past, but such a love did not really exist. Now she knew differently. Now she knew love came with sacrifices, and, sometimes, those sacrifices once made could not be undone…

The Feelings of Friends…

Well, Monty, I’m locking up and off to Barbados.

Brae turned to her mentor, Professor Jonathan Montgomery, smiling sweetly as he sat on the edge of her desk.

Are you going to miss me, Brae?

He spoke as he reached for her hand, which she gave him willingly, and gently pulled her towards him. This was a routine she came to love once a year when she took her annual three-week holiday — their special goodbye.

"Of course, I will. You will be on my mind until I return. Are you going to miss me, Monty?"

Brae looked into Monty’s large dark brown eyes, he was looking at her as if trying to read her thoughts. She always loved when he looked at her with those soul-searching eyes set so evenly across his face, separated by his slightly curved nose. Monty brought a hand up to his lips and placed a gentle kiss in her opened palm, turning it around he kissed the back of her hand before rubbing his thumb ever so softly across where his lips had been.

Brae reached up and touched his cheek. Their patients said he had a face you could trust, and she would agree. She rubbed a thumb along his thick dark brown eyebrows as he closed his eyes. Slowly she stroked a finger along his nose and then reaching up she ran her fingers through his thick dark brown hair. His hair had just begun to show signs of silver creeping up from the sides, such a lovely contrast to go with his sun-tanned complexion. He was always clean shaven, and for someone who ate without mercy he had a lean firm body. If it was not for the silver-grey hair no one would think he was anywhere near his fifty-eight years. Brae only touched him when they were like this, professional guards down and alone. She knew they should not, but there was no denying they were drawn together and what she knew and what she felt were two different things.

I want you to remember me. I want you to miss me and not just when you are due to return. Keep me in your thoughts, you will always be in mine, Brae… Monty opened his eyes as he spoke and kept them locked onto Brae’s, making sure she saw and felt the intensity of his words before he smiled and continued speaking "…But still you are leaving me, and because of that you will need to bring me back a bottle of my favourite Barbadian brandy, now that is something I do miss."

Brae smiled as she planted a kiss on his forehead. Soft, gentle and meaningful. She felt his breath on her neck as he placed his hand on her waist, squeezing her tenderly. Why did they keep doing this to each other? Were they testing each other? Wanting reassurance there was still a connection? She did not know. It had been like this for so long, neither stopped it nor took it any further — touching, holding, kissing, enjoying favourite smells of aftershaves and perfumes. Having discussed it just the one time, they had agreed for the sake of their work and his marriage they would not risk a physical sexual relationship. Brae thought of the cost of the agreement — a happy marriage and family for Monty, failed relationships for her, and a well-established charity for all who needed it. Brae had decided a long time ago she could live with the agreement.

Her charity, Moving Ahead, providing ongoing physiotherapy for stroke victims in the UK and West Indies, was all Brae really loved. She had poured her life into establishing it and ensuring every client received the full benefits. The smooth financial running was all down to the work Brae put into fundraising and keeping the charity’s profile on the right people’s agenda. She smiled now at the thought of where she would find time for love and a home life when there was always work to be done. Even on holiday she participated in charity events and worked at the overseas headquarters in Barbados, as well as visiting other offices established throughout the West Indies.

"And you will bring me back from Italy my favourite Amarone della Valpolicella, which we will enjoy at our first Friday of the month dinner."

Monty let go of Brae, who stepped back as he stood up and walked to the other side of her desk just before Justine, his wife, entered the office.

What are my loves doing? Justine asked cheerfully walking into Brae’s office. We all have flights to get, and some of us haven’t even packed yet. Brae, when you get back, come over on Sunday for dinner. Colin will be there, and we can try out a delicious new dish which I know Gianna is going to ensure I master before we return. She spoke as she walked over and planted a kiss on Monty’s lips.

Brae loved Monty’s wife. She was a tall heavy-set woman who held her figure well; her hair was long, thick and dark brown like Monty’s, which she wore off of her face in a loose French plait. She had an oval face, medium light brown eyes with short curled lashes sitting below neat thin brows which seemed to curve as a natural extension to her slightly broad nose and full lips. She had a very cheeky nature, so always had a sly mischievous look and although she made people laugh more than cry, she had a temper which was best kept down. Brae knew Justine was Monty’s rock and respected what they had worked at keeping alive, she would never want to harm that. Guilt had gone many years ago and the space taken had been acceptance, she just needed to find her own happiness.

That sounds like a great plan, Justine. How are the girls and Colin?

They’re all great. They want to know when you will be coming with us on holiday. I keep telling them next time, but that ain’t holding them like before, Brae.

Brae laughed, she knew they all just wanted to hook her up and what better place than on holiday in Italy, where Monty and Justine’s extended families lived.

You all are just looking for a wedding and what better person than Auntie B. Listen, I’m making a move. Give Nari and everyone my love. You need to try to get him to come over, I haven’t seen him in years…nine years to be exact. Monty, don’t forget my wine!

Justine laughed Okay you win that one. Yes, we’ll need to get him over. It’s been way too long since he was last here. Even though you haven’t seen Nari in years he always asks about you, Brae, and loves to get the low down from Monty.

Oh, does he now? You kept that quiet, Monty. I hope you are only giving him the good stuff?

Brae laughed and hit Monty playfully as she walked around her desk to get her shawl off the coat rack.

Nari is so busy, but he does take the time to catch up on everyone when we go over.

Monty answered, but Brae noted there was no humour in his response. In fact, it felt quite cold. She would speak to him about it when they met for their regular monthly dinner.

I’m guessing you will be having another working holiday, Brae?

Justine, you know very well this charity never stops.

That’s right, Brae, but there are more than enough people able to run it and run it well, thanks to your training. It’s just in your blood, I know. Well, just remember to relax.

I will, I promise.

Brae picked up her briefcase, hugged Justine and Monty then left the office to say goodbye to her team. She had twenty hours until her flight, and as she had already sent her cases to the airport and checked-in online, she just needed to turn up and board. It was all planned. Her intentions now were to relax with her best-friend Faith — who was known to all as Fay — eat and go to their local bar for a few drinks and fly out to Barbados in the morning.

********************

"Fay, I can’t wait. I don’t know why you’re sulking, I wasn’t going to give up my holiday to sit and nurse you from a break-up with a guy I told you not to deal with…He was your Gynaecologist for crying out loud. You don’t mix business with pleasure, and not with a man who knows more about your insides than you."

Fay had been Brae’s friend since university days. They had worked hard and joked their way through university and their respective careers. Fay was the opposite of Brae: she was white, short, with a slim frame, Brae was black, tall and curvy. Where she was confident and would not think twice about taking a risk, Brae was confident, steady and would calculate any risk before making a decision. In the end Fay always thought they balanced each other, and one thing they did was enjoy each other’s company. Their friendship was strong. They had shared many of life's ups and downs and always came through it together in the end.

Fay reached for a cushion and hit Brae on the arm with it. Shut-up! Ms Steady you will never get the passion of love. It’s not always black and white. You should never try to put love in a box. Sometimes you need to go with the flow.

Yeah, well, you go with the flow and I’ll go to Barbados.

They both laughed.

Do you want a drink? ‘Coz I’m up for a drink and something to eat.

Brae got up from Fay’s new soft cream and brown four-seater leather sofa and went to the kitchen. The one thing Fay was good at was interior designing. She changed her deco at least once every three years and each time it reflected some "this is how I’m feeling" theme. Although it was a bit hit-and-miss in Brae’s opinion, the majority of times it had its desired effect — to impress her clients. Her business Fresh and Beautiful Home Interior Designs, aka FaB, which she worked very hard to build, was flourishing. Brae smiled as she thought of the tears and laughs they shared over the years when they were establishing Fay’s interior design business, and she was breaking through with establishing her charity for the physiotherapy needs of stroke victims. At the good young age of thirty-seven they had achieved so much. Looking at Fay curled up on her leather settee, which fit nicely in with the walnut wood floors and the deep cream rug that made her feel she could curl up like a cat and sleep, she thought about getting the earth theme for her home. Fay had been aching to get her hands on her house for years. Brae sighed thoughtfully, she knew she would stay if Fay needed her, but she also knew Fay was really staying because she had just met her latest client, rock star Jed Whitaker aka Jedd, the hottest man on the planet according to the latest magazine covers. There is nothing like getting over a man, than to replace him with another according to the rule of Fay.

B, I’ll have a white wine…what you cooking?

I’m going to knock up a stir-fry for us.

Brae took out a bottle of white for Fay and a red for herself. Even in drinking they were different, but for the life of her Brae could not drink white wine without getting sick. It was off limits ever since her university days, where she found out it was not her thing — a memory she liked to forget, but one Fay loved to remember with glee. She poured herself a glass of Humberto Canale Gran Reserva Cabernet Franc and a Kendermanns Special Edition Riesling for Fay and took them into the living room.

Thanks, B. Are Monty and Justine going to Italy this year then?

They are now. Gianna asked them to come. I asked Monty to get Nari to come over next year. I haven’t seen him in nine years, can you believe it?

I’m sure if you asked Monty he will make sure it happens.

Fay flicked her deep red hair out of her face, raised a brow and smirked.

Whatever!

Brae stood up and walked back to the kitchen to prepare their meal.

B?

Fay! Are you really going there?

B, what is it with you and Monty? It can’t be healthy. I’m sure that’s why you haven’t held down a proper relationship in years.

Don’t be ridiculous. My relationships breakdown because I have a habit of picking up jackasses. That’s got nothing to do with Monty. Now, don’t let us go there, not tonight! Anyway, I’m planning to go see Nathan whilst I’m in Barbados. We work well, so Monty is obviously not stopping me having some fun.

Brae realised she was closing the cupboard doors a little too hard, showing her frustration at the conversation. She took a deep breath, calming down her annoyance whilst she continued to gather the ingredients and seasonings.

It works because you have a distance, and you don’t need to introduce Nat to Monty, or even tell Monty about him. So, it isn’t going to break up as it ain’t even solid. I don’t call a man you haven’t seen in two years someone you’re in a relationship with. Bloody hell, B, come on!

Brae did not trust herself to respond so continued to prepare their meal. One thing she could say about Fay being an interior designer she had a kick-arse kitchen: big, utilities and gadgets to kill for and fully packed. She began removing packages from the fridge.

B… Fay entered the kitchen and sat at the breakfast table. …I don’t mean to upset you but come on. You got to admit he has some input in your life and I’m just saying it’s not all positive.

Fay, you know Monty was my mentor and the driving force behind me getting the charity established… Brae looked at her friend and softened her tone, as it was much harsher than she meant it to be. Brae sighed. Fay, I know you mean well, but I can’t seem to let him go, and he doesn’t encourage me to either. I do know I won’t sleep with him and he won’t hurt Justine like that, but I can’t blame him for my crap relationship choices. Brae held up her hand to stop Fay from interrupting Honestly, I know Monty and he knows me and we are aware of the attraction we have, we’re not children. It’s there, but it ain’t going no further and that suits us both fine.

Brae, I really—

Fay! Brae was getting pissed off, she dropped her head took a breath and began again. Fay, Monty and I…we work well together and have the same vision for the charity, we will not compromise that for a crush. We will work out this…this…thing, but right now we are where we are. It isn’t a problem for me right now and it shouldn’t be for you until it is for me, okay?

Brae looked at her best-friend and knew she would not push it any further. Fay’s red hair was now swept back and held with a band. Brae always loved the deep redness of Fay’s hair, and her hazel eyes which were looking at her soft and caring. Her defined cheek bones and jawline gave her a model look, but the cute button nose and low bridge made her more naturally pretty than supermodel gorgeous. Fay was the closest person to a sister Brae had, and she loved her and knew Fay loved her too.

Fay kept nodding her head as if contemplating Brae’s words. She looked up meeting Brae eye to eye and arched an eyebrow.

So, you would be together if he wasn’t married or if he wasn’t married to Justine?

It was Brae’s turn to hit Fay on her arm.

The Heat of the Night…

Brae, as always that was delicious. Do you want to stay in or shall we pop to Jazz'Eez?

What, a bottle ain’t enough for you? Let me wash up and let’s go, but we’re getting back earlier coz…Woo! I’m going to Barbados!

Forty minutes later they were heading up to Fay’s cousin’s jazz themed wine bar, newly renamed Jazz’Eez. It was usually a busy bar, but as Phil Summers was relaunching it was only open to a selected number of customers until the big launch in six weeks’ time. Phil had been running the popular bar for over seven years under its previous name J-Bar, but after a recent spate of local street crimes and the brutal murder of a police officer, things had taken a downward turn in the area with customers staying away. His spirit for the bar and the community was still there, so it was an easy decision to re-launch the bar rather than sell up and move out.

Hey Phil, you got two Mai Tai’s for your best girls?

Phil was what Brae called a sexy arsed white guy, but a little too cute for her cup. His sandy brown hair always had that just out of bed look, and his deep green eyes were enough to capture any girl he set his sights on. If they looked away from those eyes they would see a slim long-distance runner’s body, with an abdomen to grate finger nails on. There was no denying Phil was fit and sexy, and many hearts were broken when he fell in love with Michelle, his wife of ten years. His eyes and heart were for her and their three gorgeous boys. Brae was never sure if Phil was actually aware of his looks, any mentioned was usually accompanied by a roll of his gorgeous green eyes.

Brae, I’m glad you came to hang with us before your trip. Michelle will be here soon, she’s waiting for Diane to watch the boys and then she’ll be over.

Michelle’s younger sister, Diane, was always willing to earn an extra pound for babysitting duties whenever the need arose. Michelle and Phil met after being introduced at one of Brae’s fundraising events in the early days. Michelle was the lead singer of the jazz and blues band, and Phil was captured before she even opened her mouth.

Cool. She can take a spot tonight and give me a good send-off.

Phil smiled I’m sure we can twist her arm.

Brae looked around. She loved the crowd at the bar and saw some of the regulars she had gotten to know over the years. As she scouted the room, she noted a group of men she did not recognise, the one which captured her attention was staring directly at her as if he could see right into her. He sat with four other men and was wearing a dark charcoal suit with a light grey tie and a white shirt, his broad chest filling out the suit. He looked like an extremely strong man. There was something about him which seemed familiar, but Brae knew she had not met this man before. She felt hot and sexy, and from what she knew about men his look was telling her the same thing too.

Brae? Earth to Brae Fay nudged Brae in her back Do you know him?

What! Brae shook her head and realised the staring was obviously a two-way thing. Uh…no, but…he looks mighty fine. She felt the heat creeping up her face.

Me thinks, he thinks the same about you. Fay turned to Phil, who was serving some customers. "Phil, who are those guys sitting at