Us. Again.

By LM Spangler

She loved him, but was destined to be with another.

Talia Karros had been betrothed to a dragon shifter she didn’t love. Her heart belonged to a human but her parents had plans of their own for her.

Illinoisan Nikolas “Niko” Bradley had lost two people he loved in six months. First, his love was forced into a mating she didn’t want and then his half-brother passed away, leaving Niko his ice cream shop and custody of his child in small town Cicada Lake, Pennsylvania.

Fate gives them a second chance, but will her parents’ meddling ways destroy it or will they embrace that chance ... and each other again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight Publishing
• Release date: Jul 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781773397498

Book preview

Published by EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ® at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2018 LM Spangler

ISBN: 978-1-77339-749-8

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Editor: CA Clauson

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

I would like to thank the wonderful group of people who’ve made my writing journey more enjoyable. Kathy Ferri, Sharil Miller, Zee Monodee, Iris Blobel, Lacee Hightower, Alexa Wayne, Dania Voss, and Laura M. Baird.

And, as always, thanks to the Evernight crew. The publishing team and authors are a pleasure to work with.

US. AGAIN.

The Aphrodite Chronicles

LM Spangler

Copyright © 2018

Prologue

The Past

Evanston, Illinois

She had called him, told him she had to speak to him immediately. He didn’t have a good feeling about it.

He stared out over Lake Michigan, watching the waters roll in and out repeatedly. Usually he sat on his balcony, drank a beer, and let the lake comfort him.

Not tonight. He stood with his spine stiff and his shoulders back. Her tone of voice was low and foreboding and if he didn’t miss his guess, she’d been crying.

Unfortunately, he had an idea what had happened, but he’d wait to hear it from her before allowing his heart to be torn asunder.

His loft’s front door opened and closed. With each footstep, her shoes clicked on the hardwood floors. Without saying a word, she stood next to him.

He glanced at her. Her blonde hair danced in the breeze, occasionally sending strands over her face. Shifting his gaze down, she wore a bright blue sundress that stopped mid-thigh. The clicking sound had been produced by sexy sandals.

Usually, the outfit would send his libido into extreme overdrive, but the silence slammed on the breaks.

She sniffled and he knew that his worse fear had come true. It happened.

Damn it, he muttered.

I’m so sorry, she said as she faced him. You know I didn’t want this. I love you.

He took a deep breath, turned toward her, and took her hands into his. I know, he answered, staring into her silver-blue eyes. Tears welled and slid down her cheeks. He released her hands and used the pads of his thumbs to wipe them away before stepping back. Who and when?

"My parents betrothed me to Gannon. According to Dragon Law, I am to be his tomorrow. Even though I don’t love him, I will