Persuade

By Lacey Weatherford

#1 International Blockbuster, Allure, captured readers instantly as they ventured to the fast-paced Las Vegas Strip and into the exotic all-male nightclub review, Leathers. Now, readers can join the smokin’ Leathers men again, in an all-new stand-alone story, Persuade!
Sexy Asher Denton thought he'd spend his entire career in the Navy. Never in a million years did he imagined that choice would end with him killing his best friend. Now, back in civilian life and struggling to get a new job and degree, he’s suffering from nightmares and the guilt of his hidden secret. He’s also avoiding his mom’s house since Sutton, the mother of his best friend is her next-door neighbor.
Asher’s always had a thing for Sutton. Even though she’s 13 years his senior, she’s the only woman he’s ever wanted, and now he can barely look her in the eye. But when the phone rings in the middle of night and Sutton tells Asher an ambulance has taken his mom to the hospital, he suddenly finds himself thrown back into Sutton’s life.
With both of them grieving, it’s only natural that the two close friends begin to gravitate together. Throwing caution to the wind, Asher decides to do all in his power to persuade Sutton to give him a chance, but can he honestly give her his heart without confessing the one thing that will undoubtedly destroy her, along with all his hopes and dreams?
Grab your copy of Persuade and fall in love with this sexy, gripping, emotional, and sometimes humorous tale, from #1 International, USA Today Bestselling, and Award-Winning Author, Lacey Weatherford.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lacey Weatherford
• Release date: Nov 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463710777

Lacey Weatherford

Lacey Weatherford was born in Ft. Meade Maryland while her father was serving in the military. She has been a life long resident of Arizona, spending most of her time growing up in the small rural town of Clay Springs.It was while she was attending the small country school in Clay Springs, that she read her first "big" book at the age of eight. It was a Nancy Drew novel and Lacey was instantly hooked. She read every book that she could find in the series and decided that she wanted to write stories too.Lacey spent a lot of time at the library from that time forward, even volunteering in her later teen years and early twenties. She would don a crazy clown outfit for the Friends of the Library fundraisers in an effort to help get the new town library built.When she and her husband moved away from the area, Lacey took the opportunity to take some creative writing classes at the local college to help further along her interests. Several years later, they were blessed with the opportunity to move back to Clay Springs with their family. The town had finally succeeded in building their library and Lacey had the opportunity to be President of the Friends of the Library for a very short time, before relocating.Lacey and her family still live in the White Mountains of Arizona, where she continues to write young adult novels that have a fantasy/fairytale or paranormal bent to them, as well as being sure to include a great romantic storyline

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Asher Denton-

The bloody knife fell from my hand, seemingly in slow motion, clattering as it bounced on the ground. The sound echoed hollowly in my ears as I leaned backward, staring at the gore that covered my victim. It was everywhere, soaking from the wound near his heart, in a growing pool around us both. 

Shaking, I stared into his glazed, lifeless eyes, unable to accept the horror of what had happened. He was gone! My best friend was dead!

I’d killed him!

Nooooo! I screamed, and a loud buzzing sound echoed around me . . .

Jolting, I sat up, fumbling for the switch on the bedside lamp. Soft light flooded the room, and I sat dazed for a moment, lost in the remnants of my reoccurring nightmare about Dayton’s death. My phone rang again, shaking me the rest of the way from my slumber. Picking it up, I noted the time as I answered. Three twenty-seven. Who could be trying to get hold of me this early? I didn't recognize the digits, either. A nervous feeling shot through me.

Hello? Sleepiness laced through my voice, making it sound rougher than I intended.

Asher? a female responded, and I recognized her immediately.

Sutton? Confusion swarmed in my head. Why would Dayton’s mom be calling me? I hadn't spoken to her in months, not since the funeral. Guilt gripped me as flashes of my dream reappeared in my mind. I shoved them away. What's wrong?

It's your mom. She fell down the stairs. I happened to hear her crying out for help from next door and went to check on her. She's been taken to Mercy General by ambulance. They left a minute ago. I stayed behind to gather a few things for her.

Instantly, I was out of bed and grabbing some clothes. I'll be there as soon as possible. Tell her I'm coming.

I will, and Asher? She paused.

Yes?

Be careful. Drive safe.

Okay. I hung up before she could say any more, yet wondering if she’d gotten a new phone number. This was something I would’ve customarily known. It merely reinforced how terrible things in my life had grown. I couldn't bear seeing her sad countenance, knowing I was the one who'd taken her happiness from her. She didn't know it was my fault. She didn't realize I was the reason her son was deceased. I'd been avoiding her on purpose all this time because I couldn't bring myself to look her in the eye. 

Coward. Self-loathing and I were close pals these days.

A knot swelled in my throat, that same one I never could seem to swallow, not since that hellish night in the alley. Attempting to bury those memories once more, I hurriedly dressed, grabbed my keys and headed for the door.

CHAPTER 1

Asher -

The sterile smelling hospital gave me a feeling of uneasiness as I quickly glanced around, spotting a reception area. I made my way toward the desk and the elderly woman sitting there. May I help you, sir? She asked, smiling as I approached, her soft rosy face reminding me of the kindness I used to see in my grandmother's as a child. I missed Grandma.

Yes, I received a call from a family friend that my mother has been brought here.

What's your momma's name, hun, and I'll look that right up for you. Her hands were arched, poised over a computer keyboard as she waited for my reply.

Mary. Mary Denton.

The woman's fingers flew rapidly, and soon a new screen popped up on the monitor. Give me a second. It says she's admitted to the ER. Let me see what bed she's in. Picking up a phone receiver, she pressed a button.

Hi, this is Marge at reception. I have the son of your patient, Mary Denton, here to see her. I was wondering which way I needed to send him. She paused for a moment and then nodded. Thanks. I'll pass the message along. Returning the phone to its cradle, she stared at me. They've taken her in for x-rays and a CT scan right now. You can have a seat in those chairs if you'd like, while you wait. They will send someone to get you when she returns to the ER.

Thanks, ma'am. Can you tell me if she is okay? 

A sympathetic smile crossed her face. We aren't allowed to give out any patient information, but it sounds like they're still checking her. I'm sorry, I don't know anymore.

No, I understand. Thanks for your help, I said politely, moving to sit on one of the leather couches that surrounded a large coffee table in the lounge. There were several stacks of magazines, neatly arranged on the tabletop. I considered reaching for one and flipping through it to calm my nerves a bit.

While I was concerned about my mother, my insides were presently the most twisted over the idea of seeing Sutton again. Memories of her son, Dayton, or Daytona, as I jokingly called him, always echoed in my mind, right on the edge of insanity. I was positive anyone who knew me at all could see right past my pain and straight to the guilt beyond. Thoughts like these were precisely the reason I'd chosen to move across town from my mom, getting a place of my own and starting school, now that I was officially discharged from the Navy.

Thoughts of the Navy flooded over me again, pulling me straight back to that night as I stared into the shocked eyes of my best friend, then down to the knife I'd stabbed into his heart. His lips moved like he wanted to say something, but nothing came out except for a slight gurgling sound. He staggered away, causing me to pull the weapon from his chest because I was gripping it so tightly, and he fell to the ground. The red stain spread over his white uniform so quickly. I dropped to my knees beside him, horror gripping me. 

Daytona, I whispered, but it was already over, the spark in his eyes dead and gone. The knife clattered from my hand, and it was then I saw the blood on my own hands and clothes. Dear God! What have I done?

Hey, Asher. Sutton's voice jerked me out of my memories, and I lifted my eyes from the place where I'd been staring. The spot I'd been guiltily staring at, almost sure I'd seen Dayton lying in it, only a moment ago. I half expected him to be there still—where she could see him—like he was telling her of my traitorous lies. Maybe I was being haunted. 

I briefly glanced back to the floor, finding it empty. Swallowing hard, I stood to face Sutton. Hey, I replied. It was difficult to look in her big, crystal, baby blues, but I forced myself to.

You poor thing, she murmured, staring sympathetically before stepping close and wrapping her arms around me. She laid her head against my chest and it constricted tightly as the top of it brushed under my chin. You look terrible. Like you've just seen a ghost.

She had no idea how right she was.

You must be worried sick about your mom. I'm sorry I frightened you in this way. She appears to be doing okay. They took her back for some scans, but I'm pretty sure she broke her arm.

What happened, did she say? I managed to ask.

Sutton continued her embrace, acting as if nothing was amiss between us, and as if she still loved me as much as she had when Dayton was alive. I hugged her back, stroking her silky, dark brown hair, the smell of her strawberry shampoo wafting up as I did so. 

I couldn't help myself. I closed my eyes, inhaling. She might be my best friend's mom, but he was the result of an extremely young teenaged pregnancy when Sutton was fifteen. I was two years old when she had Dayton. She was only thirteen years my senior, and still as beautiful and young looking as ever.

Having Sutton as my next door neighbor my whole life made her like family until my teenaged hormones kicked in. Then something changed for me, and suddenly she was that scorching hot, single lady next door, totally moving into MILF status. I never breathed a word about my secret crush to a soul, but I'd be lying if I denied all the fantasies of mine in which she’d starred.

It hadn't been on purpose. My bedroom window happened to be right over the fence from hers. She'd come home from work one night and flipped on the shower, not realizing she'd left her blinds open. Having turned off my light as I prepared for sleep, I couldn't seem to drag my fifteen-year-old eyes away. I watched shamelessly as she peeled off her nursing scrubs, revealing a body that could've graced the cover of any of the magazines hidden in the box under my bed.

Man, I was a complete ass. Why the hell was I even thinking about this now?

Sutton released me but didn’t move away, instead placing her hand on my chest. Do you want to talk to me about this, or would you rather talk to your mom about what happened? Her expressive eyes suddenly had a guarded look, and I felt my heart flutter a bit.

You know something. It wasn’t a question. Sutton and I were extremely well acquainted. Her eyes never could hide her feelings, and she wore her heart on her sleeve. It was one of the things that made her such a good nurse at this very hospital. She was kind and compassionate.

She didn’t deny it. I think perhaps you should talk to her about it when she returns from her tests. I don’t want to overstep any boundaries.

I shook my head. Sutton, you know my mom thinks of you as one of her own kids. She’s always loved you. I’m surprised she didn’t legally adopt you after your parents were killed in that accident. You’re family.

She flashed me a sad smile and shook her head. I was twenty-eight when my parents died. That’s a little old for adoption, but I can honestly tell you, your mom and dad have saved me so many times. They were always so good to help me out with Dayton. Of course, he always wanted to hang out with you anyway. You were his idol. He worshipped you, way more than a best friend. You were his big brother. He wanted to be exactly like you. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. I miss him.

This conversation had suddenly taken the turn I’d been trying to avoid for months. I couldn’t meet her gaze as she praised me. Damn the knot that was back in my throat. I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and I shuffled uncomfortably, folding my arms and casually toed at an imaginary mark on the floor. I’ve missed him, too.

I still can hardly believe it. I cry every day. I keep waiting to hear the door and the sound of the two of you laughing as you come into the house.

Shit. I needed to get the hell out of here. This was going to tear my already shredded heart entirely out of my chest. I’m sorry, I replied lamely, though she genuinely had no idea how sorry I was.

You have nothing to regret, Ash. It wasn’t your fault. She slipped her arm through mine. Let’s sit down. She guided me to the chairs behind me. I’ve missed you, too, you know. I was hoping you’d be around a lot more. I miss the sound of Dayton and you being in my house—always joking about something. It made me smile.

More guilt. I was pretty sure I had worst prick in the universe stamped on my forehead by now. I shook my head, nervously running a hand through my hair. It’s been . . . hard for me to be there.

That was the truth at least, though I felt horrible for saying it when I knew she woke up to an empty house every damn day. She’d lost both her parents and now her only child. Dayton’s dad had never been in the picture. Dayton had never even met him. Supposedly, once the guy found out Sutton was pregnant, he conveniently disappeared from her life. I often wondered if she still carried a torch for him anyway. She never married, and to my knowledge had never even dated anyone else. Her parents helped her raise Dayton while she finished high school and put herself through nursing school so she could support him. She’d lost her entire world when Dayton died. And it was all my fucking fault. I couldn’t deal with this.

I understand, she replied quietly, patting me on the knee. Still, I’d love to have you come by. Whenever I see you, I have so many good memories of you boys together.

Honestly, I was afraid being around all the time would be too difficult for you. I’ve stayed away on purpose. Plus, between trying to go to school, and working nights, there’s not a whole lot of extra time in my life. I wondered if my mom had told her I visited whenever Sutton was at work during the day. Even being in my mom’s house was difficult. Memories of Dayton were everywhere, in framed pictures my mom loved so much, old trophies we’d won together in high school sports, and team photos—all things my mom had been decorating her shelves with since I was born. Between Sutton and her, most of our lives were preserved in images.

Never. I adore you. You know that. Please come see me. I miss you. She was staring at me, her eyes full of longing. I knew I wouldn’t be able to deny her.

I’ll come, I promised, hating myself even more.

Good! You’re my kid, too. She smiled widely, almost striking a fatal blow to my heart.

You’re not old enough to be my mom. Being reverted to child status was a billion times worse than being friend zoned. No way. Not happening. You’d have been twelve when you first got pregnant.

Yeah, that would’ve really sucked. She shook her head, giving a slight laugh. You’d be surprised how many girls that age end up pregnant. We get a few from time to time here.

Regardless, I refuse to believe you are old enough to be my mom. You look like you’re in your twenties. She was a knockout. Drop dead gorgeous.

And now you are my new best friend. You’re good for my ego.

I already was your best friend. And it’s the truth.

Sighing, she shook her head. These days I feel all my thirty-eight years. Sometimes I feel a lot older than that. Then I wish I could stay in bed for days and never get up.

Her words conjured images for me I knew she didn’t mean. I could think of several things I’d enjoy in a bed for days on end, especially if she were in it. Yep. That hormone driven teenager was still apparently alive and well and in my twenty-five-year-old head. How the hell was I supposed to come up with a response to that?

I placed my hand over hers, which was still resting on my leg and squeezed it. Hopefully, it was a comforting gesture.

I was saved from replying when the woman from the front desk approached us. Hi, Sutton, Marge said with a smile. Are you working tonight?

No, I’m here with Asher, waiting for news on his mom. She was brought in by ambulance, earlier.

Marge glanced between us with interest, her gaze resting on our clasped hands. A smile crossed her face, and she winked knowingly at her. Is this a new beau of yours?

I almost choked but couldn’t help my grin as I stared at Sutton with a raised eyebrow, curious about how she would react.

She laughed and shook her head. He’s my next-door neighbor, actually. He was best friends with my son. I practically raised him.

Oh, I’m sorry. I thought you both looked the same age. I was hoping you finally had a hot date—not that going courtin' to the hospital would be much fun. I liked this woman and her obvious southern upbringing if her accent was authentic.

Sutton blushed and glanced at me. I think it’s this new beard scruff he’s sporting. She grabbed my chin affectionately. It makes him look older than he is. She stared at me a second longer before adding, I like it, though.

Smiling, I looked between the two women before focusing on Marge. I’ve recently left the Navy. I was tired of shaving every day. The scruff is pure laziness on my part.

You wear it well, Marge said with a smile. Listen, I came over to tell you that you’re welcome to go into the ER now. Your mom should be finished with her CT in a few more minutes, but they’ve assigned her to room twelve if you want to go sit in there and wait. Sutton knows the way.

Thanks, I replied. I appreciate your help.

No problem. I hope your mom is okay.

Thank you. I do, too.

It was good seeing you, Sutton, Marge said as she turned to amble to her desk.

You, too, Sutton replied standing and gesturing to me. Come on. I’ll show you the way.

I stood, and she hooked her arm through mine, leading me slowly down the hallway toward the double doors that marked the ER.

I’m sorry you had to come back to work on your off time.

I wouldn’t be anywhere else. I love your mom.

You’ve done a pretty good job of distracting me from my original question. What do you know? I stared pointedly at her, trying to arm myself for any shocks, if necessary.

I think you need to talk to her, personally.

Sighing heavily, I finally gave in to the dreaded words I didn’t want to speak. Mom’s cancer is back, isn’t it? Sutton’s face told me the answer without her even replying. How long have you known?

About a week. I took her to the doctor because she wasn’t feeling well. She didn’t want to worry you with it. I think she’s suspected for a while, but didn’t want to acknowledge it.

How progressed is it this time? I braced myself, hating that this damn disease was back after she had fought so long and hard. She’d been in remission for two years now.

Sutton paused in the hallway. She bit her bottom lip, and I knew it wasn’t going to be good. Stage four. She was going to invite you for dinner this weekend to tell you.

Raising a hand, I held my brow for a second as the news sunk in. Payback was a bitch. I’d taken Sutton’s world from her, and now I was going to lose the rest of mine. I need to move home.

She nodded. I think that would be good. I’ll help you out any way I can, but right now you need to go be with her. We’ll work this all out later.

I nodded, letting her guide me into the ER after she swiped her employee card in the keypad, opening the doors. My head was spinning. I’d need to quit school, or maybe see if I could switch to online classes. My apartment lease was coming up for renewal next month, so breaking it wouldn’t be any problem, but I hated to lose it. I’d need someone to stay with mom while I was working at Leathers at night, but I could be back home by one-thirty in the mornings. Life was throwing a big curveball at me, but there was no way I wasn’t going to be there for my mom.

Are you all right? Sutton asked.

I’m shocked. I can’t believe it’s so advanced already.

Well, let’s take it one step at a time. We can see what the doctor says after her tests and go from there. I’m so sorry, Ash.

I unhooked her arm from mine and slipped my fingers in between hers. I’m glad you’re here, but I just need you to hold my hand for a bit, okay? I hated leaning on her for support, but I was going to greedily take it anyway, even though I didn’t deserve anything from her. Not one damn thing.

I’m not going anywhere. Clutching tightly, she led me into room twelve.

CHAPTER 2

Sutton Fairchild-

Standing in the doorway, I watched as Mary and Asher huddled together. My heart broke for them, and for me, as well. Mary Denton had been like a mother to me. Regardless of blood relation, she and Asher were the only family I had left. Now, barring some miracle, Mary was going to leave us. The doctor said he didn’t expect it would be much longer. Three months, maybe less, had been the prediction. Asher had stiffened at those words, his expression going grim. I don’t think he realized how much tighter he’d gripped my hand, almost causing me to wince, but I didn’t. I could understand the pain and inner battle going on inside him. I’d lived it myself, and the nightmare always came back all too easily. While he hadn’t lost his parents at the same time, I was sure that didn’t make the experience any more comfortable. Death was death, and none of us escaped the horror of it. How did one overcome and find a way to keep on living after having lost a very piece of your soul?

Since the passing of my son, Mary was the only one who kept me sane. She visited me every day, talked when I needed, and was silent when I needed silence. She had been my rock, and the whole time she’d already known she wasn’t in remission. I wasn’t sure if she knew how terrible things were, or if she hoped it would go away, but Asher and I weren’t ready. And once Mary was gone, it would only be the two of us, lost together in a world that was sure to be completely unrecognizable.

I wondered what Asher would do? Most likely he’d sell his parents’ home unless he wanted to get married and settle down there. That would be weird. What if he married someone who didn’t like me? I had no real family claim on him, and now that Dayton was gone, most people wouldn’t understand or get it. An unsettling feeling sat heavy in my chest, and I realized I didn’t like the idea of sharing him with someone else. That had to happen eventually, though, and he would be with his girlfriend, or wife, and her family. There would be no real place in his life for me, other than that of neighbor, and that was only if he stayed. If he sold the house and moved away, I might never see him again.

Shoving these thoughts aside, I chastised myself for being so greedy in the face of another family’s pain. It was time to quit worrying about my loss and help these two. Who cared what the future held? What mattered was right here, right now. This moment was the only guarantee in life, and I wanted to help these people live their last moments to the best. They needed all the time they could get.

Asher gave his mom a peck