Just Trust Me

By Celeste Hall

Love is unconditional. Trust must be earned.

When her best friend since childhood invites Jenn to spend time in a beautiful tropical Amazon resort, free of charge, Jenn leaps at the opportunity. Maybe she can finally escape the terror stalking her in New York city.
Almost the moment she steps off the plane, Jenn is blindsided by the appearance of Remi's surly older brother. An ex-marine, now chief of resort security, Jackson is looking sexier than ever, but just as unapproachable.
Jackson has wanted Jenn in his bed for as long as he can remember, but sleeping with your little sister's best friend felt like a huge violation of unspoken sibling law.
When Jenn's terrible secret follows her to the jungle and threatens to take her from him forever, Jackson vows to keep her safe, but to do so, he'll need to gain back the trust he destroyed long ago.

Originally published in the Tropical Tryst anthology, now available for individual purchase.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Celeste Hall
• Release date: Mar 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463136560

Celeste Hall

Celeste Hall is a passionate writer of paranormal and erotic romance with over twenty-five titles to her credit, including Beware of Wolves, the Kitty Coven series, and her ultra-sexy Seduction series. If you're looking for a sizzling escape from the pressures of a long day, her alpha hero incubi will make you purr.Celeste believes that a great book can do more than offer an afternoon's pleasure, it can change your life. She is absolutely addicted to happy endings. Her favorite stories will often include elements of the paranormal or fantastical, but they will always have a romantic heart.When not writing, Celeste enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors. She also enjoys photography, graphic design, a variety of artistic mediums, gardening, horseback riding and geeking out online - especially on Facebook.You can find a full list of her books by visiting: CelesteHall.com.

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Just Trust Me

By

Celeste Hall

Just Trust Me

Copyright © 2019 by Celeste Hall

All rights reserved.

Cover photography by Corey Luke Photography.

A special thanks to my cover model and inspirational friend, Paul Ware.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Please purchase only authorized editions.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

This book is for sale to ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It may contain sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which may be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

All sexually active characters in this book are 18 years of age or older.

Love is unconditional. Trust must be earned.

When her best friend since childhood invites Jenn to spend time in a beautiful Amazon resort, free of charge, Jenn leaps at the opportunity. Maybe she can finally escape the terror stalking her in New York city.

Almost the moment she steps off the plane, Jenn is blindsided by the appearance of Remi's surly older brother. An ex-marine, now chief of resort security, Jackson is looking sexier than ever, but just as unapproachable.

Jackson has wanted Jenn in his bed for as long as he can remember, but sleeping with your little sister's best friend felt like a huge violation of unspoken sibling law.

When Jenn's terrible secret follows her to the jungle and threatens to take her from him forever, Jackson vows to keep her safe, but to do so, he'll need to gain back the trust he destroyed long ago.

Chapter One

I don’t like it, Jenn. I’d feel a lot better if you’d cancel this trip and stay here, where I can protect you.

Jenn gave the man sitting behind the steering wheel a mock scowl. He was painfully thin, with unkempt hair, and the complexion of a computer geek who rarely saw sunlight. But for what he lacked in looks, he made up with unquestionable devotion.

Peter, we’ve been over this. I really need this vacation. Besides, I miss Remi and our long girl talks.

You can talk to me.

She offered a wan smile, because she could see that he was being sincere.

Although he was rumored to have a questionable history, Peter was really a thoughtful guy, although a bit strange. And very clingy. He’d firmly attached himself to her after she’d started working her new job at the call center.

At first, she’d believed that he was romantically interested in her, but after having him puppy dogging her around the office for a few months, without ever actually hitting on her, she’d decided he was just the kind of personality who struggled to make friends on his own.

When Remi left, Peter had simply inserted himself into the void left behind.

Best friends since kindergarten, Remi and Jenn were nearly inseparable until just six months ago, when Remi had taken a job as the manager of an exotic tropical resort in South America.

Last chance, Peter begged as they pulled up in front of the airport terminal. You can still change your mind. Just tell Remi that you got busy at work and needed to find another week to come visit, that should buy you time to come up with a better excuse.

Sorry hon, I might never get another chance to visit the rainforest, she returned. I’m not rich. The only reason I can afford this trip, is because Remi now runs the place. She’s giving me a free room and meals, so all I had to pay for were the plane tickets. I really can’t pass up an opportunity like this.

It’s not safe, Peter argued. Were those tears glistening in his eyes? I was just reading an article about girls who disappeared while on vacation. It happens every year. Hundreds, maybe thousands of women are raped, abused, or completely vanish, most likely sold into slavery or murdered.

Jeez, Peter! Jenn frowned. Can’t you just be jealous of me, like everyone else? You’re really starting to freak me out!

You should be scared, he pressed. It’s not safe to travel alone. Especially in a place like the Amazon. There are tribes down there which still practice cannibalism. There was an article about them on CNN last month.

Those tribes live in the deepest, most remote parts of the rainforest, Jenn growled, shoving open the passenger door and climbing out of the ancient Ford Fiesta. The car was probably older than she was, with a patchwork of primer gray smeared over large portions of its otherwise rust covered body.

Besides, I won’t be alone. I’ll be with Remi.

Peter awkwardly emerged from the driver’s side of the vehicle and hurried around the back to meet her.

Remi will be working, he continued the argument, ignoring her scowl. She’s not going to be watching out for you.

I’ll be fine, Jenn sighed in frustration, making a halfhearted attempt to steal his keys when he didn’t immediately open the trunk for her. I’ll stay in the resort area. They have private security. I’ll be perfectly safe.

Peter reluctantly helped her lift the luggage out of the trunk, but she could see that he wasn’t very happy doing it. In fact, he looked rather mad at her attempts to brush off his concern. Yet, despite his nagging, it was kind of nice to have someone who cared.

I’ll be fine, she promised. Now stop trying to scare me and give me a hug.

He attempted a smile, but it failed to reach his eyes.

Just be safe, he mumbled against her shoulder.

I will.

***

It was a seven-and-a-half-hour flight from New York to Cusco, then a two hour wait to catch a charter flight from Cusco to Boca Manu. When Jenn finally stepped off the tiny charter plane, she gulped in a huge breath in relief.

The view was incredible, even from the tiny rainforest airport, which was really nothing more than a grassy swath cut out of the trees. It looked like that narrow strip of grass was on the verge of being consumed by the thick rainforest trees and vines, which pushed into the area from every direction.

The sun was beginning to dip low in the sky, yet the tropical breeze remained warm.

The air felt so incredibly clean. It was rich in oxygen and carried the heavenly fragrance of lush, green plant life. She hadn’t realized how tense she’d been back in New York, now she swore she could feel the stress knots in her back and neck beginning to unravel.

Remi was waiting for her near the tiny palm leaf hut which served as the Boca Manu airport terminal and Jenn felt her heart swell with joy at the sight of her.

Best friends since childhood, it had been hard when Remi had accepted the offer to live in South America full time. But she’d worked hard all her life, she deserved this exquisite reward, even if it meant that their friendship had to be pushed onto a back burner.

Of course, Jenn had tried to stay in touch using the internet and semi-regular phone calls, but it just wasn’t the same as having her friend close by.

You’ve lost weight, Remi scolded, by way of greeting. You look awful.

Oh, my god, I missed you too! Jenn laughed, she actually laughed, for what felt like the first time in six months. It felt good to be happy again. You look amazing!

Jenn hugged her friend a bit too long, earning Remi’s suspicion.

Jeez, what’s wrong? The last time we talked you sounded like things were rough back home, but now that I see you, I’m seriously concerned.

I just needed a vacation, Jenn fibbed. She wasn’t ready to admit the whole truth just yet. The real reason why she’d been dropping weight and had become a paranoid shadow of her former self.

Let me help you with your bags, Remi commanded. We still have a boat ride ahead of us, it’s the only way on or off the resort. The dock isn’t far, it’s just down this path a little way. I can’t wait to show you around. You’re going to love it!

Jenn inhaled a cleansing breath and nodded. This was exactly what she needed.

Has Roger tried calling you? Remi tossed over her shoulder, and just like that, Jenn’s lungs deflated. Even the sound of his name was enough to make her stomach upset.

She felt like a bird whose wings had been clipped, afraid to fly again, afraid of falling.

She hated being afraid, which was why she’d finally broken down and listened to Remi’s nagging, agreeing to take time off for this vacation. She needed to reclaim her life, to heal the part of her soul which was vulnerable and hurting.

He tried calling a few times, but I never answered. I think he finally gave up.

I’m proud of you, Jenn. He was a dick. You should have kicked his ass to the curb months ago.

Jenn sighed, drawing a sharp look from her companion. It wasn’t that she regretted breaking up with Roger. Hell, she agreed with Remi, she should have dumped him sooner. She just wished she could figure out why she was still struggling in the relationship department.

Her past was littered with a long line of assholes, users, and abusers.

She knew she wanted a strong, alpha man. A guy who might have a few scars on his knuckles and a bit of an attitude, but who still knew how to treat a woman right. A man like… nope, it was better not to even think his name. She’d had her chance to win him over and he’d completely shot her down.

"The best way to get over a guy is to get yourself sexed up