Deeper Than Desire

By Emma Ashe

What if I could make her mine?
Finn: I’m in love with my best friend. In fact, I’ve been in love with her since forever. Libby is amazing and when I find out she wants me too? I can’t kiss her fast enough. She’s my everything. Which is probably why my father can’t stand her. He thinks she’s a distraction. I know she’s my world. I don’t know how far he’ll go to destroy her…
But I’m about to learn how far I’ll go to save her.
*The Deeper Than Love series is a steamy, sexy, and funny new standalone series perfect for your next binge read.
Deeper Than Destiny, a friends to lovers romance.
Deeper Than Lies, a love hate romance with all the feels.
Deeper Than Secrets, a love hate romance with a dirty-talking, bad boy hero who burns up the pages.
Deeper Than Temptation, a single dad romance with a dirty-talking, Irish-accented alpha hero who will keep you up all night.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wickosity Media, LLC
• Release date: Nov 18, 2019

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AUTHOR

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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This book wouldn’t even be here without the encouragement of some of the finest writers I know.  Thank you for cheering me on Skylar Hill and Cici Coughlin.

DEDICATION

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For Tony

CHAPTER 1 | Libby

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Four years ago...

I did it, I tell my friends as I slide into the booth at our favorite Atlanta restaurant for breakfast. Everything smells like coffee and maple syrup, and even though it’s probably the most amazing combination ever, my stomach still flip-flops with butterflies. "I told him everything: how I’m in love with him, how I’ve been in love with him since we were teenagers, how—"

How you want to jump him? Ally asks, laughing.

I didn’t put it in those exact terms, but I’m sure he got the gist. I scoot into my usual spot, messing with my bag so my best friends can’t see how my hands are shaking. Bottom line, he knows how I feel now.

Across the table, Laurel blinks, blinks again. She can’t believe I did this. Honestly? Neither can I. I’ve been in love with Finn Oliver since we were thirteen. He’s gorgeous, smart, and has been living with me ever since his dad kicked him out a couple months ago.

Why? Well, because in addition to being gorgeous and smart, Finn can also be a bit of an ass. Or a lot of an ass, depending on who you ask. Thankfully, he’s never been that way with me. Some of that is because we’ve known each other for so long. The rest of it—maybe all of it—is because I know about his panic attacks and fights with depression and tendency to burn himself out. We can be real with each other. He doesn’t have to play the bad ass.

Laurel puts down her cup of coffee and stares at me, pale blue eyes huge. You seriously told Finn you’re in love with him? To his face?

Umm... I trail off, heat climbing my cheeks because the full consequences of what I’ve just done are hitting me. Finn isn’t just the guy I’ve been lusting after since I was a teenager. He’s also one of my oldest friends. Our fathers started their company together. Our families have been doing vacations and holidays and weekends for years. I’ve known Finn since he was running around with a plastic light saber, and he’s known me since I took all my clothes off at my parents’ pool party and ran around naked—something he loves reminding me of. Bottom line, my little proclamation of love may screw up everything.

Or begin something amazing, I remind myself. Technically? I clear my throat. I didn’t tell him how I felt...I left him a note.

Ally bursts out laughing. Her dark braids fall forward over one shoulder and she brushes them back with a careless hand. "I love you, you know that? I really love you. A note."

I grin. I can’t help it. I know. It’s insane, isn’t it? But like we said the other night, I need to be honest with him.

Ally takes a huge forkful of French toast and chews for a minute, brown eyes bright with amusement. The other night, we were drunk, she finally says. We were celebrating your latest super-duper horse show win. I didn’t realize you were taking us seriously.

I shrug. Well, I wasn’t at the time. At the time, I was a little preoccupied by winning a big division at an equally big horse show. Okay, hugely preoccupied. I want to be an international-caliber showjumping rider more than anything. My parents are looking at a new horse for me, one that can help me with that dream. If it goes through, I will be beyond lucky. Just thinking about it makes my heart double-thump.

Our favorite waitress, Louisa, swings past our table, dropping off my usual order of eggs benedict and coffee as she goes. Thank you, I call and she waves in acknowledgement, already off to another set of customers who are studying the menu like there’s going to be a pop quiz. They shouldn’t. Everything at Bread and Butterfly is amazing. Anyway, when I thought about telling Finn later, I figured... I trail off, shrugging again.

We should get drunk more often, Ally says, pointing at me with her fork. I’d love to see what else you’d do.

I grin. "Or maybe we should get you drunk and drop you off at Kendrick’s."

I have no idea what you’re talking about. Ally’s eyes go wide in mock confusion. Kendrick and I are just friends.

Laurel bursts out laughing. Yeah, friends who just like to kiss each other every chance they get.

What? You don’t do that with your friends? Ally’s trying (and failing) to fight down her smile. I don’t know why she wants to keep Kendrick at arm’s length. I’ve seen the way he looks at her—like she’s the only thing he’s ever wanted—and, oh my God, I don’t know how she resists him.

Then again, I’m the girl who’s been pining for her childhood friend for years so it’s not like I’m judging.

Ally takes a sip of her iced tea, makes a face, and reaches for the sugar packets. She dumps four into the tea and stirs like her life depends on it. I still can’t believe you did it, she says. I mean, we’ve been talking about you and Finn and you wanting Finn for years.

She took the time she needed. Laurel leans forward and pats my hand. You decided to take a chance. I’m really proud of you, Libs. Seriously.

Like I’m not? Ally adopts a mock-offended expression and we all crack up. It’s not that funny, but my excitement has caught up with them and now we’re all getting giddy and silly. I love my friends. I’ve been telling you for ages you should jump him, Ally continues, grabbing the maple syrup so she can drench her French toast for (probably) the fiftieth time. He’s gorgeous. Plus, you two are perfect for each other. He knows all your secrets and loves your horses.

I laugh. That’s all it takes to be perfect for me?

Absolutely. Because one—she holds up one finger—you don’t have any secrets. You’re the nicest person I know. And two—she holds up a second finger—you absolutely need your future husband to love your horses. They bite.

"That was once and I apologized a bazillion times for it."

Ally grins and rolls her eyes. I don’t really blame her. Horses kind of run my life. After I graduate from college next year, I want to run an equine therapy program, something that will help disabled and disadvantaged kids. I grew up around horses: showing them, riding them, taking care of them. They’re remarkably therapeutic.

Well, except for this one mare I have who doesn’t really like anyone and tried to chomp Ally one afternoon. She didn’t connect—thank goodness—but it was close.

Actually... Ally smears her last piece of French toast through the lake of syrup on her plate. You know what really makes you two perfect for each other? You’re the only person who can handle him.

What a glowing recommendation, Laurel says, and ever so briefly, I can see the frown threatening the corners of her mouth. I get that. She’s worried. She’s seen Finn when he’s acting like an ass—the last time, he was drunk and probably high and nearly got arrested for making a scene. She doesn’t want that for me. Thing is, I don’t want it for me either. If we do this—whatever ‘this’ will end up being—he has to stop self-medicating with booze and pills, and he has to make things right with his dad. I don’t know what’s going on between them, but it has to stop. It’s destroying him.

He’s getting better, I tell her. That was a bad night. He was coming off exams and his mom wasn’t doing well and his dad was being super hard on him and—

Laurel shakes her head, wisps of red-blond hair fall from the top-knot she always wears. Don’t sweat it. You don’t have to explain it to me. I just want you to be happy.

Me too, Ally adds.

For a second, tears squeeze into the corners of my eyes. No matter what happens with Finn, I have

Reviews for Deeper Than Desire

[Geneva · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Horrible ending. No sequel. No. Just no. Much more needed to be a romance.

[Deb Pden · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book..a lot of promise..TO BAD Scribd didn't finish the deal and get all five or at least book #2 that finishes the first one.!!!!!
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