Crazy in Love

By Becky Crittenden

Mason Brooks is a typical twenty-four-year-old playboy, with one exception: he’s signed his life over to the US Navy. Having enlisted just after high school, he’s been living his best life, roaming the world and seducing women from coast to coast and everywhere in between. But even he can’t resist the lure of a woman who won’t give him the time of day.

Eleanor Tish is looking for more than a romp in the backseat of Mason’s sports car. In fact, she’s tired of everything to do with money or fame. She’s spent her fair share of time in the spotlight and she just wants to relax for a while. A summer romance is hardly on her to do list, but with sexy Mason chasing after her, day in and day out, how can she resist?

Succumbing to each other happens in an instant, but the repercussions of their choices could haunt them both forever.

From new author Becky Crittenden, jump into a military new adult romance that will make you laugh and tug on your heart strings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Madison Publishing Company
• Release date: Sep 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463426067

Becky Crittenden

Becky Crittenden is currently working on her first novel, set to release this fall. Crazy in Love will be the first of many military inspired romances that focus on the trials many military couples face.

Book preview

Chapter One

Eleanor, you can’t be serious, my mother spoke, her voice almost unnaturally proper. Even when it was just the two of us in a room, she felt the need to maintain the strictest societal proprieties. It drove me nuts.

Mom, please call me Elle, I suggested. It had only been ten years since I’d started using the abbreviation for my ridiculously aged name. Who named their kid Eleanor in the late nineties? My parents, it seemed.

You know I will not do that, Eleanor. You have a beautiful name and it should be used properly, not shortened like you are some sort of hoodlum.

I almost laughed aloud but I knew she’d freak out, so instead, I let out a tiny sigh. Yes, Mother. But I am serious, I confirmed, sitting down on the small sofa beside her. I took her hands in mine, as if to strengthen my resolve at my recent life-altering decision.

I want to move out on my own, away from our family’s money. Getting away would be good for me – there’s too many pretentious, money-hungry ass –

Eleanor!

I rolled my eyes. "Sorry. I don’t like the way people look at you and Dad. Like they’re trying to find a way to get some of that money. I just want a normal life."

And you think Virginia Beach holds the answer. My mother wasn’t one to use sarcasm often, but when she did, it was drier than even the most seasoned cynic.

I do. I didn’t elaborate. I didn’t need to. My mother’s blue eyes, the ones that mirrored my own, reflected understanding. The Tish family name had long been in the limelight of society and with every eye watching, how could anyone enjoy their life? The answer was simple: we couldn’t.

My mother was living proof. Every second of every day of her life was spent being perfect. Perfect hair. Perfect make-up. Perfect attire. It was exhausting just to watch. I felt no compulsion to keep up the same façade. I knew who I was. Sort of. But the joy of being twenty-two years old was that I didn’t have to be perfect yet. Society still looked at me like I was a child, mostly because when I made an appearance in public, I dressed and acted like a child, on purpose. I saw no reason to incite their curiosity. Instead, I lived my own life in private. Sort of.

The truth was far more complex. I didn’t really have a life. I had no true friends to speak of, no companions or people I trusted, with the exception of my parents. I was the only child, a woman who would one day help run the Tish family empire. It was a curse, if ever there had been one. I wanted something different for my life, though. I wasn’t exactly sure what, but I figured spending the summer at the beach was a good first step in figuring it out.

How long do you propose to be gone? Mother asked, and for the first time since I brought up my hare-brained venture, I felt she might actually agree.

Just the summer, I confirmed. I want to see how normal people live, if only for a season.

She sighed. Your father will pitch a fit.

But you can convince him, I said with a shrug.

Lane Tisch seemed shy, almost timid to the public eye, but behind closed doors, she ran our home. No one argued with my mother, save for maybe me, on occasion, but only when absolutely necessary. She was a force to be reckoned with, and if anyone could convince my father to let me go away and be normal for a summer, it was her. I knew she could, if she had the desire to try.

Of course I can, she confirmed my thoughts. But I still don’t understand your reasoning. And if I’m going to be on this sinking ship, I’ll have to have a better reason than childish whimsy.

I closed my eyes. I had no doubts as to where I got my stubbornness from: she was sitting next to me. But that meant I had to have an edge, an angle to get what I wanted.

My eyes popped open as soon as the thought entered my head. Was there ever a time when you wanted more than the Tish name could give you?

She straightened uncomfortably. What do you mean?

I stood up and paced the small sitting room. The décor was so elegant, so unlived in. If we left the room, no one would be able to tell anyone was ever there. It was like living in a museum.

"Oh, I don’t know. Like have you ever felt that there was something more for you out there than just running a ridiculously successful company? I mean, it’s an honor, to be sure, but I have cousins who love running the business and being involved, and every time I’m invited to a board meeting… I just end up being bored. I have dreams beyond our name, and that means I must get out from under it in order rise above it. I want to experience a life lesson, not learn how to do the books. I just want… more."

I turned back toward her and found her smiling. What? I asked, my anticipation growing.

You can go. I’ll figure out the details with your father, but you have my permission and he won’t go against that.

I blinked at her. Seriously? I had to sit down again in order for my mind to stop swimming. There was no way it was that easy.

She took my hand in hers. "You think you’re the only one who’s ever sought adventure? How exactly do you think I met your father, Eleanor? That wild spirit you can’t seem to ignore, or control… you get it from me. And I never imagined that would come back to bite me one day, but here we are. She moved her hands about, gesturing to our situation. I couldn’t be controlled when I was your age, and I don’t expect I’ll be able to control you, either. But I can at least make sure you’re safe.

"We have a beach house in Virginia Beach. It’s fairly modest. Your grandmother liked to go stay there on weekends before she passed away. The waves calmed her, I think. I’ll rent it to you. If you’re going to be on your own, you’ll have to work for it. Go down, get a job, and really see what living is all about. I trust you’ll have yourself quite an adventure. Please check in from time to time, so I know you haven’t been mugged or worse. But I want you to have fun. And make sure you get it all out, because I’m certain your father is going to mandate that you come home in the fall and finally take your place in this company.

Please don’t end up in jail. I’d rather not have a scandal on my hands. Other than that, I think this will be good for you. It’ll be a lesson, and something for you to tell your children about someday.

Aren’t you going to tell me your wild story?

My sweet Eleanor, that is a story for another time, I think. With that, she kissed my forehead and then got up and walked away. All those hours of worrying last night and she’d caved ten times faster than I ever imagined. It seemed too good to be true. I was about to have the summer I’d always dreamed of.

Chapter Two

It was too damn hot. That’s the only thing I could think of as I drove down to my new home. I packed my car with all my stuff, after my mother assured me the family home was fully furnished. Of course, it wasn’t exactly my car I was driving. Mine was a newer model BMW that would’ve tipped off anyone I encountered to my lies about my identity. Instead, Mom found a used Honda for me take. I wasn’t quite sure it would even make the trip, let alone make it through the summer. But Mom assured me she’d had it looked at by our top mechanic and it would be fine.

And so I’d driven to Virginia Beach. Palm trees flooded the streets, the closer I got to the shoreline. It was busy and bustling, with tons of things to do. I couldn’t wait to get out and meet people. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t have any money yet. Mother had given me two thousand dollars, which was enough to cover the $1500 rent she charged me, a two-hundred-dollar car insurance payment, and have just enough for a couple grocery trips and putting gas in the car. As much as I was looking forward to it, I was also terrified. I had to find a job, and fast. Money was something I wasn’t accustomed to not having in a steady supply.

I turned into the driveway of my late grandmother’s home and was surprised to find it on the run down-side. The overgrown lawn shadowed the entire building; a shutter teetered near the front window. Other than that, it seemed in good shape, with a large living area, newer kitchen, and three bedrooms upstairs. I threw a few of my bags into the largest bedroom and laid on the bed, intending to close my eyes for just a second.

I woke to the sound of my phone ringing loudly from the pocket of my jeans. I vaguely recognized the number and picked up just before it should have gone to voicemail.

Hello?

Oh, I’m sorry, did I wake you? came a distinct southern accent on the other end.

I rubbed my eyes. Not at all. Who’s this?

It’s Sydney Reed! We spoke the other day about me renting a room?

Shit! I had completely forgotten I was supposed to meet her. I’m so sorry. I must’ve fallen asleep, I said groggily as I noticed through the window the sun had just started to set. Some nap.

We can reschedule if you need, she replied easily, though her voice was strained; just shy of sounding desperate.

No, no. When can you be here? I