Fierce Heartbreaker: Fierce Mates: Sierra Pride, #2

By Liza Street

He chose his mate years ago...and then, like a freaking idiot, he let her get away.

After Jude Fournier broke her heart six years ago, it took Ava Stricket a long time to get on with her life. Now she's back to help out her newly-widowed mother, and Jude's presence is just as distracting as ever. Her overprotective brothers and uncle don't need to worry, though—Ava's had a lot of time to harden her heart to Jude's charms, not only to protect herself, but her daughter as well.

But Jude isn't going to give up so easily. Despite the hostility from her family and the new imbalance in his pride, he slowly works to win Ava back. His mountain lion chose Ava as his mate years ago, and he'll do whatever it takes to prove to Ava that he loves her and wants her back in his life—and this time, he'll never let her go.

This sexy shapeshifter novelette includes a happily-ever-after as well as explicit love scenes and naughty language. It is intended for adults.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Liza Street
• Release date: Sep 13, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536503180

Book preview

Chapter One

PEOPLE HADN’T BEEN allowed to smoke in California bars since before Ava was old enough to care about drinking, but Auntie Mame’s still reeked of cigarettes. A bad smell was kind of like an ex-boyfriend—sometimes it was impossible to get away from.

She slouched lower in her seat at the bar, hoping her ex hadn’t noticed her. Probably he hadn’t. Jude was surrounded by his three brothers and the date Blake had brought. Everyone’s attention was on Gabriel, the oldest brother.

Not that Ava was paying attention to Jude, anyway. She’d only come to Auntie Mame’s because her best friend, Rebecca, insisted they meet here before heading to the movie theater. Moments ago, Rebecca had texted she’d be later than she thought, and now Ava was stuck here, pretending her ex wasn’t on the other side of the lantern-lit room, looking like God’s gift to womankind.

She drained her rum and Coke, and ordered another. Rebecca’s penalty for arriving late would be that she was the designated driver.

Ava recognized the bartender from somewhere. She’d probably gone to school with him, or maybe one of those summer camps her uncle had funded. He smiled like he knew her, anyway, but it was too crowded and noisy to talk.

The classic rock song on the ancient jukebox in the corner faded to the end. From the corner of her eye, she saw Jude toss a quarter in the air before catching it again. He jumped out of his chair.

My, how he had grown. He’d always been a hottie, but he’d been wiry. Now he was broad in the shoulders, and he still had those muscles. He wasn’t the nineteen-year-old she remembered—he was a man. His light brown hair was still cut short, and she imagined it would still be soft if she were to run her fingers through it. And those light brown eyes...how she used to gaze into them.

What was she doing, torturing herself with these stupid memories? So what if he was hot?

Her face flamed. She knew what she looked like. A short denim skirt and a revealing top that said she was trying too hard. Her hair, at least, looked all right. Long and wavy, it only gave her bad hair days if she messed with it, so she usually wore it down. But the pièce de résistance was the pony bead bracelet on her wrist, a parting gift from her daughter, Chloe. Go have fun, Mama, Chloe had said, echoing Ava’s mom. The two of them had picked out Ava’s clothes, although Ava suspected her mom had had more to do with the slinky red top than Chloe had. Her mom wanted her to get out and start dating again. It’s been two years, she kept saying. Get out there while you’re young and energetic!

Ava hadn’t had the heart to tell her mom no, especially not after everything that had happened.

It was safe to watch Jude now—he was hunched over the jukebox, picking a song. She admired the muscular form of his shoulder blades beneath his faded black t-shirt, the way his torso tapered slightly. She shook her head. Cut it out, Ava. He said he didn’t want you. That break-up, and the divorce from Javi, were enough. Do you really want more rejection in your life?

She took a long drink from her glass. If Rebecca wasn’t here in five minutes, Ava was going home.

Bruno Mars’s Just the Way You Are started playing on the jukebox, and she nearly choked on her next sip. Well, shit. He’d seen her. He’d chosen their song, the one they’d danced to at junior prom when they shared their first kiss.

Bruno Mars was telling her she was amazing, and that was it. She turned around to grab her purse. She’d text Rebecca from her car. Dammit. Driving wasn’t an option, because she’d had too much to drink. Well, fine. She’d sit in her damn car and wait for Rebecca.

A man’s hand reached down and picked up her purse. He held it out to her. She didn’t need to look to know it was Jude. The way her body reacted said it all for her. Heart pounding, butterflies in stomach, panties wet.

I thought I should get this for you, he said, eyes twinkling.

Damn those beautiful eyes.

Oh yeah? she asked, challenge in her voice.

Yeah. You seem to be in danger of spilling out of that sexy shirt if you lean over much further.

Her mouth opened, but she couldn’t think of a comeback.

It’s really great to see you again, Ava Lynn.

You, too. Bye, Jude.

She pushed past him and out the door. The early autumn night was a slap to her buzz, and she relished it.

Chapter Two

AVA! JUDE SHOUTED, rushing after her. He wasn’t going to let her get away that easily. She’d disappeared after their break-up, and it had been like she hadn’t existed anymore. Her brothers wouldn’t tell him anything, of course. They’d never liked him, or his family.

But Ava...she had liked him plenty. And if his senses were telling him right, she still liked him.

He stepped out of Auntie Mame’s and looked around. Ava was nowhere in sight. Automatically he began searching for the old Jeep she used to drive, but it wasn’t nearby. No doubt it had collapsed in a pile of rust and metal years ago. He sniffed the air, trying to get a sense of which way she’d gone.

She smelled like she always had—like rain and spice. Mixed in with that, though, was sorrow and...lust? He followed the heady scent