Somewhere I Belong

By Wendi Zwaduk

Sullavan Tanner walked away from Jarvis, Ohio, afraid to give his heart to the woman he loved. He lived the rock and roll lifestyle, but never quite made it to the big time. Fifteen years later, he's back and ready to claim what's his—if she'll accept his help.

Marley Lockwood's done asking for help. The family farm is more than she can handle, but if she can survive a cancer scare, the loss of her parents, the abandonment by her first love, and a messy divorce, she can handle anything.

Until Sully shows up.

Although she's not interested in rekindling the love affair, she's not above accepting Sully's hands on the farm. What's the worst that could happen? They get the farm out of the red and into the black? That's her plan. They actually fall in love? The past says it won't work, so she's not hedging her bets.

Too bad Sully's not giving up this time.

This book has been re-edited for this reissue. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Megan Slayer
• Release date: Apr 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393195740

Wendi Zwaduk

Wendi Zwaduk is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to BDSM and LGBTQ themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com and the former AllRomance Ebooks. She also writes under the name of Megan Slayer. When she’s not writing, she spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice.

Book preview

Somewhere I Belong

by

Wendi Zwaduk

Somewhere I Belong by Wendi Zwaduk

Copyright © April 2020 by Wendi Zwaduk

Cover art © 2020 WZDesigns

All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the original purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without prior written permission from Megan Slayer Publications. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

Image/art disclaimer: Licensed material is being used for illustrative purposes only. Any person depicted in the licensed material is a model.

Editor: DG

Published in the United States of America

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This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Warning

This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Megan Slayer Publication’s e-books are for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

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DISCLAIMER: Please do not try any new sexual practice, especially those that might be found in our BDSM/fetish titles without the guidance of an experienced practitioner. Neither Megan Slayer Publication nor its author will be responsible for any loss, harm, injury or death resulting from use of the information contained in any of its titles.

Acknowledgements:

Mustang: Ford Motor Company

NASCAR: National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC

Allis Chalmers: AGCO Corporation

John Deere: Deere & Company

Dedication

This book is for all those who told me to write what I know. Farmers. It’s also for a handful of people who didn’t let me give up. CM, KC, Natalie, MD...thanks. To my editor, for dealing even when I thought I was over my head. Lastly, to JPZ. Somewhere I Belong is with you. Always.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Epilogue

About the Author

Dual Threat

Sullavan Tanner walked away from Jarvis, Ohio, afraid to give his heart to the woman he loved. He lived the rock and roll lifestyle, but never quite made it to the big time. Fifteen years later, he’s back and ready to claim what’s his—if she’ll accept his help.

Marley Lockwood’s done asking for help. The family farm is more than she can handle, but if she can survive a cancer scare, the loss of her parents, the abandonment by her first love, and a messy divorce, she can handle anything.

Until Sully shows up.

Although she’s not interested in rekindling the love affair, she’s not above accepting Sully’s hands on the farm. What’s the worst that could happen? They get the farm out of the red and into the black? That’s her plan. They actually fall in love? The past says it won’t work, so she’s not hedging her bets.

Too bad Sully’s not giving up this time.

Chapter One

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Going home never felt so good.

Here’s the three-fifty I owe you. Sullavan Sully Tanner handed his former band mate, Slater McGee, the seven crinkled fifty-dollar bills. Rent’s taken care of.

Gonna miss you, man. The bald man took the cash and slid it into the front pocket of his leather vest without counting it. You could’ve been big.

Fame wasn’t what I expected.

Slater nodded and leaned back in his seat. You lead with your heart, and I respect that. He folded his tattoo-emblazoned arms. What’cha want me to do with your mail?

Forward it here. Sully pulled a folded piece of paper from his wallet. I’m staying at the family farm with my sister until I find an apartment in Jarvis.

I’ll keep this in the safest place I know. Slater tucked the address in with the cash and patted the pocket. Don’t be a stranger.

With a nod, Sully strolled out of the apartment and down the three flights of stairs to his car. He smiled as he gazed at the ’82 Mustang. His baby. Before getting into the yellow muscle car, he glanced back at the slate-colored building. He’d had some great times within the crumbling walls—jam sessions, writing sessions, laughs with friends. Then there were the black times—the drugs, the women, the booze.

Can a man sink lower than zero?

In his forty-four years, he’d seen more than his share of hard living. The rock and roll scene he’d built in his mind failed to meet his expectations. Or was it the other way around? More guys than he could count had burnt out trying to be somebody. When they hit rock bottom, they either got help or got out for good.

He tossed his bag into the backseat, and the tattoo on his inner right wrist caught his eye, reminding him of his childhood sweetheart. Marley. Despite the words in Kellie’s letter, he ignored the ache in his chest. Marley couldn’t need him anymore. He slid into the driver’s seat and the cotton T-shirt rubbed his pierced nipples when he shifted.

He adjusted the garment and drew a weary sigh. The body art might have looked cool when he rocked on stage topless, but at forty-four, he wasn’t so sure. At least he could take the little barbells out, unlike the tattoo on his forearm of the name of his last band. Damn it, tattoos lasted forever.

Once he put the car into gear, he pulled into traffic and drove away from the life he’d thought he wanted.

Two hours passed as the radio stations across the state of New York kept him occupied on his drive down Route 80 towards Pennsylvania. He checked the clock. Nine-twenty.

A yawn worked its way up his throat, and his vision blurred for a split second. Time to find a motel for the night. The gold and pink light of the sunset cascaded through the window and over the cracked dashboard. Sully glanced at the tattoo on his wrist and spun the ring on his middle finger. Marley. He smiled as he thought about his best girl friend and sister-in-law.

Memories flooded his system. Marley Lockwood always made him smile. He couldn’t wait to see her. In the morning, he’d get down on his knees and beg for Marley’s forgiveness.

* * * *

Ten in the morning and my last farm hand says he wants more money or he’ll quit. Marley Lockwood raked both hands through her humidity-frizzed hair. It can’t get worse. Strike that. It can...I just hope it doesn’t.

A headache grew behind her eyes. All the things her father had worked for were slowly going up in smoke and all because she couldn’t keep help to save her life. She kicked at a larger chunk of gravel, sending the rock skittering towards the shed. Never in her forty years had the thought of giving up crossed her mind. She hadn’t given up when the doctor diagnosed her mother with cancer. Hadn’t thrown in the towel when the same doctor diagnosed her cramps as a uterine tumor, then cancer. She’d fought through the pain, the chemo, and the loss of her reproductive organs, but damn. One person could only shoulder so much, and one person certainly couldn’t run the farm. Even with Richard and Kellie next door, there was just too much work.

She took a deep breath, and a healthy dose of manure from the field filled her nostrils. The wildflowers lining the walkway danced in the breeze, and in the distance, the corn stalks swayed in a calming rhythm. At least she had her oldest brother and best friend, Kellie, next door. When Richard married Kellie Tanner, he took over the Tanner farm. Marley enjoyed having Sully’s baby sister so close. Being alone at the farmhouse wasn’t so bad when she could walk over to visit and gossip. Right now, Marley needed a healthy dose of gossip to get her mind off her troubles.

Footsteps crunched on the gravel behind her. Marley sighed. If the farm hand wanted more money for doing nothing, he could choke on a sock. I can’t pay you another dime over four hundred a week, Thomas.

Marley?

Jarred by the familiar voice, she turned. No freaking way. The object of her every sexy fantasy stood a mere three feet away. Sullavan Tanner. She stifled a shiver and pressed her thighs together. The guy knew how to get under her skin with just a look. Did he want to look at her the same way he did before?

How’ve you been, beautiful? He held his arms open. Give me love.

And fall for your old line? Marley folded her arms and chuckled to hide the old feelings welling to the surface. I’ve known you all my life. You only act slick when you want to bed a girl. She backed up a foot, needing the room to breathe. Keep me out of it.

Sully inched towards Marley, closing the gap. His gaze softened, and he tilted his head.  The very corner of his mouth crooked up. You’re passing up a chance with me?

Marley poked him in the chest. Yes. I’m done with men for a while. She snorted. Poking him wasn’t exactly payback for his walking out of her life, but in a small way, the simple act liberated her. They’re all bad news, including you.

Withdrawing a bit more, Sully put distance between them. The muscle in his jaw twitched. Ok, you got me. Truce? At least to make things a little smoother for working?

His gaze darted back and forth. "Speaking of working...um, where is everyone? Kel said she’d be over after