The Climax Chronicles

By Garnell Wallace

Six steamy interconnecting stories featuring four friends and their journeys to true love and happiness while battling their demons and learning to let go of the past. 

Crimson Island is the last place in the world Calla Crane wants to be. She's only back to fix up her parents' dilapidated property and see her best friend. She hates that she's now the topic of conversation on an island where gossip is the national pastime, and the curious stares ask why she's back without the husband she so defiantly left town with. She keeps her head down on her checklist, and her plan works until she hires Diego Luna to landscape her yard.

Diego is gorgeous. However, the last thing Calla needs is another gorgeous man. Her defenses drop a little bit more when she learns Diego is also very sensitive when he offers her a broad shoulder to cry on, and any other part of his body she'd like to have.

Calla can't trust the desire in his eyes, even as her body clamors for him. She finds it hard to believe that a man as beautiful as Diego would want a woman with some extra pounds and extra baggage when even the man she'd married had repeatedly cheated on her. She finally gives in and accepts the solace and pleasure Diego offers while her shattered heart and damaged ego look on in suspicion. How can she trust a man who wants so much from her, yet emotionally gives her nothing of himself?

Creed Dawson is most women's idea of the perfect man. Tall, sexy and rich as hell, he has a little black book of women clamoring to be at his side. Jillian Perkins isn't one of those women. The adjectives she would use to describe Creed are arrogant, rude, and annoying AF. Even his money can't redeem him in her eyes, because, like she so boldly told him, unlike him, she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Unfortunately, she does need Creed to feature one of her plays at his new mega-hotel, which will never happen if her temper keeps getting in the way. Creed just rubs her the wrong way, and the right way too, which is a serious problem for her. It goes against everything she believes in to fall for a rich bastard like Creed. As these two fall into bed and fall deeper into each other, dark secrets come to light. Will the bright lights blind them to the truth of what they really mean to each other? 

Bronte Manley is a woman on the run, and if her past ever catches up with her, she's a dead woman. Crimson Island is supposed to be a temporary place, a moment to catch her breath before moving on. Through a series of mistakes, she stays long enough to make friends, and then, Liam Cadwell walked into her life.
Liam was the opposite of what she'd always known, a man with a dog who knew how to make great coffee and chocolate chip cookies. Bronte craves a moment's respite, a taste of something new in a good man's arms.
She soon learns that even a good boy can have a dark side, and the man in whose arms she feels so alive, may be the most dangerous person she's ever known.

Jessica Munroe has never been anywhere or done anything her deeply religious family has not deemed worthy of a good Christian girl. When she finally steps away from her family's dogma, she goes all the way to the dark side where she meets Kane Morley.
Kane Morley is enigmatic, sexy, and something more than human. What he requires of Jessica is akin to selling her soul to the devil. Jessica soon learns that even the holiest people are touched by darkness and to make things right; she has to be willing to give Kane her body and soul.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Garnell Wallace
• Release date: Mar 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393482796

Garnell Wallace

Growing up, I didn’t dream about being a writer, mainly because I didn’t know I could become one. I fell in love with books to the point where they became my friends, going everywhere with me like a trusted side-kick. So I still find it amazing that I can actually write books which hopefully will become treasured companions to other readers. I love writing sexy paranormal romances and I hope my stories will provide readers with a wonderful escape into a fascinating world with characters they will care about.

Book preview

SHATTERED HEARTS

Vol 1

They could share everything except their shattered hearts.

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 1

Hello, my name is Calla Crane, and I am a complete fraud.

Calla critically scrutinized herself in the full-length mirror on her bathroom door for what seemed like the hundredth time and again found something to criticize. Her carefully applied foundation and concealer had added a soft glow to her creamy skin, and also hid the smattering of freckles across her cheeks and nose. The two coats of voluminous mascara made her naturally long and thick eyelashes even more dramatic, especially since they were such a stark contrast to her ice-blue eyes, which were a little red because she hadn’t been sleeping much lately. Her full lips were painted a deep, vibrant red even though her mother used to say only whores wore bright red lipstick. Her wavy black hair cascaded down to the center of her back. She’d always liked long hair because she could disappear behind it, and it hid her fat face-and she could go on and on.

Someone had once told her that she would’ve made a perfect Snow White- if she could just drop forty pounds. Calla sucked in her stomach even though she had on shapewear. No matter how thin she looked, she would never be small. Some days she didn’t mind; however, usually, she saw all her flaws.

Fuck it! she snapped even though she was far from confident. Ever since she’d moved back home a month ago, her self-confidence had been shot to hell. Though she could admit that her self-esteem had taken a sharp nosedive long before she ever decided to pack up her life and crawl back home like the prodigal daughter. A husband who cheats on you one too many times could do that to a woman. She turned from her problems in the mirror and slipped on white mules to match her summer dress and donned her wide-brimmed hat with the black ribbon which trailed down her back.

This is as much of a society lady as I’ll ever be.  She wasn’t a society woman and she should not have joined the Crimson Charity Club. She picked up her little straw purse from her bed and walked through her centuries-old Victorian mansion out into the summer heat. She walked over to her red 1974 Chevrolet convertible and wished she could drive with the top down.  Her joy ride would have to wait because she couldn’t have one hair out of place. She tried not to look at the overgrown yard, which had once been her mother’s pride and joy. It had turned into a real jungle since her mother’s death a year earlier.

Calla wanted to restore the grounds to their former glory as a tribute to her mother, but she just didn’t have the money. Her parents had died basically penniless because they’d spent all their money trying to upkeep an image they couldn’t have afforded anymore. They were not the only family in town who’d looked rich but didn’t have much more than two pennies to rub together.

At least her parents hadn’t been willing to sell their souls for a dollar. No matter how bad things had gotten, her mother had refused to sell the family jewels. Calla had a sizeable fortune in family heirlooms sitting in a bank. There had been a time when the Cranes had been a wealthy and proud family; however, the money had eventually run out. Calla was determined not to spend her life trying to impress the residents of Crimson. She would be gone soon enough. She was still debating whether she should just fix up the house and sell it. She could use the money to relocate to a city where the gossip hounds didn’t watch her every move. If she sold the family jewels and the house she’d have a pretty good nest egg.

However, as much as she hated the town, Calla loved her family’s house, and the jewels were about more than money; they were about family and legacy. They had been passed down for five generations. They had been worn for special occasions and then returned to their secret place. Calla had worn a dainty pair of diamonds for her wedding, and she hadn’t been to the vault since. Hopefully, life would give her more occasions which warranted a trip to the bank, and she hoped to one day have a child of her own so she could pass them down. Although, that didn’t seem like it would ever happen.

She pushed the sad thoughts out of her mind and pulled out of the driveway while listening to Janis Joplin. Today more than any other day, she wished she could be a rebel like Janis. But she didn’t have the courage, so she just tried to fit in with the rest of the residents of Crimson for whom everything was about appearances. Even the town took its name from the beautiful crimson azaleas which bloomed like wildflowers during the colder months. At this time of the year though when temperatures could reach unbearable degrees, the trees were nothing more than dried sticks, except for the people who had enough money to manipulate the plants to bloom all year. Those people took great pride in showing off their yards to the less fortunate.

Driving through the immaculate little island of Crimson, a sea island off the South Carolina coast, Calla recalled how badly she’d wanted to get out and see the world. The town was too small, and so were the minds of the people. Most of the families could trace their lineage back to the original inhabitants of the town, which was established in eighteen-eighty-six. Crimson had a rich history peppered with folktales about witches, ghosts and demons, all of which was said to roam the woods at night. Calla had never seen any paranormal beings though she’d met a lot of monsters over the years and the town had become unbearable. Yet here she was back home after a failed marriage and business. She knew people were talking about her, and it was hard not to care.

The Crimson Charity Club was one of the oldest ladies clubs in town and was quite prolific in charity works. Her mother and grandmother had been members, and she’d felt obligated to join in memory of them. Agatha Crane had risen all the way to president of the league and Calla intended to follow in her footsteps, no matter how torturous it was. It was also nice to focus on other people for a change since she tended to get wrapped up in her own misery far too often. Being back in Crimson wasn’t by choice.

Her dream had been to see the world, take beautiful photographs and have an amazing life with her husband. He’d drifted into town the summer she’d turned eighteen, and when he’d rolled out like the rolling stone he still was, she’d rolled right along with him. Twelve years and probably ten affairs later, she was back home again. At least now she could concentrate fully on her career because during her marriage she’d spent most of her time running the office of Troy’s auto shop.

As soon as she pulled into the parking lot of The Crimson Yacht Club, Calla spotted her best friend, Jillian leaning against her bright yellow jeep. Unlike Calla, Jillian was very attractive with a petite figure thanks to good genes and a lifetime of ballet. She had olive skin and slightly slanted eyes courtesy of her Polynesian grandmother, so she always looked tanned and fabulous. They’d become fast friends because Jillian’s grandfather had married that foreign woman and set the local tongues wagging. Jillian had therefore been labeled as different, while Calla had been labeled as fat.

Calla knew Jillian was waiting for her to mingle with the mostly older members of the society league. The best friends secretly called them crones in reference to their ages and the fact that they liked to pick at every little thing. Calla pulled in alongside Jillian. Jillian jumped on her as soon as she got out of the car.

I thought you were going to leave me to face those old crones all by myself!

Calla laughed and pushed her away. How were you handling them until I came back into town a month ago?

Jillian grinned. I wasn’t. I rarely went to any meetings, and when I did, I loaded up on the booze.

Calla gave her a stern look. One o’clock on a Saturday afternoon is a little too early for drinking, don’t you think?

Jillian shrugged slim, elegant shoulders. It’s five o’clock somewhere.

Calla shook her head and rolled her eyes.  Your high society mother must be so proud.

Jillian giggled. She’s never suspected a thing. Still, I’m happy that she and dad have been spending so much time in Paris. It’s a relief to get her off my back.

Calla linked her arm through Jillian’s. Okay, wino, let’s have lunch. Calla stopped as she remembered what she wanted to talk to Jillian about. Do you know where I can find an inexpensive gardener? I don’t want to discuss it with the other ladies because I’m sure they all know someone expensive.

Jillian patted her hand. Don’t worry; I know the perfect guy. He’s good and reasonably priced because he only recently started his business. I have his card. She stopped and fished a business card out of her purse and handed it to Calla. He did the landscaping for my new theatre and did a fabulous job.

Calla dropped the card into her purse without looking at it. Then I’ll be sure to give him a call as soon as I get back home.

Lunch with the ten other women of the charity was the usual mix of business talk and gossip.  Calla and Jillian drank wine coolers and gave each other looks only they could understand. Calla didn’t like how so many people were food for fodder, and she could only imagine what they said about her when she wasn’t around. She was very relieved when the meeting came to an end.

Maybe one day you can host lunch at your home, Mrs. Elderberry, the league’s current president, said to Calla as they all stood up to leave. Each member does so from time to time.

Calla blushed when she thought about the condition of her house and yard. I need a little time to get everything in order.

Mrs. Elderberry patted her arm. No rush dear, just so you know.

As soon as she got back home, Calla took the card out of her purse and called the landscaper who said he had some free time and could come over to look at her yard. While she waited, Calla changed out of her dress into a white tank top and white shorts and pulled her hair up into a messy bun. It was such a relief to get the heavy tresses off of her neck. It was steamy hot despite it being only May. That meant the summer would be a scorcher, just like it was every year. The wet heat was something you just never got used to. Then she made lemonade with lemons from her tree. It’d taken rambling through a thicket of dried trees just to get to the lemon tree, so she was in desperate need of a gardener.

She walked to the front door when she heard the sound of an approaching vehicle and watched as a massive black truck pulled up next to her car. Calla almost stopped breathing when the driver stepped down out of the truck and started walking towards her.

He was without a doubt, the sexiest thing she’d ever seen on two legs. He was super tall; she would guess at least six-four, with broad shoulders and massive arms, although it didn’t look like he spent countless hours in the gym pumping iron. He was sleek and moved with an easy grace.

Miss Calla Crane? I’m Diego Luna.

He held out his right hand, and Calla felt downright petite when she placed her much smaller hand in his. His hand was rough, a real working man’s hand, and she imagined the contrast would feel delicious against her soft breast. She felt heat stain her face. Where the hell had that thought come from?

It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Luna, she croaked.

He smiled, showing perfect white teeth. Please, call me Diego.

She smiled back. Then you must call me Calla. Ms. Crane makes me feel old. He looked to be around the same age as she at thirty.

His dark brown eyes slowly traveled down her body. I don’t think there’s anything old about you.

Calla blushed and cleared her throat. Uh, one very old thing is my garden. Let me show you the sad state of affairs.

She walked down the steps and started pointing out what she wanted done in the front yard. It could’ve been just her imagination, but Calla was sure she felt Diego’s eyes on her ass as she walked ahead of him. She suddenly felt very self-conscious. Was he admiring her backside, or did he just noticed how big it was? Calla had never been happy with the size of her butt.  She watched Diego as he took notes in a little black spiral notebook. He asked lots of questions and offered creative solutions Calla hadn’t even thought of when she’d created her designs. She liked his ideas; she just wished he didn’t look at her so intensely. Her back was stiff as they walked to the rear of the house where her parents had fruit and vegetable gardens as well as a pond where they used to keep fish and turtles. The pond was dried up now, and the backyard just looked sad, just as sad as she felt.

Okay, I’ll write up a proposal and deliver it to you tomorrow, Diego told her once they were back in the front yard. What time will be good for me to come by?

I have a photo shoot in the morning, but I’ll be home by three, Calla told him.

Diego smiled. I’d love to see some of your work sometime.

Sure, Calla answered noncommittally. She hadn’t liked how he’d looked at her ass yet she found herself looking at his as he walked back to his truck. The difference was that his was perfect. She sighed as she watched him drive away. She’d been so uncomfortable in his presence that she’d completely forgotten to offer him some lemonade.

The following morning Calla was up early to prepare for her photo shoot. She was out the door before the sun came up and heading out to the beach to capture the sunrise and the wedding of a young couple. As she documented their new life together throughout the day, Calla reflected on her own wedding. She and Troy had eloped because her parents had disapproved of their relationship and Troy had no close family. Still, she’d been so happy. She hoped the young couple would always be as happy as they were on their wedding day.

She was a little melancholy by the time she got back home and gave in to a hot bath and a good cry as she reflected on her broken marriage. She would never get married again, or give her heart to any man. When she was ready, she would find someone to share her body and life with, but her heart would always remain off-limits.

When she opened the door to Diego, Calla realized she hadn’t hidden her crying as well as she’d thought she had because his beautiful eyes narrowed.

Are you all right? he inquired.

I’m fine, she muttered and took a step back to let him in. When he passed her, she got a whiff of something dark and spicy, and her stomach quivered in response. Diego looked delicious in a white T-shirt and faded blue jeans which looked soft and well worn and hugged that amazing backside and his muscular legs like a second skin.

Are you married?

Calla gasped after she’d asked the question and she felt heat stain her face. She didn’t know why she’d asked such a thing. She found him attractive, but a man as handsome as Diego would never be attracted to a woman like her. He looked too good, and she was too fat and broken.

He didn’t seem surprised by her question. No, I’m not married, and I don’t have a girlfriend. I don’t do relationships.

Why not?  She had already gone too far so she might as well continue down the rabbit hole and see exactly where it would lead. Besides, she needed to veer off memory lane.

Diego shrugged broad shoulders. I just don’t.

He walked closer to her, and Calla stepped back until she came up against the door. He came right up to her until they were touching. Even at five-eight, Calla had to crank her neck up to look into Diego’s eyes. His hard body came up against her soft curves, and she suddenly lost the ability to stand on her own. Diego grabbed her arms when she started to slide down. Her breathing was ragged, and her body twitched as if it was begging for him. She’d never been so instantly attracted to anyone in her life, not even her husband.

Did you recently get out of a relationship, Calla? You have that look about you.

Calla grimaced. What look is that; the sad, nobody wants me kind of look?

No, you just seem very vulnerable. Who was the asshole who hurt you, Calla? he probed softly.

Calla licked her lips. She suddenly wanted to pour her heart out to him. All of her friends had heard her sad story, and she’d stopped boring them with it. She wanted this lovely man to tell her that it wasn’t her fault; that her husband had cheated on her because he was a cheating son of a bitch and not because she was fat and boring in bed. A part of her was flattered at how he looked at her like she was cake and he had a major sweet tooth; a big, throbbing sweet tooth right in those tight jeans.

Calla gasped. She was appalled at her train of thought. Somehow she found the strength to push Diego away and moved around him. She noticed that she’d dropped the envelope with his proposal on the floor. She bent down and picked it up.

I think this is very unprofessional, don’t you? I hope you don’t do this with all your clients. Is this how you compete with the big guys?

Diego held his hands up and then stepped away from her. Forgive me, I saw a beautiful woman in distress, and I wanted to help. I won’t touch you again; after this last time. He pushed up her chin and glared into her eyes. My parents came to this country from Spain with nothing and became successful, so I know about hard work, and that’s what gets me jobs, not my cock. No pussy is good enough to tarnish what I’ve worked so hard to achieve. Let me also inform you that I don’t have to compete with anyone. I had a big company in New York. However, my parents wanted to retire in here, and I wanted to be close to them. He leaned in closer. See, I put people above business, but we can keep it all business if that’s what you want. Besides, you’re the one who made it personal.

Calla felt like such a fool, though before she could apologize, Diego stalked out to his truck and sped down the driveway.

Calla released the breath she’d been holding and moved to the front window to watch him leave. Once again, her insecurities had gotten the better of her. Diego clearly was attracted to her. Why was it so hard to believe that a man like him could be attracted to a woman like her? Troy had wounded her so profoundly, but she couldn’t allow him to have so much power and presence in her life still. It was like they were still married for Christ sake! She had to find a way to make it up to Diego.

––––––––

Early the next morning, Calla went to Diego’s office bearing gifts. She was surprised by how big it was and double-checked the address to make sure she had the right place. The two-story glass structure with green wooden shutters didn’t look like an office, and the front section actually turned out to be a store with plants and related products for sale.

A young woman with platinum-blonde hair, bright blue eyes, large green earrings, and a green apron approached her with a dimpled smile.

Can I help you with anything? she asked.

Calla returned her smile. I’m looking for Diego.

The other woman eyed her curiously. He’s in a meeting, but he should be finished in a few minutes, and I’ll let him know you’re here. What’s the name?

Calla Crane.

The woman nodded. Just look around, and I’ll be right back.

Calla walked around the store, which looked like a large greenhouse. It was filled with color, and the high ceilings accommodated quite large plants. Flower pots hung from the ceiling and flowers spilled out of overturned large vases and twisted around iron gates with intricate millwork. She could see Diego’s eye in everything, and she loved his esthetic and the design he’d created for her yard.

Calla?

She started at the sound of Diego’s voice. Her name was like a dark caress on his tongue. She spun around to face him, and the sight of him took her breath away. Today he wore a green T-shirt and black jeans and the green brought out the green flecks in his beautiful eyes.

She managed a smile. Diego, hi. She looked around. Is there somewhere we can talk?"

He nodded. Let’s go upstairs to my office.

On their way to Diego’s office, a man emerged from large double doors to the right and walked towards them. Calla stopped in her tracks and stared at him. She’d thought Diego was tall, dark and handsome. However, this man had him beat by a few inches, and his features were more refined. He had dark eyes just like Diego, but his were piercing, and they’d zeroed in on her to the point where Calla felt like she was the only one in the room.

Are you ready for our meeting?

Calla stared at him in confusion.

Give me ten minutes, Diego answered in a clipped voice.

Then she realized that he was talking to Diego even though his eyes never left her face. He held out his hand. I’m Maxim, Diego’s business partner.

Calla took his hand and felt a shock all through her system. Still, she managed to introduce herself.

Where have you been hiding this little beauty? Maxim asked Diego.

Diego took her hand out of Maxim’s. Ten minutes. I’ll come to your office. He pulled Calla away.

They were quiet going up the flight of stairs, though Calla had so many questions about Maxim. She’d felt like a gazelle between two lions. She hadn’t mistaken the tension between the two men, but since she hadn’t cleared the air with Diego as yet, Calla didn’t know how to ask him any questions. She distracted herself by taking the opportunity to watch Diego’s backside. At the top of the stairs, Diego opened a door and then stepped back for her to precede him. As she passed, Calla once again caught a hint of something dark and spicy, with just a touch of sweetness. She wanted to linger next to him and inhale his aroma. The man was too delicious.

She walked into a space filled with books, plants, and sexy black furniture. Diego stayed by the door while she propped a hip on his desk.

What did you want to talk to me about?

He folded his arms across his broad chest, and Calla took that as a sign that he was being guarded and she couldn’t blame him after their last conversation.

She sighed. I came to apologize for how I treated you yesterday. You were kind, and I was completely out of line.

Diego shook his head. I should never have gotten that close or touch you like that. I take great pride in my business, and I jeopardized it yesterday by going too far.

Calla smiled. So can we agree just to put this behind us and move on? She held her breath when he didn’t immediately answer. He looked down at the floor and then back up at her.

I can’t hide the fact that I’m attracted to you, Calla. I know you’re attracted to me, but you’re not comfortable with it, which is why you acted like that. I don’t do drama either, so I think it would be best if you looked for another landscaper.

Calla’s heart fell. I can’t afford another landscaper. She couldn’t tell him that the thought of not seeing him again was as disappointing as the thought of not getting his amazing design.

He pushed away from the door and slowly walked over to her. He didn’t stop until his legs touched her knees.

Tell me that you don’t want me, Calla.

Calla’s first thought was to lie. She was scared shitless by how much she wanted him. She didn’t know why she was so afraid. Diego wasn’t whispering sweet promises he couldn’t keep. He wanted her. If she