Book Boyfriend

By Brooklyn Knight

Simone

I’m a bestselling romance author who weaves fantastic happily-ever-afters for my readers; yet in my personal life, I’m as single as an old maid. Every guy I’ve dated has been a complete disappointment – nothing like Evan Hanson, the sexy hero who dominates the pages of my wildly popular romance series, Forever Yours. I shouldn’t use him as a goal post. It’s not like he’s a real person.

But then Jaxson shows up and I swear he’s everything I have ever wanted in a man.

I also swear down that I recognize him...

From the pages of my romance novels.

Evan

I’ve been with Simone Storm from the beginning. This woman is divine, not only because she crafted me with the meticulous strokes of her pen, but because she is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. For years, she’s tried to pair me with other women; women she thinks will make me a perfect match.

But they don’t.

I don’t want any of the women she has tried to offer me. I want her.

When an opportunity arises for me to present myself, I jump at it. Now I can see, hear, and touch her.

And now, I will help her craft a true happily-ever-after.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brooklyn Knight
• Release date: Feb 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9780463381526

Brooklyn Knight

Brooklyn Knight is a romance enthusiast who lives in the island of Bermuda and has been writing stories since she was a little girl. Over the years, her gift for designing and bringing characters to life has evolved, and she enjoys creating vivid, memorable characters and unforgettable situations. Her characters are thought-provoking and evocative; and they will draw emotion out of you like water from a well.

Book preview

Forever Yours

Evan

~Chapter One~

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The minute I laid eyes on her, there was no doubt that she was the woman I’d been waiting for my entire life. Even in my mind, that seemed a little bit rash. I’d seen tons of females and probably fucked half of them. Never once had I dared to consider any of them as being The One; but the thought filtered through my mind as I looked at this girl. It wrapped around my emotions and my intellect until it was the only thing I could think of, and the more I gawked, I realized that there was no other way to explain my feelings.

Everything about this girl demanded my attention; the way her lips curved up into a smile, the way her brown eyes were shining. Her hair was long and flowing, cascading down her back like dark, brown rain… And when she started to walk off, my eyes were drawn to the sensual sway of her hips and the way her ass rocked and rolled from side to side.

Who is she?

She had to be a freshman. I’d never seen her on campus before. If she’d been a sophomore like me, or even a senior, I would have noticed her a long time ago. In fact, I probably would have smashed her and made her another notch on my heavy belt.

Nah, she’d have to be more than a notch. Her chin was lifted too high and her shoulders were pushed back too far. She was classy and proud. A girl like this would never allow herself to fall into such a demeaning category. Hell, the more I observed her, the more I considered that I had no real desire to put her in a category like that either.

She was drawing closer to me, and I braced myself for the powerful impact. When she sashayed past, oblivious to my domineering presence, I combed my fingers through my hair and followed. Then, I called after her, desperate to gain her attention, to behold her beauty.

Excuse me, miss. I don’t mean to disturb you. I can tell you’ve got somewhere to go.

I beg your pardon? She startled to a pause and our eyes locked. Instantly, I free-fell into the glittering brown orbs that were her eyes. My mouth dried up and I opened it to say something, but for the life of me, I couldn’t string a proper sentence together.

This never happens!

Mystery Girl smiled and swiped a strand of hair behind her ear. I actually do have somewhere to go, she finally answered, eyes fluttering, like she was forcing herself to keep them on me. I was… on my way to class. She pointed over her shoulder. It starts in a couple of minutes and I don’t want to be late for it.

Yeah me too, I said. I mean, I was on my way to class too and I don’t want to be late either.

So fucking smooth…

I moistened my lips, trying to put together a script that was more effective than the one I was currently sputtering. My name is Evan, I said, gazing into her face, but all my friends call me Ev.

We’re not friends.

But we can be, I threw back at her. That’s why I’m introducing myself. I’m hoping we can be friends. At the very least, we can link on social media.

I don’t do social media, she proclaimed. I’m too busy studying and as far as I can tell, it’s pointless. Friending people who you don’t see, or who don’t speak to you in real life? It’s ridiculous.

I grinned at her logic.

Mystery Girl wet her lips and my eyes shot to the motion. Damn, I wished I could be on the tip of her tongue.

She paused, still unsure. It’s… nice to meet you, Ev.

Likewise, I said, noticing that she had yet to share her details. I advanced the conversation. I noticed you walking by and figured you were new to the school. If you ever need help finding your way around, I’m your guy.

Her eyes narrowed.

What’s your name?

Mystery Girl observed me carefully, and when her gaze slipped over my shoulder, I turned to see what she was looking at. Of course, a group of females, headed by the last person I was trying to bump into, had congregated behind me.

Kelly fucking Jakes.

I clenched my teeth, determined to ignore her and them, but when I turned back to look at Mystery Girl, her jaw was set tighter than mine.

My name isn’t important, she presumed, pressing the books closer to her chest, but her titties were so plush, the books were still inches off her body. But it was certainly nice to meet you, Ev, she finalized; and then she waved and walked away.

My body tensed as she strode into the distance, hips rolling like waves the entire time.

A female had never dismissed me like this. I’d never not gotten a girl’s name, number or panties. I wanted all three from this one, but she was different, she didn’t play games. She’d probably gotten one look at Kelly and her crew and labeled me as the kind of guy she wanted to stay away from.

I couldn’t blame her. I could blame Kelly.

I turned around to shoot an icy glare in Kelly’s direction, but she’d disappeared. Hopefully she stayed gone, because I was intent on finding Mystery Girl again, and I didn’t need Kelly cock-blocking.

Chapter One

Simone

The line was finally dwindling and the realization that my first-ever book signing was coming to an end delivered a bittersweet emotion. It was sweet because I’d experienced an entire day of enthusiastic readers screaming my name, swooning into my face, declaring their undying adoration for both me and my characters. The number of booklovers who’d told me they’d read each of my novels was too many to count. Most of my readers were women, which meant that, even though I’d developed a full complement of characters over the past two years, none resonated so clearly with my fanbase as my dashing hero, Evan Hanson .

Evan was an echelon beyond a deity. I’d created him to be that way: chiseled and toned, with the perfect eyes and the perfect hair. He was as tall as his ego and more charming than the Prince himself. A sprinkle of fairy dust and a wave of my magical Montblanc wand was all it had taken to draft up the sultry god-man. Evan was my prized possession and he was every woman’s dream, both in real life as well as in between the pages.

And that was the one and only problem with him: no matter how much I wrote or how hard I plotted, I couldn’t get his fine ass to settle the hell down. How many heroines had I outlined? Eleven of them! I’d even tried to put him in a ménage situation, thinking if I couldn’t lock him down with one, I’d give him two. Hell, that’s the world we live in, and ménage is hot and sexy; but the bastard hadn’t been interested in any of the women. In fact, in that scene, Evan had awakened the next day and left them in the hotel room to do whatever the hell they wanted – he hadn’t cared and he hadn’t looked back. No woman I could create was sufficient, and now, with another deadline looming, I was dealing with writer’s block like never before.

Damn, Ev.

This was the challenge of being character driven. I could only write what my characters told me to, and if they didn’t speak, I didn’t write. It was literally as plain and as simple as that. The last few months had seen me preoccupied with the book signing and whatever else my manager, Dinah, had slipped into my agenda, but every now and then, I’d try to summon Evan in my mind.

He’d been quiet for days…

The last of the readers walked away after I’d signed their copy of my latest release and the head honcho of security marched behind them swinging a heavy ring of keys.

I exhaled, partially relieved that it had come to an end, but also conscious of the impending deadline and the stress that would come with trying to meet it.

Storm. The security man’s voice yanked me out of my head. You’re all done, and I know it’s been a long-ass day, but there’s a reader who’s begging me to let her in. He threw his thumb over his shoulder, and that’s when I saw a lady peering through the glass doors. She was staring at me, holding my latest release in her hands, but I couldn’t help but think that her presence didn’t fit the romance reader prototype.

She was a beautiful woman, but something about her looked a little wild, like she’d seen the back side of a mental institution a few times. Her fire-red hair was cut into a severe, blunt style, and I couldn’t help but notice the resolute glare in her eyes. She looked like she was a few cards short of a full deck, but who was I to judge? She was a reader, and everyone needed the escape of romance, even someone like her. If she was this hell bent on meeting me, there was no way I could turn her way.

Let her in, I instructed the security man, trying to smile through my fatigue. One more won’t hurt, right?

His response was a gruff grunt, as if he’d have made a different decision; but this was for my readers. Yes, I was busted, and yes, I was ready for some R-and-R, but who knew when I’d be back in the city for a signing? I lived a few hours out and I didn’t get here often. The hustle and bustle was often too much for me. I preferred to keep things quiet.

The security man yanked the door open and the woman had barely crossed the threshold before he was shoving a key into the lock.

I frowned. He wasn’t part of my team, but I’d definitely talk to Dinah about him. That wasn’t the kind of energy I was trying to give off. She was famous for hosting long-ass meetings with agendas that spanned the better part of two pages. Adding security to the list wouldn’t be a big deal for her.

The woman proceeded to my table, and the fact that her demeanor was different compared to all the other readers I’d met that day could not be ignored. In fact, the level look on her face almost implied that she didn’t even want to be there. I wrote interracial romance, so maybe she wasn’t a fan of the whole racial mixing thing. My females were strong and ethnic, and my heroes were alpha and tanned, and there were people who didn’t support that; but if that was the case, why had she bothered to come?

Are you Simone Storm? she asked. Her voice matched her look – steely and cold.

In the flesh, was my response. Damn! Sis was chillier than the September wind whipping up in the streets, but there was no way I’d let her rain on my fabulous parade.

My eyes dropped to the book in her hands and I noticed that, not only was it not my most recent release, it looked like she’d read it a million times. The edges were tattered and worn, and I could see where several pages had been dog-eared, like she’d been taking copious notes.

Her gaze followed mine and, almost unnaturally, she stuck out her arm, pushing the book over the table without saying a word.

I guess you don’t have my newest release, I supposed, trying to spark a genuine conversation and lighten the mood. This one is my debut. I wrote it a year ago. I’ve written another book since then.

So, I heard, she said. I searched high and low for it, but everywhere was sold out.

You could have gotten it online, I suggested.

True, she agreed, but I’m one of those people who likes the friction of the pages between my fingers. Her voice was unenthusiastic. Besides, when I heard you’d be having a book signing, I wanted to come straight to the author, see you face to face; feel your energy.

Okay…

I twisted a little in my seat. Well, since you’re the last reader of the day, how about I throw in a copy of my latest? I didn’t wait for a response as I reached over into a nearly empty box and grabbed a hardcover copy of my second book. Then I twisted the end of my pen and flipped the book open. Anything in particular you want me to write? I asked. You just made it through the door, and it seems like it was really important for you to meet me. Maybe you want something really special and personalized in the cover. I grinned into the woman’s face but was only greeted with stark blue eyes and a quizzical look.

Damn!

Yeah, maybe you should write something in it, she considered, as if she hadn’t thought of the possibility, and then she paused, deep in contemplation. After a minute, she had an answer: "Write: To Evan, Forever Yours."

Okay… I scribbled the message on the inside of both books but tried to hide my bewilderment about her request.

To Evan? Like he was a real guy and she was the only woman he would ever need? This bitch looked and sounded like a looney toon. Sure, I talked to Evan on a regular basis, but he was my property. The thought of another woman laying claim to him like this rubbed me wrong.

That doesn’t even make sense. Why the hell are you taking offense to this reader? Evan is every woman’s book boyfriend. You need to relax, Storm.

I finished scribing the strange message and penned my fancy signature and date at the bottom. Then I smiled and snapped the book closed, pushing it back across the table. I hope you enjoy it, I said.

If Evan is in it, I will, was the response.

My smile stiffened.

Are you from here? the woman asked, sliding the books into a fancy purse.

"I’m from around here," I said cautiously, not wanting to go into detail. I never divulged personal information to readers, but this chick clearly wasn’t working with a full deck.

Figured, she said. It feels like I know you.

Her comment forced the reality of my unique situation to the surface, but I shoved the nagging emotions to the side. Maybe you’ve seen me in the newspaper, I said, easing away from the topic of my personal details. I’ve been on TV a few times too.

No, she said shaking her head. Her eyes narrowed. I feel like it’s more than that.

Our eyes were glued, as if we were trying to place each other, but that was the problem: I couldn’t remember anything, no matter how hard I tried.

Shit, now the nagging emotions were back, the ones I tried to evade on a regular basis. It had been a good day. I wasn’t trying to deal with any of this. This woman had come and brought her negative aura into my Happy Place, but I pinned a smile onto my face and tried to ignore the way my throat was burning.

I’m grateful for your support, I said, bringing the interaction to a swift close, and I hope you enjoy my new release.

The security man was right: I should have left well enough alone.

I started to push my chair back, but the woman wasn’t catching my hints. What are you working on now?

I inhaled and eased back into my seat. That’s the million-dollar question, I answered. I’m actually waiting on my muse to tell me what I’m working on.

Your muse?

Evan, I explained, the guy who forever belongs to you. I laughed but she didn’t join in. She was inanimate.

He tells me what to write, I explained, trying to reduce the crazy wafting in the space between us, but I haven’t heard from him in a few months, so unfortunately, I’ve been unable to write anything meaningful. I hope I hear from him soon. The minute he shows up, I’ll be able to write the next story.

The woman’s eye twitched.

But it was really nice to meet you… I waited for her to fill in the blank.

Red, she finally said.

Makes sense, but…

Is that your real name?

Red chuckled and her fingers tightened on the straps of her bag. You’ll find out my real name in due course, she answered.

What?

Before I could consider asking for clarification, she turned on her heel and headed for the door, which the security man quickly opened.

Chapter Two

Simone

D idn’t I tell you? the security man snapped, turning the key a second time. That woman was freakier than fucking Friday. You should’ve left her ass right on the sidewalk.

I was usually a huge fan of alliterations, but my mind was still stuck on Red. I couldn’t deny that she’d been a weird one. I rarely encountered that type. There’d been one time I’d received an email from a fan who wanted to meet up for coffee – that