If You Need Me: The Ashford Legacy, Book 1 Page 10

  “Rayna?”

  She looked straight at him, but there was dread in her eyes. Whether it was from seeing him or being so far from home, he didn’t know. “Kyle…” she whispered.

  He swallowed again, his heart ripping open in his chest at just the sight of her. “Yes?”

  “You forgot your backpack.”

  He blinked at the bag she extended, his mind too bewildered to send the signal to his hand to reach out and take it from her. What did this mean? There was no fucking way she could have come this far just to—

  “And…I love you.” She dropped the pack and slumped against the door as though the journey or the proclamation had completely sapped her strength. “I don’t care if you’re rich or poor or if you’ve dated half of the supermodels in North America. I know who you are, and I am in love with you.”

  Her words sank in—and he pounced. He couldn’t help it, couldn’t act suave or dignified or make her pay for crushing his soul. He scooped her off her feet and carried her to the couch, not waiting to spread her out on the plush green velvet before he was already kissing her. He took her lips like he was starving—nipping, biting, thrusting his tongue into her sweet mouth.

  His hand gripped the back of her head, coveting, protecting. “Don’t ever push me away again. I didn’t think I would survive it the last time, and I can’t go through that again. I need you so fucking bad—and it’s not smart to need you like that unless you’re prepared to go the distance with me.”

  One small hand came around his back and the other cupped his ass as he settled himself over her. She kissed his neck and pulled his lips to hers again, kissing him like she needed him just as much, like his love was held safe in her arms. “I’d go to hell and back to be with you—and I’m pretty sure I just did.”

  He laughed against her lips, then kissed her again. “We’re together now, like we’re supposed to be. I promise you, Ray—it’s all heaven from here on out.”

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to my friends and family who've stuck by me on this crazy writing adventure. Thank you to my agent, Becca Stumpf, whose enthusiasm for my work keeps me smiling and forging ahead. And thank you to my editor, Jennifer Miller, whose keen insight makes my books so much better and whose steadfast support makes my publishing journey a joy. You all mean the world to me.

  About the Author

  Cassi Carver lives in sunny Southern California with two dogs, four kids and a hubby who gives great massages. She gets to the Gaslamp Quarter for research (okay, happy hour) as often as possible. She’s never saved the world, but she keeps sexy boots on hand just in case the opportunity arises.

  When she’s not busy plotting or writing, Cassi enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, caring for pets, getting outdoors and watching sappy movies that deliver reliably happy endings.

  Website: www.cassicarver.com

  E-mail: cassicarver1@gmail.com

  Twitter: @CassiCarver

  Facebook: CassiCarverAuthor

  Pinterest: cassicarver/boards

  Or friend her on Goodreads.com

  Look for these titles by Cassi Carver

  Now Available:

  The Shadow Slayers

  Slayer’s Kiss

  Shadow Rising

  The Silverwing’s Sorceress

  Dark Flight

  Coming Soon:

  The Ashford Legacy

  If You Want Me

  If You Love Me

  Revenge wasn’t supposed to be this sweet…

  If You Want Me

  © 2014 Cassi Carver

  The Ashford Legacy, Book 2

  Sara Castillo has sworn never to get sucked into the world of the rich and famous, not after billionaire Benjamin Swayne broke her heart and left her carrying the burden of their shared secret.

  Now Sara has a successful career working with her dear friend, Kyle Ashford, and her life runs like a well-oiled machine—until Kyle chooses Ben as his best man. No way will Sara let the renowned bad boy turn Kyle’s bachelor party into a front-page fiasco. She’s going to plan the party herself…even if she has to blackmail Ben into agreeing.

  Ben isn’t thrilled about working with a woman who’d like to shank him and dump his body in a roadside ditch. But he’s willing to let Sara meddle, if only to teach her a lesson. And if the sight and scent of his old flame still makes his head swim…well, tough.

  After Kyle’s party is wrapped up, Ben may finally be able to put Sara in the past. That is, if their time together doesn’t convince them they have a future.

  Warning: This book contains a woman who likes being in control, a billionaire who likes to make her lose it, and enough sex toys to satisfy an army.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for If You Want Me:

  Benjamin Swayne was a disgusting man. How could so many people miss this fact and label him as charming instead? How could they look at the tall, sculpted physique, the sandy-blond hair, the finely tailored tuxedo and not see the worthless human being underneath? Sara had fallen victim to that charm eight long years ago, and her heart still had the scars to prove it.

  Never again. That was her motto when it came to Benjamin Swayne and men like him. Never. Again.

  Sara tapped a finger to the screen of her tablet, putting it to sleep and clutching it to her chest so she could better glare out at the dance floor through the strings of twinkly lights. The botanical gardens couldn’t be prettier, and everything was going as planned for the engagement party, but still, she couldn’t peel her gaze from Swayne and the six-foot-tall lingerie model grinding against him.

  The six-foot-tall drunk lingerie model grinding against him.

  And the lingerie model label wasn’t a jealous barb. Sara had seen this woman on the cover of the bra magazine she’d recently gotten in the mail, though she doubted the model still sported the same jewel-encrusted brassiere. No, the silk dress the model wore was so thin and transparent that the rhinestones would have shone through the fabric, but the only things poking through tonight were the woman’s nipples. Disgusting. Yep. She’d called it. They were a perfect pair.

  “Hey, Sara. What are you doing over here? Time to join the party.”

  The voice from behind her jolted Sara to attention. She turned to see the bride-to-be staring back at her, looking so beautiful in her aqua evening gown and little satin hat. If guests thought it strange that Rayna Sommers wore a hat at night, they no doubt chocked it up to the eccentricity of the filthy rich…or those marrying the filthy rich, as the case was.

  Rayna crossed her arms and gave Sara a playfully stern look. Sara knew Rayna pretty well now, seeing as Rayna was marrying Sara’s boss, Kyle Ashford, and she could tell Rayna wasn’t truly annoyed.

  Sara smiled. “Of course I will.”

  Of course she wouldn’t.

  She could mingle when she had to, but these weren’t her people. Rayna’s humble upbringing had been closer to Sara’s, but soon Rayna would be marrying into one of the ten richest families in America, and things would change, as they invariably did with the newly rich and famous. “I was just checking the guest list to see who had RSVP’d but hadn’t shown up.”

  Rayna cocked her brow. “Uh-huh. You had that list memorized as the cars pulled into the lot, categorized by license plate. No, it looked more to me like you were staring at Benjamin Swayne.”

  Sara smoothed a trembling hand down her red satin gown. Kyle had bought the dress for her for the engagement party because he knew she would wear a business suit if she could get away with it. How was it possible to feel naked in a dress that covered her from chest to ankles?

  “I was not staring at Benjamin. He’s just…well, he and the Brazilian cover model are making quite a spectacle of themselves out there. If you’d wanted your engagement party at a sleazy club, I could have arranged it at a sleazy club.”

  “Hmm…” Rayna narrowed her eyes in speculation.

  “Hmm what?”

  “Kyle told me that you have a probl
em with Ben. He isn’t sure why, but Ben is his best friend, Sara. And you’re like Kyle’s…little sister. It bothers him that two people he loves can’t get along.”

  “Little sister? Kyle Ashford is my boss.”

  “And you two grew up under the same roof. Don’t pretend like you aren’t part of the family. He loves telling stories about when you were little.”

  She shrugged. “Like cousins, then. Twice removed.”

  Rayna chuckled at that. “Fine. But it still makes him sad. He doesn’t have many friends, and Ben is special to him. Matter of fact, Kyle’s chosen him as best man for the wedding.”

  Sara’s top lip arched in disgust, like she just sucked on a lemon. A rancid, moldy, fermented one. “Seriously?”

  “Yeah. Ben’s going to plan the bachelor party and everything.”

  At the thought of this impending catastrophe, the blood drained from Sara’s upper half and pooled in her feet. Oh hell no. “That’s a really bad idea. You have to trust me. You don’t know Benjamin Swayne like I do. You couldn’t count on him for a teaspoon of water if you were dying of dehydration.”

  “What?” Rayna took a step back. “Why would you say that? What do you know about him that I don’t?”

  Plenty. “Nothing. But I mean, look at him. Everywhere he goes a lingerie model follows. He might as well have her on a gold leash like a show dog.”

  Rayna shook her head. “Hey, I’m new to this world, but you grew up around all this money. I’d think you would be used to the glitz and glamor by now. Dating models might mean Benjamin’s shallow, but I’d say we were just as shallow if we judged his date because of her disturbingly perfect…everything.”

  Rayna was right. Not about Benjamin, but about his date, at least. “Sorry. I really don’t know what’s wrong with me tonight.” To Sara’s utter horror, her eyes watered up until the lights of the party made striated stars in her vision.

  “Aww…come here.” Rayna pulled her in for a hug. “If there’s anything you want to talk about, I’m here to listen. Okay?”

  Sara was a couple of inches taller than Kyle’s fiancée, which might have made for an awkward hug if she wasn’t so familiar with Rayna’s touchy-feely side by now. The Ashfords weren’t big on affection, but Sara was getting used to this new dynamic Rayna brought to the family. Sara quickly dabbed at her eyes when Rayna squeezed and released. She needed to get her act together, and fast. Tonight was not about her—no matter what it did to her insides to see that two-faced, two-timing asswipe out on the dance floor.

  “You know…” Rayna began, looking thoughtful, “I can’t say I’m not a little worried about the bachelor party now that you brought it up. You tend to have good instincts about these sorts of things, and Kyle’s been getting enough crap from the press for asking me to marry him. I don’t want him embarrassed at the bachelor party by anyone.”

  “Don’t give it a second thought.” Sara beamed a smile at Rayna that had been perfected by hours of practice in the mirror—a smile designed to put even billionaire tycoons at ease. It was capable. It was confident. It said everything is going to be fine. “This wedding is about you and Kyle, and if it will make Kyle happy to see me bond with his best friend, then that’s what’s going to happen.”

  Rayna looked hopeful. “Really?”

  Sara nodded. “Absolutely. And I bet Benjamin could use some help planning that party.”

  Sara’s gaze traveled the courtyard. The botanical gardens had started off just fine, but Sara had had two hundred and twelve rare orchids and four pallets of fragrant blooms shipped in from around the world. There wasn’t a leaf out of place, not a light that wasn’t polished and shining—all 137,000 of them…approximately. The food was decadent, the guests were content and having a great time, and she had planned it all herself.

  Party planning was beyond the scope of Sara’s job as Kyle Ashford’s personal assistant, but she’d volunteered. She took Kyle’s—and now by extension, Rayna’s—happiness very seriously. No man-whore with the initials of B.S.—clearly a bad omen to begin with—was going to muck up Kyle’s engagement with expensive prostitutes or lap dances that ended up as front-page tabloid photos.

  “You’re going to…help Ben plan the bachelor party?” Rayna clarified.

  Sara clutched the tablet tighter and refocused on Swayne who now had his hand moving over the scantily clad ass of the woman dancing beside him. She would bite the bullet and she would do this. For Kyle. For Rayna. For the good of humanity.

  “Yes, I am.” It would take an act of God to stop her now.

  Rayna bit her lip and adjusted the tiny, elegant hat covering the back of her head. “And you’re sure he wants your help?”

  Well, if he didn’t want her help simply based on the fact that Sara excelled at event planning, she wasn’t ruling out good old-fashioned blackmail. After all, what she had on Benjamin Swayne would certainly buy her a little party tampering.

  “Oh, yeah. I’m sure.”

  If You Need Me

  Cassi Carver

  How far will she go for love?

  The Ashford Legacy, Book 1

  Erotica author Rayna Sommers wears a daring smile in her publicity photos, but the truth would shock her legions of fans. The woman whose stories take readers on wild sexual adventures to exotic locales is terrified of the world outside her front door.

  Isolation may be safe, but it’s also quite lonely until Rayna meets a charming fan online. Kyle is sexy, funny, everything Rayna desires, and soon their daily emails flare into sizzling-hot video chats. Too bad Kyle lives on the East Coast and Rayna on the West. For a woman who can’t even cross the street, much less the country, her dream of a life with Kyle is just too far out of reach.

  Kyle has an even bigger problem than getting Rayna Sommers to step outside her comfort zone. He’s head over heels in love with her, but he hasn’t told her the truth. He’s really Kyle Ashford, billionaire heir to the Ashford empire. The owner of the company that’s about to shut her publisher—and her livelihood—down for good.

  Warning: This book contains a sexy billionaire who knows what he wants, a housebound author who’d love to give it to him, and a special-needs pet hen that just might steal your heart.

  eBooks are not transferable.

  They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

  11821 Mason Montgomery Road Suite 4B

  Cincinnati OH 45249

  If You Need Me

  Copyright © 2014 by Cassi Carver

  ISBN: 978-1-61922-043-0

  Edited by Jennifer Miller

  Cover by Angela Waters

  All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: March 2014

  www.samhainpublishing.com