Where We Belong (A Touch of Fate #1)(94)

My soul sister, Nevaeh Lee. I am thrilled that we somehow managed to find each other in the chaotic Facebook world. We learned quickly that we totally suck at buddy reading, but oh boy, did we have fun! Our connection was instant on so many levels—you know the ones—and I've told you a thousand times that fate brought us together!

S.G. Thomas, my amazing editor. When we met, you didn’t know I was writing a book, and I had no idea you were an editor. After you read my prologue, you sent me a message on Facebook—a message I will never forget. ‘Holy-cow girl, you can write.’ And that was all it took. Your opinion means the world to me, and I am so grateful that you edited this book.

To Jackie and Michelle. You two have been my rock. I’ve never laughed harder than I do when I’m talking to the two of you. We literally spend every single night together, and it’s because of those nights that I was able to finish this book. You pushed me, cheered me on, and picked me up, and your friendship means the world to me.

Barbara, I feel like we were insta-friends! I’ve absolutely loved getting to know you, and your kind words, encouragement, and friendship has been the highlight of many of my days. It’s never a dull moment when we get together online—or on the phone! And I can’t forget the way you swooped in and saved my tushy. In fact, I’m certain I’ll never be able to repay you for that!

Livia and Ana, both of you only knew me for five minutes, and yet you jumped right in to help me with a scene—or scenes. Your generosity and kindness are inspiring, and I am so thankful to each of you. Elisabeth, Keshia, and Mia, thank you for answering question after question after question. The three of you opened yourselves up to me when no one else would and for that, you guys rock!

To the girls at Three Girls and a Book Obsession. Thank you so much for rocking my cover reveal! I’ve loved working with you and getting to know each of you. You girls are wonderful at what you do!

Lastly, thank you to the bloggers that participated in my cover reveal and blog tour. Thank you for sharing my teasers and sending me messages of encouragement. It’s because of you that indie authors like myself get their books noticed.





K.L. Grayson resides in a small town outside of St. Louis, MO. She is entertained daily by her extraordinary husband, who will forever inspire every good quality she writes in a man. Her entire life rests in the palms of six dirty little hands, and when the day is over and those pint-sized cherubs have been washed and tucked into bed, you can find her typing away furiously on her computer. She has a love for alpha-males, brownies, reading, tattoos, sunglasses, and happy endings…and not particularly in that order.





Defying All Odds

by Nevaeh Lee





Chapter 1


Celeste



He shot my damn dog.

This could not be happening.

Granted, that dog was annoying as hell and did bark his head off when the guy forced his way inside the house. But still….

If he had waited half a second, he would have realized that the only threat that stupid dog posed was maybe licking someone to death.

I guess it wouldn’t help to point that out now.

Especially since there were more pressing matters at hand, namely the gun barrel pressed in between my breasts. And the beyond creepy-looking delivery guy who I’d bet my favorite pair of skinny jeans wasn’t really a delivery guy, but who was looking at me like he just struck gold.

Shit.

Time for a quick assessment of this situation.

The creepy delivery guy-who-probably-wasn’t-a-delivery-guy was holding a gun, and he’s obviously not afraid to use it. He didn’t even hesitate before killing my dog, and my best guess was that he didn’t think much more highly of me. He wasn’t wearing a mask, which meant that whatever he had in mind—and I’m afraid I knew exactly what he had in mind—he would kill me when he’s done. There would be no reason to leave me alive and his self-preservation dictated my death.

Unfortunately for him, my self-preservation instincts were kicking in too. But even though everything in my body was telling me to fight like hell, I wouldn’t.

My assessment complete, I began to focus once again on the guy in front of me. Not that I had much of a choice in the matter with the gun now pressing harder into my sternum, forcing me backward.

“What do you want?” I asked with the steadiest voice possible.

“What do you think I want?” he returned, a creepy voice to match a creepy guy.

I hated being right sometimes.

“Alright, buddy—”

“Name’s Joe, not buddy.”

Yup, definitely not planning on leaving here with me alive, I thought. Randomly, I also wondered if his name really was Joe. Probably.

“Okay, Joe…let’s talk about this.”

“No need. Nothin’ to talk about. In fact, talkin’ is not on the agenda. Finding the bedroom is, so let’s start walkin’.”

Right.

“Well, since I know your name, it’s only fair that you know mine,” I said in introduction, as if we were having a casual conversation. One where there wasn’t a gun pointed at me.

“Again, no need.”

So appealing to his humanity was obviously not going to work. I didn't think so, but figured it wouldn't hurt to try. Time to negotiate then. Probably the less he knew about me the better, anyway.