Loves Mirage Read online

  Table of Contents

  Loves Mirage

  Chapter One | Emma Jayne

  Chapter Two | Derrick

  Chapter Three | Emma

  Chapter Four | Derrick

  Chapter Five | Derrick

  Chapter Six | Emma

  Chapter Seven | Missy

  Chapter Eight | Emma

  Chapter Nine | Missy

  Chapter Ten | Emma

  Chapter Eleven | Derrick

  Epilogue

  Loves Mirage

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Loves Mirage, a Holiday second chance romance

  Copyright@2019 Lisette Kristensen

  Electronic Book Publication

  December 2019

  This book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Lisette Kristensen.

  Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s written permission.

  Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are the productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

  Chapter One

  Emma Jayne

  This is a bad idea.

  It’d been a couple of years since she’d been near the Hang Ten Pub in Manhattan Beach. Emma stood gazing at her reflection in the window. What she saw scared her. What am I doing? Standing here in my best hottie gear. She gawked at her leather jacket, and the thin white tank with no bra. Could I look any sluttier? Painted-on leather pants filled out the ensemble, but it was the hot red ‘CFM’ stilettos that really finished off the “look.”

  Loitering like a hooker made her feel lower than she’d ever been. It was the holidays and she’d been lonely since Simone and Brody had become love birds. All the bouncy, happy attitude vanished the second she was alone. The saddest part of it all, was she hated herself for missing him.

  Derrick. He’d broken her heart once. Sure, he’d been fun, they’d partied hard and had unbelievable sex. In the end, she’d known better. Dudes, like Derrick don’t ever, ever lock down with a woman, even a rich one like her. Should I go in? Would he be around? She sucked in a deep breath. Emma pushed the door open and stepped back into time. She stood still, and her gaze swept through the dim lighting. It was funny, all the tension eased away, like being home again.

  Once her blue eyes adjusted to the dimness, she spotted a familiar face, a friendly one. Missy Hall, she sat at the bar down near the end of it. The place wasn’t crowded, she was easy to spot. Nothing had changed. Their eyes met for a long moment, before Missy bounced off the stool and came running at her with arms wide open. The squeal she gave off brought a flush of heat to Emma’s cheeks. Before she could take her in or respond, Missy’s arms were wrapped around her, and the kisses to the cheeks started.

  “Wow, wow and more wow’s. What the hell, chica? What are you doing down here?” Missy shrieked.

  Emma could barely breathe with Missy hugging her tightly. She tried to crane her neck to peer at her old friend. “Thought I’d come down and see if the old crowd was around.”

  I lied.

  That old crowd was bad news. Drugs, robberies, and other bad behavior had almost cost her everything. Maybe Derrick dumping her had been for the best, but her heart felt differently. It had never forgotten him.

  She peeled herself away from Missy, and looked her over. Her body carried that beach bunny tan. She had long dark hair, and emerald-like green eyes set off by high cheekbones. Her body was a classic ten with large breasts and a round ass to go with it. The men adored Missy; she was, straight up, a party girl.

  “You haven’t changed at all, Missy. Life been treating you okay?”

  Missy beamed a smile and grabbed Emma’s hand. “Nothing changes with me. But you? Time to bring me up to speed. What have you been up to?”

  Missy dragged her to where she sat, then patted the stool next to her. Grinning ear to ear. Emma knew better than to resist, but took a moment to scan the place. He wasn’t around, and she didn’t recognize any other faces. Once settled, Missy ordered them two margaritas. She didn’t know what to share with her, there wasn’t anything special to tell her.

  Emma sighed when she turned back to her. “Nothing really. Just living is all. “

  “Pish to that. You have to be into something, you’re too wild not to be.”

  That brought a hearty laugh from Emma. The wild one had left the station long ago. Was that the problem? Had I deserted the real me?

  She was relieved when the drinks came and she lifted her glass to Missy. “To old times, and may they stay there?”

  Taking a sip, she watched Missy. She seemed happy and carefree. Emma had been like that once, until that asshole had walked into her life.

  Missy’s voice broke through her reverie, “You need to come back and have fun with us.”

  Emma’s blue eyes shifted to Missy. “Is the old gang still around?” Part of her wanted the topic off of her, and the other part was curious about him. She didn’t want to ask outright, but her heart thumped wildly, wanting to find out.

  Missy laughed and shook her head. “Some are cruising down at the beach, but a few are dead or in jail.”

  Do I dare ask? Emma was curious if he was alive or finally out of her life?

  She never got the chance.

  The door swung open, and her gaze moved to the light bursting through.

  His silhouette told her everything. He was alive.

  So was her heart.

  *~*~*~

  Emma didn’t need Missy’s nudge to tell her who it was. Derrick Renshaw. With the bright light behind him, it was difficult for her to gauge his appearance. His stature told her nothing had changed. Tall, with broad shoulders to a tapered waist, giving off that total alpha look. She took a deep drink of her margarita, and fought back the swooning inside of her. Damn it! Emma had hoped he was finally out of her system.

  She was wrong, dead wrong.

  It took a second for Missy’s voice to register. “There he is.”

  Missy’s giggle annoyed her. She didn’t need Missy encouraging what her body and soul wanted, him. She was trying to fight the urge bursting through her. Her heart raged with a staccato beat; her nipples stiffened with thoughts of those carnal nights on the beach. She groaned softly.

  This is a bad idea.

  She shifted her gaze away from the door. Maybe he hadn’t seen me? She could slink out the back and run to her cozy rich life. What was I thinking?

  Missy nudged her, “Here he comes, hun.”

  Emma didn’t look. She peered into her margarita; nerves seared with fear. Was I scared of him or myself? Or both?

  “Hey, Derrick, look who came slumming.” Missy called out. Emma’s blue eyes held fast to her margarita glass while her insides crumbled. Thanks, Missy.

  She was determined to maintain control. Emma pushed away those erotic feelings. He’d dumped her, treated her like crap and she didn’t need a do over. Especially during the holidays.

  She could hear him getting closer. Each footfall was an echo of past sin. Her body unravelled at those steps. The same steps that had crossed her bedroom flo
or many times. They were determined, lust filled, and feral.

  “Hey, Missy. Long time Em.”

  His voice had that same gravely, dark tone. It had a richness that could slay a lady’s heart. The sound of it drove a spike into the depths of her soul. A shudder raced down her spine. She breathed in deep and twisted her gaze to him.

  She flashed a thin smile. “Hey Derrick, it’s been a long time.”

  Emma showed nothing, well she hoped she didn’t. She kept her gaze on him. He looked the same. Handsome as ever, those dark eyes with that sexy obsidian shine. His tanned face framed by the long sandy brown hair and beard. He had the quintessential surfer look.

  When he moved closer, she stiffened. It hadn’t been a threatening move; it was her own fear, a fear of herself. Did she have the strength to avoid where this possibly could go? Maybe he has a girlfriend? She laughed at herself. What did that matter to Derrick? He’d slept around on her, though he’d said he loved her.

  The air hung heavy between them, until Missy broke it. “Like old times, eh?”

  Emma cringed. Damn, Missy. Emma drank the last of her margarita. The Tequila wasn’t helping. She struggled with what to do. Should I take the initiative and engage him? Thank Missy for the drink and leave? The simmering in her body cried to engage. Her rational side said run and do it fast.

  Emma smiled. “It has been ages, Derrick, you look as good as ever.”

  The slut inside her had won.

  She melted when he broke into that big smile. His dark eyes glimmered as he bounced looks at both of them. “Like old times, Missy.” When his gaze fixed on her, his eyes had that sexy squint. She gulped and her fingers squeezed her glass. “Thanks, Em ... but it’s you that looks incredibly fine. What are you doing down here?”

  “It’s the holidays and I got to thinking about the old gang.” She grinned. “So, thought I’d come down to see if anyone was around.”

  She’d hoped it hadn’t come off like a smitten schoolgirl. Emma straightened and called for another margarita. She could feel the confidence coming back. He was the past, leave him there and all would be good. She’d changed since those halcyon days of parties, sex and bad behavior. It wasn’t her back then or today.

  He laughed. “A few of us are here, a couple have hit the trail, but nothing has changed too much.” He leaned into the bar, turning in a way she couldn’t avoid looking at him. She could feel him taking control of the space around her. He was stalking her. Emma recalled how Derrick moved when he was on the hunt. It didn’t matter if it was surfing, gambling or bedding her. He had this cat-like way of cutting down the space and taking control. It was unnerving but thrilling at the same time.

  Emma knew Missy would be no help. She was on her own, and it only reinforced it had been a mistake coming here. She kept her vision on him. Hearing that voice and seeing those eyes that could melt a women’s panties, showed her she was in deep trouble.

  That alone told Emma what she had to do.

  She looked over to Missy and leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Missy, it was so good to see you, have my drink.”

  Swiveling her bottom on the stool, she touched Derricks arm. It was a bold move, but one she had to do. Emma had to prove to herself she is stronger than that girl from past. She smiled at him. “Good seeing you, Derrick.”

  Emma wasted no time, waited for no responses, and lifted off the stool and walked straight outside.

  It was when the sunlight hit her that a tear broke from the corner of her eye.

  “Stupid girl.”

  Chapter Two

  Derrick

  What the hell? Emma? It had been what? Three years since his eyes landed on her. The last time had been ugly. He remembered it like yesterday. It had been a day he’ll never forget. She had been fighting him tooth and nail about his drinking and gambling. He felt like she tried to manage his life and that wasn’t going to happen. He wanted her in bed, it was the one place she never complained or argued.

  Emma pushed back and he blew his stack. All he saw was her walking out and hearing the wail of tears. In his view, she owned the problem. He had made no commitments to her and she knew the lifestyle he lived. He never deceived her; she was spoiled.

  Derrick wondered if she had changed. He watched her at the bar. She looked as good as the day she left. He had to admit she had that something about her. The blue eyes, blonde hair and sleek body was classic surfer girl. It drove him nuts for her, that style of hers. Emma was real. She was fun and never backed down. She had been different from all the prissy types that hung around the crew.

  She had class but also that dirty girl attitude. Talking to her made him miss her. He sensed she was nervous and uncomfortable. He made up his mind not to press. She came down here for a reason, and it wasn’t to look up old friends.

  She was here for him.

  He was being careful; he didn’t want to scare her away. This was foreign to him, and for once he’d go slow. What was the worse that could happen? Then it did. Emma bolted from the Pub. He didn’t have a chance to respond. His dark eyes glued to her as she walked out.

  “She’ll be back.”

  “Who will be back?” It wasn’t Missy’s voice.

  Derrick shifted around, and there was Taylor. His recent flame.

  “An old friend.”

  He watched Taylor as her eyes cut to the door, it was closing, but you could see Emma through the window walking away.

  “Who was that?”

  Derrick didn’t want to get into his past with Taylor. She was a handful, a chick that was too possessive for him. He was about to cut it off when Missy jumped in, “An old friend of mine from back in the day.” Missy gave a casual wink to Derrick as she finished off her margarita.

  Derrick was relieved, and owed Missy one.

  Taylor walked to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Lifted to her tip toes and planted a kiss to his lips. Derrick’s hands circled her waist and returned the kiss. It was as if he was on auto pilot. His mind focused on Emma, that is who he wanted to be kissing. When the kiss broke, Taylor’s hazel eyes squinted, searching his face.

  He recognized the look. She was studying him to see if there was truth to this ‘old friend’ story. There was an eerie pause between them, the situation grew uncomfortable. One minute he is trying to figure out Emma and then Taylor is on him. That look in her eyes told him she wasn’t buying Missy’s story, but he wasn’t going to say anymore about it.

  “If you two are about to get nasty, I am out of here.” Missy chortled.

  Derrick looked at her and laughed. “I figured you for a threesome kind of gal, Missy.”

  Taylor hissed and jerked her nails to his waist.

  He shot a look back at her and grinned. “Relax.”

  Missy walked by and winked at Derrick. “Maybe another time with another gal.” She gave Taylor a smirk and headed for the door.

  “Go screw yourself.” Taylor shot back.

  Missy didn’t look back, she raised her arm, and gave her the one finger salute as she left the place.

  With that Derrick pulled himself free of Taylor and glared at her. “Cool it.”

  He wasn’t into this cat fights, and it gave him the perfect excuse to slip away. “I need to get to the shop, see you later.”

  Derrick didn’t wait for her to respond and with quick strides he was outside. He looked up and down the street. Taking a deep breath with the hope Emma might be hanging around. Pursing his lips with disappointment, he headed to the surf shop.

  Damn her. She was back in his heart.

  *~*~*~

  What did I do? She was certifiable for going down there. Emma raced out onto her deck, flopped into a chaise lounge and stared at the pool down below. Her palm slapped her forehead as she grunted. Derrick ran through her head. What an idiot to open herself up like that. She didn’t have to lay eyes on him, he was poison and that hadn’t changed.

  Emma huffed and shook her head. Fingers ran through her long blonde hair.
The frustration with herself was deepening. What is wrong with me? She had a good life, money, a bitchin’ apartment, nice car and anything she wanted. She growled at what she wasn’t admitting. She had no man, no love and worse of all no meaningful sex.

  Simone set this off by falling in love with Brody. It’s my fault! That made her laugh, at herself. She’d been happy for her friend; she’d a hand in their getting together. What it did was set off her own desires for a relationship, whatever that was. Simone would help her out, she was the practical one. She’d be here any minute, the question was what does she tell her?

  She hadn’t told Simone too much about her days down in Manhattan Beach with the gang. Simone knew she partied but nothing about the sinister elements of Derrick and his gang. Maybe it was time to confess her past. Simone wouldn’t judge her, or would she? Emma bit her lower lip, gazing at the guys sunbathing down at the pool.

  A slight shake of her head, and a realization slid into her thoughts. She liked bad boys ... An ughh burst over her lips as she heard Simone enter and push the sliding glass door open.

  “There you are.”

  Emma didn’t look back to her, she raised her arm and waved. “Right here. The lonely-hearts club for one.”

  She didn’t need to look at Simone. She figured Simone was giving her a scowl, thinking she was having a pity party for one.

  “Hold on, I will be right back.”

  Emma peeked over her shoulder and spotted Simone grabbing two wine glasses and a bottle of red. Good old Simone. She was like a mind reader. In a blink, Simone was back and pouring the glasses half full of a robust Cabernet. She waited, observing Simone take a sip.

  “Okay Em, what is the deal?”

  So like Simone, to cut right to the chase. She had kept her business attitude while enjoying a wild love affair with Brody.

  She peered at Simone. Emma could see the change in her. Simone looked calm, and beautiful. Was it love? If so, she wanted a piece of it. Emma took a deep sigh, before diving in. “I want what you have with Brody.”

  Simone quirked a brow and smiled. “What part?” Her tone was a teasing one.