The Token 8: Kiki: A Billionaire Dark Romantic Suspense Read online

  “That too,” he winks.

  I step onto the broad porch as Tucker finishes tinkering with my new bus. It’s half as deep as the interior of the small cabin. Tucker notices me surveying the deep roof that covers the porch.

  “Snow load,” he responds automatically.

  I look above me, thinking about a seven-foot-deep porch and how much snow would accumulate to necessitate the size.

  Only for the summer, only for the summer, I chant in my mind like a mantra. I know the fishing job is temporary. I can figure out later where I'll go next—who I'll become.

  Tucker is almost to his Bronco when he turns, his instep on the chrome running board that still clings to the dilapidated body.

  “Heard you’re on Chance Taylor's crew,” Tucker asks like a statement.

  I nod. “Yes, I'm a part-time deckhand.”

  It's his turn to look me over. He shuts the door and slowly walks over to where I stand.

  I try not to let anxiety rule me. But I've never been the same since my family's death.

  It'll change a person. I'm no longer the free-floating and trusting girl of a few months ago.

  Tucker sees my wary expression. “Let me see your hands.”

  “My hands?” I ask, confused.

  He nods solemnly.

  I hold my hands out and he takes them, studying them.

  “What did you say you do?”

  I haven't.

  I shrug a little, taking my hands back. I stuff them inside my low-rise jeans, shifting my weight on my feet.

  Tucker waits as I stare at the ground.

  “I was a student.”

  “Yup.” He gives me a level stare, waiting.

  I sigh. “I studied the piano.”

  “Ah,” he says, his dark eyes move to my hands, hidden inside the denim. “They look like hands that have worked . . . but . . .”

  I feel my brows rise.

  He gives me a steady look. “You'll get beat up out there.”

  “I need the job,” I say. Though not for the reasons he's thinking.

  Tucker looks at me again, shaking his head. “It's tough work for a woman.”

  My chin kicks up. “Yeah . . . well, the pay's good.” And the location—the distance. Not to mention that absolute divergence from classical music and everything that defined my life before, I mentally add.

  Tucker nods, saying nothing more.

  “How am I going to get beat up?” I can't help but ask.

  He's almost in his car. “If it isn't the sea, then Chance Taylor will do a stand-up job.”

  Tucker slams his car door as my stomach knots.

  Translation: my new boss is a dick.

  He backs up, turning around in the large part of the driveway. I watch his Bronco jostle over the uneven driveway as his hand pops out the window in a one-wave salute.

  I lift my hand in return then slowly let it drop.

  I have one week before halibut season begins. One week to get this cabin in order and get the tools of the trade and, I look around the dingy space—cleaning supplies.

  And three months to forget, my mind whispers.

  #

  Click link to read The Darkest Joy

  Acknowledgments

  I began The Druid Series with the encouragement of my husband and continued because of you, my Reader. Your faithfulness through comments, suggestions, spreading the word and ultimately purchasing my work with your hard-earned money gave me the incentive, means and inspiration to continue.

  There are no words that are sufficiently adequate to express my thankfulness for your support. But know this: TDS novellas continued past HARVEST only because of you.

  I truly feel connected to my readers. It is obvious to me, but I'll say the words anyway for clarity: a written work is just words on pages if they are not read by my readers. As I write this I get a lump in my throat; your enjoyment of my work affects me that deeply.

  You guys are the greatest, each and every one of ya~

  Marata xo

  Dear Ones:

  You, my reader.

  My husband, who is my biggest fan.

  Cameren, without whom, there would be no books.

  Special Thanks:

  Cassie, my line editor with Red Adept Publishing.

  Thank you readers, by supporting my work you've provided me with the means to give you cleaner copy.

  Linda Palomera Terpe, my proof reader.

  Ange

  Beth Dean Hoover

  Crystal

  Dii

  More Books by Marata Eros:

  The Druid Series:

  Reapers

  Bled

  Harvest

  Sow

  Seed

  Plow

  Thresher

  Exotic

  The Druid Breeders

  Baird

  Druid #10-2015

  The Siren Series:

  Ember

  Constantine

  Brandon

  The Demon Series:

  Brolach

  Demon #2- 2015

  The Token Serial:

  The Token

  The Token 2

  The Token 3

  The Token 4

  The Token 5

  The Token 6

  The Token 7: Thorn

  The Token 8: Kiki

  The Token 9: Chet Sinclair (pre-order)

  The Token 10: Shepard-2015

  Dark Romantic Suspense:

  A Terrible Love

  A Brutal Tenderness

  The Darkest Joy

  In Broken Love- 2015

  The Dara Nichols Series, 1-8:

  3500-5500 words each (naughty & sexual, non-romantic encounters)

  A Hard Lesson, where Dara Nichols gets “schooled” by a few students...

  To Protect and Service, Dara gets pulled over by the cops and taken in hand...

  The 13th Floor, Dara attends a professors' symposium and things heat up in the elevator...

  The Boardroom, Dara's sexual encounter with her students is discovered and she receives some much-deserved discipline...

  The Four Whoresmen, Dara takes a weekend getaway at a remote ranch and gets man-handled...

  The Masquerader's Balls, Dara and Zoe get nailed by a couple of masked men...

  The Ball Player, Dara takes one for the team at the local gym...

  The Cock Tale, Dara and Zoe teach university president Craig Taylor a lesson in discipline at his own party...

  Disclaimer: The DNS titles are a completely different “flavor” from the work that you just enjoyed. These are explicit erotica centered around sexual, non-romantic encounters. These short stories are more sexual in nature, whereas the dark paranormal novellas are more sensual/romantic tension/erotic romance-driven.

  The ZOE SCOTT Series:

  Smoldering Wet

  Cold Fire

  The Zoe Scott Series, 1-8 (pre-order)

  Books written under Marata's real name,

  Tamara Rose Blodgett:

  BLOG: Tamara Rose Blodgett

  The Death Series

  (young/new adult dark paranormal dystopian fantasy):

  Death Whispers

  Death Speaks

  Death Inception

  Death Screams

  Death Weeps

  Unrequited Death

  The Death Bundle, books 1-3

  For the Love of Death

  Death #8- 2015

  The Savage Series

  (new adult dark post-apocalyptic steampunk paranormal romance):

  The Pearl Savage

  The Savage Blood

  The Savage Principle

  The Savage Vengeance

  The Savage Protector

  The Savage Dream (available for pre-order)

  Savage Bundle, Books 1-3

  The Blood Series

  (new adult dark supernatural fantasy and paranormal romance):

  Blood Singers

  Blood Song

  Blood Chosen


  Blood Reign

  Angelic Blood- April 3, 2015

  *

  The Reflection Series

  (adult dark paranormal dystopian fantasy):

  The Reflective (The Reflection Series, #1)

  Reflection #2- 2015

  About the Author

  Marata Eros (the pen name for Tamara Rose Blodgett), is the author of over forty titles, including the NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling novel, A Terrible Love. Marata writes a variety of dark fiction in the genres of erotica, fantasy romance, science fiction and suspense. She lives in South Dakota with her family and enjoys interacting with her readers.

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