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  DISCOVERED

  (Book One of the Cover Series- Novella)

  By Kim Black

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without a written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

  Copyright © 2013 by Kim Black

  All rights reserved.

  Cover Designed By: TCalixte

  Photography: Some rights reserved by Lies Thru a Lens 

  Acknowledgements

  I would like to thank everyone who helped me through writing my first book. Ever since I could remember I have dreamt of becoming a writer and now my dreams are finally coming true and I have all of you to thank for that.

  To my loving partner Omar, I thank you for encouraging me through this process. I don’t know if I could have completed this book without you. You have always pushed me to do the best I could and I love you very much!

  To my wonderful Beta Readers, you guys truly Rock!

  Thank you so much Kellie for being the super woman that you are. You are an inspiration and a great friend. I am thankful for meeting you!

  Nerline, where would I even be without you? From the moment you started reading, you pushed me for more and I love that. You were definitely encouraging.

  Amy and Colleen, your positive reviews of my book in the beginning really helped me to continue down this path.

  Andrea, you are a life saver and a great editor. Thank you to taking great care of my baby.

  And last but certainly not least, to all my followers. I thank you for supporting me and encouraging me. I hope that you enjoy this series and I welcome all of your feedback.

  Love,

  Kim

  Chapter One

  “Let your Love be like the misty rain, coming softly, but flooding the river.”

  ~ Madagascan Proverb ~

  EMILY

  It was Friday and after the work week I’d had, I needed to unwind. Diana, my best friend, had called earlier during her lunch break to suggest a girl’s night out and I didn’t hesitate to accept. The girls needed to have some much needed fun! Plus it would give me a chance to pause my work woes, and I needed that, badly!

  And so the group, which consists of me, Diana and Suzie, gathered at our favorite spot ‘Tanked’. It wasn’t really the best bar in town but there was something about the friendly vibe that the place provided that always cheered up even the most depressed visitor. It had a house band that always killed and most importantly cheap Tequila shots, which I was in much need of tonight.

  “Ok so spill it Em, when I called you earlier you sounded kind of off, so what’s up?” Diana was always in tune with my every emotion which I loved about her but also hated it just the same.

  I sighed, knowing that I couldn’t really hide anything from them. “They promoted that brown nosing Thomas to Sous-Chef today. I’m not really surprised but honestly he can’t even boil water, let alone cook at the standards a four star restaurant like Farjo should require.”

  Diana reached out and touched my hand, “You’ll get there Em. They can’t waste your talent forever. I say you just continue to be the best line cook you can be, and when the opportunity arises you’ll get your chance to shine and show them all just how awesome you are. Trust me.”

  I couldn’t help but smile at my dear friend’s unwavering optimism but my smile was short lived, “Yeah if I was as much of a butt kisser as Thomas, I bet that would happen, but I can’t do that D. If I am ever going to make it in this business it has to be because I’m good at what I do, not because I stuck my head up someone’s butt.”

  “Well then, I guess we need to get you hammered tonight,” Suzie chimed in, holding her shot glass in her hand.

  And with that we all cheered to sucky dead end jobs, brown nosing coworkers, and lifted our shot glasses, the first of many to come that night.

  After several shots and a lot of dancing, I was beginning to forget about my troubles. I was determined to let my hair down and enjoy the rhythm of the music. I didn’t care that I wasn’t the best dancer or that I was probably too drunk to even call what I was doing on the dance floor dancing. After a few songs passed, I decided it was time for another round with my friends, but just as I was about to walk off, a deep, sultry voice crept up behind me and whispered in my ear, “may I have this dance chéri?” the rich, French voice drawled. I immediately spun around only to find myself staring at the most beautiful man I had ever laid eyes on. Was he talking to me?

  I stood there, mouth hanging open, as I stared into the most unique soul-penetrating pair of eyes that I had ever seen. At first glance they were dark grey but as the lights danced around the bar, I noticed a hint of gold and a lighter shade of grey at its center. There was something about those eyes that had me in a trance, and although I knew I should probably look away, I just couldn’t bring myself to. Not just yet anyway.

  “Will you deny a lonely bachelor a dance with such a beautiful woman?” he asked, never breaking eye contact with me.

  I must have looked really stupid, standing there with my mouth open. It wasn’t until I realized that my throat was dry that I finally pulled my eyes away from his stare, trying to look at anything but those beautiful, stunning and intense eyes. His strong jaw line was indisputable underneath his five o’clock shadow that shaped his soft pink lips which had a slight pucker to them.

  I had an urge to touch them to confirm their softness, but managed to restrain myself, not wanting to look even more foolish then I already appeared, but licked my lips at the very thought, causing the man’s eyes to widen.

  It had been so long since a man had turned me on and yet this man stood before me now, with his muscular frame barely hidden under his dress shirt, managing to awaken parts of me that I had long forgotten existed with just one look.

  “Sorry… I’m actually out with some friends tonight.” I wasn’t sure what that really meant since I really didn’t answer his question. Crap, I look stupid.

  “I mean… I… uh... can’t” I murmured, trying desperately to look at anything but his eyes, and failing. I was trapped. Where were Diana and Suzie when I needed them?

  He gave me a smile and it was then that I saw a glimpse of something in his eyes that I was all too familiar with. Being in California for the last three years, especially while working at the restaurant, had exposed me to an array of different men but there was one particular type I found most distasteful of all, and that was a man who thought he was exempt from being turned down. It was the same overconfident look that my ex Adam had sported when we were dating last year. The same look that I had fallen for before finding out that he was cheating on me and I had no doubt that this man in front of me was no different. A Playboy!

  As if on cue he continued, “Surely your friends wouldn’t mind if you chose to dance just one song with me.”

  After all that I had gone through with Adam, I felt my blood begin to boil. Determined to project an outward calm I didn’t feel and keeping my expression devoid of any emotion, I replied with a raised brow, “And what would make you think I would want to dance with you?” without waiting for a response and while keeping my head held high, I turned and walked away from him, adding a sexy little flick of my hair and an extra sway to my hips.

  “That should teach him…” I muttered to myself, feeling satisfied that I had finally told his type where to go. Though he wasn’t Ada
m, it somehow felt like I was berating him too which felt great!

  I found my friends at the table starring at me when I walked up and took a seat.

  “What?”

  “Did you just turn down that total hottie? Tell me you didn’t… Em, please say it isn’t so,” Suzie said as she starred at the dark sexy creature.

  “I know his type and I ain’t interested, remember Adam?” I said as I grabbed a hold of Diana’s shot glass from her hand, emptying the contents with one gulp, while ignoring her obviously annoyed face. “I don’t need another smooth talking walking sex symbol with the inability of keeping his penis in check, and who thinks that they are God’s gift to women. I’m thankful to Diana for saving me from any further embarrassment and I have no intention of going down that road again thank you very much!” I continued as I gave Diana a grateful smile.

  I was just starting to get over the embarrassment I felt when I found out that Adam was sleeping with a few of the other interning chefs at Tajh. Diana had come over to my house, her face ghostly pale and in tears telling me how she went by Tajh looking for me and found him and two other co-workers getting it on in the kitchen. She told me how she cursed him out and stormed off, coming directly to my place to tell me.

  “I’m so sorry Em, I hate that he did this to you but I’m just glad that we found out when we did,” I remembered her saying to me as I cried on her shoulders till I couldn’t cry anymore.

  I was beyond sick after that and cried for months. He tried to deny it of course when I confronted him but I was having none of it. It was over! It was the greatest pain I had ever felt, one that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy, even that brown-noser Thomas. It was that ordeal that had caused me to quit my internship at Tajh and apply to Farjo just a little over a year ago.

  “But he’s gorgeous. I mean seriously… if it were me, I’d be in his car heading for his crib already,” Suzie continued. “And he’s still looking at you! Girl you better snag him up before I beat you to it.”

  “Snag away! Tonight I just want to hang out with my girls and enjoy myself, man free…” It was true that I might have been slightly attracted to the man, but that sense of entitled confidence he had behind those determined, focused eyes made me feel unsettled. I had dipped into the pool of sexy, head-strong men before and it only screwed with my life. So gorgeous or not, I was not about to walk down that road again.

  “Don’t listen to Suzie. If you aren’t ready then take your time,” Diana responded, ignoring Suzie’s deathly glares.

  “Well thank God someone understands me.” What would I do without my best friend? I thought to myself.

  After a few more drinks and lots of laughter, I was beyond my limit and from what I could tell, so were the girls. We gathered our things and headed out of the bar.

  “Man, I’m going to have such a headache tomorrow,” Diana slurred as she tried to hail a cab, swaying slightly.

  “You and me both” I responded as I tried to focus my eyes on my cell phone. Closing one eye I could just make out some emails from work, and while I should’ve probably tried to read them right away, I really didn’t want to ruin my night.

  “I can give you a lift, ma belle,” the smooth voice said from behind me. The Frenchman… Man, he really didn’t know how to take a hint.

  It didn’t hurt that his French accent was rich and thick and oh so sex, but no amount of sweet talking would get him anywhere with me. I was done with men like him. Men who sweet talked you right out of your panties, making you fall in love with them and then breaking your heart into a million pieces, leaving you alone and broken. Never again!

  “You’re just so sure of yourself aren’t you? I bet the girls you normally hit on can’t wait to get into your car huh? Well not me, sorry buddy,” I fired back at him, not even bothering to turn around.

  I heard him laugh under his breath and that brought a surge of anger through me. “So you think it’s funny that I’m not falling at your feet? While other women might fall all over themselves to get a piece of you, I won’t! I know your type and I’m not interested, thanks!”

  “I’m sorry if I offended you. It truly was not my intentions but you are absolutely stunning when you’re all fired up.”

  “Really?” I asked turning around to face him. “That’s your big line. Does that actually work on other women? Am I supposed to just fall in love with you right here, right now?” I asked with my hands balled into fists at my sides. I was not going to let another sweet talking playboy take advantage of me.

  “It wasn’t a line Mon amour, merely the truth. Can I help it if I find you attractive? I don’t mean to offend you at all.” He stared into my eyes with such conviction that I almost believed him, but while my anger at him deflated some, I knew to protect myself I couldn’t afford to believe him. The truth was, I didn’t know if I would ever again have it in me to trust another man.

  I sighed.

  I couldn’t remember the last time a man pursued me with such determination. After breaking up with Adam, I dove headfirst into working and made no time for any romance. I needed to heal and now that I had, even though I was disappointed the Frenchman was obviously a playboy, I was flattered. Just a little! I mean what woman wouldn’t want to be pursued by such an undeniably sensual man? The way his beautiful eyes darkened with desire each time he looked at me, left me feeling weak at the knees; my self-preservation slowly crumbling under the weight of his passionate gaze.

  Although I knew I could never trust a man like him, I couldn’t deny that a part of me, now pulsating and tingling between my legs, that wondered what it would be like to have such an obviously sensual, domineering man take me to places I’d never been to before. Allowing him to master my body and set my soul on fire.

  “Well I appreciate the offer but I can’t leave with you,” was all I managed to say. As tempted as I was to give into this sexy Frenchmen, I couldn’t allow myself to lose focus. He’s a playboy Em, end of story!

  “Ah, yes she can,” chimed in an eavesdropping Suzie as she pushed me into the arm of this perfect stranger, my hands landing on his hard sculpted, chest, instantly sobering me up, as heat raced through my body.

  “The hell I am! I don’t know him,” I said, widening my eyes at my insane friend, my hands still firmly pressed against his chest.

  “I promise I’ll be a perfect gentleman Mon amour,” he said as he took hold of my left hand.

  His hand was much bigger and stronger against my own much smaller one, and while the sudden touch sent a warm tingle racing throughout my body, my brain understood clearly what my body did not, I could not allow myself to become prey to this dark, sexy man. I pulled my hand away, “you’ve got to be kidding me,” I said, trying not to focus on the way he said ‘Mon amour.’ Foreign men and their accents. Why did we girls have to be such suckers for a beautiful man with an accent?!

  “Excuse us a second?” Suzie said sweetly to the Frenchman as she pulled me a few feet away. “Look, you haven’t dated anyone since Adam and I know that it was hard to get over him but really Em, look at that man…” she pointed in his direction and continued “men like that come around once in a lifetime. While Adam is plain old vanilla, that man right there is oh so yummy Crème Brûlée,” she said with a pleading look on her face.

  An internal battle erupted inside of me, leaving me confused. Here my friend stood making complete sense and yet despite her logic and the growing need at my core, my mind couldn’t allow me to forget the one thing that I knew for sure; he was in fact a player. That look in his eyes earlier had told me all I needed to know, but for some freaking reason the rest of my body seemed to yearn for him in a way that it had never yearned for another, Adam included.

  “What about you guys, I can’t just leave you out here alone at one in the morning,” I knew it was a stretch but I was desperate for a reason why I shouldn’t go with the Frenchman. The truth was, even if he wasn’t like Adam, I couldn’t comprehend the idea of being with another man. It was
still too soon, wasn’t it?

  “Look at him!” was all Suzie said. I couldn’t deny that a big part of me wanted to go with him but a bigger part of me wanted to run away and hide. The only problem was, I wasn’t the “running away” type of girl. Every challenge I’ve ever faced, I’ve done so head on. I enjoyed the thrill of facing the impossible, to conquering and overcoming it. Am I really going to do this? Am I really going to go home with the Frenchman? Maybe he means to just offer me a ride home? Yeah, right Emily, I snorted, rolling my eyes at my inner voice, of course that’s what he wants!

  “Fine, but if they find my body in some ally somewhere tomorrow morning, just know that my blood is on your hands,” I warned her even as my friend hugged me encouragingly.

  “You’ll be fine, I know it!” Suzie dragged me back to the man while smiling from ear to ear.

  Suzie had always been the adventurous one of the group. She feared nothing and had the ability to seize each day despite the many curve balls life often threw at her. After a bad marriage and a career change, she managed to somehow grab life by the balls and willed it to do her bidding. I envied her carefree confident spirit, especially when it came to men. While I allowed my breakup with Adam to turn my life upside down, she would have long since moved on. And so, tonight I would channel her amazing spirit.

  “Have fun y’all,” she said as she walked over to a Diana, who had a look on her face that I couldn’t quite interpret. At first glance it looked like jealousy but I knew that that couldn’t be accurate. Still I made a mental note to ask her about it tomorrow.

  “Shall we?” the Frenchman said as he stuck out his arm for me. Hesitantly I took it.

  I looked up at him and narrowed my eyes, “First things first mister… I need a name. Just in case you decide you’re a rapist tonight, I need to know where to hunt you down.” Though he seemed to take what I said as a joke, I was far from joking; my face was as serious as possible.

  “Julien Belmont, It is a pleasure to meet you,” he said as he brought my hand to his incredibly soft lips, while still smiling. Almost instantly, I felt my defenses melting. Dang!