Forever Love: Reckless Enemies, #3

Forever Love

Book 3 in the Reckless Enemies series

By

Marilyn Cruise

This is a work of fiction.

All the characters, organizations and events

portrayed in this novel are either products

of the authors’ imaginations or are used fictitiously.

First Edition, Nov. 2019

ISBN:

Copyright © 2019 Marilyn Cruise

All rights reserved.

For love that never dies

Also by Marilyn Cruise

The 3- part Chapel Series

The Black Chapel

The White Chapel

The Everlasting Chapel

Also Available as The Chapel Series Complete Box Set

The Prince and I

The Prince and I, Book 1

The Prince and I, Book 2

The Prince and I, Book 3

The Prince and I, Book 4

Also Available as The Prince and I, the Complete Box Set

Email me for other formats!

http://www.marilyncruise.com

Did you enjoy reading this book? If so, please consider leaving a positive review on the website you purchased the book so others may find this book. If there was anything you think should be changed, please email me at [email protected]

To sign up for my mailing list and receive FREE content and first priority on new releases,

Email me at [email protected]

CHAPTER 1

3 Years Later

There was a bounce in my step as I walked across the stage toward South Coast College’s chancellor. My cheeks were cramping up from the great big smile on my face. The senior professors sat on the stage, all decked out in their regalia. I wore a black cap and gown, a gold honor medallion draped around my neck. The day was hot as hell and I was sweating bullets. Even so, I wasn’t going to let that ruin this glorious day. I couldn’t ever remember feeling so happy or so proud.

I reached for my certificate and heard my mom, Rose, and Caden, my boyfriend of one year, cheer extra loudly for me. My gaze scanned the audience and I saw them jumping up and down, clapping enthusiastically.

Virginia, or Ginny for short, my two-year old, was too young to know what was going on. She was twisting and turning in Rose’s arms, trying to squirm out of her aunt’s grip.

Caden’s dark blond wavy hair was combed to one side and he was just as lean and muscular as when I had initially met him three years ago in Seattle. Oh, how I adored his square jawline and a straight long nose. He was handsome and kind, a combination that seemed rather rare these days. I didn’t know when Jen set us up on our blind date that I’d actually end up dating him. But how could I resist when he persistently pursued me treated me like a perfect gentleman?

My heart squeezed as my eyes fell onto the chair beside my mom. We had reserved this seat in honor of my dad. Oh, how I wished he would have seen me today. Even though I had abandoned my pursuit of becoming a doctor and had decided on a nursing degree instead, I knew he would have understood my decision. Being a single mom was tougher than I thought, and I just didn’t feel good about going to school for a gazillion more years, racking up tens of thousands upon tens of thousands in student loans. Truth be told, it was one of the most difficult decisions in my life was to abandon my dream, his dream, and to choose an option that was more practical. But such was life. And all I could do was to make the best of it.

Diploma in hand, I walked down the steps at the side of the stage and took my seat amongst the other students. After everyone had finally received their diplomas, the president congratulated us. All graduates moved their tassels to the other side, then threw our caps high into the air.

With the campus crawling with people, it took me a long while to finally find my family. Finally, I located them close to the parking lot. Upon seeing me, Ginny’s face lit up into a bright smile. Rose put her down onto the lawn and Ginny started toward me, her black curly hair bouncing as she ran.

Mommy! she exclaimed, her dark eyes alight with excitement.

I scooped her up into my arms and swung her around, her red dress billowing around her. I brought her in for a hug and squeezed her tightly. For a split second, Spencer’s face appeared in my mind’s eye. Because how could he not? Every day, Ginny looked more and more like her father, my Dark Knight. That thought caused me to tear up. But then I reminded myself like I must have had at least a thousand times before that he abandoned us, and then the anger set in.

God, what’s wrong with me?

Congratulations, my love, Caden said, approaching as his blue eyes shone with pride. He wrapped his arms around Ginny and me and kissed me briefly on the cheek. When I started dating Caden, I deliberately decided to give love another chance. I thought that if I opened my heart to one of the good guys, surely in time, my Dark Knight would completely vanish from my mind and heart. That hadn’t happened yet, but I knew the day would soon come.

In my lover’s embrace, I took a moment to appreciate how safe he made me feel. I knew I was lucky to have Caden, my Gentleman. I felt we had everything Spencer and I lacked: stability, friendship, trust. Slowly, the memory of Spencer faded to the background.

Caden pulled back and smiled at me, dimples appearing in his cheeks. God, what would I have done without this man? Without his never-ending optimism and encouragement? Caden had been with me through the entire pregnancy. However, we hadn’t started dating until after Ginny was born. He had been a steady companion for me, a true partner and a great role model for my daughter. Even though I knew I’d never feel as passionately about anyone else as I had felt about Spencer, it was better this way, I kept telling myself.

And addiction isn’t meant to burn forever; its blaze could only end in ashes.

How does it feel to be a graduate? Caden asked.

Wonderful, I said, wiping a tear from my eye.

He kissed me on the lips and Ginny joined us in the kiss. We laughed heartily.

I’m so proud of you, my mom said, walking up and joining us in the hug. Dad would have been proud, too.

Yes, he would have. Rose wrapped her arms around all of us and we stood in silence for a few moments.

Ginny made a sound of protest and started to squirm in my arms: a sure sign she needed to expend some toddler energy. I set her down onto the grass and she ran a few feet off, then twirled around and laughed as she watched her red dress balloon all around her. My heart swelled with pride, and for a split second, I wished that Spencer could have been here to witness this day.

What a stupid, stupid girl I am. I have everything I could ever want and I’m still chasing a ghost.

You’re next, Rose, Caden said as he nudged her with his shoulder. University of Washington, right?

Yeah, she said.

And we’re so proud that she got in on a full-ride scholarship, my mom trilled.

You tell everyone that like ten times, Rose said with an eye roll.

But we’re so proud of you, I said. I mean, look at me. I had to work two jobs and still had to take out student loans to pay for tuition and make ends meet.

Even so, we’re so proud of you, too, my mom said. Who would have thought that both of my girls would graduate college?

Well, it was kind of pounded into our brains all growing up that we had to complete college, or else, Rose said.

I laughed, and the others joined in as well. A deep loud laugh that was not part of our intimate conversation caught my attention. For a moment, I swore that the laugh sounded like Spencer’s, but I knew he couldn’t possibly be here. Even so, there was only one voice as smooth and raspy as his. There was only one voice that had ever made my stomach flutter the way it was fluttering… and worse, that had brought sex to mind.

My pulse accelerated as my ears tuned into the husky, manly laughter. Without my permission, my gaze scanned the crowd of graduates and their family and friends. All my senses were drawn to the deep, manly voice, and I had no choice but to find out where the laughter was coming from.

My heart stopped when I saw him.

And I could do nothing else but stare at him as he was talking to one of the female graduates. He stood out from everyone else because he was so beautiful, because he commanded attention with his masculinity, because there was a magnetic presence about him that shone as brightly as the sun. His dress shirt was white, his suit gray, and his platinum cufflinks blinked at me in the sunlight.

Suddenly acutely aware of him and no one else, I felt as if I had been thrust back in time, and again, I was the girl hiding behind the curtain in the office at Princess Harbor, desperately hoping he wouldn’t see me.

All the feelings I had ever felt for him—the overwhelming attraction, the otherworldly desire, the tremendous love, and the crushing heartache—rushed through my blood.

Oh, God.

Standing right here next to my boyfriend, my body obsessively craved him and there wasn’t a thing I could do about it. Every cell yearned for him as if me being with him were the reason for my existence. The pull was so strong that I was a slave to it. No matter how I tried, I couldn’t fight it. It was the basest most primal need, and at the same time, the most exquisitely divine addiction.

I had known it the first time we met, that he’d destroy me. He was the Dark Knight who crushed my heart to smithereens.

Even so, I had been unable to stay away… until the life inside me compelled me to leave.

Why, God?

Why?

Why was he here again with his black eyes, his black messy hair, tilting my entire reality on an axis?

He ran a hand through his hair and my belly tightened with need, reminding me very much that I was helpless to his savagely good looks. I clenched my fists hard. Harder. And even harder… until I thought I might puncture the skin in my palms with my fingernails.

Are you all right? Caden asked, somewhat bringing me out of the trance.

Yeah, I said. I closed my eyes and shook my head as I tried to free myself from my past.

Ginny, who was only a few feet away from my Dark Knight, tumbled across the grass and laughed. That brought me back to this moment, and in an instant, I realized what a dangerous situation this really was.

Fuck. Ginny. He couldn’t see her. He didn’t even know she existed!

Rose, I snapped, staring at Spencer. Rose’s gaze followed mine, and a second later, she gasped.

Take Ginny to the car, I said at the exact time as she said, I’ll take Ginny to the car.

Rose ran across the lawn as fast as I’d ever seen her run. She scooped Ginny up and whisked her away into the crowd. When she started screaming for her mommy, Spencer’s head turned in my direction and his gorgeous dark penetrating gaze locked with mine.

In that instant, something shifted in the air between us and it sucked all the air out of my lungs. His lips parted and he froze. His eyes were boring into me, an edgy, restless energy brewing behind them. It was as if he was claiming me all over again, as if he were scheming about how to attack. I knew this was a dangerous situation, but I didn’t know how to escape it. Like a deer in the headlights, I stood there just staring at him, completely unable to move.

In fact, I wasn’t even breathing.

Is that that douche bag guy you used to date? Caden asked as he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer. His hold on me was possessive.

Yes, I breathed, barely able to get the word out, my throat had suddenly become so dry.

Spencer said something to the young woman, then started in our direction.

We should leave, Caden said.

I knew the right thing would be to say ‘yes.’ But I couldn’t. My feet were cemented to the grass.

Seeing him, my mother’s eyes lit up like the fourth of July. She greeted Spencer first, smiling as if she were standing in the presence of the most important person on the planet.

Spencer King, she said, giving him a hug. My, you look dashing. What a lovely surprise!

Indeed. I never thought I’d see you here, Spencer said as he looked at me while hugging my mom. His eyes drank me in as if he was thinking about the last time we fucked.

I squirmed where I stood, my memory of that night hitting me right between the legs. I felt my entire body buzzing at his closeness, and there was no way to escape his spell. The deepest part of me started to pulsate, an unwelcome arousal I was helpless to resist. And it was oh, so powerful. I wanted to not be under the influence of him, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t break free.

He had taken me prisoner.

Caden leaned in and kissed my cheek.

Is everything ok? he asked.

Um, yeah. Great, I replied.

Once my mom finally released Spencer from her embrace, he directed his attention toward me. From the corner of my eye, I saw Caden’s jaw clench. I took his hand and squeezed it, trying to reassure him. I just hoped he wouldn’t notice how clammy my palms had suddenly become.

Ellie. It’s so good to see you again, Spencer said. He didn’t offer a hand, nor did he try to hug me. But the lack of physical contact didn’t decrease the fiery hot electricity between us. In fact, it only seemed to amplify it.

The last time I had seen Spencer, I was in his mansion in the Hamptons. He had told me to get the hell out of his house. And that he never—never want to see me again. My chest had felt like it would implode, and I remembered the heavy, hot tears as they coursed down my cheeks, how I fell to my knees onto the floor.

Caden held out a hand.

I’m Caden, he said.

Spencer didn’t even acknowledge him.

I’m Ellie’s boyfriend, Caden continued. She’s with me.

No introduction needed, Spencer said. I remember you… lying on the floor where I left you.

Oh, my God! I yelled. Is this going to be some sort of stupid cock fight right here on my graduation day? Because if it is, I am so going to leave.

Caden’s hand lowered, which I was grateful for. At least one of them was acting like an adult.

What, has it been three years? Spencer asked me, cocking his head to the side.

My mom started to vigorously fan herself with the program.

It is so hot today, she said. I feel like… like I’m going to pass out unless I get indoors.

Caden, dear, my mom said, placing a hand on his arm. Would you be a gentleman and escort me indoors for a few moments?

Oh, no. No, no, no. My mom was being such a manipulating, conniving bitch.