MY NEXT NOVEL - SECOND CHANCES

So I thought I'd give you all a treat and post a little teaser, the first chapter of my new novel. This sexy standalone novel is coming soon....

CHAPTER ONE

Is a bride supposed to feel lonesome on her wedding day? Ha, I don’t think so. Then why do I? That sensation you get when you’re in a room surrounded by people but you seem invisible, like no one can see you. Well, that’s precisely how I feel right now. Here I am Kennedy Pearce, well I was Kennedy Pearce. Now I’m Mrs Kennedy West and I have a terrible feeling I’ve just made the biggest mistake of my life. My husband, Brandon West, is a high-flying business man destined to make his next million by the end of the year. He built his company West Enterprises from nothing and with a recent cash injection from his wealthy father he’s set to take it to the next level. I suppose I should be happy. But as I sit here now at the end of the bar, alone, watching as he mingles with our guests I can’t help wondering what the future holds for me. “Hey you?” “Hey Charlie, what’s wrong?” I asked my friend as she slipped her arm around my waist. “I might ask you the same question.” She replied raising her brows above her puppy dog eyes. Charlie is my best friend in all the world, we met at high school when I was fifteen and she knows everything about me. She knows things even my husband doesn’t. “Oh Charlie, what have I done?” I answered as my eyes sought Brandon who was now rather drunk, being just a tad too familiar with a few of our female guests. And turning my attention back to my friend added, “Don’t give me that told you so face. I figured after we married I’d feel different.” “And…” “And I don’t.” I downed the rest of my champagne ever grateful that tonight’s supply was free and plentiful. Sitting here looking at him had me travelling back to that night five years ago when Charlie and I had talked our way into a promotion’s event at a new exclusive art gallery. The evening was organised and hosted by Brandon West, aka, my husband. I’d fallen for him hook line and sinker the minute I’d clapped eyes on him. A few years older than me, he was everything a girl could wish for in a man, tall, dark, devilishly handsome and extremely rich. Charlie had warned me about him even then, but I wouldn’t listen, didn’t listen. She was right though, he was nothing more than a womaniser and a cheat, how stupid was I to even consider that he would change his ways. Even after he convinced me to move in with him he didn’t change, but I was besotted with him. I’ve forgiven him for his infidelities more times than I can remember over the past five years, believed him every time he’d said sorry. When he finally went down on one knee and asked me to marry him he promised me he would remain faithful that his wayward days were over. Told me I was the one he wanted and by marrying me he would prove it. Ha! What’s that saying? A leopard never changes its spots? Well seeing him now, my leopard hadn’t changed his spots at all and I felt sick, sick to the pit of my stomach. “Look Kenny, perhaps you’re right. Maybe now you’re married he will be different. But my friend, no matter what anybody else says the only person going to get hurt here is you.” “You know I considered leaving him at the altar.” “What?” Charlie exclaimed in disbelief. “While the vicar rattled on, the only thing on my mind was what the rest of my life would be like. Whether I’d grow old continually wondering where he was or who he was with. After we had children when my body is stretched and out of shape, will he still want me?” “Oh god Kenny, why? Why go ahead with the wedding if you weren’t sure?” A solitary tear slipped from my eye as our guests cheered and applauded the man I had just married as the band finished playing out a golden oldie rat pack number, another woman in his arms. “Because I’m weak Charlie, weak and pathetic. I mean how could I have walked out on him when mum and dad have spent all this money? You know how they feel about him, about me.” “Right that’s it. Come on, we’re going outside for a cigarette and we are dam well going to sort this out.” Charlie demanded before gripping my arm and frog marching me out onto the terrace. The warmth of the evening sun engulfed me as soon as I stepped outside. It was unusually hot for May and as the sun began its descent over the horizon the last of its rays fell against my bare shoulders. With the train of my wedding dress held up with one hand I trod carefully down the stone steps of the patio area with Charlie still gripping my arm. Once we were far enough away from the celebrations, we settled ourselves on a wooden bench we had come across close to the quaint wooden bridge over the shallow stream where we’d had photographs taken just hours earlier. It was beautiful here in the grounds of this exclusive five-star hotel, a place I should remember fondly for the rest of my days but instead I feared my memories would be anything but fond ones. “Do you know why he was late?” I asked as placed my cigarette between my lips. “Kenny this is your wedding day. Don’t do this to yourself.” I drew in a long hard drag off my tobacco stick and inhaled relishing in the nicotine rush it provided. “I said do you know why he was late?” Charlie looked at me cautiously, considering my question. I knew she didn’t know the answer, I mean, why would she? But it was the question I’d been wanting to ask all day. “No. I don’t know why he was late, do you?” We sat side by side quietly smoking our cigarettes while I contemplated the question I’d raised. A few female guests had spilled out onto the patio for air laughing together in their intoxicated state. I didn’t know them, much like most of the other guests here. Brandon’s network of associates spanning far wider than my small circle of friends, most of whom I’d never met before today. In all honesty in the five years we’d been together I’d been introduced to but a handful. There was Scott, his oldest friend and his Best Man today who I couldn’t stand and his girlfriend Sally who wasn’t much better. He would know why he was late today but even if he were interrogated by the Russian mafia I know he would never cave and tell the truth. This is why I disliked him so much, he’d previously lied for him too many times. Then there were the guys he played poker with, most of them were friendly enough but none of them boasted any characteristics that would win any prizes. A few of them had partners and although happy enough to be in their company, I wouldn’t exactly call them friends. No, I think it’s safe to say that sitting here now analysing my situation I am probably the loneliest bride on the planet. The sound of Charlie’s voice interrupted my thoughts, “Ken, look I’m sure he wouldn’t have been doing anything stupid. Not on his wedding day?” “No, I suppose you’re right. I, oh I don’t know, I need to know.” I sighed before drawing the last pinch of tobacco from the stub of my cig. “Oh Charlie, I’m so confused. Incomplete.” Only Charlie could know what I meant by that. My feeling incomplete. It’s something that’d been bothering me for a while now. “Come here.” Charlie said as she reached for me, pulling me into a tight embrace. “Look, it’s been a very long and emotional day, what do you say we go back inside, find that husband of yours and remind him who he married today. In the morning after you’ve enjoyed a night of hot passionate sex maybe you will feel differently Mrs West.” Separating my body from hers I took in a deep breath, managed a fake smile and nodded, “Yeah sure, you’re right, it’s probably just me over thinking everything.” “Good girl, c’mon let’s go join the party.” I followed my friend back inside collecting another free glass of champagne along the way and with my happy mask firmly in place I pushed all my doubts to the back of my mind if not for me for the benefit of my parents and guests. There had been no consummation of my marriage last night, Brandon had been far too drunk to sustain any kind of sexual activity. Not that I minded, given how I was feeling last night the last thing I wanted was to have to make love to a man who I suddenly decided I didn’t love anymore. Yikes. One small problem that man is now my husband. Breakfast proved to be interesting, with both sets of parents and numerous guests who had taken advantage of my very generous parents, who had paid for a rather large number of rooms at the hotel for all those who had travelled too far to make the return journey home last night. My mum broke the awkward silence that had descended on our table, “What time is your flight tomorrow Kennedy?” she asked before scooping another forkful of smoked salmon and eggs into her mouth. “Two thirty.” I answered, with as much enthusiasm as I could muster. I was becoming more and more convinced the reason for my husbands’ late arrival at our wedding yesterday involved another woman as each minute passed. I knew the pattern you see. He always got very drunk afterwards that way he wouldn’t have to come home and have sex with me. Then there was the overly caring nature that followed the next day, clearly his guilt kicking in. But never did he offer sex by way of apology for his drunken state the night before. Normally he used the excuse he’d had a few too many with the guys, that he was drawn into a late night poker game. But he couldn’t use that excuse for last night. No, last night he had no excuse. I should have been looking forward to my honeymoon but instead I was beginning to dread it. It was my Dad who chirped up next, “That sounds like a great flight time Kenny, but then the jet lag never hits you until your return journey does it Val?”

Val and John are my parents who are loving and caring and who have supported me through thick and thin over the years even though I am not actually theirs. Yes, I was adopted by them when I was five years old but no one other than Charlotte knows that about me, not even Brandon. Is that really so bad? I mean that I never told my husband that I was adopted? Well I suppose the subject just never came up and besides if I’d told him I guess I would have had to explain how my own parents were killed in a hit and run car accident and that I have a twin brother out there somewhere. We were separated after our parents died when we went into care and I haven’t seen him since. I think that’s one of the reasons I felt so alone yesterday. For a long time now I’ve had a strange yearning to find him, a weird kind of feeling deep inside that I just couldn’t put my finger on. “Oh yes, be sure to give yourself a couple of days space when you get back before you go back to work love. Jet lag is dreadfully hard to deal with if you’ve got to get up for work the next day.” “Don’t worry Mum, I’ll be fine I’m sure. Besides going down to my studio is hardly like stepping into the office now is it?” “When will you have your collection finished babe?” Brandon chipped in, “I’ve got a few more pieces to complete yet but I should be ready for the exhibition in time.” I replied. My art and photography was my salvation that and my horse. It gave me the freedom I needed to express myself and because my work life was so flexible I had the time I needed to look after my most favourite companion, my beautiful Irish draft mare Beau. I’d developed a love for horses after being introduced to them by my father, seems he was quite the horseman when he was a young man, so when I fell in love with the four legged giants he was more than happy to spend a small fortune on my first pony and the rest as they say is history. He bought Beau for me for my twenty-first birthday and for the last eight years she has been my absolute rock. Yeah, you’ve done the math. That makes me twenty-nine, twenty-nine years young, just married and totally miserable. Charlie had been throwing me looks all the way through breakfast, so as the small talk drew to an end and we bode our guest’s farewell I excused myself and followed her out doors. Once outside she handed me a cigarette. “And before you ask, no we didn’t. We didn’t consummate our marriage.” I said dryly, knowing full well why she wanted me alone. “And no I didn’t ask him why he was late either. I reckon I’m probably better off not knowing anyway.” “So what are you going to do?” “Honestly? I have no idea. Go on my honeymoon I guess, finish my collection and see what the future holds.” “Hey Kennedy!” Brandon called from inside the hotel, “Your folks are leaving, come say goodbye.” Crushing the cigarette with my converse pumps I took a deep breath and looked at my friend fondly. “Thanks Charlie, for everything. I’ll be okay, honest.” And with that we both made our way back inside to say our goodbyes. Brandon and I were booked into the hotel for another night and had planned on using the country club facilities connected to it. Yep, I’d been booked in for all sorts of weird and wonderful treatments all intended to have me glowing and ready for the off when we left tomorrow. I was also to have a hair and facial in the morning before we were picked up and taken to the airport. Everything we needed for our honeymoon was packed and ready with us here at the hotel, all I had to do now was get through the next twenty four hours without going insane. Brandon slipped his arms around my waist as we stood in the entrance waving off our parents and pulled me close. For a brief moment I brushed my suspicions to one side and savoured the tenderness of his warm embrace breathing in his scent. This was how it always was, I’d close my eyes and forget, forget all about his lies and deceit and just allow myself to get lost in the moment and try to remember how I’d felt right back at the start when he’d won me over. Dam he was so handsome, the only problem was, he knew it all too well and relished in the attention it brought to him. That’s not to say he was any better looking than I, I mean without being too modest I wasn’t exactly punching above my weight as they say. Sure I was pushing thirty but I had a figure to die for and although my blonde locks came from a bottle the shade was very subtly blended with my naturally light brown hair making my big brown eyes appear darker than they really were. I’d been growing it for ages, and now it had finally reached the bottom of my back I was thrilled. “Hey you guys, there’s no need to make out on the doorstep. You do have a room here.” Charlie joked as she scurried up behind us. “What? Is a man not allowed to show affection to his new wife in public?” Brandon replied, the edges of his lips curling into a sexy grin. “Yeah, yeah, whatever Brandon. Can I borrow my best friend for a minute please?” “Sure. I’ll be up in the room Ken, I’ve got a few emails to see to anyway.” He replied before brushing his lips softly against mine, releasing me from his hold. Immediately I felt cold and as I watched him stride away from me all my doubts came flooding back. Damn I wish I could control my emotions where he was concerned but I couldn’t, maybe I never would. “So? What’s the verdict girlfriend?” Charlie asked as we stepped outside. “I’m afraid I have no fucking idea.” I said taking the cancer stick that she was holding out to me. “Well from where I was standing you just looked like a couple who were very much in love.” “Oh Charlie, you know what he does to me. Fuck! If he could just keep his dick in his pants we’d be okay.” “Not exactly what a bride should be saying about her husband the day after she got married.” She jeered with a cocked brow. “Well no shit Sherlock, but unfortunately that’s exactly the way it is. Isn’t it? My husband just can’t help himself when it comes to women and now I guess there’s nothing I can do about it.” I slumped myself against a huge stone boulder that fronted the hotel and inhaled sharply from the cigarette wedged between my fingers. Christ, I wish I didn’t feel so confused. “Still bugging you about why he was late yesterday?” “Ah ha.” “Well there’s only one thing to do about that Kennedy, you either have to just come right out with it and ask him or bury it and move on.” “I know, I just haven’t decided yet which it is to be.” “Well whatever you decide Ken you know I’ll be there for you don’t you?” “Yeah, thanks Charlie. Really, thank you.” And reaching out to my friend we hugged fondly. “Well don’t just stand here woman, go find your husband and have a great honeymoon. Beau will be fine I promise.” Then with a firm kiss planted squarely to my lips we shared another brief embrace, and she was gone, pulling her case behind her as she walked towards my discovery that would be hers for the next two and a half weeks. Taking a deep breath, I turned and made my way back into the hotel ready to face whatever lay in store for me. My heart had begun to beat rapidly as the elevator ascended to the honeymoon suite situated on the top floor, anticipation of what was to come suddenly overwhelming. With clammy hands I stepped onto the spongy carpet and began the long walk down the corridor towards the door labelled in shiny gold letters ‘BRIDAL SUITE’. I imagined this must be how it felt for convicts on death row as they walked towards to the electric chair. The end of the beginning, or was it the beginning of the end? A little over the top maybe, but if I’m honest, that’s exactly how I felt. The sound of Sam Smith greeted me as I opened the door. “Hey babe, did Charlie get off okay?” Brandon called as he heard me enter the suite. “Yeah, she’s taken the disco so she can use it when she goes to check on Beau.” I replied as I made my way to the small but functional kitchen area to make a cup of tea. “Cool, I’ll be finished in a few minutes then we can go check out the country club if you like?” “Sure.” I spotted a disc leaning against the tiled wall as I waited patiently for the kettle to boil. Eyeing it curiously I picked it up gently rubbing my thumb across its smooth surface. Turning to the laptop resting on the worktop I powered it up, slipping the disc into the slot in the side. This must be the disc from the memory booth we’d had at the wedding although I had assumed that it would have been a USB stick. Our guests were able to take photos of themselves or make a short video with messages of well wishes or funny stories about us. Or at least that’s what I thought it was. I looked in disbelief at the images staring back at me as my blood ran cold. Suddenly the words to the song playing in the background had never seemed truer, you and me we made a vow, for better or for worse, I can’t believe you let me down, but the proofs in the way it hurts…. You say I’m crazy, cause you don’t think I know what you’ve done…. I felt sick to the pit of my stomach as my eyes were tortured by what they saw. My husband naked with another woman in my bed, our bed. As if paralysed I stood frozen to the spot unaware of the steam from the now boiling kettle beside me. So there it was, as large as life, the proof that my husband was still the liar and the cheat he’d promised not to be. All the evidence I would ever need to confirm my darkest fears and the answer to my unspoken question as to why he was late for our wedding. The digital date in the bottom left corner of the picture telling me that this, this filth had been created yesterday. My wedding day.

“Hey babe you ready?” I turned my head from the screen at the sound of his voice and stepped to the side, then watched as the colour drained from his cheeks. “Kenny, baby, it’s not…”

“Not what Brandon? Not what I think?” I snapped. “Stop! Don’t you dare come near me.” I yelled, holding my hand out as he started to walk towards me. “Ken, please, let me explain.” “Explain! Explain what? How you felt it necessary to fuck another woman on your wedding day? In my bed!” “Baby please…” he begged. “No Brandon, no! Not this time.” “But… we’re married now.” “What? And that’s supposed to make me feel better. You disgust me. You know that Brandon? You make my skin crawl!” My body was beginning to shake as my heart beat heavily inside my chest. I needed air. Needed to be away from him before I did or said something I would regret. Fuck! I felt his hand grip around my wrist tightly before he yanked me towards him. “Take your filthy fucking hands off me you bastard!” I yelled as my salty tears began their descent. “No, I’m not letting you go like this. Ken that was yesterday. I was weak and foolish, it was one last fling, but I’m here now. For fuck sake I married you yesterday didn’t I?” “No Brandon, you made a god dammed fool out of me yesterday, and as for being married… well we’re not anymore. It’s over Brandon. Over.” “But…” “But nothing. I said it’s over and I meant it. Now please let me go before I start shouting rape and have half the hotel up here.” I looked up at his handsome face as I pulled myself from his hold, my tears now running freely down my face. Shit, this wasn’t how it was supposed to be, this wasn’t what fate had laid out for me, was it? Maybe it was, maybe this was exactly how it was supposed to be. After all seeing is believing, isn’t that what they say? Well, I’d seen and heard enough to last me a lifetime and I sure as hell wasn’t going to hang around and listen to his lame excuses and explanations anymore. Grabbing my bag and phone I turned to him, slipped the gold band and diamond encrusted engagement ring that nestled alongside it from my wedding finger and placed them on the keyboard of the laptop. “Goodbye Brandon.” I said flatly before walking away without a backward glance. With each step I felt more relieved as if the weight of the world had just been lifted from my shoulders.