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  TWISTED

  The Twisted Series: Book 1

  By Christa Simpson

  Twisted

  By Christa Simpson

  Copyright © 2013 Christa Simpson

  All rights reserved.

  KINDLE EDITION

  Blog: http://christasimpson.wordpress.com

  Email: [email protected]

  Cover Art by Razzle Dazzle Design.

  http://razzdazzdesign.com/

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to anyone other than the person who purchased it. In the case that you wish to share this ebook with others, please purchase an additional copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  ~

  Thanks to my hubby and my girls for putting up with me, while I spent hours typing away on my computer. It was slow going at first, but I think I finally got my hubby on board.

  Thanks to my mom and my sisters for being my sounding boards whenever I needed one (which was often).

  Thanks to everyone else who has been supporting me on my new journey as an author.

  Last, but certainly not least, thanks to you for purchasing my book!!

  Happy Reading!

  ~Christa Simpson

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

  CHAPTER ONE

  ~

  ANXIOUS AND IMPATIENT, I sped toward my quaint Victorian house settled snugly in the luscious green City of Rose Arbour. I maneuvered my fast black car through the City streets and swung into my double driveway. Jamming my foot on the brake, I brought the car to a stop and slammed it into park, reckless but effective. With long strides, I hurried to my front door and slipped inside my house, my heart beating fast, my face covered with a smile.

  It was the perfect night for a blind date. What am I saying? There’s no such thing! Regardless, I had to get ready for my night out and fast. I was expecting my mystery man any minute.

  Edwin Santora’s eyes were on me the second our solid wood door clunked shut. After kicking off my shoes, and giving a silent wave to my brooding, shirtless roommate, I rushed directly upstairs taking two steps at a time. Within seconds, Edwin was flying up the stairs behind me, all brawn and pride. He stalked me down the hall, his large agile physique a shadow of stealth. But no matter how smooth Edwin thought he was, I could always sense when he was lurking around.

  I disappeared into the bathroom, ignoring his approach, heart still racing, cheeks flushed with a healthy glow. It had been way too long and it was time for me to move on with my life. The days of Edwin and I were over, and I had finally faced that fact. For that reason, I trusted my matchmaking to an eager co-worker. What else could I do? I didn’t seem to have any luck finding myself a man.

  Edwin filled the doorframe with his imposing shoulders. "Where are you going all dolled up like that?"

  I should have slammed the door shut behind me while I had the chance. The last thing I needed now was Edwin giving me a hard time. It had been months since my last date and let’s just say that it’s not possible for this one to go any worse than that one had.

  After carefully touching up my mascara in the mirror, I twirled around to face him, my glossy brown hair fanning out behind me. "I got a date!" I smiled from honest excitement, but I really didn’t have time to chat about it.

  "Who is he?" Edwin pried.

  "You don't know him."

  Edwin’s chest flexed under my warm gaze, his abs held tight, sculpted from stone. Oh, I love watching him sweat. He narrowed his aqua eyes, in response to my devious smile, and, as if on cue, the doorbell rang.

  Before I even reached the bathroom door, Edwin stepped toward me, boxed me out with his hip and hurried down the hall with swift, powerful strides, every muscle in his body twitching with adrenaline. There was no point in trying to fight him for the front door. He had me beat.

  “You think you could put on a shirt Eddie? Please.”

  "I'll get it," he hollered, shuffling down the stairs, ignoring my request. He was all too eager to answer the door and his mischievous grin gave away his greedy intentions.

  "Edwin, be good!" I warned, stopping at the top of the open staircase.

  "What? I'm always good." He flashed me a sly smile and raised his dark arched eyebrows.

  I knew it meant trouble and my nerves started to get the best of me, butterflies dancing in my tummy. Edwin better not blow this one too. He had a tendency of scaring away my dates. It was getting old. I suppose, if this guy can’t handle Edwin's pressure, maybe he’s only saving me the trouble. I clung to the wooden post, hoping the poor guy would pass the test.

  Edwin opened the front door ever so slightly and started in on his usual act, deliberately blocking my view. Bastard. Then he cracked the door open a little farther, teasing, his generous back still in the way. He folded his bulging arms over his impressive chest and stared down at my date with eyes dark and voice low. "Can I help you?" he asked firmly, acting all macho.

  I nearly burst out laughing and had to hide the smile on my face to show that I was not amused. Even if I was.

  "Is this the home of Abigail Jenkins?" the poor guy asked hesitantly.

  "Yes," Edwin answered, but didn’t invite him in.

  "Edwin!" I warned, scowling at his back. I’d had enough. As I started down the stairs to intervene, I struggled to interpret their mumbling. It was time that I took things into my own hands.

  "I guess you can come in," Edwin finally offered, swinging the door wide open and smirking at me over his bulky shoulder.

  I wanted to throttle him, but decided on saving it for later.

  "I'm Kerry by the way, Kerry Malone." He offered his business card to Edwin and then extended his hand for a shake.

  Edwin nodded at him and left him hanging, but took the card. "Isn't Kerry a girl's name? Is there something you're not telling us Kerry?"

  Oh boy, here we go. Why Edwin had to pull out the immaturity card at a time like this was beyond me. "That's enough, wise guy," I said, jabbing my elbow into Edwin’s rock hard gut. My cheeks warmed with embarrassment. "Don't mind him," I said, smiling at Kerry.

  Kerry flashed me an anxious, selfless smile, his dark chocolate eyes warm with hope.

  Not bad. Not bad at all.

  Edwin strode off toward the living room, without another word, but I had a distinct feeling that I wasn't in the clear just yet. I detected a slight sense of annoyance from Edwin, and maybe a little disappointment? I quickly shuffled that thought away.

  "Is that pest your brother?" Kerry asked, curious but quiet.

  "You could say he's something of the sort," I lied, loud enough for Edwin to hear.

  "Ha!" Edwin snapped from the living room, carefully listening in, as I suspected.

  Kerry ignored Edwin, totally focused on me. "You look beautiful tonight."

  "Thank you," I replied smiling, my
cheeks warming all over again. He must have liked the hair. I had styled long loose curls in it this morning and it was still looking soft and glossy like polished mahogany.

  I bent over and slipped on my new stilettos. "Shall we?" I asked, motioning toward the door. I didn't want to leave an opening for Edwin to come back and sabotage Kerry's chances. So far so good.

  I stepped out into the heat, as Kerry made his way down the porch steps, the pavement still distributing the warmth from the hot day's sun. It wasn’t even summer yet, but the weather was exceptionally warm and I was enjoying every waking moment of it.

  Kerry opened my car door and my smile revealed my appreciation. Check. The soft music and laidback conversation was encouraging. Check. He drove his car steadily to the restaurant, without trying to make a show of it. Check.

  I watched his body language, cool and cautious. His shoulders slanted toward me and his left hand casually dangled over the top of the steering wheel, as he smoothly shifted gears. He seemed kind and totally attentive the entire trip to the restaurant. Finally, this night had turned right.

  When he stared ahead, monitoring the oncoming traffic, I took the opportunity to check him out some more. His face was attractive, especially when he was donning that anxious smile that curved up a little higher on the left. All in all, the combination of his short silky black hair, dark brown eyes and appealing smile was actually quite charming.

  When his car came to a halt, I got my own door. This is the twenty first century people. I rounded the front of the car and met up with him before we approached the restaurant on foot. Suddenly everything took a turn for the worst. Everything always had a way of doing that for me.

  It started with an enormous bulge jutting out from Kerry’s back pocket. How did I not notice that before? I let him take one full stride ahead of me and decided his wallet looked more like a pocket dictionary; totally ridiculous. It made me second-guess my assessment of his character.

  Then there was our obvious height difference. Now I suppose it didn't help that I was wearing 4" heels, but he couldn't have been an inch over 5'6" on a good day. After having dated Edwin, an easy 6'2" with tree trunks for legs, Kerry seemed to me like half a man. Considering the fact that I had him beat by a couple of inches standing flat-footed, it was official that this date was hopeless.

  The restaurant was his selection, an average run-of-the mill chain restaurant. The music was too loud, the lights too dim and the patio lanterns set the stage for an awful night.

  I tossed my voluminous hair over my shoulder, inspecting the embarrassing distance from his shoulders to mine, my confidence wavering from his shortcomings. I literally towered over Kerry, as the petite, young hostess asked for his name. He handed her his business card. Okay then.

  I wanted to keep an open mind, but I had already come to terms with the fact that I’m a pessimist by nature and it would be a hard fight with myself to win this one. Weak and unimpressive were words that came to mind, when I prefer strong and commanding.

  I smiled at Kerry when he looked up at me, but when he opened his mouth, that just put the icing on his goodbye cake. His breath reeked of liquor and I started to wonder how I hadn't noticed his slight slur before now. That would explain why he was driving so carefully.

  For lack of a good escape plan, I figured I might as well get a good meal out of the deal. His wallet was fat enough. I'm sure he could afford it.

  Soon a waitress led us to a booth near the bar. Thoughtfully, Kerry offered for me to take my seat first. I slid into the middle of the leather covered bench seat. Seconds later I realized that Kerry was feeling daring tonight, and he slid in next to me. There was nowhere for me to go, shoved up against the wall, so I dropped my purse in between us. I could only hope that it was enough to keep him at bay.

  “Could I please get a glass of water?” I asked the waitress. Despite my strongest efforts to redirect Kerry’s attention away, he leaned in toward me and overpowered me with his beer breath. I forced out a smile and quickly reached for a menu, lifting it in front of my face to block the stale stench from my sensitive nose. I glanced over the menu quickly, selected the first item I saw and, when his nose was safely in his menu, I put mine down on the table.

  "Wow. You already know what you want? That was quick," he said, giving me another dose of his rank breath.

  Holding my own breath, I grinned and nodded.

  "I like a woman who knows what she wants." He raised his eyebrow suggestively, as I took a drink from my water.

  Gag me. Literally. I choked on my water and turned away to gasp for air as discreetly as possible. The last thing I needed was for him to pull a stunt like the Heimlich on me.

  When the waitress returned to the table to take our drink orders, I insisted that she take our meals too. Not surprising, he ordered a beer along with his steak.

  The first course came quickly and I tried to keep my mouth full, so I didn't have to talk much. I ate half of my meal and while it tasted surprisingly delicious, there was no way I could enjoy it. I pushed it into the middle of the table mid-way through the meal and dropped my napkin on top to show that I was done.

  "Didn't you like it?" Kerry asked.

  "It was fine. I'm not that hungry. I'm actually feeling a little sick," I lied, hoping to speed up the night. BINGO!

  Kerry took the bait and finished his meal promptly. With a wave of his hand, he called the waitress over and asked for our bill. She nodded studiously and went to her station to print it up. Kerry briefly glanced toward the waitress and it looked like he was anticipating payment. As the waitress approached our table with the bill, he quickly stood up.

  "Can you please excuse me for a minute? I need to use the restroom," he said, then rushed off, without waiting for a response.

  Oh no he didn't! As he walked away I noted that his wallet, being as fat as a tennis ball, was most certainly big enough to pay for my dinner. He must have had a huge wad of cash in there for it to be that thick. Then it finally dawned on me: Business cards. It was likely stacked full of them. He had been handing them to every person we passed, much to my embarrassment. The waitress handed me the bill and I peeked at it, before slipping it back into the leather folder.

  "How would you like to pay for that?" the woman asked me kindly.

  "I'm gonna wait for my date," I explained, a smug smile in place.

  "Okay, I'll be back in a minute then," she replied, and I was satisfied she gathered exactly what was going on.

  As Kerry returned to the table, the waitress followed up behind him. I was happy that she had decidedly rephrased her question for him. "Will you be paying the entire bill tonight sir?" she asked sweetly.

  He looked at me restlessly and smiled. I smiled back, that appreciative smile, showing no indication that I planned to chip in. He leaned over and pulled out the big, unattractive wad from his pants. He was damn lucky too, because there would have been a fight if I had to pay a dime for this disaster.

  As the waitress went off with his credit card, I forced a harsh frown and held my stomach as though I wasn't well. I think he started to figure out my deal. I never was a very good actress when it came to those sorts of things, but he didn’t ask and I didn’t tell him.

  When we went out to his car, he didn't offer to get my door, and when he pulled out of the parking lot, he squealed his tires like an ass. If he was trying to offend me, he succeeded. It was incredibly immature and very unappealing, and if I wasn't actually sick before, I was now from his reckless driving.

  After the awkward silence back to my house, I hoped I could make a quick exit, but it looked to me that he still expected a goodnight kiss. Not gonna happen beer breath! I stared out the tinted window at the darkness, seeking inspirational words to express my disgust.

  "I had a great time tonight. I was hoping we could stay out later, but maybe next time," he said, pulling the emergency break.

  "Mmm hmm," I mumbled, as I desperately scratched for the door handle in the dark. There was no a
voiding his brutal man breath when he leaned toward me. I turned my head, just missing his sloppy, repulsive kiss. His lips mashed against my cheek.

  "Good night," I said firmly, as I finally found the handle. I dove out of the door and rushed up to my house, nauseous and offended. I quickly jammed my key in the lock to let myself in and slammed the door shut behind me. I rolled over the deadbolt and leaned against the door for support, before banging my head back against it. Why me?

  I thought of my sister and tried to find something positive from the situation. At least I managed to bolt from his car before he could ask for my number. Yes. I done good. As for Maddison Walker, the one who set me up with this madman, there would be hell to pay.

  I heard Edwin walking down the hall, so I collected myself before he stopped at the top of the stairs. It was dark and I hadn't turned on the lights. I was thankful that he hadn't either.

  "You're home early. I take it he's the man of your dreams," he teased.

  Suddenly I was mounting with anger. I straightened myself and headed up the stairs with a vicious stomp. I wanted to appear angry, but my words came off as pouting. "Not good," I whined.

  Amused, Edwin followed me to my room. "Was it something I did?"

  Was he intentionally trying to rub it in? He leaned against my bedroom doorway, flaunting all his manly beauty. Remind me again why I broke up with this man.

  "I wish it was,” I said, dropping my head in defeat. “Let's just chalk this one up to a natural disaster.”

  "You really had nothing to work with. That guy’s hardly even a man. Besides, I told you that dating's no good for you. Why do you need another man in your life when you've got me?"

  I wasn't comfortable letting that conversation go where it was heading, so I quickly changed the topic, forcing a smile onto my pouty face. "Shouldn't you be getting ready for bed? Tomorrow's a big day for you."

  "It's my first day at your office, not my first day of kindergarten; and it's 9:30 pm, I think I'll be alright."

  "Aren't you nervous though?"