Stabled (The Stables Trilogy #1) (15 page)

Epilogue

The lights shone bright as she crossed to the stable. The rest of the ranch slept. Her eyes itched, her body demanding sleep.

Maple’s mind, though, was racing with her pulse.

Approaching the door, she took a deep breath. It was unlocked, the large bolt hanging open. From inside she heard shuffling.

Once, Maple had let a man walk all over her and begged for it. He’d torn her apart, putting her back together in a shape which suited him. Then he’d thrown her to the wolves and left her.

It had taken time, care, and privacy to glue herself back into something that resembled a girl. She'd layered herself, putting the darkest, dirtiest parts of her behind a wall, trying to keep it locked away.

She'd locked it away and run, thinking that enough distance and solitude would keep her safe.

She'd been wrong.

Behind the door was something black and unknown. In there lurked J.B., with his dark curls and mismatched eyes, haunted by his dead wife. The man had unglued Maple. He’d bashed in the wall that shielded her. He’d built a pyre of her dark desires, the ones better left buried, and set it ablaze.

The only thing that could save her was stability. A firm hand and the lick of discipline. In the greatest twist, she stood in front of a stable that held the key to everything
but
stability. How could two words so closely related be so drastically at war in her?

She rested her hand on the knob. With great trepidation, Maple opened the door.

Thanks for reading! A cliffhanger? Dang it, I know! Don’t worry, the pre-orders are already up-- you’ll be finishing this story in no time!

Find
Tethered
here
!

"Look, but don't touch."

Ornate stables. The smell of hay and sweat. The lush green of the show grounds. Maple Parsons finds the allure of the Pony Bazaar overwhelming and supremely enticing. "Bio-Equine Showcasing," as the sponsors put it.

And sales. Because she's here with J.B. to sell the pony girls J.B. trained. The prospect terrifies her as much as it thrills her. Not to mention she's here, alone with J.B. Their attraction keeps them tethered together even as events try and keep them apart.

Given enough force, though, even the strongest ties can be snapped. When Maple's dark past comes back to haunt her, J.B. might be able to save her, but she's not sure she can save what they have together.

Others might be looking for a way to break free, but Maple's desperate to find a way to bind herself to J.B. She wants to be tied down. She's willing to sacrifice it all for a chance to be his.

Find
Saddled
here
!

Her mouth aches from the bit. The leather harness cuts into her skin. A lick--or ten-- from the crop.

Maple Parsons loves every second of it. Because despite the odds, J.B. has decided to keep and train her. The caveat? He doesn't romance his stock. He's adamant about this. Business and pleasure don't mix, and his stables are all business.

But Maple thinks he's wrong. Both she and J.B. have wounds they're trying to heal and she knows that this is the best, most f!cked up therapy there is. He makes her heart gallop and she's willing to fight for him.

The thing is... she's not the only one. A new face in his stable seems just as set on seducing J.B. The new pony girl is ruthless, and suddenly Maple is wondering if she's made a terrible mistake. Each misstep is earning more than J.B.'s disapproval-- it's unraveling the trust they've built.

It will take learning which rules to follow and which to break for Maple to survive the stable. If she doesn't succeed, a broken heart is the least of her worries.

About the Author

Penny Lam grew up in North Carolina but never fully mastered the accent. Previously she wrote as Penelope L'Amoreaux-- sometimes she needs a little change. She skipped a lot of high school and went to more colleges than Sarah Palin. It took a long time to find something she loved doing enough to stick with it. When she isn't writing, she plays hide and seek with her daughter, attempts to do yoga, and drinks a lot of red wine.

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Books by Penny Lam

10 Rules to Catch a Billionaire

Stabled

Tethered

Saddled

Writing as Penelope L'Amoreaux

Lost in His Woods

Corrupt Practices

Corrupt Policies

Corrupt Persons

The Corrupt Trilogy Box Set

Struck Down (dark romance)

Stolen Goods (sequel to Struck Down)

"Please, Maestro" (an erotic short story)

"Breaking Me In" The Complete collection (a paranormal novella)

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