Authors: Kaylee Ryan
Tempting Tatum
TEMPTING TATUM
Copyright © 2014 Kaylee Ryan
All Rights Reserved.
This book may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Kaylee Ryan, except for the use of brief quotations in articles and or reviews.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, events, locations, businesses and plot are products of the author’s imagination and meant to be used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events throughout the story are purely coincidental. The author acknowledges trademark owners and trademarked status of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication and use of these trademarks is not authorized, sponsored or associated by or with the trademark owners.
The following story contains sexual situations and strong language. It is intended for adult readers.
Cover Design:
Sommer Stein Perfect Pear Creative Covers
Cover Photography:
Toski Covey Photography Custom Design
Editing: Hot Tree Editing
Formatting: Integrity Formatting
To my family.
Your continued love and support throughout this journey is empowering.
I’m sitting against the wall with my knees pulled to my chest, my face buried, rocking back and forth. I keep hearing the doctor’s words run through my mind. “
I’m sorry; there was nothing I could do.
They’re gone. Your parents didn’t survive. I’m so sorry. Is there anyone we can call?”
My parents, they’re gone. The accident that came across the airways earlier today, that was them. The thought never crossed my mind when I heard about the accident. They were not supposed to be there. They were supposed to be in Kentucky for a few more days, settling Nana’s estate. Why were they there on that road at that exact time? Why them? Pain slices through me. Hot tears roll down my cheeks, causing my eyes to burn. I struggle to pull air into my lungs. Feeling a faint touch on my arm, my head jerks up to find the doctor who just sent my entire world spinning out of control. I know he’s talking, but my ears are ringing. His voice and his previous words are on constant replay.
Panic is starting to set in and I need to get away. Josh…I need Josh. Just the thought of him wrapping me in his arms has me springing into action. I jump to my feet and run. I hear the doctor yell my name. I don’t care. I have to get to Josh.
I need him.
I bust through the emergency room’s doors and I’m assaulted by bright sunlight. It’s a clear, beautiful sunny day, even though there’s a dark cloud hanging over me. A cloud of death. My parents, they’re gone. I run straight to the parking lot without even looking; the honking of horns just causes me to run faster. I spot my Ford Fusion, finally on my way to Josh. I fumble with the keys, my hands shaking. I manage to get the door unlocked and climb behind the wheel. Gripping the wheel tight, I rest my forehead against it, closing my eyes trying to gain control of my tears. Taking a deep breath, I start the car and slowly pull out of the lot. I point my car in the direction of the only person who can soothe me, Josh.
Josh and I have been dating for the last year. We met the summer before our senior year at Ohio State University. Josh is an architecture major while mine is marketing and public relations. We both graduate next month. I place my hand to my chest to dull the ache. My parents won’t be there to see me graduate.
Somehow, I’m able to make it to his condo. I don’t remember the drive. Pulling into the lot, my foggy brain suddenly remembers that he is in class for at least another two hours. I contemplate calling him, but decide that I’ll just use the key that he gave me a few weeks ago, when he begged me to move in. Being surrounded by his things will help until I can be with him. He’s all I have now.
Decision made, I make my way into the building and hit the button for the elevator. Once inside, I release the breath I was holding as more tears flood my cheeks. My heart is pounding as I struggle to pull breath into my lungs. His apartment is on the third floor. Almost there. I slouch against the wall and pray that I can make it there without any stops. I’m not exactly up for chitchat. I just need Josh. I need for him to wrap his arms around me and make the pain go away. The elevator dings and the doors slide open. I turn right and make it to Josh’s door. I reach for the handle and turn, not thinking that I need my keys and, well in this case, I didn’t. The door is unlocked. Through the tears and heartache that has taken over me the last few hours, I don’t think anything of it. That is until I look up and see Josh, my boyfriend, with some blonde chick slouched over the arm of the couch. He has a tight grip on her hair as he plunges himself inside of her, over and over again. I stand there frozen, shock preventing me from moving. I hear what I can only describe as a strangling noise, and Josh whips his head toward me. Shit, apparently that noise is me. Josh pulls himself from the blonde.