Sunday, January 8, 2012

(R) Excerpt; In Wicked Chains by Avril Ashton

Remember, leave a comment on any of my posts today to be entered to win a copy of In Wicked Chains.




She burst into the bar as Sasha entered.

“Hey, E. Been waiting long?”

Elina brushed past her and out the open door with a choked sob. She’d lose Sasha, too, if her friend ever found out about Elina’s feelings for Kingston.

“Whoa. E, wait up.” Sasha’s heels clicked on the ground as she ran after Elina.

Elina slowed to a stop beside her car and hastily brushed at her damp eyes.

“Hey.” Sasha settled a hand on her shoulder. “Look at me.”

Resigned, Elina turned slowly. Sasha removed her sunglasses and frowned up at her. The concern in her eyes made Elina want to weep even more. She hiccupped.

“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

Movement at the club’s entrance caught Elina’s eye. Kingston stood framed in the entranceway, unbound braids around his shoulders, buckling his belt.

Sasha followed her gaze and frowned. “Did Kingston do something to you? Did he hurt you?” 

“Get in the car.” Her friend opened her mouth. “Now.” Elina slid behind the wheel and started the vehicle, pulling away as Sasha hopped in and slammed the door.

“What the hell is going on?” Sasha buckled her seatbelt and threw her handbag in the backseat.

Elina bit her lip and sped out of the club’s parking lot. She eyed the rearview mirror. Kingston stood in the space she’d pulled out of, arms crossed, staring after them. Silence reigned as Sasha sat beside her patiently, glancing from Elina to the road ahead, and back.

Lo siento,” Elina said finally. If Sasha no longer wanted to be her friend, she’d deal with it. She’d probably broken some kind of sacred law between best friends. Thou shall not lust after your best friend’s brother, no matter how much he stars in your nighttime fantasies.

Sasha sighed. “You’re scaring me. You know that, right? I’ve never seen you like this before.”

“I know and I’m sorry.” Elina gripped the steering wheel to hide her trembling fingers. “I-I didn’t mean for it to happen, it just did.”

“What did?” Sasha’s voice rose. “Fuck, E, you’re not making any sense.” She twisted in her seat to face Elina. “Stop speaking in riddles before I smack the shit out of you.”

Elina’s lips twitched. Sasha’s violent side always made her smile. “I saw something in Kingston’s office. He and a woman. They were…”

“They were what?” Suspicion laced Sasha’s words. “Tell me and I’ll kick his ass.”

“They were…she was on her knees.” Elina swallowed and forced out the words. “Naked. Pleasuring him with her mouth.” She wanted to say, taking what was mine.

Sasha’s mouth rounded, eyes widened. “Oh.” She faced forward and placed her head back on the headrest. “That’s what has you upset?”

“It should’ve been me,” Elina whispered. Sasha stiffened. She ignored her friend’s reaction and continued. “I’m the one who’s wanted him for months, pretending not to care. Pretending.”

Sasha remained silent, staring straight ahead.

Elina glanced at her. “I’m so sorry. I know I’ve broken your trust in me and I understand if you don’t…” Her voice broke. “If you no longer want to be my friend.”

“Pull over.”

Elina flinched at the barked order. She pulled over to the side of the road and sat, silent, waiting for Sasha’s reprimand.

“Look at me.” Sasha unbuckled her seatbelt and leaned over to grasp Elina’s shoulder.

Elina lifted her chin and met her friend’s gaze.

“You’re in love with my brother?”

Elina nodded. “I’m sorry for—”

Sasha slashed a hand through the air. “Stop apologizing. I’m not mad at you. Surprised, but not mad.”

“Really?” Elina perked up. “You’re not breaking up with me?”

Sasha chuckled. “No. I’m not breaking up with you, E. I’m sorry you had to see him with somebody else. Why don’t you just tell him how you feel?”

“I was. I gave up waiting for him to make a move, to come to me. That’s why I was there, to see him. To tell him how I feel.” She shook her head and turned away before Sasha saw the tears in her eyes. “I think he wants me, too, but then this happens. Maybe he can’t see past our friendship. Or maybe he can’t deal with who I am,” she whispered the last part

“You don’t know that.” Sasha took Elina’s hand in hers. “You can’t know what he thinks until you talk to him.”

“No.” Elina pulled her hand away. “No, I can’t face him, not after that.”

Sasha sighed. “It’s your choice, but I think you should talk to him.” She grabbed her purse from the backseat and opened the car door. “Gimme a sec, I’ll be right back.”
Elina laid her head on the headrest and closed her eyes. She had one load off her chest. Others remained, but at least she had Sasha by her side. She didn’t lose her friend, and that was the one positive in all this.



1 comment:

Debby said...

This sounds great!

debby236 at gmail dot com