One More Time: More Series Book 1 Read online

  Copyright ©2015 - 2016 S. Van Horne

  All Rights Reserved

  No part of this book may be reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system without written expressed permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is purely coincidental.

  ISBN-13: 978-1535125093

  ISBN-10: 1535125098

  Cover design: SK Designs –http://sexykittendesigns.authorsvanhorne.com/

  Cover Photograph: Travis Meadows of Oni Studio – http://oni-studio-photography.com

  Model: Megan Gearhart

  Editor: Airicka Phoenix – Airicka Mystical Creations

  Formatting: Alexandria Bishop at AB Formatting

  The use of actors, artists, movies, TV shows, and song titles/lyrics throughout this book are done so for storytelling purposes and should in no way be seen as advertisement. Trademark names are used in an editorial fashion with no intention of infringement of the respective owner’s trademark.

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or if it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and please purchase your own copy.

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior express, written consent of the author.

  This book is intended for mature adults only. Contains sexual content and language that may offend some. Suggested reading audience is 18 years or older. I consider this book as Adult Romance. If this isn’t your type of book, then please don’t purchase it.

  This manuscript is currently getting assessed with copyright.gov. When it is finished being processed I will add the copyright number.

  DEDICATION

  In Memory of my OPG (Old Plain Grandma) if it wasn’t for your mothering and your encouragement to read I wouldn’t ever have been able to take this step. I know you’re smiling down at me from heaven for finally following this dream.

  I love you and miss you, tons and bunches.

  (Sonya and her OPG - May of 2013)

  P.S. Mari, Dante’s yours.

  ONE MORE TIME

  At twenty-five Len Shields had it all, a promising medical career, a loving family, amazing friends, and her brother back from his time in the Navy. Everything was perfect – until the first letter…

  At twenty-seven Dante De Luca was finally finished with his time in the Navy and was starting his new career at Seal Security with his buddies from the service. Everything was finally settling into place for him—until the phone call…

  Now the hunt is on to find a stalker that could shatter everything Len and Dante have been building…including the love they have for each other. When they both finally admit their feelings for each other the worst happens… Will they ever get their one more time?

  Table of Contents

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Twenty-Three

  Twenty-Four

  Twenty-Five

  Twenty-Six

  Twenty-Seven

  Twenty-Eight

  Twenty-Nine

  Thirty

  Thirty-One

  Thirty-Two

  Thirty-Three

  Epilogue

  Bonus Chapter

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  MORE THAN ANYTING (More #2) Preview

  Leap of Faith by ML Rodriguez Preview

  Forever Mine by Mary B Moore Preview

  Caught by CM Steele Preview

  Sugar Baby by Eve Montelibano Preview

  NOTE FROM AUTHOR

  I wanted to take a moment to explain how the phrase One More Time came about. If you know me personally, you will know that my husband and I say this to each other a lot. It started over sixteen years ago when we were just dating and now it’s something we say to each other multiple times a day.

  It first began when I was a little girl with my Daddy. He would look at me and say, “I love you first.” I then would look at him and say, “I love you second.” At that point we both would say as fast as we could, “I love you all the time.” We were trying to beat each other. This is something we still do to this day and he now does with my daughter. Anyway, at one point after he beat me yet again on saying it faster; I stated to him, “I love you all the time plus one more than you love me.”

  Fast forward years later… One day I was reading the paper when my husband (who was my boyfriend at the time) and I saw a story about SHMILY. If you’re not familiar with this story, I encourage you to look up SHMILY Coins for the story. It really touched me and so I explained to my boyfriend that we needed a saying too.

  It wasn’t much after that, I want to say less than a week; when my boyfriend said, “I love you.” I immediately thought of what my dad and I do and I said, “I love you too. But I love you one more time than you could ever love me." At that point, I stopped and spun around to face him with a huge smile on my face.

  “That’s it! Our saying! One More Time!” I exclaimed to him, and he smiled.

  That’s how the saying One More Time was born and has been going strong for years. My children say they love hearing it from us because it shows just how much their parents are in love and it’s a great feeling to know that our love is affecting them in a good way.

  So it’s with this that I encourage you to find a saying for your love one. It’s never too late to do this. The More Series is about finding that one and making a statement in a saying. I really hope you enjoy this and find a saying that will change how you show the world what your love means.

  Much Love,

  Sonya

  P.S. There are two characters in this book that’s from another book. Mace and Coleman is from the Mary B Moore’s – Forever Mine. Make sure you go and check it out. Our characters will be visiting each other and working together. Also, they’ll be vacationing together soon. So keep an eye out for that. Now, on to Len and Dante…

  One

  LEN

  Scared doesn’t even begin to describe what I’m feeling right now. Looking at my shaking hands holding the note that was left on my car windshield, I’m not sure what to think. I’m trying to figure out who would send it. I’ve never led a guy on. How could I when I’m still stuck on the one guy who thinks of me as his best friend’s annoying little sister. Hearing those words spoken from him broke my heart, but what shattered it was when I’d heard him and my brother talk about becoming Navy Seals. Not only was I losing the one guy I had loved since I was twelve, I was losing
my brother as well.

  Don’t get me wrong, I support my troops, but I was terrified that they were going to die in combat. I’m not dumb, and even back then, I knew being a Navy Seal was a big thing. I knew it meant secret dangerous missions without knowing if they were okay. To keep my mind off my fear and because I loved them more than words can describe, I did all I could in supporting them. I sent care packages, wrote letters, and helped with charity events to raise funds. I also visited my brother when he was stateside, a difficult task with me being in school, then in college, and then during my residency to become a doctor. Now, as a second year Emergency Room resident at Center Point Medical Center, I’m even more busy and have less time to myself.

  It helps that my family moved back to Kansas City when I began college. Even Mamma Gio and Papa Tony followed along with the boys in tow. They said they were ready for a change and wanted to join their second family. Now, Neil is done with the Navy and has opened his own security business, which Dante ended up partnering with him.

  Since his return, I’ve yet to see Dante. It’s been nine long years since I’ve seen him, and I have no clue what I’m going to say when I’m finally face to face with him. I don’t want it to be weird, but I know it will be. Ever since the day they left, I’ve had to re-evaluate my feelings constantly.

  The chaste kiss he placed on my lips not only scared me, but had given me hope. It would’ve to any sixteen-year-old girl who’d just had her first kiss from her Prince Charming, the boy she’d been in love with her whole life. But then letters from my brother about the crazy crap they were pulling and the women Dante was screwing changed everything.

  “Neil will be with you shortly, Len,” Sara, my brother’s receptionist, tells me as she walks back to her desk.

  “Thank you, Sara.” I go and take a seat then look back at her and add, “We really need to set up that girls’ night we keep talking about. I miss hanging with you guys.”

  “You’re the one who’s always busy at work. Call Ashley and tell her your schedule. Then we’ll see about getting you in the club and finally getting you a man. We both need a man. We really need to get laid!” she says and then rolls her eyes at the outburst that comes from Neil who is in the next room.

  “What the hell are you talking about? I don’t ever want to hear about my sister getting laid,” Neil growls out as he joins us.

  I don’t miss the heated look he shoots Sara. I start giggling because I know Neil wants her and she wants him; however, they are both so oblivious of each other’s wants. I stand up with the letter in hand and walk over to him.

  “Aw, there, there, care bear, that doesn’t concern you. I’ll do what I want, when I want. I’m twenty-five years old, not twelve. If I want to sleep with a man, I will,” I say, giving Sara a mischievous wink.

  She knows I’m a virgin, he doesn’t and I don’t plan on telling him. I just love teasing him.

  “I don’t want to hear that. I’ll tell Pops if you don’t stop. I swear to God I’m going to be in jail for murder.”

  “If you don’t want to hear about things like that then I suggest you shouldn’t eavesdrop.” I end up laughing at the look of disgust on his face as he leads me to the conference room.

  “It isn’t eavesdropping if what was spoken was practically being yelled out,” he growls out at me. “Let’s drop this conversation and you tell me what’s going on. You never drop by during the day unless you’re bringing lunch to me or you call first,” he states as he sits.

  A feeling of terror hits me as I remember why I’m here. Handing him the note, I take a seat as well. Neil and I are very close. He isn’t going to take this threat well. I’m scared of what he’s going to do or say.

  Looking at him, watching him read the note, I see the change come over his face immediately. He looks up at me, and I’m struck with what I see. His blue eyes that normally have a hint of green in them are now full-on green with fury tightening his jaw and his nostrils flare as he takes in a harsh breath. He picks up the phone off the conference room table and barks three words into the receiver, “Conference room. Now!”

  DANTE

  I stare down at the receiver in confusion before I hang it up in the cradle. Lucky isn’t one to let his temper get the best of him. There’s only been a handful of times I’ve seen this side of him. The only thing that can get him this worked up is when his family or one of the guys is being harmed or when we have a sensitive case we’re working on. A sense of dread washes over me as I start to get up.

  I turn towards the door and the overhead light gleams off the photos lining my bookcase. My eyes immediately go to the one picture I can’t seem to avoid.

  Len’s beautiful smile makes me catch my breath. She’s the one woman that I can’t get out of my head. I’m looking forward to seeing her again at the party this weekend.

  Over the years, I got letters and care packages from her. I wrote her back and sent her things I bought from places all over the world. She never sent a picture and when she came to visit Lucky, I’d make myself scarce because I knew that if I were to see her, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from making her mine. I didn’t want her to be waiting back home not knowing if I was ever coming back. So, when they’d skype, I’d go into the other room. I also couldn’t chance Lucky knowing that I’d fallen for his kid sister.

  It hit me when she was sixteen, however I wasn’t sure what the feelings were until around four years ago. She was already such an amazing woman and she hadn’t even finished growing yet.

  I knew I’d run into Len, at some point, since I made the choice to move to Kansas City with Lucky and start Seal Security. I wasn’t giving up the opportunity to work with my brothers and the guys from our troop even if that meant I couldn’t avoid her.

  We aren’t your average private investigators. We specialize in security systems, bodyguard work, missing persons, and stalking. We work a lot with KCPD – Kansas City Police Department.

  We also have our own motorcycle club that we started. Not one of those one percenters which are considered an outlaw MC because they don’t follow the laws. We’re just a bunch of guys who love to ride bikes, but also, we help with charity drives, special victims, and help around the community. Well, we haven’t officially started, but that’s what we’re planning. Right now, we just ride together.

  I head out of my office and down the hall to the conference room. I hear Sara talking on the phone to one of her girlfriends. It has to be Ashely because out of all the girls, those two are the closest.

  “Yes, we need to have a girls’ night, ASAP. We need to find some men. I need to get laid and we need to get Len laid too. She needs to give up that v-card already.”

  That stops me in my tracks. Holy shit, Len’s still a virgin! That’s going to make this weekend even harder when I see her. You’d think it would make me want her less, only, it just makes me want to claim her even more.

  Shaking my head, I walk into the conference room. The first thing I notice is the back of a small woman being comforted by Lucky.

  He looks up at me and then leans down to whisper into her ear. The man is seriously hung up on Sara, so I know the gesture isn’t sexual since that isn’t her in his arms. Shifting slightly, he looks at me again.

  “We have a problem.”

  He nods to a piece of paper on the table. As I’m picking it up, I shoot him an odd, sidelong glance.

  “Squirt, go to the bathroom and wash up, okay? I’m going to fill Dante in on the situation. Come back when you’re better. Don’t worry about anything. We’ll never let anything happen to you.”

  My head jerks up and I’m caught in a pair of blue eyes that literally take the breath from my lungs. The same eyes that have haunted me every day since I was eighteen. She’s even more beautiful than the last time I saw her, and my body takes notice. I’m harder than I’ve been in ages. Holy shit, I think I just fell for my best friend’s little sister in one glance. I’m in deep shit because
it’s at that moment that I realize those feelings from so long ago was me falling for her. She has totally changed and I didn’t recognize her.

  Her hair is a brighter blonde from what I remember and lies over her shoulders. She’s in a light dress that hugs her curves just right. Her dress has a V neck that shows off her full breasts. I can just assume that the rest of her body, which I can’t see because she’s sitting down, is going to be just as hot. My gaze travels back up her body to her eyes where I can see the fear that’s running deep in her soul.

  “Hey Dante, long time no see. I wish it was under better circumstances,” Len says as she smiles at me sadly, then she looks back at Neil. “I’ll be back in a second.”

  She stands up and walks towards the door. Damn, she has an ass that won’t stop. Seeing the sway of her body has the air knocking out of my lungs, yet again. Her legs are tan and long, and I want them wrapped around my waist as I pound into her. She’s wearing these fuck-me shoes that I can almost feel pressing into my back. There’s no way I’m going to be able to stay away from her now. Lucky’s going to kill me.

  I glance back over at Lucky and see the anger raging though his body which has his fist clenching and his muscles pulling tight. I take a deep breath and pull my thoughts away from Len.

  “What’s up?”

  “Look at the note. As I said, we’ve got a problem.”

  I skim through the note quickly, and what I read has me seeing red.

  LEN,

  DO YOU THINK YOU CAN FLIRT WITH ANY MAN THAT WALKS IN HERE, AFTER YOU HAVE GIVEN ME YOUR HEART? YOU BETTER THINK AGAIN. STOP FLIRTING WITH DR. JOHNSON, OR I’LL KILL HIM AND PUNISH YOU.