Breathe Into Me Read online

  Breathe Into Me

  By Nikki Drost

  Published by Hot Ink Press

  An Imprint of

  Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing

  This Book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, duplicated, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior written consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

  ©Text Copyright 2014 Nikki Drost

  Cover by Rue Volley

  Edited by Elizabeth A. Lance

  All rights reserved

  This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious and are products of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual events, or locales or persons, living or dead are entirely coincidental.

  To my girls, may you always follow your heart and chase after your dreams. Nothing in this world is truly impossible.

  Prologue

  I cautiously stretch in a bed that’s not mine, mindful not to wake its sleeping occupants. A soft moan emerges from my left. I turn to see a beautiful brunette. Her arm is casually thrown over my chest. I turn to my right to find an equally beautiful red head. What were their names again? Hell, it doesn’t matter. I won’t see them again anyways. I gently begin the tedious task of removing the arms and legs that are strewn around me. I crawl out of bed and grab my pants. As I quickly dress, I take another glance at the sleeping women I had just pleasured. Just like the rest of the occupants in this house, they are young, beautiful, and wealthy.

  The group of them had been celebrating their last few days of freedom before classes started and had insisted on taking the five of us home. In typical fashion, the girls hadn’t asked us anything more than our names. “They never do.” I sigh. I know I shouldn’t complain. Most men have to put a little effort into picking up a woman. Luckily, for me I’m a good-looking male with a body to match, but just once, I’d like to have an actual conversation with a female before we got naked. If I were being honest, I’d give anything to romance a woman. All I have to do is smile, maybe utter a few naughty promises and women instantly drop to their knees. I miss the days when women would play hard to get. It made the sex that much more worthwhile. Now I just feel empty, used, and I fucking hate it. I want something more, but for males like my brothers and me there are no other options.

  Another thought crosses my mind as I pull my shirt over my head. It would have been so easy to take advantage of these girls if we had wanted to. Humans are so naive and trusting. It never occurs to them that we could be anything other than what we appear to be. Foolish humans, if they only knew how much danger they were in just by being seen with us. Being so trusting is one of the reasons why they are such easy prey. They make it too easy for our enemies to get to them. If we had been the bad guys we could have easily over powered these women and made them do anything that we wanted before we took their lives. I blame Hollywood for this. It’s as if the entire world has become desensitized, and decided to throw caution to the wind. Don’t women watch horror movies? Didn’t anyone teach them that going home with strange men could be dangerous? It shouldn’t matter if the guy seems nice or how amazing his ass looks in a pair of jeans.

  I wonder what they would do if they found out they had just had sex with shape-shifters. I bet that would blow their minds. Although with the hype from some recent movies about werewolves, they might not have minded at all. At least I don’t have to worry about being asked if I sparkle, that must really piss off the vampires of the world. I chuckle to myself as I lean over the sleeping forms in the adjacent bed to wake my brother.

  Jamie Trudeau’s athletic body is surrounded by naked flesh and golden hair. Someday I’ll have to ask him about his obsession with blondes. His god like body is littered with colorful tattoos and several piercings. He also possesses one of the quickest tempers I’ve ever seen. He can go from nice guy to dickhead in three seconds flat, but he is one hell of a guy to have in your corner. And whether he’s sporting his trademark Mohawk or not, woman seem to go crazy when they see him, to some he is the ultimate bad boy fantasy.

  “Damn kid what time it is?” his gravely voice echo’s off the walls.

  “Let’s just say we should’ve left hours ago.” As it is, we’ll be lucky to be out of here before the sun comes up. None of us has ever spent the night with a woman. We usually have our fun and then leave once the sex is over.

  “Shit, throw me my pants.” Jamie removes himself from the sleeping limbs and joins me at the foot of the bed. Once he’s dressed, we start on our search for the rest of our pack. We find Cass passed out on top of a pool table; his muscular body is covered by three coeds. Casanova Bouchard looks like an all-American boy next-door with golden hair, turquoise eyes, and square jaw. All he has to do is smile at a woman and she’s putty in his hands.

  “Cass lets go,” I say as I try to locate his pants.

  “Morning bro, that was some party huh?” he chuckles. I ignore his cheerful manner and throw his pants at his head. Leaving Jamie to deal with Cass I walk through the sliding glass door into the backyard. I find the last of my brothers passed out on the grass. I make my way through the sea of empty bottles, red cups and used condoms, gross. I nudge Micah awake with the tip of my motorcycle boot. Sapphire colored eyes look up at me.

  “Morning kid.” I roll my eyes as Micah untwines himself from the sleeping woman around him. He reaches for his pants and grabs his pack of Djarum Blacks. He offers me one, but I refuse, I just quit smoking a few weeks ago. Micah Trudeau is Jamie’s older brother and the leader of our little pack. He’s the one who keeps the rest of us idiot’s inline. Women of all ages seem to love Micah. He’s the type of man who prefers a designer suit to jeans and t-shirts, except when he’s fighting of course. Besides being charming and charismatic he has a brilliant mind. The man is a financial genius, which is why we can all afford the things we do. With his penchant for the finer things in life and classic good looks, he is the perfect combination of suave and bad boy.

  Micah pulls on his boots while I wake the youngest of our pack. Lincoln Scott may be the youngest, but he is certainly the largest of the group. At six foot eight, he towers over the rest of us. Lincoln releases an audible yawn while scratching the top of his golden locks.

  “Dude what time is it?” His sleepy gray eyes meet mine and I can’t help, but smile at his boyish features. I still remember what he looked like when he was a kid. The only thing that has changed is his size. Once everyone is finally dressed, the three of us make our way to the front door. Cass and Jamie are waiting for us by our motorcycles.

  “Damn I love sorority girls,” Cass sighs. The rest of my brother’s add their agreements while I take in the nearby UMass campus. It’s beautiful with lots of tall building and rolling green lawns. Over the next few days, more and more students will return to their dorms to get ready for the upcoming year of academics. I can’t help, but feel a pang of jealousy. I hope these kids know how good they have it. I know I’d give anything to have a normal life. Just once, I’d like to know what it felt like to be blissfully ignorant to the dangers of the world. I’d love to take some time off and go to school, go on dates, hell I’d like one night where someone wasn’t trying to kill me. Unfortunately, I don’t have a choice and nether do the men beside me.

  “Let’s go boys, we have a long drive,” Micah says as he exhales a cloud of smoke. We mount our custom-built choppers and steer our way into the empty city streets. The thunderous sound of our bikes will probably wake up everyone in the neighborhood. For the last few years, the five of us have been all over the worl
d helping others like us. I’ve seen so many faces and cities that I can barely remember where I am anymore, but thankfully, we are finally returning to Westhaven, my hometown. We turn on to I-91 and head north. Within a twist of the throttle, we surge forward and push our bikes to their limit. The sound is deafening as we weave around early morning commuters and large semi-trucks. My brothers seem to be in good moods after last night’s fun. I on the other hand have grown bored with this life. Don’t get me wrong, this life does have its good points. However, after centuries of the traveling, fighting, and an endless supply of one-night stands, I’ve grown tired. Sharing a bed with different woman and a night filled with fighting was all I used to live for, but now I ache for something more. All I want is one perfect woman to share my life with; she has to be out there. I just have to find her.

  Chapter 1

  “Please tell me that’s not what you’re wearing tonight?”

  I gaze over my shoulder to see my best friend, Kelsey. The look of horror on her face is palpable. “What’s wrong with it?” I stare at my chosen outfit in my full-length mirror. Denim shorts, cut shorter than I’d normally wear, a tie-dyed tank top, and black Chuck Taylors to finish off my ensemble.

  “I can’t even begin to name all of the things that are wrong with it. I am definitely taking you shopping this week.”

  I roll my eyes at her in the mirror. Kelsey Collins is one of those women who are always well groomed and polished. With her long blonde hair, and perfect figure she’s always reminded me of a life sized Barbie doll.

  “Relax Kelsey, we’re going out for drinks, not dinner at the white house.” If anything, I’m over dressed for the bar. The Boondocks or The Boonies as the locals call is a rundown old biker bar in the middle of nowhere that’s known for its loud music, cheap beer, and rowdy fights.

  “I realize that, but the look we’re going for is hot not frumpy. I mean you could meet the man of your dreams tonight.”

  Here we go again, I inwardly sigh. My last serious relationship ended a year ago and since then I’ve thrown myself into work so I wouldn’t have to date. To say I’m going through a dry spell would be an understatement.

  “I seriously doubt that I’ll meet Mr. Right tonight or anytime soon for that matter. I don’t need or want a man right now. I’m happy with my life at the moment.” Of course, I’m a big fat liar. In the past year, I went from having an exciting life living in Boston with my big shot boyfriend, to moving back home to Westhaven, Massachusetts. A town so small it rolls up its sidewalks by nine o’clock. Luckily, it wasn’t hard to find work. There is always a need for good trauma nurses.

  “Andy, you can’t mean that. I know that your break up with Keith was hard, but it’s time to move on. There are plenty of fish in the sea as people say. And besides there’s nothing wrong with having a little fun.” A small smile curves her perfectly glossed lips. “You don’t have to find the perfect man to marry, but at least try to find a decent man to sleep with. No one should go this long without sex.” And with that statement, she turns on her heels and struts out of my bedroom.

  I really should consider locking my door. Though she does have a point, not that I’ve ever been the type of girl to have a one-night stand or sleep with a man right away, but my life could use a little excitement. I sometimes forget that I’m only twenty-seven. There is such a thing as harmless fun and that’s what I’m going to have. With that decision made, I fluff my mass of curls and apply some makeup. I don’t usually go heavy with the stuff, just a simple coating of pressed power, a light dusting of eye shadow, some mascara, a light coating of gloss, and I’m ready to go. I stuff my ID and some cash into my front pocket, then slide my IPhone into my back pocket and head in search of my roommate.

  “Are you girls ready yet?” Henry asks loudly as I join him in the living room. “I’ve been waiting on you two for an hour now.”

  Kelsey joins us and we both roll our eyes at our roommate and longtime friend Henry Ross. He should be used to waiting on us by now.

  “You didn’t have to wait for us. You could’ve taken your truck,” I eagerly point out.

  Henry shakes his head, which only ruffles his shaggy strawberry blonde hair into his blue eyes. “We agreed to go together, besides I have to keep my eye on the two of you.”

  I should be used to how protective Henry can be of the both of us. Ever since kindergarten, Henry has been our knight in shining armor. Whether it was to beat up the bully who stole our crayons, or to accompany me to my senior prom because I was without a date, he’s always been a good friend.

  Henry appraises our choice of clothing and sighs. “I have a feeling it’s going to be a long night.”

  I stifle my laughter as I check out Kelsey’s attire. She’s wearing a form fitting, hot pink crop top that reads, ‘Sorry, I only date boys with tattoos’, hip hugging, black leather pants, and six-inch, Jimmy Choo heels. So much for her normal classy look, for once I think I’m the presentable one. Her golden blonde hair cascades down her back in a tousled style. Her sun kissed skin exposed at the midriff, shows off the diamond in her belly button. We’ll be lucky if Kelsey doesn’t start a riot in that outfit.

  Henry’s wearing a blue Abercrombie and Fitch t-shirt, denim jeans and a pair of running shoes, which is standard attire for him when he’s not at work.

  “Where in the hell did you get that outfit, skanks r us?” Henry asks with a half joking expression on his face. “Never mind, just be careful not to start a brawl or a mass orgy.”

  ***

  The Boondocks outwardly appearance lives up to its reputation. I exit Henry’s orange F150 Raptor and stare in awe at the stone structure in front of me. This place should be condemned with its cracked foundation, windows that could use a thorough washing and don’t even get me started on the roof. The massive sized building sits in the middle of a field surrounded by acres of pine trees. There are several bon fires strewn around the area, to the left is a stage where a live band is playing and motorcycles are lined up as far as the eye can see. Crowds of leather-clad patrons mingle around their bikes and the stage.

  “This is my kind of crowd,” Kelsey exclaims. Her face is lit up like a child’s on Christmas morning.

  I on the other hand feel an intense sense of uneasiness. I quickly scan the crowd, but can’t seem to find the source of my dismay. I chalk it up to nerves, the ER has been extremely busy lately, and I’ve had to pull a lot of doubles.

  Unable to find anyone openly staring at me, we make our way toward the open doors of the bar. It’s hard to believe, but this place looks better from the outside. We walk across the scuffed wood floor to order a couple of beers as I check out my surroundings. A sizeable stage is to the left with an area for dancing. Straight ahead is a separate room filled with numerous pool tables and an old jukebox, to the right wooden tables and chairs which have seen better days align the wood-planked walls. A deep voice brings me back to reality.

  “Evenin, lassies, what can oi be gettin yer?” The voice belongs to Finn McDermott, one of the most devastatingly handsome men that I have ever had the privilege of knowing. He’s gorgeous with spiked dark hair and vibrant hazel eyes. Lips so alluring it should be a sin, and his smile could make you forget you had morals, not to mention his adorable Irish accent. A permanent five o’clock shadow covers his chiseled cheekbones. His black wifebeater hugs his athletic body like a glove. The muscles in his tanned arms ripple as he crosses his arms over his chest.

  Despite knowing him for more than six months, Kelsey and I are still rendered speechless every time that we see him. Damn, I wonder what it would be like to spend the night with a man like, Finn.

  Henry clears his throat several times before ordering us a couple of beers. Finn begins to chuckle as he turns to fetch our drinks.

  “I think I’m in love,” Kelsey sighs as she settles onto a stool.

  Henry rolls his eyes while he pulls his money from his wallet. “Please, it’s called lust. It’s like you go into heat every time y
ou see the opposite sex.”

  Finn returns with our drinks than slowly leans his body against the counter. His beautiful face is mere inches from my best friend. A sly smile tugs at his full lips. “Oi wouldn’t mind findin’ oyt whaich wan it tis darlin’.”

  ***

  An hour later I’m tipsy and in need of some fresh air. Henry ran into some old college friends from UMass and decided to leave us girls to our own devices saying he could keep an eye on us from the pool tables. I order a fresh beer and leave Kelsey to her shameless flirting. Although, if Finn had it his way, he’d be coming home with the both of us, yeah like that’s going to happen. My best friend may be open to having one-night stands, but I am not. Call me old fashioned, but I prefer to have a connection with someone before our clothing comes off. This is probably why I sit at home night after night while my best friend has a plethora of men vying for her affection.

  I push aside my mild jealousy and make my way through the crowd. It’s usually humid in late August, but tonight there seems to be a chill in the air reminding me that fall is coming. I wrap my free arm around my middle and decide to check out some of the bikes. After admiring several custom Choppers and Harleys and turning down numerous offers for a ride, I spot the most beautiful motorcycle I’ve ever seen. The bikes curved lines and shiny chrome is a feast for my eyes. Its black and silver detailing is so intricate it’s as if the painted skulls could jump out at me at any moment. There are four more bikes to the group. All of them are different colors, but have stuck to the skull theme. Though all of them are beautiful in their own right, this one is by far my favorite.

  “Would you like a ride?” a deep voice asks from behind me.

  The sound is so masculine it causes my body to break out with goose bumps. “What is it with you guys trying to get me on the back of your bikes?” I jokingly ask as I spin around and for the second time tonight, I am rendered speechless.