Hard To Love

Book Two of the

Paradise Beach Series

Hard To Love

By: Tina Rose

This is a work of fiction. This story is a complete work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to names, places or events is entirely coincidental, and should be viewed as a fictional story.

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced, distributed or transmitted without the permission of the author.

Copyright
©
2015 Tina Rose

Author has taken artistic license in using products and brands in this book. They are not associated with the publication of this book outside the author’s imagination.

This book is recommended for mature readers 18 years of age and older. It contains adult language and sexual scenes not intended for young readers.

Cover design by Damn Women Promotions

Cover Model Photo by Royal Touch Photography

Model Tommy Franks

Edited by Write Right Edits

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First, I’d like to say thank you to my husband, Eric and my son, Levi. They’ve believed in me from the beginning, and have stood by my side supporting me and helping me every step of the way.

Next, I’d like to say thank you to my girls at Damn Women Promotions, Sidda Lee Rain and Jake Edwards. Without their help, I wouldn’t know which way was up. As always, Mizz Sidda encouraged me on the days I was ready to give up and kicked my rear when I needed it. Thank you guys!

Finally, I want to thank my friends cheering section, Jessie, Kathy, Laurie, Pam, Jax, Cara and P.J., my biggest supporters and promoters, what would I do without you guys? Thank you so much!!

I could not have done any of this without their support of friends and family.

Chapter One

“Eleanor, I need that red folder!” her sister’s whiney voice came through the phone receiver.

“
Olivia
, please do not call me Eleanor, that was Grandma’s name,” she said, exasperated with her baby sister.

“Fine,
Ella,
I need that folder. I have to turn in my assignment today or I lose points. You’re closer to the house than I am. Please go get it?” she begged.

“God, Liv. Fine, fine, I’ll just make myself a sandwich while I’m there instead of going out for lunch.”

“See, I’m saving you money. I’ll meet you in front of your office. Thank you Eleanor.”

“It’s Ella!” she snapped.

“
Nor
. Bye, love ya!” The little brat hung-up before Ella had a chance to yell at her.

Ella Reid Brown loved her baby sister, but Lord knew it was a task. Since their parents had moved to Miami after Liv’s graduation, Ella had taken responsibility for her, including letting her live with Ella and her husband, Derek. A hard adjustment for newlyweds, but they had adapted.

In a matter of minutes Ella drove her little white Ford to her duplex, and parked by the curb.
Hmm, that’s odd. Derek’s pick-up was parked in front of the house.
Maybe he had gotten sick at work? Whatever reason, it was a pleasant surprise. They could have lunch together, maybe have time for a little quickie too. A smile spread across her face as she pulled her keys out to unlock the door.

Quietly she made her way down the hall to their bedroom door. Muffled sounds assaulted her ears as she pushed open the cracked door to see her husband balls deep inside another woman.
Bent over the end of her bed!
Seeing red, she walked back to the front room closet, and pulled out Derek’s tennis racket, trying desperately to gain control before wailing on him with his own racket.

As she made her way back to the bedroom, she snapped, hearing Derek tell his whore he wished his wife’s pussy felt as good.
Oh hell no he did not just go there?

Shoving the door so hard it hit the wall, she yelled, “Honey, I’m home!”

“Oh,
shit
!” Derek shouted. “Ella, what the hell?” Grabbing his whore around the waist, he held her in front of him, blocking his angry wife holding a tennis racket.

“Derek!” the whore shrieked. Turned out the whore was his new secretary, Trudi.

“Why honey, is that any way to treat our
guest
?” she spat, smacking the racket down on the mattress, making a whopping sound. “Let me guess,
it’s not what it looks like
, right?”

“Ella, let’s calm down, okay? Honey, please put the racket down. We don’t want to do anything we’ll regret.”
Pussy!
Hate poured through her body, as bile rose in her throat.

“Oh, I have regrets alright, but beating you with this tennis racket isn’t going to be one of them.” she ground out. “Bitch, I suggest you get your ass out of my house,
now
!”

With a smirk, the whore made the mistake of speaking. “You’re standing on my bra.” She pointed to Ella’s feet. On a growl, Ella dropped the racket and lunged toward the stupid whore, grabbing fists full of hair. Naked flesh whirled in a blur. Derek tried to pull her off the nude woman, only to get punched in the mouth himself. By the time Ella came to her senses, blood and hair was everywhere. Catching her breath, she leaned down to pick the racket back up.

“Get out. Now!” she screamed.

Derek, still wearing nothing but his unbuttoned shirt, grabbed his pants off the chair in the corner, and snaked by Ella standing in the door, leaving the whore covered in scratches and coon eyes from crying.

“Stupid whore. He wears a wedding band! Get out!” she yelled.

“I can’t,” Trudi sobbed, “I don’t know where my clothes are.”

Closing the distance between the two of them, Ella coolly asked, “Do you think I give two shits about your clothes?”

“But….but, I’m
naked
!” she cried.

“You didn’t mind it when you were
fucking my husband
!” Ella’s entire body was shaking in fury. The stupid whore ran past Ella sobbing, still wearing her black heels.
Served her dumb ass right.
Who goes to a married man’s home to screw around?

Looking around her desecrated bedroom, she slumped to the floor and bawled like a baby. How could her whole world come crashing in around her in a matter of minutes? Had Derek ever really loved her? How long had this been going on? Was the whore the first?
Oh God
. It was all too much to comprehend right now. She needed air quickly, a strong drink, and a shoulder to cry on.

Calling the only person she knew who would know what to do, she called her best friend, Becky Harris. She and Becky had met in college, and Becky was the craziest person she knew.

* * * * * * * *

Ella was right. Becky knew just what to do to take her mind off the no good, lying, cheating son-of-a-bitch she was married to. Tonight Ella was officially introduced to Mr. Tequila. Oh, she had met him before, but tonight, they became intimate friends.

“Becky,” she slurred, “I’m so glad I called you.”

“Me too. Nothing like bringing my good friends together,” Becky said, pointing to her shot glass full of tequila. “To friends.” Toasting another shot, they downed them, hissing simultaneously as they swallowed the shot of amber liquid.

“Hey pretty ladies.” A very sexy young man stepped up to the bar next to them. Ella’s eyes traveled his body down his tight torso, and back up to his twinkling blue eyes. An immediate jolt to her core hit as their eyes met, leaving her mouth dry.

“Cuz!” Becky squealed. “How have you been? I haven’t seen you in a coon’s age.”

As they stood to embrace in a hug, his arm touched Ella’s back, and she thought she had been electrocuted by the current that hit her.

“I’ve been good. Working with Gabe and trying to stay outta trouble.” He spoke to Becky, but his eyes never left Ella’s.

“Yeah, how is that working out for ya?” Becky laughed, noticing her cousin staring at her friend. “Oh, Carter, this is my friend, Ella. Ella, this is Carter, my little cousin.”

Reaching for her hand, he raised it to his mouth, and kissed her knuckles. “It’s nice to meet you, sweetness.”

Feeling the heat rush up her neck, she pulled her hand loose from his, mumbling something the resembled a “
nice to meet you too
”. Carter just chuckled under his breath.

“Carter, are you going to sing tonight?” Becky asked.

“I don’t know,” he smiled at Ella. “What’s your favorite song, sweetness?” he asked.

“Oh, I don’t know. Do you know any cheating songs?” she asked sarcastically.

“Cheating songs? Now who would be stupid enough to cheat on you?”

“An asshole!” she spit out.

“I’ll tell you what, I’ll find a feel good song to sing for you, okay?” He winked and sauntered toward the stage.

As he walked away, Ella got the backside view of his very nice, denim clad ass. Beneath the low lights and smoky haze, Ella wasn’t sure how old he was, but he barely looked old enough to legally be in the bar. Releasing the breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding, she shook her head, trying to pull herself out from under his spell. He was perfection in a pair of jeans and leather boots. Standing at least 6’4”, he had dark brown hair, a broad chest and shoulders, and the bluest eyes she had seen.

“Oh my Jesus! Becky,” she said dreamily, fanning her face. “Your cousin is smokin’ hot!”

“I know. And he knows it too,” she winked.

Carter demanded attention as he took the stage, and he received it. Women young and old lined the front of the stage to hear him sing. When the lights shined on him, he winked and broadly smiled at them, showcasing his two dimples.

“Ella, this is for you darlin’.” He pointed to her, strummed the first few notes, and the band joined in as he sang “Real Good Man” by Tim McGraw. Heat pooled between Ella’s thighs as he crooned the words and shook his hips. No man should be that sexy and have a voice like that. It was lethal. And to have him sing to her? What was he seeing in her that her lying, cheating husband hadn’t seen?

After the song, Carter thanked the crowd for their support, and strode toward the girls at the bar. As he approached, an older gentleman in a blue and white striped button up shirt and jeans stepped up next to them.

“Howdy, I’m Hank. Can I buy you ladies a drink?” he asked.

Before they could answer, Carter stood in front of the older man. “They’re not interested,
Hank
,” he said smugly.

“How do you know, boy?” he snidely replied.

“Boy? Who you calling a boy? I’ve got a bucket full of balls and enough hair on my ass to weave an Indian blanket. I ain’t no boy, old man.” Oh, he was getting heated. The two men stood nose to nose, clenching fist and ready to throw punches.

“Carter, calm down killer,” Becky laughed. “No harm done.” Tugging at Carter’s arm, she got him to back away.

“Yeah, listen to the lady, kid,” Hank goaded.

“Thank you, Hank, but we got this,” Becky snapped. Nodding his head, Hank slowly backed away.

“That was unnessa…nessa…” Ella hiccupped. “That was uncalled for.” Slurring her words, Ella poked her finger in Carter’s hard, chiseled pecks. “Damn, do you work out?” she asked, incredulously.

“Sweetness, I think you’ve had enough to drink.” he chuckled.

“And I don’t think I’ve had nearly enough,” she hiccupped again, turning back to her shot glass.

Taking the shot glass from her hand, Carter took the shot gritting his teeth as the heat of the tequila hit the back of his throat.

“Hey, dickhead!” she glared. You’re kinda cocky aren’t you?”

“You kiss your momma with that dirty mouth?” Turning to Becky, he asked, “Becky, y’all ready to go home? I think you’ve had enough for one night.”

“Baby cousin, I’ve got my big girl panties on today. I think I know when I’ve had enough,” she laughed, losing her balance on the stool. “Whoa!” she shrieked, catching herself before falling on her ass. “And I think I’ve had enough,” she giggled, Ella joining in on the laughter.

“Okay, let’s take you girls home.” Turning to the bartender, he told him to put their bill on his tab. “I’ll take care of it later, Tom,” he threw over his shoulder, as he put an arm around each woman’s waist.

“You smell good,” Ella inhaled his scent. “Like leather and soap,” she hummed, causing Carter’s cock to harden immediately.

Damn this woman was killing him. Beautiful reddish brown hair fell to her waist in a long pony tail. The backless halter top she wore showed off her beautiful tanned skin Carter itched to run his tongue over. And damn, her green eyes were hypnotizing. He had to have her, needed to bury himself in her as deep as he could and fuck her senseless. Rubbing small circles on the side of Ella’s breast with his thumb as he walked her outside to his truck, he noticed her nipples pebbled and heard her breathing pick up. Oh yeah, she was going to be his tonight.

********

After they dropped Becky off at her apartment, Ella gave Carter directions to her duplex. She watched the street lights whizzing by as they made their way to the most depressing place on earth. As they pulled up in front of the house, Carter jumped out of the driver’s seat. Coming around to her side, he opened the door and unbuckled the seat belt for her. Ella made no move to get out, as tears threatened to escape her eyes.

“Hey, what’s this about?” he asked, pulling her into his arms. “You don’t want to go home?”

Shaking her head, she looked into the most beautiful set of blue eyes she’d ever looked into. “No, I don’t,” she said on a sob. “I can’t stand the thought of being in there alone tonight.” Abandonment and humiliation were what she felt looking at the little house she loved so much the day they closed on it. The beginning of a life together with the man she thought loved her unconditionally. Illusions of grandeur is all it had been. She could never trust another man as long as she lived.

“Come on, I’ll take you to my place for a while. Is that alright?”

All she could manage was a nod, as he rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip and kissed her forehead. Carter buckled her back in her seatbelt, climbed back in the truck and drove toward his house out in the country.