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Blurb: McKenzie After my divorce, I needed a change in my life, so I moved to a new city, hoping to find myself again. For once, everything seemed to be going according to plan, until I met Jackson Price. Finding love isn’t something I’ve ever considered again, and my heart can’t withstand another heartbreak. Even if I want to let him break down my walls, I know that deep down, he might just be the one to ruin me forever. Jackson The day I met McKenzie Young is the day I knew my life would change drastically. Now, my every thought is about her, and for some reason, I can’t let her go. Even though she tries to keep me at a distance, I know for a fact that there is more to us, than she believes, and I refuse to give up on her. No matter how hard she tries to keep me away, I’m determined to make her see all the love I have to offer her. *A Summer Risk was previously published in the Endless Summer Anthology excerptCopyright © 2021 by Brie Paisley
Chapter One McKenzie Starting over is hard, and when I say hard, I really mean it. Nevertheless, I wasn’t given a choice in the matter, so I did what I had to do. A year has gone by, since my divorce, and some days, I still wake up, thinking I’m back in my old life. I wonder how things might’ve gone, if the man I once loved, hadn’t had an affair. Would we still be fighting over small, insignificant things? Would he still be making excuses, as to why we couldn’t start adding to our family? More importantly, I wonder, if he would’ve ever realized that he kept putting me last in our marriage. It’s been an adjustment more than anything, because I’ve known my ex-husband, since we were children, but deep down, I don’t have any regrets. This new life has given me new opportunities that I forgot I wanted. My dreams are finally front and center, instead of being pushed aside, like they mean nothing. When I moved to Santa Monica, California, I promised myself I would make the best of this horrible outcome. I gave myself time to grieve the loss of my marriage of twelve years, and even if I still hurt from the cause, I still keep moving forward. I got a job as a photographer at a local magazine, and I should be happy with my life. But I’m not. Something is missing, but I don’t know what it is. I don’t know why I’ve suddenly found myself longing for my old life, when I know I can’t go back. So, I keep fighting the urge, and make every single day matter. At least, that’s what I try to do. Sometimes, life throws curveballs in the way for a reason. ***** Pushing open the doors, I walk inside Santa Monica Pier’s most popular restaurant, Jackson’s Bar and Grill. As soon as I enter, I’m greeted with the chatter from the people dining in, and the delicious aromas, coming from the kitchen. The owner and head chef, Jackson Price, is the one I’m here to photograph for the magazine. Thankfully, I don’t have to wait long, before a petite hostess greets me, and once I tell her why I’m here, she quickly ushers me towards the back of the restaurant. I assume she’s taking me to the kitchen, since the smells of the food cooking, are getting stronger with each step. I’ve always had a passion for trying new foods, and I mentally add this place to try out, when I’m off work. And I was right about the hostess, bringing me to the kitchen. Following her inside, my mouth instantly waters, as my stomach grumbles. So much for that granola bar. Ignoring my stomach, I glance around, taking notice at how clean and organized the area seems. My guess is Jackson Price likes to run a tight ship around here. The employees seem like they know exactly what they’re doing, and they take no mind of me, standing in the middle of the kitchen. They seem blissfully unaware that I’m even here. I take no offense, since I haven’t exactly made my presence known, and neither has the hostess. After a few moments of standing still and waiting, I hear a deep, baritone voice, coming from behind me. The sound is like music to my ears, because it’s followed by a laugh. Turning around, my eyes widen, as I make eye contact with the man that the voice and laugh belong to. All I can do is stare at him, as my mind plays catch up. Damn, he is handsome. Not only am I entranced by his laugh, but his smile is what literally holds me captive. I can’t seem to look away from that dazzling grin, and I instantly wonder who he is. His brown hair is cut short, and his eyes look green from where I’m standing, but it’s his smile, that keeps me drawn to him. When he walks towards me, I shake myself out of the daze, reminding myself to be professional. I have a job to do, so any attraction I feel, needs to be pushed aside. “I’m Jackson Price. You must be the photographer from 401 Magazine,” he says, as he holds out a hand. I nod, taking his hand, and trying hard to ignore how my body flushes with heat. “I’m McKenzie Young. It’s nice to meet you.” Gazing into his eyes, I realize I was right about the color. He grins widely, as he says, “Likewise.” Dropping his hand, I swallow hard, as I still try to overlook just how attractive he is. “So, how do you want to do this?” A sly smirk crosses his face, as he adds, “I promise not to bite.” Is he flirting with me? Glancing away for a moment, I claim, “You’re a biter, huh? I’ll have to remember that.” My witty comeback makes him smile, as he lets out a chuckle. Unable to help myself, I grin along with him, and then shake my head. “Are you good with getting some shots around the kitchen? I’d also like to capture some of you around the restaurant as well.” He nods, and then I add, “Basically, just act like I’m not here, following you around with a camera.” Feeling his gaze on me, I look up, and my breath is suddenly stuck in my throat, as I notice his heated gaze. Glancing away, as I set my camera bag down, I grab what I need to get started. The distraction does what I need, and I’m grateful for a moment of reprieve. Once I have everything ready, I suck in a breath, and then let it out, before asking, “Ready?” He doesn’t answer, but instead, he winks at me, and I instantly feel my face flushing. He’s definitely flirting with me. Clearing my throat, he begins to go about his day, as if I’m not here, and I find myself getting lost in the camera, capturing shots of him, as he works. ***** Taking one last shot, I lower my camera, as I proclaim, “I think that’ll do it.” I’ve been capturing photo after photo of the very attractive Jackson Price for almost two hours. In the past two hours, I’ve had to remind myself several times to stay professional, and to just get the job done. He sure hasn’t made it easy. I’ve learned so much about him, as I’ve been behind the lens. That’s what I love about photography. When a person loses themselves in whatever task they’re doing, I get to see a side of them that they otherwise try and hide. Jackson is a natural, of course, but what I’ve learned, I’ve enjoyed. He’s funny and loves to joke with his employees. Not to mention, he’s a fantastic chef, and I couldn’t help but be impressed at how he runs his kitchen. All the while, his outgoing personality came out every chance it could. Learning more about him, during our session, just makes it that much harder to not be attracted to him. Putting my camera away, he walks over, stopping inches away from me. He completely invades my personal space, but I realize, it doesn’t bother me. Looking up, he grins, as he asks, “You got my good side, right?” Shaking my head, I smirk, as I claim, “Your good side is hard to miss.” “Noticed that, did you?” God, he’s bold. “I don’t miss much, while I’m behind the camera.” Our gaze holds for a moment, but that moment seems to stop time. Even though we’re in a crowded area, it’s like it’s just him and I, and we’re here alone. The moment makes my heart begin to race, and I get the urge to wrap my arms around him. Which is ridiculous. I just met the guy, for Christ’s sake. Breaking the connection, I glance down, and then pick up my bag, intending on leaving. There isn’t any reason for me to stay, and the thought alone makes my stomach dip. I ignore the sensation, because I tell myself I’m being ridiculous. I shouldn’t be upset that I have to leave and go back to the office. “Stay and have some dinner on the house,” he claims, as if he knew what I was thinking. Even if I know I should go, the temptation to have one more moment with him is too enticing to pass up. So, I agree, and I don’t even question why I’m suddenly filled with anticipation.
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Designed by Kirsty-Anne Still from The Pretty Little Design Co. Blurb In a world full of dark, intense, and mind-blowing secrets, can love conquer all, or will the darkness consume everything in its path? Worshipped: A chance encounter. An instant connection that can’t be denied. Their love is strong, but can it stand against all of the dangerous secrets, racing towards them? Even with all of the obstacles and doubts around us, nothing will stop me from protecting the ones I love. Betrayed: A perfect façade. An overwhelming need to accept the twisted desire of darkness. When nothing is as it seems, even the truth might just be a lie. Even if she doesn’t want to be in my world of darkness, there’s no escaping it. Redeemed: A perfect plan. An unrelenting craving that can’t be extinguished. Yet, the darkness is winning, and the monster within refuses to stay locked away any longer. He thinks I can save him, but in the end, he’s the only one that can redeem himself. included in the collectionA chance encounter. An instant connection that can’t be denied. Their love is strong, but can it stand against all of the dangerous secrets, racing towards them? Even with all of the obstacles and doubts around us, nothing will stop me from protecting the ones I love. A perfect façade. An overwhelming need to accept the twisted desire of darkness. When nothing is as it seems, even the truth might just be a lie. Even if she doesn’t want to be in my world of darkness, there’s no escaping it. A perfect plan.
An unrelenting craving that can’t be extinguished. Yet, the darkness is winning, and the monster within refuses to stay locked away any longer. He thinks I can save him, but in the end, he’s the only one that can redeem himself. |