Surrendering Read online

  Copyright © 2013 by Ahren Sanders

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations and incidents are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, locales or events is entirely coincidental.

  Surrendering

  Edited by: Brandy Little, Little Bee’s Editing & Heather Sowalla, Windy Hills Editing

  Cover Designer: Regina Wamba of www.maeidesign.com

  Surrendering

  Surrender #1

  Ahren Sanders

  Table of Contents

  The Day We Met

  Chapter 1- House Hunting

  Chapter 2- Dinner with the Girls

  Chapter 3- Moving Day

  Chapter 4- It’s Him

  Chapter 5- Good Morning

  Chapter 6- Let’s Talk

  Chapter 7- Movie Night

  Chapter 8- Sparkle

  Chapter 9- The Steamroom

  Chapter 10- Give Me a Chance

  Chapter 11- A Bunch of Firsts

  Chapter 12- Let Me Take Care of You

  Chapter 13- Tell Me I’m Not Imagining This

  Chapter 14- Tell Me What You Want

  Chapter 15- Boyfriend

  Chapter 16- Deceive Me

  Chapter 17- The Truth

  Chapter 18- I’m Not Giving Up

  Chapter 19- Girl’s Weekend

  Chapter 20- Hoedown Throwdown

  Chapter 21- Meet My Mom

  Chapter 22- Thank You

  Chapter 23- It’s Only You

  Chapter 24- The Feeling is Mutual

  Chapter 25- 425

  Chapter 26- Live in a Bubble

  Chapter 27- Rewarded

  Chapter 28- Lucky Man

  Chapter 29- Thanksgiving

  Chapter 30- Birthday Weekend

  Chapter 31- Atlanta

  Chapter 32- Holidays

  Chapter 33- Chance Meetings

  Chapter 34- Social Media

  Chapter 35- Valentine’s Day

  Chapter 36- Gone

  Chapter 37- We’re Okay

  Chapter 38- Guilt is Killing Me

  Chapter 39- Cut Him Some Slack

  Chapter 40- Graduation

  Chapter 41- Believe in Us

  Chapter 42- Leaving

  Chapter 43- Surprise

  Acknowledgements

  Meet the Author

  The Day We Met

  Raven

  Whoosh! Oh shit, ouch! Please tell me I didn’t just bust my ass in front of the whole park. Please tell me that I’m in some sort of cryptic nightmare and will wake-up laughing. Nope, I’m pretty sure I’m lying down on damp grass with everyone staring in my direction. What do I do now? How do I gracefully stand? How can I become invisible until I get away?

  And that’s when I hear him. I know he’s talking to me because he’s leaning over my body and bracing himself on his elbows. I can’t comprehend his words because my brain is focused on his perfect biceps and flawless mouth. Holy Hotness!

  “Hey, are you alright? Let me help you up.” Holy Hotness sounds worried as he lifts himself off of me. He extends his hand for support.

  I give him my hand and allow him to help me off the grass. Once I’m standing, he bends back down to pick up a football that has landed a few inches away. When he stands back up, I realize he is a vision of perfection. He’s about 6’2” and all muscle. His chest, arms, and back strain under his t-shirt. A trail of ink that resembles a tribal design snakes around his right upper arm. His dark hair is cut close on the sides and longer on top. He has the greenest eyes I’ve ever looked into. All of a sudden, I feel my knees go weak as I stare at him.

  “I’m sorry about that. I was running backwards trying to catch the ball and didn’t see you there. Are you okay?” It is a question he expects me to answer. However, I can’t get past the velvet drone of his voice and the gorgeous green eyes staring at me.

  “Yeah, I think I’m fine. It was a bit unexpected, but I’m glad to know that I was hustled to the ground instead of tripping on my own feet.” Lame Raven- lame.

  He grins at me and starts to laugh. Not just any laugh, but a loud, boisterous and fun laugh that makes me smile. There are butterflies in my stomach just listening to him

  “No, that was all me,” he states. “But I must admit, if I’d have looked back, I may have ran into you anyway. It’s not every day that I get someone as beautiful as you underneath me.”

  It’s then that I snap out of my hotness coma. Really? He had to ruin a perfectly good fantasy with the worst line ever? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that someone as gorgeous as him would be arrogant.

  “Well, sorry to disappoint, but that’s the only way to get me under you,” I smirk. “Next time, you should watch where you’re going.” I reach down to gather my yoga mat and bag that had fallen. I realize I’m standing in front of Holy Hotness in nothing but yoga pants and a sports bra. And I see that the bra is revealing everything I have to offer. I quickly cross my arms and make an effort to move on.

  “Beautiful, anytime you change your mind and find you want to explore that option, you can find me here on Saturday mornings. I’d love to see what you’re hiding under those tight clothes and that sexy attitude.” And with that, he runs towards the other guys waiting to resume the game.

  I watch his retreat and think for a second about how fine his ass looks in his athletic shorts. Then I remember he’s probably a player. Albeit he’s gorgeous, but I’m not looking for this type of distraction right now.

  I need to hurry if I’m going to be at Finn’s on time. Today is going to be a huge day for me- I can feel it.

  Chapter 1

  House Hunting

  “Come on, Finn. It wasn’t that bad. Just because the woman had five cats in her loft, doesn’t mean we had to run out of there like the place was on fire.”

  “Rave, seriously, I know you want to see good in everything, but that place smelled like piss and I could see her sizing me up. I was frightened for my safety and wondered if we’d get out of there in one piece. I think she thought I was moving in with you and that’s why she kept insisting we could have an open-door policy.”

  “Okay, you’re right, but what do we do now? We’ve looked at six places today and none of them have even come close to being acceptable. I’m starting to get nervous that I’ll have to live on campus, drawing names for roommates. How embarrassing for me. I’m in the homestretch of my educational career; I deserve to have a little fun. I deserve to have my own room and privacy and the right to party anytime.”

  Finn finds my statement amusing.

  “Raven, if you ever decide to have a party, I expect to be invited.”

  Finn and I have been scouting places for the last three hours. We’ve looked at lofts, apartments, rooms for rent, and studios. And so far, no luck on any of them. I realize Finn is right. For the last three and a half years of my academics, I’ve been pretty straight-laced.

  I was one of the few students in my high school that took dual enrollment classes my senior year. And combined with summer classes, this allowed me to graduate from Emory University in three and a half years. After graduating with my undergraduate degree and a 4.0, I decided to pursue my MBA at Vanderbilt. Now I’m twenty-one years old and I’m finally starting to understand how much I’ve missed out on. I plan on living the next two years of my life as a normal student, enjoying every
minute of my college experience. Of course, I need to find a place to live to jump start my plan.

  “Okay, we have one more place to look at today. It’s a house about a mile from campus. The other two rooms are already occupied and they want someone to sign a year lease. The good news is that the room is available immediately. Keep your fingers crossed that this is a good deal.”

  “I wonder if the roomies are hot.”

  “Please make sure we’re at least able to look at the room before they throw us out. Seriously, Finn, you’re charming, but behave until we see what these girls are like.”

  “Just let me know when to turn on the magic.”

  Deciding it was time to change the subject I say, “Hey, did I tell you about my fall this morning in the park? It wasn’t really my fault because after I was lying on my ass in the grass, a gorgeous guy leaned over to help me up. Apparently, he was running backwards in a game of football and didn’t see me. Then I remembered I was in my yoga clothes lying under a complete stranger and got embarrassed.”

  “Rave, I’ve seen you in your yoga clothes and I can guarantee you that you had nothing to be embarrassed about. Even though I can’t touch, doesn’t mean I can’t look – and appreciate the view.”

  “Finn! Stop talking like that; it sounds like you’re flirting with me.” I wink at him with complete ease.

  I’ve known Finn Black most of my life. He’s my brother’s best-friend and served in the Marines with him until recently. An accident this spring caused him and my brother to come home; they’re currently on an extended leave. Finn decided to utilize some of the government money available to finish his Political Science degree at Vanderbilt. Because of the availability of on-line courses and virtual programs, Finn was able to complete three-quarters of his degree while serving.

  Finn’s also from the area and he had no problem hooking up with a few friends to live with on the outskirts of campus. They have a traditional bachelor pad that I’ve been staying at while getting adjusted to the campus and learning my way around. It’s not unusual for me to wake-up with one of his roommates cuddled next to me. After the second time one of them barged in the bathroom while I was showering, I made Finn promise to watch the door. Even the lock didn’t stop them. They thought making me scream was hilarious.

  Don’t get me wrong, all four of these guys are HOT! Finn is probably one of the best looking guys I know. He is 6’4” with no body fat at all. He has dark blond hair and aqua blue eyes that remind me of the Caribbean Ocean. He purposely keeps a minimal amount of stubble on his face and dresses like a laid-back playboy.

  For most of my life, my friends have assumed that Finn and I will end up married and having babies by the age of twenty-five. However, they don’t know that my brother and Finn have a pact. I’m off-limits. At first, I was livid that my brother, Robbie, would make this demand, but I now understand that Finn is a perfect friend to me. He’s also not my type in the romantic department. Finn has promised my dad and my brother that he would be a constant in my campus life, including accompanying me house-hunting. He is a pseudo big brother that is dedicated to keeping me safe.

  As we approach the cute ranch style house, I see several things that catch my eye. First, there’s a concrete semi-circle driveway that’s bordered by annuals perfectly placed six inches apart. Second, there is a cobblestone walkway to the front porch that leads up to the front door. Thirdly, the front porch has the cutest bistro set I have ever seen with flower boxes lining the railings. The boxes contain blooming wild flowers in every color. Last, the front door is pink- I mean hot pink.

  In other words, I love my first impression.

  “Holy shit, Raven, Martha Stewart lives here!”

  “Shhh, don’t let anyone hear you.”

  As we walk up to the front door and ring the bell, I hear the Rolling Stones. Was that the doorbell tone?

  “Well at least we know Martha Stewart has good taste in music.”

  I swat Finn just as the door swings open. The cutest girl I have ever seen stands in front of us with a big smile. She has shoulder length auburn hair with green eyes that are mesmerizing. She looks like she could cover for a magazine.

  “You must be Raven Hayes. I’m Abigail, but you can call me Abbi.” She looks at me and then turns her attention to Finn. I can see it in her eyes; she’s impressed with what she sees. “And you are?”

  “Hi, Abbi, it’s nice to meet you. This is my friend Finn Black. He came with me today to look at the room.” I try my best to emphasize the word friend.

  “Oh, I didn’t realize this was a couple’s visit,” she says disappointed.

  “Please don’t misread this situation; Finn has his own house on the other side of campus. I assure you he’s just here to help me find somewhere to live.”

  She looks at us with relief on her face and invites us in.

  As we walk in the house we’re immediately engulfed with the smell of chocolate chip cookies and gingerbread. It’s wonderful. The living room is an addition to the front porch with vibrant colors and welcoming furniture. You can tell it’s inhabited by women with a taste for flair and flamboyance. I love it!

  “My sister, Ella, is on the phone, but she’ll be right out. I made some snacks in case we wanted to sit down and talk details after you look at the house. As you know already, we have three full bedrooms and two and a half baths. My sister and I have lived here for a few years and have done everything we can to make this more than a college crash pad. We live here year-round. Our last roommate moved out when she had a small conflict and we now have a room available for rent. We prefer to sign a year’s lease, but would be open to nine months if needed. I’m going to pop back to the kitchen and get some drinks. Please feel free to look around.”

  We start with the first room we find and it looks to be the Master bedroom. The room is large and spacious with a walk-in closet and bay window. There is a bathroom with an enclosed shower and separate tub. The room looks freshly painted with cleaned carpet. The view is limited, but you can see the quaint backyard and neighboring home. I immediately get excited, but I can’t help but wonder why this room is vacant.

  Off the small dining area is a decent size kitchen and half bath. Abbi hands us a bottle of water and goes back to setting out the cookies. Finn and I proceed out into the hallway and veer to the left. This hallway leads to two bedrooms across the hall from one another and a bathroom at the end. You can tell these girls keep their house clean. There’s a noise on the other end of one of the closed doors and remember the sister is on the phone.

  Finn and I turn around and make our way back to the kitchen to talk to Abbi.

  “Well, what do you think? Did you get enough time to view the whole house?”

  “You and your sister have done a great job with the house. I love your front walk and porch and the decorations are lovely. It doesn’t seem like a college house at all. But I have to ask, why is the Master bedroom vacant? I thought the advertisement said you were renting a room. I would think one of you would take the Master and your new roommate would have one of the other rooms.”

  Abbi surprises me by yelling. “Ella, get off the damn phone and come out here now. You need to meet Raven and you aren’t leaving me to explain this by myself!”

  The door down the hall opens and a pretty brunette walks out with the phone in her hand. She looks around the room and immediately hones in on Finn. Her eyes widen at him.

  “Abbi, you didn’t tell me we were getting a male roommate.” Ella smiles.

  “Ella, get your head out of your ass. This is Raven and her friend Finn. He’s helping her look for a place to live. He has his own place.” Abbi tells her and holds out a plate of cookies for us.

  “Okay, Raven, we need to be honest with you. Our last roommate moved out because of a conflict of interest and she paid extra for the Master bedroom. Ella and I have argued for months over who deserves to get the room, but we can’t come to a conclusion. Recently, we decided to keep our rooms and
offer the Master to a new roommate. The only condition is that the rent will be a little more since the room has its own bathroom and walk in closet.”

  “How much more will this add to the rent?” I ask.

  Ella pipes up, “We figured about twenty dollars would be fair. In all honesty, the rent is not the problem, but we thought we could put the extra money towards a house fund. The house fund can pay for pizza night, or wine Wednesdays, etc.”

  I looked at Finn and hid my smile. This was exactly what I was looking for. “Finn, can we talk on the front porch? Please excuse us for just a few minutes.”

  As we walk back through the living room, I look around with a new sense of vision. I can see myself in this house and the few things I have will fit in nicely.

  When we get outside, I turn to Finn. “Tell me honestly what you think, is this a good deal? Are these two solid characters telling the truth, or are they the Mean Girls in disguise?”

  “Well, Rave, I get the feeling these two are solid. Don’t get mad, but I ran their backgrounds before we came over today. The mortgage on the house seems to be in their dad’s name and it’s current. All utilities are up-to-date and neither one of them has even a parking ticket on their records. Abigail and Ella Collins are both full-time students. Abbi is an Art Major with a minor in Design at Belmont. She’s a senior and turned twenty-two this past May. Ella is twenty and is a Nursing Major at Vanderbilt. Both have several scholarships that cover their tuition. They have one older brother who is twenty-five and lives in the area. Their dad lives about thirty miles away. From what I can tell, there’s nothing in their background to be suspicious of. If you think this is a good situation, we should get the paperwork.”

  I don’t know what to do first, kick him or kiss him. I’m furious about his decision to look into these two girls before we had even met them, but I’m not surprised. I know that wherever I end up, Finn will have to give my dad and brother a complete run down on the situation, and it will require a thorough background check. But since it’s already done, there’s no delay in moving forward.