Almost six years later they find themselves face-to-face, and old feelings resurface. When the past collides with the present, will they be able resist the temptation, or will they finally realize that they’re where they’re meant to be?
A 65k word novel of broken pasts, first loves, and ultimate sacrifice. Originally published in the Southern Seduction Anthology. The new edition includes 15k words in bonus scenes.
SWEET SOUTHERN SORROW
Author: Tessa Teevan
Series: Sweet Southern, Book #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Thoughts of my dad, school, and my future start to roll through my head. He expects me to take over for him at his company one day, and I guess, until now, I took it for granted. I knew I had a job as soon as I graduated college, so I didn’t give a shit when it came to my courses. Dad, unfortunately, suddenly decided to find his father gene and told me he wasn’t giving me a job just because I was his son. Apparently I have to earn it now. I don’t know when he changed his mind, deciding to actually parent for once since my mom died, but apparently having a son with a 2.0 college average was enough to make him care.
I try to push the thoughts from my mind and count the number of days I have left in this town. Too damn many, I tell myself. Drinking a little more of the lemonade, I realize I’m getting a little bit too warm. The water looks cool and inviting, and since no one’s here, I decide I might as well take a dip. Stripping down to my boxers, I look around and then laugh at myself. It’s at least ten p.m. and I’m alone. There’s no one here to see me naked, so instead of getting my boxers wet, I slide them off, putting my clothes in a pile by the tree. Entering the water, I’m instantly chilled, but it feels good on my skin. I’m not exactly used to lake water, and I’m a little freaked out about what’s lying beneath, but I man the fuck up and enjoy it. Lost in a back float, I stare up at the moon, wondering what the hell I’m doing here, feeling more alone than ever. Out of nowhere, I hear a small splash, causing me to jerk out of position.
I look around and can’t see anything until my eyes adjust. Lowering myself into the water, I only allow the top of my head, from the nose up, to be visible. All of a sudden, I see her. I can barely make out her figure, but I know it’s Cheyenne. She’s standing on the edge of the lake throwing stones in, and at first I think she’s trying to skip them. After watching her, I realize she looks angry and she’s taking her anger out on the water. I’m trying my hardest not to move so she doesn’t see me, but then something slimy slithers across my foot, and I can’t help the pussy-like yelp that comes out of my mouth. I see her stiffen and then look out into the water, eyes scanning the lake, trying to figure out where the sound came from.
I think I’m in the clear until I hear her. “I can see you out there, ya know. The moon is nature’s nightlight, city boy,” she says, a teasing tone in her voice.
Moving closer to shore, I stop when water is at hip level. I study her, and she looks like she’s been crying.
"What’s wrong?” I ask, unable to help myself.
“What makes you think something’s wrong?” she retorts, crossing her arms.
I instantly notice the way her breasts push up, and I can see the hard nipples through her tight t-shirt. My cock stirs to life, and it’s in that moment that I remember I’m completely naked in the water. Fuck.
“Well, for the second time today, I caught you crying. Either you’re just really emotional or you’re having a pretty damn bad day.”
“It’s my birthday,” she says, catching me off guard.
“It’s your birthday and you’ve found yourself at an old man’s lake in the middle of nowhere twice?” I ask, wondering why in the hell she’s not with family, friends, or even a boyfriend.
She shrugs and sits down in the sand. Dammit, she’s apparently not going anywhere soon. I might as well become a prune as I wait it out in the water, not wanting to freak her out by walking out naked.
“No one to celebrate with,” she says simply, looking off in the distance, and if I weren’t naked right now, I’d be joining her on the shore, trying to salvage whatever’s left of her day. I’m not sure why I care, but I guess it’s probably because I understand loneliness more than most people.
“Then you came to the right place. I’m no expert at backwoods birthdays, but I am pretty damn good company,” I tell her, and a light bulbs turns on in my brain. Gesturing towards the tree, I point at the thermos. “First things first. Go and get some of Wyatt’s lemonade. You’ve got to have whiskey on your birthday.”
As she starts to move towards the tree, I quickly swim to the shore, hoping to get out when her back’s turned. All is clear, and I don’t hesitate to cup my dick as I get out of the water. Before I can get to the tree line, she turns around and stops when she spots me, her eyes wide. Holding up my hands, I back away slowly, not realizing I’ve just exposed myself. It isn’t until I see her looking down that I notice I’m on full display for her.
“Umm, pretty girl, eyes up here. It’s not like you’ve never seen a dick before,” I joke, trying to keep it light.
“I…well, I mean, I haven’t,” she says, her eyes not meeting mine. “At least not in person.”
I'm a twenty something book junkie who is also obsessed with sports. Bengals, Buckeyes, Reds are my teams! I work for the government during the day, hang out with Air National Guard on the weekends, and have been married to my own book boyfriend for over seven years. We currently live right outside of Dayton, OH with our two cats.
If I’m not writing or looking through tons of photos of hot men, all in the name of research, then you can probably find me curled up with my Kindle, ignoring the rest of the world. I love my sports almost as much as I love my books. My other obsessions include red wine, hot men, country music, and all things Grace Potter.
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