Emergence (Awakening Series Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

arms stood up.
    "I resemble that remark," Eva laughed.
    I turned my head to look toward Eva, and was blown away by the gorgeous man who had just walked up next to her.
    Holy fucking shit!
    His dark blonde hair was a little longer than I remembered, but messy and thick, and I was instantly reminded of how it felt between my fingers. His mouth looked full and soft, and I immediately craved the feeling of his lips on my body again. I had fantasized about him more than once in the last year. If I was being honest, it was more like every day.
    I felt goosebumps rise on my skin as I let my gaze travel down over his strong jaw to where his broad chest, tight abs, and muscular thighs were hidden beneath his clothes, before moving upwards again.
    When I landed back on his face his piercing green eyes were looking intently back at me. Heat instantly ignited in my belly as I stared at him, unwilling or unable to look away.
    "Carson, this is Lou Evans. She just moved here a few months ago. She's my accounts receivable rep," Caroline said, introducing us.
    He reached over to shake my hand, the recognition in his eyes was undeniable. The spark that I felt when his hand touched mine was electric.
    "Who wants to dance!?" Caroline yelled excitedly, obviously not noticing the tension between Carson and me.
    "I think I'll hang back," I said, staring at Carson.
    "Me too, Caroline," Carson said, still not taking his eyes away from mine.
    "Well, I'm in!" Eva said, following Caroline to the dance floor.
    Carson watched Eva and Caroline disappear into the crowd of people before his eyes snapped back to me.
    "Nice to see you again, Meg."

Chapter 4
    2 Years Ago
    Lou
    The first year of my marriage to Derek was probably the best. I wasn't working and all my college classes were online so I was always home, studying, food prepping, cleaning, taking care of the finances and anything else Derek needed, including setting up his doctor appointments and haircuts. I didn't have any friends of my own, so the only people we ever spent time with were Derek's coworkers and their wives or girlfriends. I think it made Derek happy that I doted on him hand and foot, and he really liked that I practically had to rely on him for a social life.
    When Derek had started talking about having children about a year ago, I had gotten a job as a nanny to save money and that's when things started going downhill. He said I was always comparing our relationship to that of the couple I worked for, but it was more that they had been happily married for years and knew what it took to make it work, whereas, Derek and I were still learning. He hated that I was never home, and thought that I preferred to spend all my free time with my 'nanny fam', as he called them. I don't think he liked that he couldn't control that part of my life.
    I pulled into the driveway after work, and grabbed my purse. Once I made it inside, I found Derek playing Guitar Hero in the bonus room.
    "Hey, how was your day?" I asked walking in.
    "Like you care," he grumbled without taking his eyes off his game.
    I never knew what Derek I was going to get and I hated feeling like I was walking around on egg shells in my own house.
    "Derek, I wouldn't ask if I didn't care."
    He threw the Wii guitar down on the floor next to him and stood, stalking towards me. Grabbing my pony tail, he yanked my face to his.
    "If you care so much, then why don't you show me just how much?"
    He forced my mouth to his, mauling me, and I tried to pull away. A moment later he dragged me by my hair into the spare room, and threw me on the bed. I knew better than to fight him. When he was like this, it was best to just play along.
    "Lie still," he said, pulling my yoga pants and tee shirt off, and throwing them on the floor before he discarded his own clothes. Then he leaned over me, pulling my panties off.
    "Derek, I..."
    "Shh, you know I hate it when you talk during sex. I can't fucking concentrate and we have to keep trying."
    I don't