Shattered Dreams (The Believe Series Book 1) Read Online Free

just thinking of the asshole that put me off men years ago.
    Gage shakes his head laughing and ignoring her question. “Ladies, this,” he starts, turning towards the man with him, “is my friend Jareth Stein.”
    Jareth smiles first at me and shakes my hand. “It’s a pleasure, Alicia,” he says and I smile. He then turns towards Shannon. “So the beautiful lady who gave me a night of magic has a name,” reaching for her hand, she snatches it back.
    I look between the two, unsure as to what to say or do. Shannon is glaring at him, looking as if she’s ready to pounce. I take in Jareth’s appearance and it hits me. Beautiful smile, blonde hair, and ocean blue eyes. Jareth is the man she told me about; the man who impregnated her and then left her without a word.
    I look back towards Gage, trying to see if he has picked up on what’s going on. He just smiles and shakes his head. I have to do something, because if I know Shannon as well as I think I do, she will jump him any minute.
    “Jareth,” I say and he turns towards me, “That’s an interesting name. Were you named after someone?”
    Jareth’s face falls and Gage starts to laugh. “Sadly, yes,” he admits with a shrug, “David Bowie, from the movie ‘Labyrinth’.”
    I cover my mouth, trying to hide the fact that I want to laugh. However, Gage isn’t trying to hide a thing and Jareth’s face goes red. “Sorry,” I say, “I happen to love that movie.”
    He begins to smile then Shannon opens her mouth. “Wasn’t David Bowie gay,” she asks, giving him attitude with her hands on her hips.
    He glares at her. “No, Shannon,” he says with as much attitude as she gave him, “He was not gay.”
    “Mr. Stein,” she begins, “I never gave you permission to use my first name. Please refrain from using it until I say you may.”
    “Fine,” he huffs, “By all means, what is your last name?”
    She smiles slyly, “Ah, but I also never gave you permission to use that either,” she tells him.
    He groans. “What am I supposed to call you then?” he asks.
    “You don’t, asshole,” she says as she turns to storm off.
    I look at her retreating back and then back to Jareth. “You have a lot of apologizing to do, Jareth,” I tell him.
    He looks at me stunned. “You know?” he asks.
    I just nod and give him a sad smile. “She won’t talk to you willingly, but there is something you need to know. It’s not my place to tell you, just don’t give up on her, she needs you more now than she realizes.” He just stands there looking at me, unsure what to say.
    I feel Gage tug my hand. Through everything happening, I didn’t realize he was still holding it. “Let’s leave the love birds to hash things out,” he whispers, “Dance with me Alicia.” It wasn’t a question, more a command. I sit my glass on the table, nod, and allow myself to be pulled to the dance floor.
    Gage stops, turns, and looks into my eyes. “I’ve missed you, Alicia,” he says, running both his hands down my arms.
    When he reaches my hands I swallow. “I’ve missed you too, Gage,” I whisper.
    He tilts his head, flashing that killer dimpled smile. My breath catches and I feel my chest tighten. He’s all around me; I’m like a caged animal, trapped by his body and scent. A scent I am beginning to crave.
    He places my hands on his hard muscled stomach and slowly runs them up and over his chest. When he reaches his neck, he slips them behind and locks my fingers together.
    Sliding his hands back down my arms he leans in to whisper in my ear. “I’ve always wanted to do this,” he says as his hands reach my hips and he jerks me towards him.
    I gasp. “Do what?” I ask.
    “Hold you,” he answers just as the music fills the room. Through the speakers comes the beautiful voice of Etta James singing ‘ At Last’ . How appropriate after what he just admitted to.
    “I never knew,” I say next to his ear, “Why, how long?”
    He pulls back to look at me and