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    Under the Sun: A Beneath Her Skin Series Novel, #2
    Under the Sun: A Beneath Her Skin Series Novel, #2
    Under the Sun: A Beneath Her Skin Series Novel, #2
    Ebook144 pages1 hour

    Under the Sun: A Beneath Her Skin Series Novel, #2

    By Beth Mikell

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    About this ebook

    Jennifer West lives a vibrant life, taking risks in her personal life…one man at a time. On her quest to find Mr. Right, she meets Jake Donavan. A man with some serious sex appeal. Yet he falls under the Mr. Wrong category. He's an ex-black ops agent, working head of security for S-Tec. Jennifer's mugging sends up a red flag, and Donavan works behind the scenes to discover her attacker. But there is something she doesn't want him to discover, yet no secret can stay buried forever. As her stalker closes in, Donavan shows his gentle side—a man he hasn't allowed himself to be in a long time.
    Danger is rising and only one man may protect her…

    Author Note: What happened behind the scenes of Beneath Her Skin? Catch a glimpse. See another point of view as familiar characters make a reappearance. Includes new content. This story is a standalone.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBeth Mikell
    Release dateFeb 9, 2021
    ISBN9781393005452
    Under the Sun: A Beneath Her Skin Series Novel, #2
    Author

    Beth Mikell

    Beth Mikell (born 1973 in Ocala, Florida) is an American author in the genres of contemporary, medieval, mystery, and paranormal. She has traveled to countries such as Brazil, Turkey, and Iran. She loves reading and cuddling with her cat, Chimmy. When it comes to writing, Beth likes to weave tales about love, loss, and rebuilding hope. She finds the most challenging part of writing to be the end—saying goodbye is never easy.

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      Book preview

      Under the Sun - Beth Mikell

      ~ 1 ~

      Jennifer West strode down Main Street with her Penn State crew; the girls she loved and trusted with her whole heart. Especially Brooke Stone. She eyed her best friend, loving how beautifully confident she appeared. Brooke needed this night to blow off steam. Life had thrown her friend a shit-ton of curveballs after losing her uncle to cancer and stuck with his debts.

      But no more.

      Tonight, Jennifer and Brooke would shake off their hectic workweeks and have some much-needed fun.

      Mike waited for her. He was about average height with wavy brown hair and sparkling blue eyes. The guy could work a pair of jeans. They’d met after her decision to try skydiving; a feat she’d enjoyed. He’d been her instructor, and they’d hit it off.

      One drink.

      Two drinks.

      They’d ended up parting their zippers.

      He met her and her girls at the door of her favorite bar, Looney’s. His squad of dudes swarmed the front entrance, too, looking all hot and magnificent. This would be a great night, full of fun and excitement.

      She had faith.

      Mike snatched her up in his arms, laying a hot kiss across her lips. Nope. He did nothing for her—like their night had been. Stale. Lifeless. Forgettable.

      She knew deep down, she couldn’t continue this path of guys and too many nights. But she hated to think that her life would boil down to her own company in her high-rise apartment...alone. Yet she wasn’t game for more forgettable moments either.

      Something had to change.

      As her party people moved ahead of her, she lagged behind. Not that she minded. There was no reason to appear too eager.

      Out of the corner of her eye, Jennifer saw him. The him she thought she’d never see again.

      Donavan.

      He is here?

      Her lusty reaction flamed.

      She chalked up her horn bee response to him as normal. He hit at least 6’4 of pure muscle—the kind that resembled The Rock, but hotter. His close-cropped hair added to his sexy factor too. The pure chocolate sin of his eyes held darkness beyond color, a mystery she’d never solved in their brief time together. He had a Roman nose with high cheekbones down to firm lips. A mouth that knew every inch of her too. They had hooked up. She wouldn’t think about him now. Maybe he’d leave if she ignored him.

      She had to forget him and she’d make herself. Her brain was on board with that concept, but tell that to her heart. Giving herself a mental shake, she would turn the corner on his dark and dangerous vibe.

      Donavan’s eyes narrowed and his firm, drive-me-wild lips were set in a firm line. He towered over her, making her feel all soft and feminine.

      He is too close.

      She hated that she cared.

      He invaded her personal space, his hand enclosing her wrist. I need to speak with you, Red.

      Jennifer jerked her arm away. I have nothing to say to you, she volleyed, taking a step forward, trying to escape him.

      What game are you playing at? he growled. I have something serious to say.

      He crowded her as if he were trying to intimidate her. Her jaw hardened. I’m sorry, do I know you?

      She knew she was being bitchy, but he chose now to act as if he gave a crap? That he knew her? No, not happening. Butthurt, she would not be. As far as she knew, he didn’t even know her name. That wasn’t grounds for an urgent conversation.

      Underneath Looney’s lights overhead, his jaw ticked and his lips thinned. Don’t play the ‘I don’t know you’ card, Jennifer. I wouldn’t have reached out if it wasn’t important.

      She bristled. How long had he known her name? Taken off guard, she didn’t want to deal with him right now. She twisted away before he could say another word. She had serious doubts that she’d hunt him down to rehash their time together.

      What is the point?

      Mike met her inside, his hands circling her waist. He drew her close and kissed the end of her nose. Is everything okay, baby?

      Jennifer pasted on a smile, wishing he were the big oaf she’d left outside. Such were pipe dreams.

      Absolutely, she said in a bright tone, hoping to sound convincing. She smoothed her hands up his arms, leaning close. Do me a favor tonight.

      He nodded. Name it.

      My friend, Brooke, needs some extra fun tonight.

      His eyebrow went up. You thinking a threesome? He shrugged. I haven’t had one of those in a while. I’m game.

      She rolled her eyes. No. Jeez, you perv. I was thinking that you could ask some of your buddies to help her out with some body shots. Make her feel special.

      A grin curved his lips. Point her out and we’ll handle the rest.

      That was easy, she thought. Anything for her best girl.

      Let’s party, baby, he murmured.

      Jennifer tried to pretend her encounter with Donavan didn’t matter. Yet she found herself looking for him. Her eyes sought him out, finding a heap of disappointment when she couldn’t locate him in the sea of nameless faces.

      After ordering some drinks with Mike, Jennifer threw a wink at Carlos, the bartender. She’d been here enough to know him. They’d recently begun chatting online, but he was like all men—wanting into her panties. She wasn’t feeling it. Not anymore.

      As she and Mike made their way over to their table, she found one of Mike’s friends next to Brooke. Jennifer shooed him away, flopping down in his chair, leaning close to Brooke’s ear. You okay, baby doll?

      She nodded. Fine.

      Her friend didn’t appear fine. Jennifer pulled a face. Good fine? Or angry fine? She worried about her. If Brooke didn’t lose her doom and gloom expression soon, she didn’t know what else to do. Her friend had been battling too much stress for one so young. At this rate, she’d need Botox soon.

      Her friend shrugged, not answering. Mike arrived with their drinks, a pitcher of beer for the guys and Red Silk Panties for the ladies. Now the fun could start.

      Grabbing two glasses of Red Silk, she handed one to Brooke and clinked their glasses together. Jennifer hardly had a chance to set her empty glass down before Mike was yanking her onto the dance floor.

      She hoped for a wonderful night—a night to forget all about Donavan.

      DONAVAN FOLLOWED THE group of women from the opposite street. His eyes narrowed when they stopped outside Looney’s. The same place he’d met Jennifer.

      Talk about hair of the dog.

      As he crossed the street, he nearly lost his shit when some guy drew Jennifer up in his arms, laying a kiss on her lips.

      What the hell?

      He fisted his hands, ready to lay the guy out, but the look on her face told him she hadn’t minded. In the dark recesses of his heart, a pang boiled. A little voice whispered in the back of his head...

      Hadn’t I meant anything to her?

      But he quickly crushed the thought. He had no right to entertain such an idea.

      She wasn’t his.

      Donavan maneuvered closer, wanting to grasp the opportunity to talk with her. He wanted to speak to her privately, but she had left him with...

      Do I know you?

      Yeah, he deserved that.

      Her pissed off reaction indicated he should have tried to reconnect with her before now.

      But did he deserve to witness that other guy wrapping his arms around her and kissing her? Well, he hadn’t staked his personal claim on her, so yeah, he deserved that too.

      ~ 2 ~

      The pulse of the music thrummed through Jennifer. Every beat kicked against her insides, making her feel like a fraud. As Mike’s hands ran over her body, she wanted them to be Donavan’s hands. She didn’t receive the rush of excitement as she expected, or feel the heat of female desire. In fact, she wanted to get far away from Mike. The song changed into another heart thrilling beat. Jennifer spun away from her dance partner, hoping to escape him. To his credit, he found another willing girl.

      Scanning Looney’s for Brooke, she located her best friend with a man. Shock took over. Her steps slowed, focusing on them.

      He appeared familiar to her.

      As he changed his position, she saw his face.

      No way. Is that Damon Sinclair?

      He moved away, heading toward the front of the bar.

      Jennifer reached her friend, her face bright with excitement. What’s up, baby doll? How do you know Damon Sinclair? She inclined her head toward his retreating back.

      Brooke’s eyes widened. You know him?

      She flashed a grin. Of course. I do work for a large advertising firm, baby! I know all the bigwigs. He owns S-Tec, a large computer satellite company—a total Gazillionaire! The man is loaded. We have a contract for his telecommunications pie, but I haven’t been able to get into that action yet. I have seen him a few times. Stop stalling! How do you know him? she insisted.

      Brooke twisted her hair at her temple, something she always

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