Unexpected Love

What happens when Mr. Right turns out to be Mr. Wrong?

Thanks to an extremely embarrassing one-night stand, I, Staci Benson, make a pact with myself.

Focus on grad school.

Stay away from sex. 

It should be easy, right?

Enter, Kyle Slade.

Infuriating to the core. 

One sexy nerd. 

My new boss. 

Forced to spend time with a guy I can't stand?  Check!

Arguing every point because he's the complete opposite? Check!

Developing feelings for said guy...Check?

How am I supposed to find Mr. Right when Mr. Wrong keeps getting in the way? 

My darkest hour is yet to come.

When truths are revealed, 

I’ll be left wishing I stuck to my pact. 

A heartwarming, steamy, opposites attract romance, Unexpected Love is the second installment in the Unforeseen Destiny Series. Set out to read Staci’s journey as she learns the valuable lesson of life’s unexpectedness. 

Ben

15 years ago

Soft whimpers pierced the late summer air, halting me mid-sweep. My body tensed, and I dropped the lightsaber as if the handle absorbed the energy blade and burned me. My gaze darted around the backyard for any signs of Jimmy and his band of minions lurking in the shadows. It was bad enough they cracked on my sci-fi obsession. The last thing I needed was to be caught training. Jimmy had already threatened to kick my ass. 

The jerk.

Cold sweat trickled down my back as I remained frozen. The humidity still clung to the air even as the sun began to set, but I hadn’t cared. Dusk was the perfect time for a Jedi apprentice to train for combat, even though it came with a tradeoff. The sword’s light could be detected from far away and bring unwanted attention.

The tension in my shoulders dissolved when the threat of Jimmy fizzled. He wasn’t here. I shifted my gaze to the lightsaber glowing green among the tall grass and sighed. I still couldn’t train. The sobs continued, and I needed to find where the noise came from. A new wave of fear slammed into me. What if Jimmy came earlier looking for me and beat-up someone else? I wouldn’t put that past him. He liked picking on people weaker than him.

In a sprint, I took off toward the large maple tree lining the back edge of the property. The sobs grew louder with each pounding step. I came to a grinding halt when a small-framed body sat hunched by the trunk’s base. Her skinny arms wrapped around the knees pulled to her chest, and her head hung low. Her face stayed hidden from the protection of her dark hair, but I recognized her. That long hair as beautiful as Princess Leia’s belonged to my next-door neighbor, Staci Benson. 

She was in Mrs. Goodrum’s first-grade class, two grades below me. I liked her, but she didn’t know me.  The last thing I wanted to do was scare her. She didn’t look hurt, so I took a step backward and cringed. A twig snapped underfoot, alerting her to my presence.

Staci popped her head toward my direction, and a tight fist constricted around my heart from the tears stinging her eyes. Normally a vibrant shade of green, they were dulled by her sadness. I couldn’t help myself. I closed the distance between us and knelt beside her. I had no idea what I planned to do or say, but I needed to protect her. That was what a good Jedi did.

“Who are you?” Her voice, shaky and weak, was so low, I had to strain to hear.

“Ben. I live next door.” I ran a jerky hand through my hair debating what to do. Obviously, something or someone upset her, and I should probably tell an adult, but something nibbled at my gut making me stay. “Are you… Did someone hurt you?”

She sniffled but shook her head. “I’m just sad.”

I furrowed my brow. Something happened, but I didn’t press since she appeared to be physically uninjured. I plopped my butt to the ground and stretched my legs in front of me. “Sometimes I get sad too.”

Staci’s body slackened, and another round of sobs wracked her body. I hesitated and then wrapped my arm around her shoulders. Her small frame molded to my side as if made for me. I sat there not saying a word. She didn’t need me to talk. She needed reassurance like my mom did when Grandma passed away. If I could be strong for Mom, I could be strong for Staci. That was what the men of the household did. They comforted and protected women. At least, that was what Grandpa told me. And this princess needed both.

I was more than capable of being here for her. Bigger and stronger, I had this. So that was what I did. I sat there that late summer evening, my shirt dampened from her tears, and held the girl who was sad. 

ALL sales are final.

There are no refunds given on digital products.