NEW FIRENDS NEW ISSUES

**Rebecca’s story**

Emily Parker’s book launch day. The place she chose was, as I expected, the Karma ballroom. It seemed so right for her.
I was still at Dominic’s house, trying to carefully choose what I was going to wear for the evening. The situation was the same for him.
In the end, I chose a knee-length, red dress with straps and lace back. I tied my hair into a bun at the base of my neck with a few curls framing my face.
“Wow, you look beautiful, love!”
“You’re no less,” I replied, smiling, delighting in how perfect and masculine he looked. The black ebony suit suited him, and the back combed hair made him even sexier.
He came closer, as if reading my mind, and reached around my waist, holding me tight. His musky scent was driving me crazy, and he knew it and even took advantage of my weakness for him.
“Is your lipstick transfer resistant?” He asked, running his thumb over my lips. As soon as he confirmed this, he seized my mouth in a deep, passionate kiss. I returned his kiss, feeling my body catch fire, begging for more.
“Dominic, I don’t think you want to do this right now...” I muttered, sticking to his lips, drunk with desire.
“Who says I don’t want to?” His voice was low, husky, pushing his body even harder into me. When I felt his erection making its way between my thighs, I knew I didn’t have a choice and I didn’t want him to stop.
There on the table in my room, he removed all obstacles and pushed himself into me so deep and fast that my fingernails almost pierced through the jacket of his suit. “Careful baby, you don’t want to ruin my suit,” he whispered in my ear with his breath hitching in rhythm with his thrusting inside me.
“Faster...deeper, Dominic...” I was urging him harder. Until he filled me with him and an explosive orgasm which I felt all the way to the deepest places of my throbbing core made me shudder helplessly.
Weakened, I leaned my forehead against his shoulder, reliving the moments from earlier. He was the perfect man and, more than that, he was mine. Somehow, at some point, I was more and more convinced that he was going to mark me. I still didn’t understand his hesitation, but I enjoyed every second of it.
“It’s time to go, baby. I’m sure many people are already waiting for us.” he broke that sweet silence between us and lifted my chin so I could look at him.
“You’re right. I am sure Emily is already there.”
“You’re so beautiful, all ravished and flushed in your cheeks” he gently caressed my face, placing a quick kiss on my forehead.
“I have you to thank for this,” I said with a wide grin on my face.
Immediately after that, we rushed out of the house because we were already late. But I regretted nothing. I was so fulfilled when he was with me.
The auditorium was exactly as I expected, full. To my shame, I didn’t even know how many fans Emily Parker had. Maybe after all these problems were over, I would manage to get some time off and read her books.
The fuss was huge. People of all ages, press, collectors. Everyone attended the event and asked for an autograph from their favorite author.
In a corner near the table with her novel displayed on it and the desk where Emily was to give her speech, was Emily herself, a man who was sure her husband, and another slender, elegant woman who was probably her agent.

From the moment she saw me, she beckoned me to come closer. Her smile was so radiant and contagious.
“Miss Holland, welcome!” She greeted me so happily that I could barely contain my joy for her. This woman was so warm-hearted that I sensed I could make a different kind of connection with her.
“Let me introduce you to two of the most important people in my life. My husband, Mike and my agent Olivia. I’m sorry I didn’t let you know they’d be joining me.”
“Nice to meet you. The pleasure is mine,” I said, extending my hand in a friendly shake. Olivia and I locked gazes for a few seconds, but it all stayed within us. We just smiled politely. It was neither the time nor the place. “And don’t worry, you didn’t need to tell me. It was only natural that they would come,” I continued, holding their prideful looks.
At that moment, Emily pulled me further away from the rest of them and, with almost teary eyes, she clasped my hands.
“Rebecca, if I may call you that, I confess I am so nervous. I’ve released books before but this is so different. I know we haven’t known each other long, but you’ve touched my heart and I know our collaboration won’t just stop at finding me spaces for my book launches.” Her confession shocked me in a good way, as I felt from the beginning that we would have a special connection. It couldn’t have been any other way, and that was because Emily was so approachable and natural. There’s almost no chance of meeting people as open as she was.
“Thank you for the kind words. I feel the same way. It’s like something connects us, and believe me, we’ll take that connection beyond a professional one. Besides, after this event is over, I’m inviting you and Olivia and your husband to our house for a barbecue. And why not to Dominic’s film premiere? My partner is an actor, Emily. And acting and what you do, writing I mean go together perfectly. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a director interested in putting your book on the screen.” What I said to her sounded so good. Her face brightened instantly and a wide smile curled across her lips.
“I like the idea, honestly. It would be the next step for me in my career. Then it’s settled. Can I call you tomorrow?” Her enthusiasm reflected so well in her eyes.
“Of course, you can! Now go shine where you belong. We’ll be watching you from the front row,” I encouraged her as she slowly discovered herself and new opportunities.
And with determined steps, Emily made her way to the desk as the rest of us found our seats at the tables set in a semicircle.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m Emily Parker, but you already know that...” she began, her voice trembling with excitement. “It is an honor to have you here in such large numbers at an event so important to me and my entire career as a bestselling author. My Wild Alpha, though a bold fantasy, is one of the books I not only worked hard on but has a special place in my heart. In fact, all the books I’ve written are dear to me, but this one won the jackpot for several reasons. We all know the myth of werewolves, but we are skeptical when asked if they really exist. Well, the book aims to dismantle this myth and introduce these fabulous creatures into our everyday lives. As I said before, it is a fantasy of love and although I worked on it for more than a year, I am convinced that it will have the success it deserves. Last but not least, I want to thank my husband Mike for being there for me on those sleepless nights to make the book perfect. For putting up with my sleepless moods,” she added hilariously and she looked at Mike, who gave her a big smile. “I also want to thank my agent who discovered me and even though I had many ups and downs, she knew how to lift me up so that my books would continue to be amazing. Thank you, Olivia! That being said, I’m going to declare the book signing open, so I’ll be waiting for you in line at the table next to me so we can get to know each other.”
Emily’s speech was wonderful, and the applause was as great as it could be. She really deserved all this. Just like she said, we lined up for autographs. Even Dominic and I stood in line.
“I’m excited, baby. This is my first time at an event like this and I must say I’m delighted.”
“Honestly, me too. Emily Parker has a lot of fans.”
“Sweetheart, I dared to invite Emily, her husband and her agent to a barbecue at our home and even took the liberty of inviting her to the premiere of your movie. I hope you’re okay with that. Can you get three more invitations?”
“Sure. It’s my movie so anything is possible ‘’ Dominic confirmed, chuckling. In fact, he even thought of the same idea as me. “Who knows what director would approach her? She’s just so well known. Imagine what it would be like to have the book we just attended on screen”
“You read my mind, honestly. That’s exactly what I told her. She’s got a good chance, don’t you think?”
“Maybe I’ll help her out a little and put in a good word with the director of my film.”
“Thank you for how wonderful you are!” I said, and I jumped on his neck, placing a short but sweet kiss on his lips. He was the most wonderful man.
The day ended more than well and although we insisted, they stay with us, the three refused.
“Rebecca, please don’t be upset, but we can’t take such advantage of your hospitality. Besides, tomorrow I’ll phone you and also tomorrow we’ll come to the barbecue you invited us to,” Emily explained politely and from here to their departure remained only a few moments.
“They are very humble, my love. Surely, we will have a long friendship”
And just as we stepped outside and headed for the car, a long howl sent a jolt through my body and thousands of shivers put me on guard. I was sure Zack was around again. But he hadn’t found the right victim. And he was about to find that out!