Still not into you
Still not into you
Charlotte Byrd
Contents
About Still not into You Duet
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About Charlotte Byrd
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Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Tell me to stop - Chapter 1
Connect with Charlotte Byrd
About Charlotte Byrd
Also by Charlotte Byrd
Copyright © 2020 by Charlotte Byrd, LLC.
All rights reserved.
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Cover Design: Charlotte Byrd
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a word of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Visit my website at www.charlotte-byrd.com
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About Still not into You Duet
You were once the man that I hated, but I forgave you for what you did.
Now, it’s your turn to forgive me.
No, I didn’t cheat on you, not even close. But I made a huge mistake, the kind that few relationships survive.
What now? Where do we go from here?
It was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done, and it changed everything.
Will you find it in your heart to forgive me?
Or is this the end of us?
** STILL NOT INTO YOU is the second book of bestselling author Charlotte Byrd’s enemies-to-lovers DUET that will leave you head spinning.
It was previously published as One Weekend but the text has been substantially expanded and revised.
What readers are saying about Charlotte Byrd's Books:
“This book/series is addictive! Super hot and steamy, intense with twists and turns in the plot that you just won't see coming…” ★★★★★
“One-sitting read!” ★★★★★
“How on earth did I survive that? My mind is blown, my hearts beating out of my chest and I'm on this cliff, shaking like a leaf in a windstorm waiting to do that all over again with the conclusion to one of the best reasons to get out of work and get lost for a while.” ★★★★★
“This series is just so intense and delicious. The stunning twists, raw emotions and nerve wracking tension just keep increasing as each book in this enticing series unfolds. I am so invested in Nicholas and Olivia. These characters really worm their way into your heart, while also totally consuming your mind. The gripping story quickly captivates and pulls you back into this couple's world. Do try to be prepared for the cliffhanger and the wait for the sixth and final book in this amazing series.” ★★★★★
Praise for Charlotte Byrd
“BEST AUTHOR YET! Charlotte has done it again! There is a reason she is an amazing author and she continues to prove it! I was definitely not disappointed in this series!!” ★★★★★
“LOVE!!! I loved this book and the whole series!!! I just wish it didn't have to end. I am definitely a fan for life!!! ★★★★★
“Extremely captivating, sexy, steamy, intriguing, and intense!” ★★★★★
“Addictive and impossible to put down.” ★★★★★
“What a magnificent story from the 1st book through book 6 it never slowed down always surprising the reader in one way or the other. Nicholas and Olive's paths crossed in a most unorthodox way and that's how their story begins it's exhilarating with that nail biting suspense that keeps you riding on the edge the whole series. You'll love it!” ★★★★★
“What is Love Worth. This is a great epic ending to this series. Nicholas and Olive have a deep connection and the mystery surrounding the deaths of the people he is accused of murdering is to be read. Olive is one strong woman with deep convictions. The twists, angst, confusion is all put together to make this worthwhile read.” ★★★★★
“Fast-paced romantic suspense filled with twists and turns, danger, betrayal, and so much more.” ★★★★★
“Decadent, delicious, & dangerously addictive!” - Amazon Review ★★★★★
“Titillation so masterfully woven, no reader can resist its pull. A MUST-BUY!” - Bobbi Koe, Amazon Review ★★★★★
“Captivating!” - Crystal Jones, Amazon Review ★★★★★
“Sexy, secretive, pulsating chemistry…” - Mrs. K, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★
“Charlotte Byrd is a brilliant writer. I've read loads and I've laughed and cried. She writes a balanced book with brilliant characters. Well done!” -Amazon Review ★★★★★
“Hot, steamy, and a great storyline.” - Christine Reese ★★★★★
“My oh my....Charlotte has made me a fan for life.” - JJ, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★
“Wow. Just wow. Charlotte Byrd leaves me speechless and humble… It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. Once you pick it up, you won't put it down.” - Amazon Review ★★★★★
“ Intrigue, lust, and great characters...what more could you ask for?!” - Dragonfly Lady ★★★★★
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About Charlotte Byrd
Charlotte Byrd is the bestselling author of romantic suspense novels. She has sold over 600,000 books and has been translated into five languages.
She lives near Palm Springs, California with her husband, son, and a toy Australian Shepherd who hates water. Charlotte is addicted to books and Netflix and she loves hot weather and crystal blue water.
Write her here:
charlotte@charlotte-byrd.com
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otte-byrd.com
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Also by Charlotte Byrd
All books are available at ALL major retailers! If you can’t find it, please email me at charlotte@charlotte-byrd.com
Wedlocked Trilogy
Dangerous Engagement
Lethal Wedding
Fatal Wedding
Not into you Duet
Not into you
Still not into you
Tell me Series
Tell Me to Stop
Tell Me to Go
Tell Me to Stay
Tell Me to Run
Tell Me to Fight
Tell Me to Lie
Tangled Series
Tangled up in Ice
Tangled up in Pain
Tangled up in Lace
Tangled up in Hate
Tangled up in Love
Black Series
Black Edge
Black Rules
Black Bounds
Black Contract
Black Limit
Lavish Trilogy
Lavish Lies
Lavish Betrayal
Lavish Obsession
Standalone Novels
Debt
Offer
Unknown
Dressing Mr. Dalton
1
We are still more than an hour and a half away from home. I try to quench the anticipation building in the pit of my stomach with something fun to think about. I ask him about his family. I haven’t heard anything about them for a long time. As we start to talk and laugh, I discover that there’s so much that we hadn’t talked about. It all suddenly floods in.
For instance, Hudson thinks that his little brother, Cayden, is gay. Gay and doesn’t know it.
“How can he not know it?” I ask. “He’s fifteen! Maybe he’s just not gay.”
“Well, in that case, he’s in denial or something. I’m pretty certain that he is.”
“Maybe he’s just afraid to come out?” I ask.
“Why would he be? He knows that my parents won’t care. They’ll probably be happy,” he says.
“It takes a while to be comfortable in your own skin,” I say. “You have to be patient. I mean, I still can’t come out to most people about being a writer.”
We don’t just talk about serious things. We also talk about funny, heartfelt things. Like last Christmas.
“Do you remember when you chased me around the house for my candy cane?” I ask.
“No!” he says imperatively. “It wasn’t yours. You got it as a gift, yes, but you hate candy canes. And by the way, who the hell hates candy canes anyway? They’re peppermint and sugar. I know for a fact that you love peppermint tea.”
“That’s not at all the same thing.” I shake my head, smiling. “What’s important is that that was my candy cane and you just expected me to give it over.”
“Because you weren’t going to eat it.”
“You didn’t know that.”
“Oh, yes, I did.” He nods furiously. “I found that stash of candy canes in your closet from the year before. You didn’t eat one. You just kept them all away from people who actually like them. You greedy, greedy girl!”
We crack up laughing. I laugh so hard, my eyes tear up. When he catches his breath, Hudson turns to me.
“I’ve missed you, Alice,” he says as we pull up to our building. He’s planning on returning the rental car tomorrow. After parking, we head straight up to our dorm.
“I’ve missed you, too,” I say in the elevator.
A flood of emotions starts to sweep through my body the higher we climb. If I don’t do something, tears will flow out of my eyes and I won’t be able to stop them. I lean up to Hudson and kiss him.
In the middle of that passionate and explosive kiss, as he tears at my clothes and messes up my hair, I suddenly realize that I don’t need an apology from him over the breakup. I don’t want to think for a second about what this all means. I don’t even want to know if I want him back. I just want to be with him.
We kiss furiously until the elevator beeps and the doors open. We stumble out, almost forgetting our bags inside. At the last minute, Hudson shoves his hand in between the doors to keep it from leaving. Reluctantly, the elevator opens.
When we get to our dorm, I head straight to the bathroom.
“Okay, I’m going to hop in the shower and I’ll meet you in your room?” I say.
“Unless you want me to join you?” He winks.
I roll my eyes and shake my head.
When I get out of the shower, I reapply my makeup just a bit. I brush my hair, flip it over to give it some life, and leave it damp. I look in the mirror. Is this really happening?
“Just breathe,” I say to myself. Suddenly, I wish that I had one of those tattoos on my wrist that says ‘just breathe.’ I’ve made fun of those on many occasions. I mean, when do you really forget to breathe? At this point, I could use one. A visual reminder to relax. Take a break. Breathe in and out.
My heart beats so hard, it feels like it’s going to jump out of my chest. I knock on his door. No one answers. I knock harder. When he doesn’t answer again, I push it open.
Hudson’s sitting on his bed with his laptop. He barely looks up. He has a despondent look on his face. When he looks up at me, he doesn’t look at me so much as through me. Somewhere far away.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
He shakes his head but just a little bit. It looks so much like a nod, but different. I wait for him to speak. A minute passes. It feels like a century.
“I...I…lost the money,” he finally says. His voice shakes.
“What money?”
“The money I invested with Dylan’s guy,” he says slowly. There’s a difficulty in each word, it’s as if to say it, he has to move a car singlehandedly from one side of the street to another.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry.” I wrap my arms around him. He doesn’t push me away. Just continues to sit here. Lost in a world that I can’t reach.
“I lost $15,000,” he whispers, burying his head in his hands. “How could I be so stupid?”
“I’m so, so sorry.” I embrace him.
I don’t know what to do to make him feel better. I wish there was something, but I feel utterly helpless. Just be here for him, I say to myself. Just sit here and listen.
“It was going so well. My $5,000 investment became $10,000. I was going to take it out, but then I didn’t. I put it all back in, Alice,” he says.
Whilst at first, words didn’t come at all, now they’re practically tumbling out of him. “Why did I do that?” he asks. “I’m so stupid.”
“No, you’re not,” I whisper.
“I made another $5,000 and then…then it all disappeared.”
“How?” I ask.
He takes a deep breath and lets it out and then says, “The stock plummeted after the CFO of the pharmaceutical company was arrested for insider trading.”
We sit in silence for a long time. I don’t know what to say and Hudson has nothing else to say. Eventually, and with a great deal of effort, I turn off the light and take the laptop from his lap. I pull the covers over him and give him a kiss on the cheek.
“Where are you going?” he whispers.
“I thought I’d give you some time to rest,” I say.
“Can you stay? Please?”
I climb into bed with him. Hudson wraps his arms around me. He presses himself against me. We spoon for some time. Minutes tick away. Sometime later, I turn to face him. I think that he’s asleep, but he’s wide awake. Still staring out in the distance.
“You should get some sle
ep,” I say. “Things will be better in the morning.”
Hudson looks at me. He disentangles his hand from the covers and brushes his index finger along my bottom lip. His fingertip feels soft like silk. Slowly, he pulls himself closer to me. I feel his breath on my lips. Our lips touch.
His lips are effervescent. He parts my lips with his tongue. It feels familiar and strange at the same time. As we kiss, our bodies morph into one. I can no longer tell where he begins and I end.
Suddenly, his kisses become more forceful. He presses his whole body into mine. Every last inch of it is hard and strong. He climbs on top of me and kisses me harder. So hard that it borders on painful. I try to keep up. I push back into him. He rises a little above me. I’m surprised at my own strength.