Engaging the Enemy Read online

  Engaging the Enemy

  Copyright 2019 Monica Clayton

  Published by M.E. Clayton

  All Rights Reserved

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This book is a work of fiction. The entire content is a product of the author’s imagination and all names, places, businesses, and incidences are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), places or occurrences, is entirely coincidental

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without the express written consent from the author, except in the case of brief quotation embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Formatting: Smashwords

  Cover: Adobe Stock

  Warning: This book contains sexual situations and other adult themes. Recommended for 18 years of age and over.

  Table of Contents

  Author's Note

  Acknowledgements

  Dedication

  Prologue

  1. Roselyn

  2. Liam

  3. Roselyn

  4. Liam

  5. Roselyn

  6. Liam

  7. Roselyn

  8. Liam

  9. Roselyn

  10. Liam

  11. Roselyn

  12. Liam

  13. Roselyn

  14. Liam

  15. Roselyn

  16. Liam

  17. Roselyn

  18. Liam

  19. Roselyn

  20. Liam

  21. Roselyn

  22. Liam

  23. Roselyn

  24. Liam

  25. Roselyn

  26. Liam

  27. Roselyn

  28. Liam

  29. Roselyn

  30. Liam

  31. Roselyn

  32. Liam

  33. Roselyn

  34. Liam

  35. Roselyn

  36. Liam

  37. Roselyn

  Epilogue

  Playlist

  About the Author

  Other Books

  Contact Me

  Newsletter Sign-up!

  Author’s Note

  Facing the Enemy had originally been a standalone work, but due to so many requests, I decided to write Roselyn’s, Liam’s & Deke’s stories, and so, the Enemy Series was born. So, while I did my best to write this book in a style that can be enjoyed as a standalone, I suggest reading Facing the Enemy first, so that the supporting storyline might flow better.

  Also, as much as I tried (because I know how much everyone loved Ramsey’s and Emerson’s intensity), I couldn’t quite match the madness because…well, Ramsey’s a psychopath, whereas Liam’s just a madman. I hope you still enjoy the book, nonetheless. Now, because Facing the Enemy was supposed to be a solo work, it was a challenge to match its intensity for the other three books, but I did my best, folks. I so promise I did my best.

  I had also never planned on a fourth character, but upon writing Deke’s story, I fell in love with Ava, and how complicated she was, so Provoking the Enemy came to life. I also added a short closer as proof that everyone did live happily ever after.

  I know half of you will enjoy that everyone got a happily-ever-after, while the other half will be disappointed that Roselyn didn’t spend the rest of her days being worshipped by Liam and Deke, but, at heart, I’m a one-woman-man type of personality, so I felt compelled to make sure everyone ended up with a love of their life.

  Nonetheless, I hope you guys enjoy the series, and thank you, once again, to everyone who loved the book so much, you pushed for the additional stories.

  *****

  Just a couple of things before I let you go and get your read on. While I am doing my best to work with better editing and proofreading software, all my books are solo, independent works. I write my books, proofread my books, edit my books, create the covers, etc. I have one beta who gives me feedback on my stories, but other than that, all my books are independent projects.

  That being said, I apologize, in advance, for the typos, grammar inconsistencies, or any other mistakes I may make. Since writing is strictly a hobby for me, I haven’t looked for commitments in regard to publishers, editors, etc. My hope is that my stories are enjoyable enough that a few mistakes, here and there, can be overlooked. If not, my books are probably not for you.

  Also, I am an avid reader-I mean an AVID reader. I love to read above any other hobby. One of the things about reading that hurts my heart, though, is when I fall in love with a book, but I have to wait for the additional books in the series to be released. Because I feel that disappointment down to my soul, I vowed that if I ever write a series, all books will be published at once. Nope-no waiting over here…LOL. So, if you are reading one of my books, but can’t find any other books on the secondary characters of that book, that means the book is a standalone project.

  Now, that being said, if there are enough requests for the secondary characters’ stories, I try to accommodate that. So, it is possible for a series to develop unexpectedly. Should that happen, I will do my best to release the rest of the requested book all at once.

  Thank You! You are truly making my dreams come true!

  Acknowledgements

  The first acknowledgement will always be my husband (unless we ever divorce, then probably not so much after that), but seeing as how I can’t imagine that day ever coming, I can’t ever put myself out there without thanking him for all his love, support and belief in me.

  Second, there’s my family; my daughter, my son, my grandchildren, my sister, and my mother. They are the people who love me the most, know me the best, and love me dearly, despite all they know…LOL!

  And, of course, there’s Kamala. She insists that I don’t have to thank her in every book, but my love for her and gratitude for all her support and enthusiasm, claims otherwise. She’s the first person (outside my family) that I shared this dream with, and she’s been by my side every step of the way. Kam, you really are the best kind of friend!

  And, finally, I’d like to thank everyone who’s purchased, read, reviewed, shared, and supported me and my writing. Thank you so much for helping make this dream a reality and a happy, fun one at that! There are not enough ‘Thank You’s in the world.

  Dedication

  For Amy (who emailed me) and Always Booking –

  You were the first people to show interest in Roselyn’s, Liam’s, and Deke’s stories. This series would never have come to be if you guys hadn’t planted the seed.

  And for all my other readers who encouraged this madness –

  Thank you so much! I hope the story meets with your expectations!

  Prologue

  I closed my eyes as I heard the front door shut, and I found myself wondering, once again, how I got here.

  What I found even more puzzling was the fact that I had wanted to be here.

  For months, this was what I wanted; what I enjoyed. But now…

  Now, it wasn’t enough. Or maybe it was too much.

  Staring out the window, I watched Deke Marlow strolling down the walkway towards his car. Deke lived only two blocks over, but the houses in Sands Cove were so huge, and they each sat on at least one acre of land, you couldn’t just skip on over to your neighbor’s house.

  I watched silently as he clicked his key fob, unlocking h
is car, then opened the driver’s side door and got in. I stared down at his white Lexus LC and wondered, as he backed up, how many people paid attention to how many times it’s been in my driveway over the past few months. Of course, most people would assume he was here to see my stepbrother, Brandon, but they’d be wrong.

  Brandon was hardly ever home. He had a girlfriend whom he practically lived with, and since his father and my mother were always off gallivanting all over the world, we were pretty much free to do whatever we wanted.

  I couldn’t deny I’ve crossed a line that couldn’t be uncrossed, and I felt out of sorts now that I wanted more. No matter how toxic my best friend, Emerson’s, relationship with Ramsey Reed was, I found myself being envious of their relationship these days. Emerson would go to her deathbed never doubting Ramsey’s love for her, and I wanted that.

  Well, maybe not that kind of psychotic obsession, but I wanted love.

  I wanted a boy to take me to the movies or buy me roses. Hell, I’d settle for walking me to my locker.

  Something.

  Anything.

  Every Monday through Friday I went to school, hung out with my friends, bullshitted, and chilled with no one being the wiser that Deke Marlow might have just left my bed the night before.

  We sat in some of the same classes, ate at the same lunch table, hitched rides off each other…all kinds of casual friend things, with neither of us giving away the slightest hint that we’ve seen each other naked. Hell, even Emerson hadn’t suspected until I told her a few weeks ago.

  It wasn’t until Emerson and Ramsey started parading their twisted, psychotic fairy tale around everywhere that I started to realize I was rather lonely. Sure, I might not be lonely most nights, but I was lonely during the day. I was lonely during the holidays. I was lonely in the shower, for Christ’s sake.

  I looked up at the moon and wondered how much lonelier it was going to feel when I did away with the little bit I was getting at night. I mean, things were going well, and I had been satisfied with how things had been going, but it was more than just watching Emerson and Ramsey together. I could admit I began feeling emotionally involved a few months ago, but I was too chickenshit to acknowledge the change.

  Because if there was one thing I did know, it was that no one would appreciate me bringing emotions into the equation. Emotions were only acceptable when a happily-ever-after was possible. No one had sought a happily-ever-after when all this had started.

  At least, I sure hadn’t.

  The sound of bedsheets rustling behind me had me turning around to face the bed, and what a sight it was. The dark blue bedsheet draped loosely over Liam McCellan’s v-indented pelvic area, his six-pack abs on display, the moonlight from the window dancing across his perfect, honed, ripped teenage male body. His dark blonde hair was mused all over the pillow, his baby blue eyes covered by sleeping eyelids. He looked comfortable and peaceful. Whereas, Deke always got up, got dressed, and left, Liam always stayed in bed and slept either for a few hours or until the wee hours of the morning.

  And just as no one suspected I was sleeping with Deke Marlow, no one suspected I was sleeping with Liam McCellan either.

  But I was.

  I was sleeping with both these boys.

  I was officially a teenage slut.

  It didn’t matter that it was Liam who had taken my virginity; I was a slut by definition. And for months, I’ve relished in our little secret. I’ve enjoyed their attentions. I’ve craved what they could do and have done to my body. But it couldn’t continue.

  As I looked over at a sleeping Liam, I knew I couldn’t continue with our arrangement any longer.

  Not when I was in love with Liam McCellan.

  Chapter 1

  Roselyn~

  I turned back towards the window and wondered for the millionth time how I was going to do this.

  We were only four months into the new school year, so I had roughly seven more months left in Sands Cove before our parents pushed us out into the real world to take our rightful places in life.

  Could I ignore how I felt about Liam for the rest of the school year? Especially, with Emerson being in a relationship with Ramsey? Ramsey, Deke, and Liam were best friends; have been their entire lives. There was no way they’d stop hanging out together no matter what I was feeling about my situation with Liam and Deke.

  I never knew, and still don’t know, Ramsey’s take on my relationship with his two best friends. But I knew no matter how much he loved Emerson, he’d never choose my side over theirs. Ramsey Reed, Deke Marlow, and Liam McCellan had an unbreakable bond, and Ramsey Reed wasn’t the type of guy who would let even Emerson break it. Instead, he’d bring Emerson into the fold and make her a part of their brotherhood.

  Of course, it was no secret that Ramsey’s…love for Emerson bordered on maniacal, so I doubt Deke, Liam, or Emerson would ever put Ramsey in a position to where he’d have to choose between any of them.

  I closed my eyes and seriously contemplated searching some internet blogs on ideas of how to end a threesome that’s been going on for almost a year already. I opened my eyes as I dropped my forehead against the cool window.

  I had never started out to have this kind of relationship. In all the years since I hit puberty, I never imagined I’d find myself having sex with two boys, often at the same time. I’d had the same romantic notions as most every other teenage girl on the planet. I was going to find a boy who adored me, and we’d fall in love, get married, have children, and live happily-ever-after.

  Nowhere-nowhere, in that scenario had there been thoughts of finding two boys who adored me, and we’d all fall in love. Now, granted, I wasn’t in love with Deke, just Liam. While Deke was hot as sin, with a mesmerizing face and a fantastic body, he stirred no emotions in me other than lust. It was crazy, uncontrollable lust, but just lust, nonetheless.

  Unfortunately, I wasn’t delusional enough to believe that Liam would ever love me back. Much like Deke, I knew he liked me, considered me a friend, and might even care about me a little, but love? How could any guy fall in love with a girl who he shared with his best friend? And, in all this time, I never once asked either of them what they were thinking when they had started this.

  A part of me was afraid to ask because I was certain the answer was something cold and cruel. Like, perhaps, it had been a bet. Or maybe it had been a dare. Or maybe they simply had thought I was a tramp and had just gone for it.

  The other part of me that kept me from asking was that I didn’t want to be that girl. I didn’t want to create drama where there wasn’t any by asking touchy-feely questions of two guys who didn’t do drama. Liam and Deke could have any girl they wanted. They sure as hell didn’t need to humor one that was spiraling down an emotional abyss.

  I remember the night they had come into my room like it was yesterday. My stepbrother, Brandon-better known as Asshat-had been having one of his outrageous parties, and knowing I wasn’t welcomed, I had stayed up in my room, hidden away from the people he deemed me not good enough to hang out with.

  I had been laying in my bed, losing my mind on Pinterest, when I had heard the door to my bedroom creak open. Sitting up, I had watched in wary fascination as Liam McCellan and Deke Marlow had entered my room. Before each boy had entered my bedroom, I had never spoken to them before, and I’d been living in Sands Cove since my freshman year of high school.

  I remember asking them what they wanted and them muttering some shit about looking for Brandon. And without waiting for an invitation, they had both made themselves at home on my bed. They also had bottles of liquor with them.

  I remember the casual chitchat. I remember one shot, then two. I remember more than two shots, and then even more after that. I remember being hypnotized by Liam’s blue eyes and fascinated by Deke’s green ones. I remember the first touch of Liam’s fingertips against my collarbone. I had been wearing a white tank top with a pair of jean cutoffs, and looking back, the outfit hadn’t been protection enough agai
nst the heat from their first touches to their last. I remember feeling euphoric when Deke’s hands had joined Liam’s in touching my skin.

  I still got goosebumps at the memory.

  Hearing the rustling on the bed, I continued to gaze out at whatever the moon was allowing to shine through the darkness. Liam would either be getting up to get dressed and leave, or he was just in a restless sleep.

  I never questioned why he stayed, and I never questioned why Deke always left. The arrangement we had didn’t make room for questions and expectations. The only stipulation we had placed on ourselves when we had agreed to continue as a threesome was monogamy within the group. I always thought they had included that stipulation as a way to lessen my guilt and shame. What they were doing with me was sordid, but had they continued to sleep with other girls, things would have become sleazy and uncomfortable.

  Sure, they flirted with other girls a lot, and they didn’t shower me with any special treatment, but Liam once told me that was because they didn’t want me getting any grief if the truth ever came out. By them flirting with other girls, no one would ever suspect what was really going on. I had even helped them along by making up stories about boys I messed with from neighboring towns.

  It felt surreal to know that we’ve kept this arrangement up for almost a year now with no expectations. But, again, I didn’t want to be that girl. You know, the girl who promises she knows the score, but then starts acting like a tool because she ended up developing feelings after she promised she wouldn’t?