Until You Set Me Free: Book 1 in the Until You Series
Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Playlist
Additional Novels Coming from D.M. Davis
Dedication
Part 1: Giving Thanks - November
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Part 2: The Bloom
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Part 3: Ascension
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Part 4: Best Intentions
Chapter 11
Part 5: Until You - December
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Part 6: Family Ties - February
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Part 7: Thy Will Be Done
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Part 8: Saying Goodbye
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Part 9: Dreams and Nightmares - March
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Part 10: Haze
Chapter 25
About the Author
Acknowledgements
Stalk Me!
An Until You Novel
Book 1
D.M. DAVIS
Copyright © 2018 D.M. Davis
Until You Set Me Free
Until You series by D.M. Davis
ISBN-13: 978-0-9997176-1-5
Published by D.M. Davis
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, scanned, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
www.dmckdavis.com
Cover Design by D.M. Davis
Cover Photo by Shutterstock
Metallic Logo by Carrie Loves Design
Editing by Tamara Mataya
Proofreading by Mountains Wanted Publishing & Indie Author Services
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.
This story contains mature themes, strong language, and sexual situations. It is intended for adult readers.
Playlist
SAY HEY (I LOVE YOU) BY MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD
LITTLE THINGS BY ONE DIRECTION
BIRTHDAY CAKE BY RHIANNA
LET ME LOVE YOU BY DJ SNAKE (FEATURING JUSTIN BIEBER)
BIRTHDAY SEX BY JEREMIAH
THEN THERE'S YOU BY CHARLIE PUTH
I GET TO LOVE YOU BY RUELLE
KINDLY CALM ME DOWN BY MEGHAN TRAINOR
I MISS YOU BY ADELE
MERCY BY SEAN MENDES
THIS TOWN BY NIALL HORAN
SHE WILL BE LOVED BY MAROON 5
Additional Novels Coming from D.M. Davis
Until You Series
Book 1 - Until You Set Me Free
Book 2 - Until You Are Mine
Book 3 - Until You Say I Do
Finding Grace Series
Book 1 - The Road to Redemption
Book 2 - A New Beginning
Book 3 - Finding Where I Belong
Standalones
Warm Me Softly
Dedication
For my husband, who believed in me from the beginning, and did not laugh when I said I wanted to write a book. He simply believed, as if it was the most natural thing in the world for me to want to do.
Kisses.
Samantha
OUTSIDE MY CHEM CLASS window the sky is Caribbean blue with tranquil clouds. An easy breeze makes the leaves rustle like waving hands to the passing cars. The sun is high in the sky, shining like a hot summer day rather than the chilly fall day it is. I’d prefer to be out there than in here. It’s the last day of school before Thanksgiving break, everyone is distracted and impatient for the day to end. Yet, I’m distracted and anxious for a whole other reason. My brother, Jace, is coming home to Dallas from the University of Texas at Austin—with his roommate, Joe.
What’s Joe McIntyre like? Will he be approachable and talkative, or stuffy and terse? Will he treat me as an equal or as a kid? I know what he looks like. Anyone with a television, computer, or smart phone knows what the McIntyre brothers—heirs to the multi-billion-dollar technology company, McIntyre Corporate Industries—look like. They come from corporate-billionaire-handsome-rugged-GQ type sturdy stock. And the youngest of the three is coming home to stay for the week-long break.
“What are you going to say? Are you nervous?” A soft whisper and tap to my shoulder draws my attention.
Margot has known me since second grade and should know the answer to that is hell yes, I’m nervous.
“I’ll probably just stumble all over myself either verbally or physically.” Being awkward with the guys in my school is bad enough, but god, I’ll die if I actually trip in front of Joe.
Great. Now, I’ve probably just jinxed myself.
“I don't understand it, Sam. You’re the smartest person at this school.” She wags her finger, imploring me with her light brown eyes to accept what she’s saying.
I roll my eyes. She’s just as smart as me. We’re both in the running for valedictorian of our senior class when we graduate in May.
Ignoring my obvious protest of her pep talk, she continues. “You’re also smoking hot.”
“Shh.” I scowl, glancing around the classroom in case anyone overheard.
“Seriously? You think they don't know you’re smart and beautiful?” She laughs. “You’re a lost cause, Sam. Truly. How are you so shy and insecure when you have a brother like Jace—who’s also crazy hot and smart, by the way. Y’all are gifted. I mean, jeez, you come from doctors and lawyers. There’s not a bad gene in your family tree.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Margot, stop. You’re working yourself into one of your rants. I appreciate it. I do. But I don't need you to try to build me up before I meet Joe McIntyre. I know who he is. I know who he will be. He won’t give me the time of day.”
I turn back around to face the front of the classroom. “I’m seventeen, for god’s sake. What would he want with me when every college girl on campus is probably throwing herself at his feet?” I murmur more to myself than her.
After school, I rush through the door, excited to see Jace. Dropping my bag on the stairs, I move toward the baritone voice coming from the kitchen.
“Jace?” I holler.
“Is that my favorite sister I hear?”
“It's your only sister, jackass.”
“Jackass?” His smiling face greets me at the entryway. “Is that any way to greet your favorite brother?”
I leap into his arms. “You’re my only brother, Jace.”
He stumbles back from the force of my lunge, stopping us from toppling over. His arms wrap around me, swinging me around, laughing at my exuberance.
I shut my eyes, trying to still the ache of loneliness. It’s been too many months. “I missed you,” I whisper.
He sets me down, his blue eyes piercing mine. “Missed you, too.”
The kindness in his voice steals the tears from my eyes.
“Hey, no crying.”
I nod and wipe my damp cheeks, sniffling. God, I’ve missed him.
He hugs me again. “We have a whole week together.” His words hold promises I hope he can keep.
Releasing me, his hands remain on my shoulders as he searches for signs of more of my “girly emotions,” as he calls them.
Satisfied the waterworks have stopped, he puts his arm around my shoulder and turns me to face the island where, lo and behold, sits the most beautiful man I have ever seen. My breath catches as I take in his dark hair, chiseled features, and skin that glows with sexiness. Or maybe I just had an aneurysm. That must be it. It’s affecting my vision, because I swear he’s glowing like a beacon. And my body responds as if he’s calling me home.
What. The. Hell?
“Sam, this is my roommate Joe,” Jace introduces the god in front of me.
How could I have missed him sitting there?
The beautiful man rises from his seat, his eyes glued to me. My gaze continues to rise as he comes to his full height. He has to be six and a half feet of solid muscle. His faded blue jeans and white t-shirt, tucked in at the waist, only accentuate his ripped torso visible under the thin fabric.
Holy mother of god, I can't breathe.
He moves closer, towering over me, his emerald-green eyes flickering across my face. “Samantha, it's lovely to meet you.”
Lovely? Did this gorgeous hunk of man-cake just say it’s lovely to meet me? Is he from the seventeenth century? I’m thrown off balance; my thoughts, my body, are in a whirlwind of sensory overload.
Somehow, I manage to take his outstretched hand. “It's Sam, and it's lovely to meet you, as well.”
His slight grin spreads into a full smile with, oh dear god, dimples. They’re not oh-aren’t-they-cute dimples. Oh no, these are I've-got-a-dirty-secret-and-I-just-might-whisper-it-in-your-ear-as-I-fuck-you-senseless dimples.
He slowly lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses it. His sultry lips linger before he lowers our joined hands, still not releasing me.
The warmth of his touch sends shivers up my arm and down my body.
Danger is all I can think as my body screams yes, please.
“No one as beautiful as you should ever be called Sam, Samantha,” he says seriously with just a bite of condescension.
I don’t quite know what to think. He gives me a great compliment, calling me beautiful, yet makes me feel childish for loving my boyish nickname. I think it’s sassy and free of pretension.
“Well, Joseph, perhaps you should get to know me before you decide my name doesn’t fit.”
He drops my hand, humor gone, but his eyes still hold mine. “No.”
“No?”
He nods. “No. I don’t need to know you better.”
Wow. “Alrighty then.” I turn to Jace, giving him a some-nice-guy-you-brought-home look. I guess Joseph’s going for stuffy and terse and treating me like a kid instead of an equal. That’s a shame.
Jace laughs, bumping me with his shoulder. “Joe, man, ease up. She’s only seventeen. Sam suits her just fine.”
“Nearly eighteen,” I remind him, my chin rising in defiance.
He laughs again. “More like seventeen going on thirty-five.”
He says it like it’s a bad thing. I can’t help it if I’m an old soul.
Joseph’s still focused on me, sizing me up, I suppose. His face is unreadable, void of any emotion as he takes his seat back at the counter. I’m disappointed—I don’t measure up. Then again, I already knew I wouldn’t, so I shouldn’t be surprised. If past experience drives future expectations, then I already knew I could never measure up to the likes of Joseph McIntyre.
“What are you doing tonight?” Jace draws my attention as he takes a seat next to Joseph. “Got a hot date?”
I scoff. “No. I’m working.”
He knows better than to ask. As much as I notice boys, they rarely notice me. There was one, once. For a brief moment in time, someone noticed me, but I don't even try anymore. I throw myself into my studies, working on my AP college level classes that will allow me to graduate high school with an Associate’s Degree in a mere six months.
“When do you get off?”
“Late. Eleven.” I still feel Joseph’s eyes on me, and it takes all I have not to glance his way and give him the satisfaction of knowing he’s the reason my heart is pounding as my scattered thoughts ping around like a pinball machine. I wouldn’t be surprised if my eyes gloss over and an out-of-order sign pops out of the top of my head.
I need to disappear for a while. Regroup. Take a cold shower. Run a marathon. Get laid. Like that’s gonna happen.
Jace’s face scrunches up, not liking my answer. He’s overprotective, thinking I work too hard. He’d rather I was a carefree teenager instead of focusing on my future all the time. I don't work because I have to financially; I work because I want to. I need the experience. By nature, I’m an introvert. I prefer small gatherings, one-on-one interaction, to groups or parties. For my career aspirations in the corporate world, I need to be able to converse and interact with all types of people. I can’t hide at my desk and hope someone notices my work. Technology is my passion, and the industry moves at the speed of light. I want to be at the head of the pack.
“What about tomorrow night?” Jace counters.
“I can’t. I’ve got a term paper I need to work on.”
He blows out a punch of air. “Sam, seriously, it’s Saturday night. The weekend. You don’t need to try to graduate college at the same time I do. You can be a kid, you know. You don’t always have to be the most responsible person in the room.”
“Says the boy who’s in his junior year of college after only two years,” I retort.
“Yeah, but I didn’t start bustin’ my ass until after high school.” He motions to his roommate. “Joe, help me out here.”
Joseph takes us in, running his hand through his wavy black hair, messing it up in that I-just-got-outta-bed kinda way.
I want to touch it, tame it.
“Come out with us, then you can work on your term paper on Sunday. Your brother just got home. He missed you. Spend time with him before you bury your nose in homework.”
I didn’t expect that. I thought Joseph didn’t want to get to know me better, much less want to hang out with me. I can't focus on that dangerous territory. I don't have time for romance or a shattered heart, and Joseph McIntyre is an unrequited love-fest. He would eat me up and spit me out without a second glance, not because he’s cruel, but because he’s on a different level and wouldn't even notice the ant he just crushed as he walked by. I’m the ant, by the way.
Ignoring the angst in my stomach stirred up by Joseph’s comment, I focus on Jace. “You really missed me?” He said it earlier, but only after I said it to him first, like an obligatory response.
Not missing a beat, he jumps up, making his way to me. “Don’t start. You know I did.” He squeezes my arm. “Come on. Come out with us tomorrow. I’d tell you to ditch work tonight, but I know you won’t.”
No, I won’t ditch work. “What are y’all doin’ tomorrow?” I shouldn’t be considering this.
“We thought we’d go eat and then go to The Club, get our dance on, see who’s home from college.” He shrugs. “You know, see and be seen.”
“I can’t get in there. You know it’s eighteen minimum age, and I don’t have a fake ID.”
He smiles. “I love that you don’t. But Tommy’s workin’ the door and he already told me he’d get you in if you come with us. I promised him we’d only drink sodas. Plus, he’s always had a thing for you, you know.”
I grimace at the thought. “No. He’s like…no.” Tommy’s like a brother, a silly, dopey brother. I nudge Jace, scowling. “You’re just saying that. He does not have a thing for me.”
Jace laughs. “He does—not that I’d let him touch you, but…well…” He shrugs, leaning against the counter. “It’ll get you in. Come with us. Don’t make me beg.” He pulls out his big blue puppy-dog eyes.
“Are you gonna dump me to pick up women?” Jace is a
manwhore, and has left me in the dust when I didn’t have a backup plan to get home.
“Nope. Promise. Just you, me, and Joe here. No women. Though, you are a pretty good wingman,” he teases me.
There were a few times I helped him seal the deal. I’m not proud of it. But honestly, if those girls don’t know what they’re getting into with Jace, I’m not going to be the one to break it to ‘em. He’s tall, dark, and handsome with those mischievous blue eyes woman fall for.
He’s good to ‘em. He just doesn’t stick around for long.
He’s young, sowing his oats, my dad says.
The apple didn’t fall too far from the tree, according to my mom.
Apparently, my dad was the original manwhore until he met my mom. He says his heart didn’t start beating until the day he laid eyes on his Eleanor.
They met at UT, in the quad. She was sitting under a tree studying, when my dad saved her from an errant football about to take off her head. He still lights up when he talks about that day, like she was sitting there and a ray of light shone down from Heaven leading him to her.
Mom tells it a little differently. Of the two of them, Dad is the romantic, fanciful one. And she’s the down-to-earth realist.
They can’t keep their eyes or hands off each other. I’ve come into a room more than a few times and had to turn around to keep from seeing more parental PDA than any kid should be subjected to.
I want that someday. I want a man to look at me the way my dad still looks at my mom. Like his life begins and ends with me. Like his next breath is tied to mine.
Someday. I hope. But for now, I can’t live my life as a hermit, and I’ll never meet anyone if I never go out.
“Is that a yes?” Jace asks.
“Yes, but I’m taking my own car. I don’t trust you not to leave me in the lurch if you get a better offer.”
Joseph laughs. “She knows you well, man.” His eyes meet mine. “I won’t leave you in the lurch, Samantha, but I’d appreciate the ride home if he dumps us both.”