BLINDED -- Bound Series Book 2 by Jennifer Dean ***Trailer -- Giveaway***
Blinded
Bound Series Book 2
by Jennifer Dean
Bound Series Book 2
by Jennifer Dean
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Despite the attack that almost took her life, Emma Morgan has accepted the risk that comes from being in love with an immortal like Liam Alexander.
But continuing to seek the approval of her older brother is a whole different struggle, and when tensions finally reach a breaking point between the siblings, looming enemies take advantage of the distraction.
Excerpt
Once the bell rang, Erika turned back to me freely as we both gathered our books.
“Have you thought of where you’re going to be applying for next year?”
Ugh. There it was again. The future. Thrown into my face.
“I haven’t, but I know I should be. What about you?” I asked.
“I know what you mean. I’m filling out the application for UNC today. My parents are probably going to have to take out some loans because the chance of a scholarship isn’t likely.”
I didn’t agree with her on that but sometimes throwing out a compliment only made the person want to deflect it. So instead I thought it was as good a time as any to input the lie. “That’s where Sean’s going.”
It stung a little to say his name.
“Oh, really? I thought with his GPA he would go for Duke.”
“No, he’s always been a Tar Heel fan since we were kids. I also think he wants to piss my dad off by going to the rival school too.” Erika chuckled along with me. Even with the amusement of the joke, in my mind, I was beginning to map out which universities lay in the eastern part of North Carolina. The Alexander’s permanent territory thanks to my brother. My stomach pulled as the mental map in my head realized the two schools I had even considered as a kid were west of that territory.
“Boys will be boys.” Erika brought me out of my reverie. “Speaking of Sean, is it awkward for him to know you are still dating his ex-girlfriend’s brother?”
Many thoughts surfaced through my head but I only managed, “No. He’s too occupied with his new life to worry much about Liam and me.”
“At least Sean’s finally out of Heather’s gaze,” Erika said.
“Is anyone really ever out of it?” I said.
We looked at each other before suddenly breaking into laughter as we both in unison said, “No.”
My smile remained as we walked through the door and saw Liam up against the wall to the right of the doorway. At sight of him Erika’s grin widened. “Hi, Liam.”
“Hello, Erika.” She winked at me with a smile, causing me to roll my eyes.
“See you at lunch, Emma.”
She turned with her smile, heading off to her locker. Shaking my head, I turned to Liam, but as I looked upon his face to see the friendly demeanor replaced with tension. He was staring at me with controlled eagerness.
“What—” I began, but only got the first word out.
“Are you feeling sick this afternoon?” Liam said.
My eyebrows rose at the interruption before my eyes narrowed in confusion.
“No, why?”
“I need you to be sick. I need to take you home for the day.” Now I wasn’t just confused, but concerned at the growing eagerness behind the glow of his eyes.
“What is this about?”
I knew without a doubt that something had been wrong with the phone call. And now it was to the point that he needed me to cut school because of it. I felt a twist within my stomach.
“I can be sick.” I shot out the words obediently. “But what’s wrong? Why do I need to be sick?”
“There is no time to explain here. Go to the bathroom, wet a few strands of hair and come out looking drained.”
I turned around, beginning a fast paced walk toward the bathroom without any further instruction. I turned the sharp corner in a hurry, almost knocking a freshman to the ground. Normally, I would have stopped to apologize but right now I was on a mission.
Once I pushed the door open, I headed for the sink. Ivy Spedler, a blonde junior, was at the other sink washing her hands. She turned her neck to give me a wide eyed look of concern before walking out. When the door shut behind her I swiftly turned the water on, splashing my forehead along with a few pieces of hair in the front. I closed my eyes, leaning forward as I held each side of the sink as I began to channel a worn expression. I exhaled, opening my eyes as my head rose to look into the mirror.
That was when Erika walked into the bathroom. I had not been expecting to see her again until lunch.
“Emma?”
Her lips frowned as she took in my worn and wet face. Erika had been just as surprised to see me before lunch as I was to see her. She moved her head backward in surprise to my state.
“Are you alright?”
It was time to practice my voice. It sounded a little played up but still effective.
“I just threw up,” I said.
“You seemed alright in class,” Erika said.
“I could feel something, but I was trying to ignore it. But after you left I told Liam I needed to go to bathroom.”
“Well, don’t take this the wrong way Emma, but you look kinda pale.”
“I know.” I tried not to take offense, as the insult was what I needed. Because if I could convince my friend with this fake and uneasy illness then I could certainly fool others. But part of me was somewhat surprised at the believable response. How bad had I made myself look?
“Whatever you have came fast… like some kind of stomach virus,” Erika said.
“That’s what it feels like,” I said.
“I hope it’s not like last time, when you were sick for three days. You should go to the nurse instead of lunch.”
“I think you’re right,” I said heading for the door. “Good luck tonight on the game.”
“Thanks. I hope you feel better before Thursday.”
“Me too,” I said.
I kept my voice almost groggy like a bad night’s sleep.
“Feel better,” Erika said.
She still looked concerned as I open the bathroom door. I exhaled in relief as I exited. Liam was waiting for me. His face was half impressed with my acting while still half concerned with whatever news he was withholding from me.
We were close, not touching as we walked down the hall until Liam stopped just before we were at the office door.
“Time to earn that Oscar,” Liam said. He winked before moving to place his right arm around my lower back while lifting my left to wrap around his neck. “Ready?”
“Yes,” I said.
As we began to move I kept my neck leaned slightly forward as if I was too tired to hold it up anymore. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the school receptionist, Mrs. Byrd open the glass door to the front office.
“Let me get the door while you help her, Liam.”
She walked ahead of us, heading for the two green doors at the front of the school. She continued walking through the door in order to hold it open from the outside. It seemed Liam had already set up the story while I was in the bathroom and here was the acting to see it through. I wasn’t sure what he said but it wasn’t relevant. Once we had made our way out the door I heard Mrs. Byrd again.
“Feel better Emma.”
We continued our pace straight down the sidewalk toward Liam’s BMW that had already been pulled up the curved drive of the school.
“You got the car and went to the office?” I said.
“Yes,” Liam said.
My eyebrows lifted slightly as Liam leaned down to open the passenger door for me. He helped me into the car before shutting the door and walking to his side at a human pace. Mrs. Byrd must have still been watching to make sure we got off okay.
Once Liam pulled out of the school lot and on to Slatestone Road we looked at each other before seeming to burst into accomplished laughter with the stunt we had just pulled off together.
“I think I at least deserve a nomination for that,” I said.
I bit my bottom lip, smiling as Liam moved to rest his right hand atop of my left.
“You have my vote.”
But our fun was short lived as I remembered the need to escape in the first place. The reason for faking this illness. I placed my other hand on top of Liam’s, feeling him squeeze my fingers in hopes of easing my anxiety. Something was wrong. I could feel the uneasy twist in my stomach again. I didn’t need to fake that.
Bound
Bound Series Book 1
Bound Series Book 1
When fate leads Emma Morgan back to her small hometown of Washington, she learns that the life she knew three years ago has changed once she meets the charmingly, mysterious Liam Alexander. But when her brother Sean, voices his disapproval, Emma finds her loyalty in the way of her newfound curiosity of the youngest Alexander. Only the more she tries to avoid Liam the more she finds him in her constant company.
A risk that leads down a dangerous path once Emma begins to discover a secret about the Alexanders that no human should ever know.
About the Author
I was never that child you found in the corner reading. In fact, I loathed the idea of picking up a book. The activity seemed more of a chore than a past time.All that changed when my brother began talking to me about the newest novel he was reading.Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix. Before I knew it, my curiosity got the better of me, luring me to try the series. It didn't take long for my mindset of reading to turn on its head.
But even with my new hobby discovered it wasn't until my junior year of college that I developed a hidden desire for writing stories. And when I found myself writing scenes instead of paying attention to my professors, I knew becoming a writer was the career path I was meant to follow.
Giveaway
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Good Morning! Thank you for the book description.These tours are great and we have found some terrific books so thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, James. Thanks for stopping by.
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