Novels by Author Shasa

Talia’s POVHe leaned against the car like a super model who had just finished shooting a damn sports drink ad, with sweat on his neck, gym bag slung over his shoulder, and that same irritating smirk stamped across his face.I ignored him and reached for the back door.“Front seat’s empty,” he added, like I needed the reminder.“I’m not interested in being anywhere near you,” I muttered, yanking open the back and sliding in with my bags stuffed beside me.He shrugged and hopped in. “Suit yourself. Hope the air back there isn’t too… cold. You know, with all that rage frosting up the windows.”I didn’t answer.He turned the keys, the engine hummed to life, and we pulled away from the mall. I crossed my arms and leaned against the window, letting the city blur past in bright, blurry lights.Maxton didn’t stop.“Didn’t know shopping was your coping mechanism. It must be nice shopping on daddy’s plantinum card,” he said casually, drumming his fingers on the steering. “So tell me… how many

Talia's PovI was boiling. Not just mad, I was completely furious. Nothing else ran through my head than the fact that I heard him bet on me. A bet. A freaking bet?First, Maxton Carter makes me believe he wants to talk, like we were actually getting somewhere, like there was more to him than smirks and stupid ego. Then I hear him on the phone bragging to his little band of hockey monkeys that he was going to bag me for a damn car and bragging rights? I must have been so stupid for him to think I was easy.To think he walked into class with Bambi—his ex, a walking, giggling nightmare and holds her hand like he didn’t just nearly kiss me yesterday?What was I even thinking? Why wouldn't he kiss me? We hate each other! “Or wait, am I just a joke to him?” I blurted out, “He must think that I'm a joke to stare at him for a moment like he actually had a heart.” I kept mumbling words enough to drain my saliva and walked down the streets away from the ice cream shop. My fingers trembled

Talia’s PovI didn’t think heartbreak would come with so much rage. The moment I heard his voice through that door, laughing, mocking, cause that was what it seemed to me, boasting about me like I was some kind of prize, I knew I had been stupid. Stupid for believing the sudden change in him. Stupid for thinking I could get along with him.“She doesn’t even deserve the Carter heir.” Who does he think he is? A god?Those words burned like acid in my chest. I felt like ripping his heart off. I bolted, tears threatening to spill as I ran back to my room. My hands shook as I threw my notebook open and started tearing the pages out. One by one. Like maybe if I destroyed every single piece of thought I’d written about, I could erase what I felt. I grabbed my phone and called Chris. “I heard him, Chris,” I choked. “I was standing right there. And he made fun of me. Like I’m… I’m some joke.”It wasn't the first time he made fun of me, but that hurt more than it always did. I couldn't t

Maxton’s PovThe memory of her on the rink wouldn’t leave me. Her legs, so swift, so damn graceful and sliced through the ice like she was born there. The way she bent, curved, spun… it was like watching art. And then there were her eyes. Those big, fierce, doe like eyes that always met mine like she could see straight through the jerk I pretended to be.And the way she talked back when I teased her about her bra strap? Damn. That same fire that got under my skin since high school. The fire that broke me when I saw her screaming in pain the night her leg snapped because of me.Yeah, I hated her. Or at least, I told myself I did. It was easier than dealing with the guilt.I leaned back on my bed, one arm flung over my eyes. But the conversation with Johnny played back like a movie in my head.“Are you still acting like you hate her? Come on, man. The lord of the rink is scared to talk to a girl?” Johnny had said, laughter in his voice.“I do hate her, I never stopped” I had lied, biti

Talia’s PovI ran down the hallway like the floor was on fire, clutching my chest and wondering what the hell had just happened in his room. Why did my chest beat like that? Why did my stomach twist and my breath catch when I saw him, half-naked and smug, standing inches from me?Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. I fished out my phone and called Chris.“Hey,” he answered after several rings. “How did the dinner go? Did you see Maxton?”I sighed, flopping onto a small couch in the grand hallway. “Dinner was... fine. Except Maxton wasn’t supposed to be there.”Chris hummed. “Wasn’t?”“He showed up bloody, bruised, and arrogant, as always.”“What the hell happened? His father wasn't angry he didn't show up at dinner?” “Well, I don't care but I think he got into a fight, lied about a car crash. He limped back here like a war hero and I helped him to his room because I’m apparently Mother Teresa now.”Chris was silent for a beat. “You helped him?”“Don’t judge me. He looked like he was

Talia's PovDinner with the Carter family wasn’t exactly how I pictured spending my Saturday night. When Deej asked if I wanted to go, I hesitated, but she said I should. In her words, “At least you’ll know if he’s aware your mom and his dad are getting married. He can't know that and allow it.”She had a point. Maxton might not even know. That would make things easier. If he knew he could stop it. I picked a simple dress. A black jeans, a pale blue blouse and tied my hair into a bun I didn’t care to perfect. I wasn’t going to impress anyone, especially not Mr Carter.He had an elegant demeanor the last time I met him but he doesn't seem like one to care about what others do too much. I took a deep breath and sent a message to Deej and Chris. “Headed for the Carters house. See you guys later.” I locked my phone and dumped it in my nah, adjusting my nervousness into a well fitted disguise.When I arrived at the Carter estate, the formality of it made my stomach twist. Fancy lights,