Wake Up Call by Victoria Ashley
My heart
stopped and suddenly it was hard to breathe. His voice always had that effect on me. It was like poison
slowly running through my veins killing me bit by bit. Like a drug that I couldn’t get enough of even
though I was almost down to my last breath.
Jace took a step forward and grabbed my hand. He slowly
trailed his fingers over my face and backed me into the wall. My heart stopped again if that was even
possible. “You can’t leave,” he whispered. “I need you.” His warm breath kissed my lips as he bit his
bottom lip and placed both of his hands around my face. They were warm and soft to the touch. Too big
for my fragile face, although I wanted to bury myself in them. “Breathe. There is no one here but the
two of us. Breathe,” he whispered.
Avery Hale had spent her whole childhood abused by her drunken, hopped-up
parents. Broken from a lifetime of hate and pain she grew up realizing that trust and love just didn’t
exist. Not in her world at least.
After turning the age of eighteen, she packed up and moved far away
determined to escape her hurtful past and start a new life. Once on her own she comes to the
conclusion that the emptiness still exist. Doing what she had to to survive she found herself mixed up in
exotic dancing and meaningless sexual relationships unable to feel anything, for anyone. She was sure
that her life was worthless and there was nothing left for her. Or, she thought.
After meeting a
beautiful stranger, jace, her life suddenly is turned upside down. Everything that she truly believed
suddenly gets questioned and then she is left to figure out if there is really more to her than she could
ever have imagined. Jace, having some secrets of his own puts the pain of his own past behind to do
what he can to help Avery. Can the love of another broken person be enough to help Avery, or is she
already too far gone?
Avery’s life is pulled in many directions as she tries to find herself, and not everyone and
thing is what they seem to be in this story of love, trust and opening up. Finding herself and learning to
love herself might just be the hardest thing she’s ever had to do.
US Amazon link http://www.amazon.com/Wake-Up-Call-
Victoria-Ashley-ebook/dp/B00EBGBV4S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385335424&sr=8-1&keywords=wake+up+call
UK Amazon link http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wake-
Up-Call-Victoria-Ashley-ebook/dp/B00EBGBV4S/ref=sr_1_1?
ie=UTF8&qid=1385335514&sr=8-1&keywords=wake+up+call
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/
18364031-wake-up-call
Author bio
Victoria Ashley is an author from Rockford, IL. She wrote her first novel in 2011 after finding
an app on her phone that allowed writers to upload their own work. After finding her passion in
writing she then moved on to publish her first novel Wake Up Call, which has been viewed over
thirteen million times on that website and plans to continue working hard to publish more in the near
future. You can find her Facebook Author page here. https://www.facebook.com/
VictoriaAnneAshley?ref=stream
Facebook page https://m.facebook.com/VictoriaAshleyAuthor1
Excerpts for Wake Up Call
Excerpt 1
I slowly walked toward the door, brows
arched, and pushed it open. I jumped back
in embarrassment as my gaze set firmly on
a half-naked Jace. A mess of inky, vibrant
tattoos covered his toned back causing me to
blush. His muscles flexed with every move
that he made, somehow making it hard to
breathe.
Jace slowly turned around to face me,
denim jeans dropping down to his ankles in
the process. I stared – eyes wide – like a moron
at the defined muscles that led down to his
boxer briefs.
He cleared his throat, clearly amused, and
gave me a cocky grin. “Do you mind?”
I sucked in a burst of hot, heavy breath
and covered my face in humiliation. I was so
embarrassed. “I’m sorry; I couldn’t find you
so I just thought I would check this room. I’m
going to take off now. I need-”
“It’s fine. Don’t act like you haven’t seen
a guy half naked before.” He laughed. “Just
think of it this way, I saw you half naked and
now you’ve seen me.” He looked me up and
down before turning around and reaching
for a fresh pair of jeans. “Now we’re even.”
He pulled up his jeans, walked past me, and
grabbed my arm for me to follow him. He
didn’t even bother putting on a fresh shirt and
his low hanging briefs were a distraction that I
didn’t like.
Excerpt 2
He placed his hands on my hips and forced
me to sit down gently guiding me to my seat.
My heartbeat rattled against my chest as
he bent down with a wet, warm cloth. His
closeness made my stomach do flips.
“Let me get a good look at it,” he said,
his rugged voice irresistible. He pulled my
dress up slowly so that it was above my thigh,
exposing my bruised flesh. Then he took the
wet cloth from the table beside him and began
to clean off the scrape. His touch was gentle,
tender, and careful. It made my cheeks fill
with blood as I closed my eyes.
Suddenly, he grabbed my thigh and opened
my legs, running his hand along my naked
flesh. It gave me goose bumps.
I jerked away and slapped his arm. “What
the hell are you doing? I’m not going to have
sex with you.”
He smiled at me as if it was the silliest
question he had ever heard. “Cool down,
woman. I am just checking for more cuts. You
had blood on your inner thigh.” He closed my
legs and backed away as if the thought hadn’t
even occurred to him. “Besides, if I wanted
you naked then your clothes would already
be off.” He walked over and threw the dirty
cloth in the sink before turning on the tap and
washing his hands. “Clearly, that’s not my
intention.”
Somehow, his comment bothered me. “So
what makes you think that it would be that
easy to get me naked?” I questioned with my
arms crossed over my chest.
He walked over to me and sat on the
table, leaning in so that his lips were almost
brushing mine. “I just have my way,” he
breathed. “That’s not the point, but eventually,
you’ll see. I’m not trying to have sex with you,
though. I’m trying to help you. Two different
things.”
Excerpt 3
“Oh come on. That’s not even going to
get you a buzz,” he said, nudging my arm
playfully.
I reached out and slugged him on the
shoulder. “What makes you think that I want
you to get me drunk?” His eyes danced in
the disco lights as I stared at him. He looked
good tonight, dressed in his snug white shirt
and faded jeans, completed with a studded
belt that gripped his sleek waist perfectly. No
wonder all of the girls kept staring.
He bent down and placed his lips against
my ear as a bolt of electricity ran up my
spine. “Every girl wants me to,” he whispered,
before turning around and walking away
toward the bar to get our drinks.
Goose bumps prickled my arms as I bowed
my head and swallowed. I couldn’t explain the
way he made me feel when he was close to me
but I knew that it was dangerous.
Excerpt 4
I jumped back startled as the bathroom
door swung open to Jace standing there in his
tight boxer briefs. A sight I had grown used to.
He looked me up and down, his body
covered in sweat, as he fought to catch his
breath. I didn’t understand what he was doing
and it made my heart race.
“Jace, what are you doing in here?” I took a
step toward the door to escape but he grabbed
a hold of my wrist stopping me in my place.
My heart sped up and my breathing became
heavy. “Jace.”
He looked me dead in the eye and without
saying a word; he picked me up and sat me on
the edge of the sink. He gripped my face and
roughly pressed his lips against mine, causing
me to moan. His lips were soft and sweet, just
as I had imagined. Although, I wouldn’t admit
it. Not even to myself.
The taste was too overwhelming, causing
my whole body to shake as he gently ran his
fingers through my hair and pressed his body
in between my legs. I could feel his hands
trembling as he placed them on the inside of
my bare thighs while sucking my bottom lip.
Suddenly, he pulled away and we both sat
there panting and fighting for breath. His eyes
were unreadable as he looked me in the eye
and shook his head. My body leaned forward
involuntarily, and it almost felt as if I were
falling off the sink. I braced myself, pulling
myself upright again.
“Jace…” I breathed.
He slowly backed away from me and
placed his head in his hands. “Shit! I’m sorry,
Avery,” he said softly. “I don’t know what
came over me.” He turned around and left me
sitting on the sink, half-naked and confused.
EXCERPT TWO:
I run through some paperwork when I hear someone clear their throat to get my attention. I look
up angrily to see the man who crashed into me this morning. It’s the idiot who enhanced my bad
day.
“Jeni, I presume?” he asks with a quirky smile on his face, which is unexpectedly attractive.
I sit in silence as I stare at him with my mouth slightly open in surprise.
He speaks again. “I’m sorry about this morning. I see you managed to get that stain mostly out of
your top. I’d like to pay for some new clothes and the damages to your car, if you’ll let me.”
I squirm in my seat as the attractiveness of this man is suddenly apparent. How did I not notice
his gorgeousness this morning? He’s, quite frankly, one of the most attractive guys I’ve ever seen.
In spite of his outrageously good looks and cheerful persona, I start to get angry with him all over
again.
“No, you don’t need to pay for new clothes or for my car. My manager has told me that they will fix
it for me and then charge the insurance company. So, like I said this morning, I don’t want or need
your charity, thanks.”
He looks at me in surprise. “That’s no way to talk to a customer.” Again with a mischievous grin.
“Urgh.” I want to slap him in his smart-ass, gorgeous face.
“Sorry,” I say with extreme sarcasm. “Can I have the details of your car please, Mr. O’Connell?”
“If you won’t let me buy you some new clothes or fix your car, how about lunch then?”
There’s that grin again. I quickly gather myself together and reply hastily.
“It’s after two, Mr. O’Connell. I’ve had lunch, thanks.” I’m feeling quite pleased with myself as I
stand up. “Now, if you wouldn’t mind, the details of your car?”
He looks at me puzzled.
“I didn’t mean today. I meant tomorrow or the next day or the weekend. Whenever you’re free?”
With that, his gorgeous smile crosses his face again, and I begin to melt. Is it hot in here? I can feel
my cheeks burning. I look down, pretending to sort out paperwork on my desk so he can’t see the
redness spreading across my face.
“I don’t think I can do lunch. I’m pretty busy you know.”
He looks like he’s thinking hard about what to say next and he tilts his head slightly.
“Dinner then?”
I let out a little laugh but quickly gather myself together.
“I could use the details of your car, Mr. O’Connell?”
He grins again.
“Jeez, you’re a tough one to crack, Jeni.”
I try not to smile.
“Okay, how about this? If you give me the pleasure of having dinner with you on Friday night, I’ll
give you the details of my car.” He looks very pleased with himself, grinning from ear to ear.
I sigh, considering his deal.
“Oh, um, I don’t know. I mean you’re a customer. Surely there is some sort of rules about
customers and employees dating.”
He laughs; the sound is delightful to my ears.
“I won’t tell if you don’t.”
I stand there in shock, contemplating what to say next. I mean could this amazingly handsome man
want to take me out to dinner? Really? I’m not anything like the type of girl I’d imagine he would be
into. I try to think of some witty comeback, but before I know what’s happening, I sputter, “Fine!
Friday for dinner, if it’ll get you to co-operate. Please tell me the details of your car.”
I take a deep breath and wait for him to reply.
“Great, Friday it is. I have your details from this morning. I’ll call you with the restaurant and time.”
I sit back down on my chair in a dazed shock.
“Is that okay with you?”
I shake my head with disbelief.
“Sure, why not?” is all I can mange.
His smile reappears like he has overcome a huge obstacle and triumphed.
EXCERPT THREE:
I turn to face him; he puts his other arm around me. We are in the same position as before when
the last kiss attempt failed. My arms are tight around his neck, his arms around my waist. I look
down. He lifts up my chin so I’m lost in his gaze. His hand goes back to my waist. He swallows; I
think he’s as nervous as I am. He tilts his head and leans in … I back away quickly.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, looking hurt.
“Oh, no, it’s not you. I think … I might have garlic breath.”
He laughs and pulls me back to him. “So do I.” He pulls me in tighter, and before I know what’s
happening, his lips are on mine. I give in and surrender to him completely.
This feels like one of my fantasies, only way, way better. He holds me tight as one hand moves from
my waist to caress my cheek, kissing me softly but sensually. My hands move to the back of his
head, and I grab a lock of hair in each hand. He moves our bodies so that I’m against the railing at
the edge of the deck. He moves his hand from my waist to hold the rail as I still grasp his hair. The
kissing becomes feverishly passionate; his tongue against mine as they intertwine with each other.
Our breathing becomes faster and erratic. Our kissing becomes more intimate. We are in perfect
sync with each other. I pull him closer to me, our whole bodies touching. My heart is pounding fast
and hard. His hand moves from my face to the back of my head, pulling me tight. He moves my
hair from the side of my neck, breaks our kiss and kisses my neck slowly and seductively. I sigh and
breathe in a stuttering motion. I open my eyes to see the waitress standing there, gawking at us. I
stiffen as I see her. He pulls back and looks at me. With my eyes, I gesture toward the waitress. He
turns, looks, and lets out a little huff. He leans in towards me.
“Now that’s a first kiss,” he whispers as he grabs my hand and leads me over to the table. I can’t
help but smile.
Get Freaky With Me, La Drama Princess 