Love Me Like You Do (Love Me Book 1) Read online

  LOVE ME LIKE YOU DO

  Copyright © 2016 Jaime Russell

  Edited by: Cassia Brightmore of Deliciously Wicked Editing

  Cover Design: Torrie Robles

  Formatting: Max Henry of Max Effect

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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

  CONTENTS

  Prologue

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Twenty-Three

  Twenty-Four

  Twenty-Five

  Twenty-Six

  Twenty-Seven

  Twenty-Eight

  Twenty-Nine

  Thirty

  Thirty-One

  Thirty-Two

  Thirty-Three

  Thirty-Four

  Thirty-Five

  Thirty-Six

  Thirty-Seven

  Thirty-Eight

  Thirty-Nine

  Forty

  Forty-One

  Forty-Two

  Forty-Three

  Forty-Four

  Forty-Five

  Forty-Six

  Forty-Seven

  Forty-Eight

  Forty-Nine

  Fifty

  Fifty-One

  Fifty-Two

  Fifty-Three

  Fifty-Four

  Fifty-Five

  Fifty-Six

  Fifty-Seven

  Fifty-Eight

  Fifty-Nine

  Sixty

  Sixty-One

  Sixty-Two

  Sixty-Three

  Sixty-Four

  Sixty-Five

  Sixty-Six

  Sixty-Seven

  Sixty-Eight

  Sixty-Nine

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Contact Jaime

  “The greatest thing

  you’ll ever learn

  is just to love

  and be loved in return.”

  David Bowie

  PROLOGUE

  Fat

  Ungrateful

  Ugly Duckling

  Unlovable

  Disgusting

  Worthless

  Repulsive

  Insignificant

  Obese

  Unattractive

  …and these are just a few of the words that my hero, my father has called me all my life

  ABIGAIL “ABBY” STEPHENS

  “Ugh! I can’t look anymore,” I say in frustration, “If I read one more status about being happy and in a relationship I’m going to throw my computer out the window.” I hear a laugh behind me and spin my chair around to see my roommate and best friend, Sarah, standing there eating a bowl of cereal.

  “What’s so funny?” I demand.

  “That you’re going to throw your computer out the window just because people are happy and in love.” Sarah rolls her eyes as she puts another spoonful of Fruity Pebbles in her mouth. “Abby, you’ll get there once you get away from that damn computer game of yours and meet real people.”

  “The people that I game with are real. I talk to them every day. I text them. They’re my friends even if I’ve never met them. I wish every conversation didn’t have to loop around to my gaming.” I’m getting tired of this same conversation with her. I’m a gamer girl; I like it because it gives me the freedom to be anyone I want. There’s no judging me about my looks, just on my skills as the character I’m playing at that time. I sigh and shut off my computer. “Was there something you needed or did you just want to come in here to give me a hard time?”

  “Yes, there’s something that’s on my mind. We need to plan a girl’s trip soon; I’m thinking somewhere warm. We should do something over Christmas break.” Sarah replies, her tone a bit defensive. She must have decided that this revelation didn’t need a response from me as she leaves the room to head downstairs to the kitchen. I get up to follow her.

  “I think it could be a lot of fun getting out of here over Christmas break. We have three weeks off from school.” I tell her as I watch her dump her bowl in the sink.

  Her face lights up like a kid in a candy store. “Are you serious? I thought you were going to say no.”

  “Where would you like to go? I need to check my savings to see what I have, but I should be able to do something, but no more than a week.”

  “On my lunch break, I’ll start looking up the deals and see what we can make work,” she says with a grin.

  “Who is we and where are we going?” Max chose that moment to walk into the kitchen. Max Stephens is my big brother. He let Sarah and I move in at the beginning of college. Sarah, Max and I may not be related by blood, but we’re closer than most siblings.

  “Sarah and I are going away over Christmas break,” I answer him as I head to the coffee pot to get myself a cup. I need it since I was up late playing and chatting with Cash most of the night.

  “I want to go too,” Max interjects. “We could get a few friends together, load up my SUV, and take turns driving. If you think about it, it would cost less if more people would go on this trip of yours. We can keep things separate. The guys will do one thing and you girls can do something else. We just share the cost of the rooms and gas.” Max wants to get away for some reason.

  “We aren’t saying yes or no, but Abby and I will talk about it later,” Sarah informs him as she leaves the room.

  I check the clock and realize it’s dangerously close to the time I need to leave for work. I have just a few minutes to scarf down a couple of bites of cereal before I need to head to the high school; I can’t let the students show up before me again. Once was enough of that situation. “Are we going out to dinner or we eating in tonight?” I need to know how late I can stay at school to finish upgrading some tests.

  “Why don’t we go to the diner for an early dinner? I have some designs due tomorrow, and I need to work on them.” Max is an architect at a new firm, and he’s making a name for himself. He needs to land this big account for the company, and he’s worried about it.

  “Okay sounds good. I’ll see you after class tonight. Love you! Smooches!” I yell as I head out the door but not before I hear Max laughing at me.

  I’m a History teacher at the local high school. My students love me because I don’t just teach them, I curve the lessons to their level. I try to make them interesting and fun. I hated a lot of my classes when I was a student as the teach
ers didn’t want to put in any additional effort beyond the requirement. They’d instruct us on what to read and then test us on it. I wanted the kids to be involved; excited to learn about our Presidents.

  Arriving at the school, I have about forty-five minutes before my first class. I’m getting my lessons in order when my cell phone chimes. I grab it out of my pocket and smile when I see the name pop up.

  Cash: Coffee IV is in my arm now. I just fell asleep at my desk. Shawn woke me up.

  Me: I need one of those. My students might like me today. I’m taking a nap, and they get to read about Abraham Lincoln.

  Cash: Early night tonight?

  Me: We say that every night and end up staying up until 2 or 3 a.m.

  Cash: Well if you wouldn’t be so damn tempting to talk to or even play with, I could get some sleep.

  Me: Well I can stop being tempting to you.

  Cash: Ha I don’t think that will ever happen.

  Me: It’s almost the weekend so we’ll be able to sleep in.

  Cash: If I didn’t have two weddings this weekend in my hotel, then sure I could do that.

  Cash: Hey I’ve got to run, just got a shipment for this wedding I need to make sure everything is here for the one wedding. Bridezilla has nothing on this bride.

  Me: Have a good day and see you online later.

  I smile as I put my phone away and continue getting ready for class. My coffee mug filled with the fuel I’ll need to make it through the day. I hear the kids talking in the hallway, and I smile. Hopefully, today will be filled with fun learning experiences for them.

  CASH HAWTHORNE

  I walk out of my office with a smile on my face. “Well, I hope that smile is for me.” I cringe when I see Alex, my waitress, standing there. She’s pretty; blonde, five foot six with beautiful blue eyes, but not my type. I prefer girls with curves and who aren’t willing to spread their legs for anyone paying them attention. And I never mix business with pleasure. When my grandfather started this hotel, he wanted to keep this about family, so we all worked here at one time. I don’t think he’d imagine that his dream would be the premiere spot for destination weddings and Sweet Sixteen parties.

  “It is a beautiful day here in Florida and life is good. Everyone should be smiling.” I say to her as I keep heading into the kitchen. I need coffee.

  “You do know that it’s raining and miserable outside, right?” she sounds annoyed. I make a show of looking out the windows in the hallway of the hotel and shrug.

  “Guess I wasn’t paying attention. I’m going to get some coffee, is there something that you need?” She reaches out to touch my arm, and I jerk away from her.

  “I was wondering if you’d like to get dinner with me tonight.” She bats her eyelashes, and all I want to do is roll my eyes, but I refrain from doing so. My cell phone chimes again letting me know I have a text message.

  “I’m sure you’re a lovely woman, Alex, but I don’t date my staff. I’m sorry.” She scoffs as I turn to walk into the kitchen smiling at my phone.

  Abby: This day is dragging on.

  Me: The bell just rang

  Abby: Whose side are you on?

  Me: How dare the day drag on! Better?

  Abby: Ha Ha I gave them a pop quiz. They’re grumbling, but I reminded them how my hair was smelling like fish for a week.

  Me: I remember that. I’m glad that you’re not my teacher, Mean Ms. Stephens

  Abby: I’ll talk to you later. I know you’re checking on Bridezilla’s stuff.

  Me: Okay talk at lunch

  I walk right to the coffee and see my chef and best friend, Shawn Stewart. “Did you have a nice nap, boss?” he quips, looking at my coffee cup.

  “No someone woke me up. Asshole.” I return as I flip him off then hurry to look around to make sure his mother Joan wasn’t around. She doesn’t like foul language in her kitchen.

  Shawn’s laughing. He’s a big man, six foot four and two hundred fifty pounds, bald and a former Marine. He got into cooking after his injury in the line of duty. Joan Stewart, his mom, and my mom’s best friend, is a chef who taught Shawn all about her passion. It’s addicting watching the two of them cook together.

  “How’s Abby today? I’m assuming she’s the reason you have a smile on your face and the cause of the apparent lack of sleep.”

  “Will you be quiet? You know how I like to keep my private life just that—private. Besides, Alex just asked me out to dinner, and I want to avoid an argument or any gossip.”

  “I hope you told her no.” he says as he begins cutting up celery for the meal he’s preparing.

  “You know I did. My grandfather and father made it a point to tell me that you don’t sleep with your employees, past or present. Besides, there’s only one girl that I want, and right now I can’t have her.”

  “It would be nice if she was in the same state as you. What does she look like? You have been holding out on me.”

  “I don’t know. We have never exchanged pictures.” I shrug my shoulders.

  Shawn turns to face me. “You two have been playing online for a year and a half now, and talking on a more personal level for the last six months. When are you going to ask her to see what she looks like? Aren’t you even curious?”

  “I’m curious, but I can tell you this, I’m in love with her and what she looks like doesn’t matter to me. I hear her talk, laugh, smile, and it makes me happy.”

  “How do you know she’s smiling? You can’t see her.”

  “You can tell by her voice. It changes when she talks.”

  “Oh, there you are, Cash! You have someone here to see you.” Jenny, my assistant, tells me as she comes into the kitchen.

  “Who’s looking for me?” I wrack my brain, but I have no idea who would be requesting to see me when I don’t have any appointments this morning.

  “She says she wants to book a wedding, and she’ll only deal with you.” I scrub my hands over my face. I don’t have time for this nonsense. Sally is the event planner, and I handle the staff which includes the kitchen, cleaning, and maintenance staff as well as the front desk.

  “This is why I have a wedding planner. I hate weddings. Call Sally and tell her we have a bride and she needs to get here as soon as she can.”

  I grab my coffee and a cinnamon roll that’s on the counter. I groan with pleasure at the delicious taste as I take a bite on the way to my office. I take a sip of my coffee and veer away from my desk to meet her.

  “Jenny, is the client in the conference room?”

  “Yes she is, and she seemed annoyed when I told her that you and Sally would meet with her. I don’t know who she is, but she’s a bitch.”

  I laugh at the face she’s making. She looks like she just ate a lemon. She’s annoyed by this person, and it takes a lot to get under Jenny’s skin. I sigh and keep walking towards the conference room when Sally appears and hands her stuff to Jenny.

  “Could you take these to my office? I hate to ask, but from what you said this client is kind of bossy and rude. I would like to start this meeting off on a good note.” she whispers so only the three of us hear.

  “No problem. I’ll come back and see if you guys need anything else. Cash has his coffee, would you like coffee as well?”

  “Jenny, remember to give yourself a pay raise. Cash doesn’t deserve you.” Sally tells her and I agree.

  “I tell her every day that I don’t deserve her but I’ll do anything to keep her.” Jenny is my right hand. I don’t think I could keep this hotel running without her making sure that I know where to go and who to see. She walks away and enters Sally’s office, which is across from mine. Sally and I open the conference room door, not expecting what’s about to happen.

  When we enter the room, the woman is standing with her back to us. “Hello, I’m Cash Hawthorne, and this is Sally Johnson, my event planner. My assistant, Jenny, informs me that you’re getting married and wanted to have your ceremony here.” I greet her.

  “Hello,
Cash. It’s been a long time,” she replies. Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard, whiney and annoying. As she turns to face us, I immediately recognize her as my high school sweetheart, Robin.

  “Hell no!” I yell as I start to walk out the door.

  “Someone is actually going to try to make an honest woman of you. I can’t believe it.” Sally snaps. She’s always hated Robin for what she did to me all those years ago, and she’s still holding on to that anger.

  “Sally this is a conversation between Cash and me, you be gone,” she retorts, a smirk on her face. Robin’s still a bitch.

  “Can you give us a few minutes alone please, Sally? I’ll see you when I’m done.”

  Sally starts to protest but keeps her mouth shut. She sends daggers in Robin’s direction as she leaves the room, bristling in anger. Robin was the most beautiful girl at our high school. She’d had it all brains, beauty, and a body that was made for every teenage boy fantasy. Looking at her now, she still had the same blonde hair, green eyes, and legs that didn’t quit. I flash back to an intimate moment we shared, her eyes staring into mine as her perfectly sized breasts filled my hands. When we graduated from high school, we’d agreed that we would stay together while we attended different colleges. Right before Christmas break, she sent me a letter telling me that it was over. After talking to her brother, I learned that she had her hooks into a richer, more powerful sucker.

  “What do you want, Robin? Apparently due to our past, I don’t think we should plan your ceremony. My sister is the planner, and I won’t subject her to your games or be a referee. I hope you can understand. I don’t have any hard feelings toward you and wish you well.”

  “Oh please!” Robin’s arms flail in the air. “Itis clear that you’re still holding a torch for me. It’ll be hard for you to see me kiss another man and know that I belong to him and not you. You’d be stupid not to take my money. Sally doesn’t even need to be involved; I have my planner. The two of them can coordinate if she must be. We’ll never have to talk or see each other.” Robin argues while I fight to keep my cool.