Unexpected Love

  UNEXPECTED LOVE

  Casey Clipper

  What some are saying of SILENT LOVE

  (The Love Series) (Book 1)

  “The journey that Casey takes her readers on is fun, exciting and sexy. I am looking forward to reading more from Casey and getting to know the true playboy bachelor, Sean’s brother Ryan, a whole lot better. I can see these two becoming many women’s future book boyfriends.”

  ~Books and Beyond Fifty Shades Book Reviews

  “The story grabbed my attention right from the start with Sean Millen. The story draws you in and keeps you wanting to know what will happen.”

  ~Beautifully Broken Book Blog

  “An intense book for me! Had to stop reading a few times not because I didn't like it, because my emotions were overflowing and it seems I was so engrossed in the book that I missed my bus stop again.”

  ~Fallen for Books

  “Silent Love has everything needed in a book. The passion, heartache and raw love had me whimpering. The book ebbs and flows perfectly. This novel is a must have on your shelf.”

  ~Two Ordinary Girls And Their Books

  “Get ready for a rollercoaster ride, because it is going to be one heck of a ride. Get your finger ready to one-click this amazing story.”

  ~The Book Gurus

  UNEXPECTED LOVE (The Love Series)

  From International and Amazon Best-Selling Romance Author Casey Clipper, the Amazon Best-Selling The Love Series delves into Ryan's story.

  Ryan Millen. Notorious playboy. Forever a bachelor. Never one to settle. Loves his one-night-stands. Ryan has loved his single status without any desire to settle down into a permanent relationship. Why would he? To be in a relationship requires work and sacrifice. Why go through all that trouble to make himself miserable just to make a woman happy?

  Lynn is struggling to get by day-to-day. Thirty-two years old, she can't find a job in a saturated market. She can no longer afford to pay the bills with her minimum wage job after her ex dumped her while she'd been in middle of nursing school. He walked out on her to “find himself.” Now she finds herself on her brother's doorstep, begging for a place to stay so maybe she can find a way to crawl out of the hole she's been swallowed by. Embarrassed by her situation, she vows never to become dependant on a man again.

  Ryan's world is turned upside down when one of his one-nighters throws a wrench into his perfect single life. He loses himself not knowing how to handle a situation he never wanted. His life spins out of control, about to lose his job and his mind.

  An opportunity crosses Lynn's path that she'd never considered. An opportunity to possibly gain financial independence. An opportunity her brother warns her not to take. An opportunity she can't refuse.

  Will Ryan's new world destroy him or can he accept it and move forward with a chance for a life he'd never planned, but if he embraces could open up his heart for an unexpected surprise. Can Lynn save Ryan from himself? Can Lynn allow herself to open up to Ryan and trust again? What happens when they push against the natural draw they have towards one another? And what happens when Ryan's one-nighter reappears, set out for revenge?

  Dedicated to the special ladies of Clipp's Crew. I cannot thank you enough for all you do. Not only do you work your butts off because you believe in my stories, you are thoroughly the most entertaining group of women I've ever known. Thank you for making my daily life so much brighter. You have no idea how much I value each of you. If only we lived near one another, then we could really cause some trouble.

  UNEXPECTED LOVE

  (The Love Series)

  CASEY CLIPPER

  First Published 2014

  Copyright © Casey Clipper 2014

  Edited by The Killion Group

  Cover by Joanna Chastla

  ~

  The Right of Casey Clipper to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her.

  ~

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights.

  ~

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictionally, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  1

  Ryan tilted his beer to take a long drag from the bottle, but missed his mouth. The cold brew splashed down his chin, neck, chest, and lap. His happy hour buddies burst out laughing around him. Even what should have been macho embarrassment couldn’t peel his gaze away from the luscious blonde who stepped into the crowded bar. He watched her make her way to a group of young women opposite his little weekly get together.

  His coworker tossed a bar napkin at him. Ryan only swiped at the mess, eyes glued to the object he wanted. And would have.

  He slid off the stool, grabbed his now near empty bottle, and headed straight for the girls. Of course not without a couple encouraging male slaps on the back from his buds.

  As he approached the women, his eyes zeroed in on the girl. She couldn't have been older than twenty-five. All of their hen-like chatter abruptly stopped. His desired object’s back was to him. He stepped in front of her and leaned casually against the bar. He surveyed her closely. Green eyes, bleach blonde hair, beach or tanning bed bronzed, too much makeup, and double D’s. Oh yeah. His night was looking up.

  “You spilled my beer. I think you should buy me a replacement,” he said smoothly.

  Two of the girls surrounding them giggled. His girl looked up at him, shocked. “What?”

  “You spilled my beer,” he said factually.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you,” she sputtered.

  He leaned over into her personal space, making certain to flash his sapphire blues to lure her in. “I saw you walk in,” he said huskily. “That’s why I spilled my beer.”

  Her eyes fluttered, and she started to play with her hair nervously. “Oh, well, that’s not my fault.”

  “Oh, but it is, sweetheart,” he said and straightened. He took a step closer, his side brushing against hers. Their body heat enveloped their close proximity. Holding up his beer for the bartender to replace, he never took his eyes from hers. “What’s your name?”

  “Tina,” she breathed.

  “Well, Tina, what are your plans tonight?” he asked, his tone unmistakably suggestive.

  ***

  “Fuck!” Ryan yelled while he pounded relentlessly into her slim body. A sheen of sweat covered his entire naked form. Seven in the morning, and they'd been going at it hard-core for half an hour. Sounds of skin against skin slapping, mixed with grunts from him and erotic screams from her, bounced off every surface of his bedroom. The headboard rattled against the wall. The thick scent of sex drenched the air.

  “Oh, oh, oh!” the twenty-something year old beneath him yelled. He never did get her true age.

  He thrust once, twice, three more times, lifted her hips and ground deeper, then bellowed again. He emptied himself into the condom while shoved balls deep inside her tight body.

  Vaguely he had the impression he got her to climax for...how many times? He had to have set some sort of record in a short span.

  Collapsing on top of the girl, he desperately tried to get air into his lungs. He felt her fake breasts heave against his hard chest. Nails lightly scratched down his back, adding to the marks from last night. Those were gonna sting. He hoped the house was stocked with Neosporin.

  “I have to be at work in an hour,” she croaked.

  What was her name? Tammie, Tara, Tanya?

  “When are you off work?” sh
e asked.

  “For the next two days.”

  “Will you call me?”

  Man, he hated this part. When would these women learn? There was validity to the playboy rumors he proudly exhibited, but every single woman he brought home thought she could become “the one” that might tame him. It didn't matter if they'd known him for years or for hours. They all voluntarily climbed into his bed with the same mission‒make him a one-woman man.

  “Maybe.” He shrugged. With a large inhale, he finally felt his lungs fill and rolled off her. “Depends on what I'm up to.” He already had plans that didn't include her.

  She sighed. “Can I use your shower?”

  Thank goodness Beth, his gorgeous sister-in-law, insisted on en-suite bathrooms built into their home when she moved in seven months ago. The additions and renovations to the house took away some closet space from him and his brother but kept an uncomfortable morning-after-meeting from taking place. It was one of the best investments they'd made. Now his flings wouldn't run into Beth, who would surely grow tired and disgusted of his shenanigans sooner or later. Currently his sister-in-law was in the running for sainthood.

  “Go ahead.” He waved to the closed door.

  Once she disappeared into the shower, Ryan crawled out of bed and threw on a pair of boxers. He hit the header in the second floor main bathroom, then wandered downstairs to get some coffee into his system. Hopefully Sean or Beth started the pot.

  When he stepped into the kitchen, Beth was bent over, her nose in the pantry.

  “Damn it,” she whispered.

  Ryan chuckled. Clearly she didn't know he was nearby. His brother had demanded a “swear jar” be started in the house since twin girls would be in the home within a couple months, if not sooner. Ryan had been surprised how much Beth could curse up a storm. He supposed when a girl grew up with a career military father and married a former SEAL, she could hold her own in the colorful words category. They'd already saved five hundred dollars between the three of them.

  She stood upright, turned, startled and squeaked out some sort of cute noise.

  “Sorry,” he said.

  “Ryan, you know you could send me into labor,” she quietly scolded.

  “Honey,” he arched a brow. “You know that I know that's not true.”

  “Well, I feel like I could go into labor any minute,” she snapped.

  “Could or want to?”

  Tears formed in her big ocean blue eyes. “I'm sorry,” she said softly. “My hormones are terrible. I yelled at Sean last night for forty-five minutes over the bedroom remote. I went to bed so angry with him. I feel terrible because I can't control myself.”

  Ryan immediately went to her side and engulfed Beth into his large arms. Her recent overemotional displays were exactly why he never wanted to marry. What man needed that kind of pain-in-the-ass grief over a woman he'd knocked up? Afraid of arguing over the bedroom remote? No thank you. He liked having control over the television in his room without having to answer to anyone. Why would he want to take on the burden of possibly getting his ass chewed out over PMS, OCD, or any hormonal imbalance because the batteries weren't aligned correctly or whatever ten million reasons a woman could come up with to berate him? Ryan was perfectly happy maintaining his single status.

  Beth melted into his oversized frame and sobbed into his chest. All right, so for her he'd tolerate an emotional overload. He absolutely adored her. He admired her inner and external strength. A strength she didn’t understand she possessed but had in spades.

  Sean, his older brother, stepped into the kitchen and stopped. “Is she all right?”

  “Yeah, just feeling guilty over a fight with you last night,” he answered, running a soothing hand up and down her spine. He knew she could feel the rumble in his chest as he spoke. So she had to know her husband stepped into the kitchen, but she remained in his embrace.

  His brother's sapphire blue eyes that matched his own looked downright distraught. “I don't know what to do.”

  Ryan snorted. “You don't have to whisper.”

  “Fuck you, Ryan. Don't mock my wife,” Sean bellowed.

  “I'm not,” he returned defensively.

  Beth was deaf. She'd lost her hearing a few years ago in a wrong-place/wrong-time scenario. Ironically it had been the same accident that had killed their cousin's husband. Talk about a small world.

  “Sean, you know she can't help it.”

  “I know. She just goes crazy. It's like my Beth disappears, and I'm replaced with a possessed version of a pregnant woman who resembles my wife, but she's nowhere in there.” His brother sighed. Sean took a step towards Beth and took her out of Ryan's arms. He held her beautiful porcelain features into his hands, lightly kissed her nose, forehead, and lips. Not a word was exchanged between them, but all was forgiven. There was no way Sean could stay angry with Beth. How could anyone? She was a total sweetheart.

  “Are you hungry?” Sean asked her.

  “Yes,” she answered softly.

  Sean led her to the kitchen island to take a seat, poured her a glass of water, and pulled out the pans to start scrambling some eggs.

  “How about making some for me too,” Ryan suggested.

  “You're not pregnant with my twin girls.” Sean arched a brow.

  Ryan winked at Beth. “How do you know they're not mine?”

  For that remark he received a smack upside the head from his brother and a smack on the arm from his sister-in-law.

  The blonde bounded into the kitchen, all perky for an early morning.

  “Hi.” She waved to everyone.

  Sean scowled. “Ryan,” he warned.

  “Hi,” Beth said. Her eyes lit with amusement. At least she still appreciated his libido driven antics. More than likely, that'd change when the twins arrived.

  The shrill ring of the home phone and flash of the house lights interrupted the inappropriate banter. Ryan picked up the cordless. “Hello?”

  “Ryan, it's Mark,” his sometimes shift partner responded.

  “What's up?”

  “You need to get to the hospital,” Mark said seriously.

  He glanced at the clock. Why would the hospital need him? Their employee schedule was overstaffed for the next few days. In fact, the hospital would inevitably call off a few employees for their shifts. That was why he planned on taking full advantage of not being called in and head up to Seven Springs to meet some former military pals. They rented a condo and intended to spend their time relaxing, partying, and finding nightly, no-strings-attached companionship.

  “Why?”

  “Get here, man. There's something up with one of the patients. She had a baby last night and there's....just get here,” Mark said, then disconnected the call.

  What the hell?

  “Everything all right?” Sean asked.

  He shrugged negligently. “Don't know, but I guess I have to go into the hospital.”

  Sean nodded and went back to scrambling eggs. He caught Beth gazing at his brother with a look he knew all too well. It was a good thing he had to leave the house right away. But first he needed to get rid of the blonde who was gazing at him expectantly. Another woman who'd hound him if he caved to more than one night. Nope, they weren't ever going to see each other again.

  2

  Ryan pulled his Lexus IS C, his baby, into the employee parking garage and parked in Dr. Gates’ spot. He could get away with it because the man was on vacation for the next couple of weeks. Security, who salivated over the luxurious car, knew Ryan's vehicle well and wouldn't call for it to be towed. Not only that, the spot was near the exit, and he didn't plan a lengthy visit.

  He grabbed his hospital ID and went up to the NICU ward, where he spent all of his time. As soon as he approached the unit, Mark rushed him, grabbed his arm and spun him. “We need to go to the maternity ward.”

  “Why? What the hell is going on, Mark?” Ryan snapped.

  “Do you know a Katey Tummands?”

 
“No.”

  “Well, she says she knows you and says you're the father of her newborn son that she plans to give up for adoption,” Mark blurted.

  Ryan stopped. There was no possible way he heard that right. “What?”

  Mark yanked on his arm. “Come on.”

  Like an out-of-body experience, Ryan was only numbly aware that he was being dragged down the hall towards the maternity ward. His mind frantically raced. In fact the florescent lights seemed to dim, his body felt heavy and light simultaneously, and his ears rang. There was no way a baby could be his. He vigilantly used protection so he wouldn't have to go through a nightmare scare. No, there had to be a simple explanation that this was all a mistake. He instantly calmed after talking himself into a rational scenario.

  Mark led Ryan through the first door of the row of private rooms. He stopped. Random people filled the room. An older couple, a couple of women in business suits, Doctor Jane, and a nurse whose name he always forgot.

  “What are you doing here?” a female voice shrieked.

  Everyone parted. Lying in middle of the large hospital bed a young, brunette woman, in her mid to late twenties, glared his direction.

  “You.” She pegged him. Her visible hatred bore into him like fireballs shooting from a set of black eyes.

  “What the hell is going on?” he asked, his tone weak and unsure, feeble. A rarity for him. Damn it. He normally oozed confidence with a subtle cockiness that had people gravitate towards him.

  She looked familiar. Of course that didn’t mean much. She could easily work in housekeeping and Ryan might speak to her here and there. He conversed with anyone and everyone who’d engage. And there could be the fact that he may have, possibly, had sex with her.

  Doctor Jane stepped into his line of sight. “Come with me, Ryan.”