Determined (Determined Trilogy Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

tell you all about it,” I placated Carrie, patently aware that there was nothing, really, to tell.
    Throughout the house, the candlelight and darkness could have been eerie, but honestly, it was beautiful. We wandered and found ourselves in a large living room. Coffered ceilings and leaded glass windows floated over the scene. And, of course, exquisite artwork decorated the walls. Beautiful people were lounging on leather chesterfield sofas, engaged in conversation. On the opposite side of the room was a full bar with two model-esq male bartenders dressed in crisp white shirts and black vests. We bee-lined for them.
    “Ladies.” One of the bartenders made eye contact. “What’s your pleasure?” He wiped his hands with a bar rag and leaned forward.
    “Jack and ginger, please.”
    “Make that two,” added Carrie.
    “Coming right up.” The bartender swiftly mixed our two cocktails, while Carrie and I surveyed the crowd. I didn’t recognize anyone.
    “Here you go, ladies,” the bartender said, as he proudly placed our drinks in front of us. I dropped a couple of bills into his tip jar, and we picked up our glasses.
    “Cheers, love!” I said with a fake British accent.
    “Cheers, baby!” mirrored Carrie. We clinked our glasses and turned around, taking in the scene.
    “You know, this house totally looks like a serial killer’s house.” Carrie said, taking a sip of her drink.
    I looked at her. Carrie was obsessed with true-crime television. I shook my head. “Carrie, seriously? I think it’s beautiful.”
    “No way. I mean, I like Curtis and all, but if I didn’t know him, I’d think there was a sound proof basement or something.” She pointed to the bookshelves across the room “I bet you pull on one of those books, and it opens a door to a secret room.”
    I was rolling my eyes at her when across the room, a familiar profile pulled my attention.
    “Oh my God,” I whispered.
    “What? Sam, are you okay?” Carrie looked at me quizzically and followed my gaze to the doorway. Standing there was David Keith. He was dressed differently, in a perfectly tailored gray suit and a white shirt that was undone at the collar. His hands were shoved in his pockets nonchalantly. But his body was the same. I knew it from having studied it intently the night before.
    “It’s David. I met him last night at the opening.” I breathed. My pulse was racing. I thought my heart was going to leap out of my chest.
    “Oh, nice! Is he the one Curtis was talking about? He is really good looking, I love that suit,” she said with approval.
    But to be honest, the suit was just the icing on the cake. His maleness cut right through it. My skin tingled, and I felt an invisible pull to him. My ears were buzzing and suddenly I realized I was hot all over. And this time, I was sure it wasn’t the cocktail.
    “Let’s go talk to him,” Carrie urged “You can introduce me.”
    I couldn’t respond. What was she saying?
    Before I could muster an answer, it was too late. He was cutting across the room, making his way toward us. Act cool, Sam. I took a big swig of my drink.
    “Hello, Ms. Sharp. It’s a pleasure to see you again.” He looked at me like we were the only two people in the room. His eyes tunneled into mine. My knees buckled. The rest of the room fell away.
    Before I could recover or respond, I was jolted back to reality by a petite bundle of energy dressed in purple. It cut in between us, wrapping its arms around me in an enthusiastic embrace, forcing a mass of strawberry blond hair into my mouth.
    “Hi, Sam!”
    “Jenna, David, I didn’t know you would be here tonight.” I managed, finally finding my voice. I was truly surprised and confused. I briefly introduced them to Carrie.
    “Michael had invited me to come weeks ago, but this guy here,” she gently jabbed David in the ribs, “just decided to come today,” she joked at him, lovingly, and reached up on her tip toes to muss his hair. She really was much