*COMPLETED* "You think I'd murder you?" He laughed humorlessly. "I- what?" I stuttered, looking at him with a lost expression. If he didn't want to kill me, what was all of this then? "What's your name, speedy?" He asked after shaking his head. "Why would I-I tell you my name?" I tried to sound brave, but this whole scenario was just freaking me out. "I'll find out, eh?" He gave me a smirk. What? "For what? You can just kill me now. I don't want to live like this anymore." I breathed out. I really don't. His loud and obnoxious laugh pulled me out of my thoughts. What's so funny? "You're funny. But-" He took a step closer and I immediately stepped backwards. "-the stunt you pulled last week-" My back hit the wall and I gasped as he stood only a few inches away from me now. His finger lifted my chin and I gulped. "-was not." His smirk was replaced by a serious expression. His eyes were so dark and captivating, I couldn't look away. "And you know what they say, speedy?" He continued as his eyes flickered towards my mouth. I shook my head and his smirk was back. "Keep your friends close. But-" He clenched his jaw. "Keep your enemies closer."

The passionate story of Tessa and Hardin continues as family secrets, deep betrayals, and career opportunities threaten to tear them apart.

This is the sequel (continuation) of After. Hardin and Tessa's relationship will be tested in ways she never expected, but he knew of all along.

Tessa Young is an 18 year old college student with a simple life, excellent grades, and a sweet boyfriend. She always has things planned out ahead of time, until she meets a rude boy named Hardin, with too many tattoos and piercings who shatters her plans.

Kalise is always surrounded by a bunch of kids. A bunch of evil little monsters that is. She's been a babysitter for the last few years, and hates every minute of it. Everyone has to get by and make money some how. While her best friend and roommate Luna, spends most of her time sleeping with the helpless, lost single dads. Kalise agrees to herself to never fall into that game, and to never sleep with any of the parents. She's a virgin and proud of it. That is until Tristins uncle Kale shows up, out of nowhere to pick Tristin up one day. With Kales sexy good looks and confident cocky smile, Kalise starts finding it harder everyday to stick to her plan. Will she follow what her head is telling her, or what her body is craving for?

A broken girl... Twenty years old and I'd finally had enough. I couldn't take anymore, so I packed up my things and disappeared, leaving behind my drunken, abusive father and the mother that stood by and watched as I slowly died. I knew I was going, but not where I'd stop. The last thing I expected once on my own, was to be spending my nights stripping at a club in Florida, barely getting by. I should have known running from a past wouldn't make it stop haunting me, because misery will always find me and tear me down until there's nothing left of me. It always has... Things can always change though, right? Like looking up at a handsome, tattooed stranger, and with one stare he has me questioning everything I've ever believed in. I wasn't expecting or prepared for someone to storm into my life. Not him. Jace Montgomery. The name I'll never forget. The need to save me lies in his eyes, but I don't need a savior. Trust- what he wants to teach me. That I'm something more than what I've grown up believing and that I'm worth loving. Those are the things he wants me to believe. How am I supposed to let him in and show me I'm something when I've spent my entire life being... nothing? He won't give up, and honestly, I'm hoping he never does... Because maybe... just maybe... I am worth saving after all.