***This is unedited*** This is a short story (will make it full length later) about second chances. Arizona Lexington knew her marriage to Chad wasn’t perfect. He had a dangerous side to him that surfaced over time, but she was in love…or so she thought. One day she gets some heartbreaking news which causes Chad to show his true colors. Deciding she needed a break to think things through, she returns home to gather some of her belongings only to stumble into a situation that leaves her broken not only in spirit, but in body. For the first time in ten years, Arizona is alone and decides to try to make her life hers again. Problem is, her past isn’t ready to let her go without a fight. One night Arizona decides to spruce up her apartment and she is caught in a humorous situation, by her helpful and handsome neighbor, Carter Doyle. Carter soon shows Arizona that life can go on in spite of her struggle with her personal problems. Sparks fly, romance is thick in the air and soon she sees he is just who she wants, but can she let him in when her past is right around the corner? “You’re either all in or not.” ~ Carter

My name is Savannah Miller. My father is the mayor of New York. One day after my twenty-seventh birthday I was grabbed from behind. A cloth sack was quickly pulled over my head, and I was taken from everything I'd ever known. I was beaten, starved, treated like an animal, and forced to live in a room with no windows. With no sense of time and no dignity left I finally gave up hope and made a promise to myself to end it all. Unfortunately, it was going to be a slow process. Then one night an elite group of US Army soldiers came to my rescue. I was brought to a safe house and given two options: One- Stay under their protection and follow their rules or... Two- Leave and be guaranteed to be returned to the savages within a week. I chose option one. As I work with a therapist and begin processing my hellish ordeal things slowly begin to surface. With the help of new friends and a potential new love I fight to get my life back and make choices that will forever alter my future. This is my story...

She's a good girl gone bad. Penelope is desperate to leave this town and all the bad memories behind. She wants to run away, far from her alcoholic mother and her multiple unpleasant boyfriends. She'd always keep her head down, focusing on school and her part-time job. But when she finally snaps... she loses that tight control and goes down a dark rabbit hole. Now Penelope needs saving. Officer Cameron likes control. He's demanding. He's harsh. He rarely smiles. Except he's tough on the outside but soft on the inside. One late emergency call to a sleazy club leads him to Penelope and she falls right into his arms. The lonely, crying girl? She melts his heart. She just needs someone to hold her. And Cameron? He wants her and he's going to teach her how to be a good girl again. Except... she's too young. Both Penelope and Cameron are stuck in a vicious cycle. Right or wrong? Yes or no? "Touch me," she pleads. "I won't. I will never. I'll take care of you from far away, Penelope. But I will never touch you. Not like that, not how you want it," he confesses.