I kissed her again. “You know, I really kinda like it when you’re bossy.”
She gazed up at me, softening. “I just want to make sure you nail it. It’ll make you happy.”
“Uh-huh. You’re like, the Sharon to my Ozzy,” I mused.
“Oh, God. Don’t you have a better example?”
“Hey, it’s worked for Ozzy’s crazy ass for a hell of a long time.”
“Hmm. Can we have our own reality show, please?”
“Not a chance.”
She laughed.
“You’re everything to me, Taylor,” I told her, growing serious. “Everything.”
“I know, babe. But that’s just because you’re such a hardcore romantic.”
“I am?” I said, feigning innocence.
It was true, I’d really cranked up the wining and dining, so to speak, over the last several months. Trying to make up for how… unconventional… the early days of our relationship had been, maybe.
Taylor was studying me, a soft, dreamy smile on her face. “You know, when I met you, I thought you were strange.”
“I think we’ve established that.”
“I thought you were a little crazy, actually.”
“I know.”
“I thought I might be crazy agreeing to work with you…”
“You probably were.”
“It was the best decision I ever made.”
“Who’s the romantic now?”
She smirked and I gave her a kiss. Then I looked around at the backstage party. There were like sixty people crowded, loudly, into this room. “You know, I used to feel so lost in a crowd like this.”
“And now?” Taylor gazed up at me.
“Better,” I told her. “Much better.” I looked into her deep-sea eyes, wondering aloud, “How did life get this good?”
“I found you,” she said.
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Books by Jaine Diamond
Players Series
(spin-off from the Dirty series)
Hot Mess (Players #1)
Filthy Beautiful (Players #2)
Sweet Temptation (Players #3)
Lovely Madness (Players #4)
Dirty Series
Dirty Like Me (Dirty #1)
Dirty Like Us (Dirty #0.5) - Free
Dirty Like Brody (Dirty #2)
A Dirty Wedding Night (Dirty #2.5)
Dirty Like Seth (Dirty #3)
Dirty Like Dylan (Dirty #4)
Dirty Like Jude (Dirty #5)
Dirty Like Zane (Dirty #6)
DEEP Series
DEEP (DEEP #1)
DEEPER (DEEP #2)
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Acknowledgments
Lovely Madness is the twelfth book I’ve written in this world (!), and you may have to pinch me so I can fully absorb that. Every book has its challenges; I never seem to make it easy on myself with simple storylines! This one is no exception at a massive 158,000 words and featuring one of the toughest characters and storylines I’ve ever written.
I have a ton of empathy for Cary… but how to write a romantic hero who lives in fear and still make him swoon-worthy? How to tell his story, a story of pain and loss, grieving and mental illness, with honesty and integrity, while keeping the beating heart of the love story alive? I hope I’ve accomplished just that, and even if this book broke your heart a little, I hope you fell madly in love with Cary like Taylor and I have.
A huge thank you goes out to everyone who’s supported this book and this series, and supported me while writing it. My amazing readers. My vibrant readers group, the VIPs. My passionate ARC Team. The bloggers and release blitzers who’ve helped spread the word. My author friends, and my friends and family, who continue to champion me, cheer me on, and send love, even if it’s often been virtual during this strange pandemic year. What a time to be writing the story of a recluse; I’m sure there were times in 2020 when we all felt Cary’s isolation.
Dad, thank you for letting me bounce all things police, from bomb threats to break-ins, off of you to make sure I got it right.
Mr. Diamond, all the thank yous for all the things. You are the best partner a writer girl could have. I promise I’m already hard at work on the next book. But I can hear you doing your online workout