The Rivals - Dylan Allen Page 0,430

be a member of your leadership and I want to be in charge of the newsletter.”

“Okay. Sure. We’ll make it happen.” I know I sound like overly eager, but I am. I want her back in my life and the chance to make up for lost time.

“Your story wore me out,” she yawns loudly. I’ll call you in the morning. We can talk more, then.”

“Okay, sounds good. Thank you, Matty.” I hang up and walk out of my office.

Today will go down in the record books as one of the worst and best day of my life. I walk through my house, turning off the lights as I go. I’m bone tired and I walk into the bedroom ready to fall straight into bed.

“They’re finally asleep. I’m so—”

My words trail off when Stone stands up. He’s palming the erection pressing against his blue and white striped pajama bottoms. “You’re so…tired? That’s too bad, cause I’m horny as fuck,”

“Oh?” I lean against the door frame, my cheeks hurt from smiling so much today, but I savor the feeling of another one tugging at the corners of my lips.

“But I have a dilemma.” He bites his lip as he pulls his pants down his hips and his erection springs free and stands straight between us. He grabs it with both of his hands and starts stroking himself.

“Are you getting yourself off??” I ask.

“Ah, Captain Obvious is in the building,” he says with a wicked smile so sensual it makes my toes curl.

“Stop talking shit and come over here,” I tease him.

“No can do. I told you, I have a dilemma,” he says and sits back on the bed and keeps stroking himself.

“Yes, and I have the solutions between my legs. “

“Be careful what you wish for… If I stop this …” He nods at his dick. “Then I’ll need to bend your sweet ass over and fuck you. You just said you’re exhausted and so I don’t think you can handle me tonight. I’m pissed; I might be too rough.”

“You are mad at me?”

“Yes. For telling me that you didn’t need me today.”

“Aww, babe. I didn’t mean it like that. I just knew I could handle it by myself.”

He grunts as his hand moves faster. “There is no more by yourself. Don’t ask me to let you go into battle alone. I never will. Never.”

I’ve never watched a man do this before and it’s mesmerizing.

He lets go of his dick long enough to yank off his pants and pull his shirt over his head. And then he stands.

His body is distractingly big, so perfect.

And it’s all mine.

So, I run.

Straight into my lover’s arms.

And right before his lips cover mine, his voice smooth as velvet, he whispers. “You water me, I water you. Together, we win.”

THE END

To get a copy of the extended epilogue click here. Or email [email protected] if you have the print version.

Author’s Note

Dear Reader,

This story is special to me for many reasons. Jezebel, the biblical figure was my inspiration for the title. Her name has become synonymous with vice, treachery and sin.

But, when I started researching the woman behind all the myths and legends, I learned that nearly all of my perceptions about her, and what her name should stand for were misinformed.

Jezebel was a queen. One whose biggest crime was daring to behave just as the men of her time. She was ruthless, unapologetically ambitious, and believed in her right to rule.

I set out to tell the story of a woman who took that name, and turned it into a battle cry.

Traditional historical texts often erase the contributions of women in their recounting of major events.

My study of history in college taught me that if I wanted to know the complete story, I’d have to read beyond the textbooks. And that I’d have to question the premise of every historical fact, I’d been taught.

That exercise made my life so much richer. It’s I hope you’ll walk away from this story feeling empowered and of course, in love.

Happy reading,

Dylan

Acknowledgments

As always, this part feels impossible to write.

There are so many people who are integral to this story making it into the world.

My beta readers are the first line of defense and they helped me shape and elevate the story. Thank you, Chele Walker, Sara Koelsch, Elizarey Reads, Lara Petersen, Marcia Golden Esders, and Amy Jackson - your early feedback and encouragement helped so much!

To the women who shared your stories with me so that I could make my characters as authentic