Take a Breath (Take #1) - Jaimie Roberts Page 0,142
also looks like she’s at least ten years too young for me.
I can’t be obsessing like this, but at the same time, I can’t look away. I’ve become lost in her. For a time, she is the only thing I can see or think about. Even when I try to avert my eyes, they seem to rise of their own accord and seek her out again. It’s as if she’s a human magnet. She is pulling me in, coaxing me towards her … and by fuck do I want to be coaxed!
Butterflies I didn’t realize I was even capable of feeling suddenly grow bigger as she comes nearer to our table. My hands start to ache, and it’s only then I realize I’ve been holding onto the edge of the table with a vice-like grip as if my entire life depends on it.
She glances in my direction, and my chest constricts at the sight. Stella waves at her, and this dream of a woman begins to wave back.
Shit! No.
This cannot be happening. Please tell me that she isn’t who I think she is! But I know who she is. I knew the first moment I saw her. She is indeed the last person in the world I want her to be. I now know I am looking at Stella’s daughter. This beautiful woman is Ana.
Now, it’s official.
I’m truly fucked!
To be continued in…
Take it Deep (Take 2)
Take it Deep
Hit with the worst news possible, I seek shelter with my best friend, Jessie.
I’m torn.
I’m broken.
Nevertheless, life must go on, and even though we are desperate to be together, we have no choice but to live apart.
When my past begins to haunt my present, however, things start to spiral out of control.
Thrust together once again, I try hard to resist him.
Until I can’t.
And that is when the real trouble starts.
Notes & Acknowledgements
Take a Breath will always have a special place in my heart because it is the very first book I have ever written. A year or so before I began writing, this overbearing alpha-male began taking up space in my head, and “he” refused to go away. Just like his character, he dominated my thoughts day and night.
On a day when I had more time on my hands than usual, I decided to do something constructive with my extra time. I started writing, and I didn’t stop until Take a Breath was born. But—and there’s a big but—I made a huge mistake with this book. Not only did I release it without using betas, but I also neglected to use an editor. Lacking these elements, my story was riddled with inconsistencies. One major source of the disconnect was due to the fact that it badly needed proofreading and editing. I believe the story was there all along; it just needed a little extra TLC to make it shine.
Around three years ago, I decided to take both Take a Breath and its sequel, Take it Deep, down. Yes, I released that one without any proofreading or editing either. While the changes to Take a Breath were mostly cosmetic (relating to editing more or less), more significant changes to the story were made in Take it Deep. It’s safe to say that the latter has definitely had the most work done.
I just hope that you will enjoy (or have enjoyed) reading Jake and Ana’s story as much as I’ve enjoyed telling and working to perfect it over the years.
As usual, I would like to thank a few people.
To Shannon Steed and Kim BookJunkie, thank you so much for editing and proofreading Take a Breath. The inside—as always—looks far better now that you ladies have put your magic in.
To Dez Purington from Pretty in Ink Designs, thank you for designing such an amazing cover for Take a Breath. I can’t wait to see what you come up with for Take it Deep, and Take the Gun.
To Joe Rossi, who helped me with the section regarding American football, since I haven’t a clue about how it all works, I was ecstatic when you agreed to read that part in Take a Breath and tell me where I was going wrong. Your input is truly appreciated. Thank you.
To my family, thank you for supporting me to the fullest and allowing me to keep my dream alive. I love all you to bits!
And, to the readers, thank you so much for sticking with me through the good and the bad. I know some of my work hasn’t been