3 Times the Heat by Sapphire Knight
Series: Dirty Down South #3
Series: Dirty Down South #3
Publication date: April 16th, 2018
Synopsis (according to Goodreads):
Clyde
I'm country, through and through.
I keep to myself, minding my father's land and taking care of my two younger brothers.
I like to think of myself as a law-abiding citizen.
I mean--what the law doesn't know doesn't hurt, right?
My life was simple and neat, until little Miss Shyla showed up one day.
The feisty woman was determined to put me in my place, however she was expecting to meet a boy, and not a man.
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Playlist
Perfect - Ed Sheeran
Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
Wonderful Tonight - Alan Jackson
Photograph - Ed Sheeran
Slow Hands - Niall Horan
Peaches - In the Valley Below
Grindin' - NF featuring Marty
Whatever It Takes - Imagine Dragons
Excerpt
Senior Year
The last game of the season and this is it--my chance. "Wonderful Tonight" by Alan Jackson begins to play lowly over the intercom system, and the stands grow quiet. Now an easy feat considering we just won our championship game, and everyone's excited. However, most of them know this was a part of my plan. I can't believe they were able to keep it a secret like I'd asked.
And there she is, standing out amongst everyone. When it comes to her, she always outshines everyone in my eyes. She's easily become the most important person in my life.
Approaching Shyla, the love of my life, coach hands me the tiny box that'll make her mine for the rest of my life. Falling to my knees comes naturally. This young woman owns me. Instantly, I choke up with emotion because this is it. I know everyone is rooting for us--for this. The bleachers are full of people--family and friends that love us both. They're excited to see the fairy tale ending of the classic high school sweethearts adored by the town that stood by and watched as they fell in love with each other. They want the happily ever after just like I do.
"Sh-Shyla..." I can't even say her name without feeling it right down to my very soul. "My love, my life, you are everything--my entire world." Swallowing, I open the box without breaking eye contact. Tears crest, and it's a relief--one I hadn't realized I needed. She's excited. She knows this is our forever that we've spoken about so many times before.
"Promise you'll stay with me for the rest of my years. Let me love you with every breath I have. Let me cherish you as you deserve. I love you, Shyla. Say you'll be my wife and make my life complete." Tears cascaded over her fair skin, leaving trails in their wake. Her irises, emerald in color right now, shine with so much. My breath catches as I work up the nerve to voice the words.
"Marry me?" I finally ask, taking her dainty hand in my palm, ready to place my grandmother's ring on her finger.
"Oh God," she gasps and the tears rain down harder. "I-I love you, Clyde Owens. I truly do. But..."
Tears gather in my own eyes. Suddenly this doesn't feel so promising. My chest tightens in anticipation, my stomach rolling at her first few words.
"But, I uh, accepted a scholarship at a different school than yours."
"You broke our plan?" It leaves me in an astonished whisper. I'm caught so off guard, it's all I can manage. She's mentioned nothing about this before.
The stands are deathly quiet. I'd forgotten that they were there though. Nothing else matters at this moment but her and me and right now. Yet, I swear they can hear every word we say even being far away.
She hiccups and nods. "I'm sorry, but I had to do what was best for me."
"I don't understand." My voice grows stronger as I stand, my arms crossing over my broad chest, defensive. "A-are you telling me no? You won't be my wife?"
"I can't Clyde... I'm sorry."
The ring box snaps closed in my palm, the same as my heart does in my chest. Not only has she completely shattered my heart, but two teams, students and all of my family has gotten to witness it happen firsthand and the devastation her words have left in their wake.
"There won't be another chance, Shyla," I promise with a gruff rasp. My pride has me standing tall, a wall encasing my love, shutters coming over my eyes as feelings get buried. What once was will never be the same because she's ruined it.
"Forgive me," she begs in a shaky breath. Tears rain down her cheeks, and my jaw clenches.
"Never." The promise leaves me with a growl, and I turn away from her, striding for the locker room.
Fuck her, fuck them, and fuck it all.
The last game of the season and this is it--my chance. "Wonderful Tonight" by Alan Jackson begins to play lowly over the intercom system, and the stands grow quiet. Now an easy feat considering we just won our championship game, and everyone's excited. However, most of them know this was a part of my plan. I can't believe they were able to keep it a secret like I'd asked.
And there she is, standing out amongst everyone. When it comes to her, she always outshines everyone in my eyes. She's easily become the most important person in my life.
Approaching Shyla, the love of my life, coach hands me the tiny box that'll make her mine for the rest of my life. Falling to my knees comes naturally. This young woman owns me. Instantly, I choke up with emotion because this is it. I know everyone is rooting for us--for this. The bleachers are full of people--family and friends that love us both. They're excited to see the fairy tale ending of the classic high school sweethearts adored by the town that stood by and watched as they fell in love with each other. They want the happily ever after just like I do.
"Sh-Shyla..." I can't even say her name without feeling it right down to my very soul. "My love, my life, you are everything--my entire world." Swallowing, I open the box without breaking eye contact. Tears crest, and it's a relief--one I hadn't realized I needed. She's excited. She knows this is our forever that we've spoken about so many times before.
"Promise you'll stay with me for the rest of my years. Let me love you with every breath I have. Let me cherish you as you deserve. I love you, Shyla. Say you'll be my wife and make my life complete." Tears cascaded over her fair skin, leaving trails in their wake. Her irises, emerald in color right now, shine with so much. My breath catches as I work up the nerve to voice the words.
"Marry me?" I finally ask, taking her dainty hand in my palm, ready to place my grandmother's ring on her finger.
"Oh God," she gasps and the tears rain down harder. "I-I love you, Clyde Owens. I truly do. But..."
Tears gather in my own eyes. Suddenly this doesn't feel so promising. My chest tightens in anticipation, my stomach rolling at her first few words.
"But, I uh, accepted a scholarship at a different school than yours."
"You broke our plan?" It leaves me in an astonished whisper. I'm caught so off guard, it's all I can manage. She's mentioned nothing about this before.
The stands are deathly quiet. I'd forgotten that they were there though. Nothing else matters at this moment but her and me and right now. Yet, I swear they can hear every word we say even being far away.
She hiccups and nods. "I'm sorry, but I had to do what was best for me."
"I don't understand." My voice grows stronger as I stand, my arms crossing over my broad chest, defensive. "A-are you telling me no? You won't be my wife?"
"I can't Clyde... I'm sorry."
The ring box snaps closed in my palm, the same as my heart does in my chest. Not only has she completely shattered my heart, but two teams, students and all of my family has gotten to witness it happen firsthand and the devastation her words have left in their wake.
"There won't be another chance, Shyla," I promise with a gruff rasp. My pride has me standing tall, a wall encasing my love, shutters coming over my eyes as feelings get buried. What once was will never be the same because she's ruined it.
"Forgive me," she begs in a shaky breath. Tears rain down her cheeks, and my jaw clenches.
"Never." The promise leaves me with a growl, and I turn away from her, striding for the locker room.
Fuck her, fuck them, and fuck it all.
Rest of the Series
2 Times the Bliss by Sapphire Knight (Dirty Down South #2) - Goodreads
About the Author:
Sapphire Knight is the International Bestselling Author of Secrets, Exposed, Relinquish, Corrupted, Forsaken Control, Unwanted Sacrifices, Friction, Unexpected Forfeit, Russian Roulette, Princess and 1st Time Love.
The series are called Russkaya Mafiya, Oath Keepers MC, Ground and Pound, and Dirty Down South. Her books all reflect on what she loves to read herself.
Sapphire's a Texas girl who is crazy about football. She's always had a knack for writing, whether it is poems or stories.
She originally studied psychology and believes that it's added to her passion for writing.
Sapphire is the proud mom of two boys and has been married for thirteen years. When she's not busy in her writing cave, she's playing with her three Doberman Pinschers. She loves to donate to help animals and watch a good action movie.
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