Cross Falls Saga - Southern Suspense Box Set Read online

  Contents

  Falling Secrets

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  Falling Lies

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  Falling Truth

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  Falling Secrets

  By

  Mallory Crowe

  Falling Secrets

  by Mallory Crowe

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Fonts used with permission from Microsoft.

  Copyright © 2015 by Mallory Crowe

  Mallory Crowe (2015-03-24). Falling Secrets (Cross Falls Saga Part One) Kindle Edition.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Gabrie slammed on the brakes, and the creaky old Chevy stuttered to a halt. This had to be someone's idea of a sick joke. Or maybe she'd taken a wrong turn...

  She twisted around in her seat and fished out the handwritten directions. She'd never been to Darren's childhood home, but she was certain it wasn't the behemoth in front of her.

  Her eyes darted between the address she'd scribbled on the paper and the house numbers clearly printed on the mailbox next to the passenger window. It was definitely a match. But why hadn't Darren ever told her about the mansion he grew up in?

  No, this wasn't Raleigh anymore. Hampton Falls, South Carolina was far away from any big cities, and houses this pretty, on such big plots of land, were plantations. Gabrie's jaw dropped as she stared at the flaky, faded white columns that surrounded the house and framed the wraparound porch. Above the two-story tall beams was another level, with windows peeking out of the sloping, gray roof. Sure, it was missing a few shingles, but the flaws brought on by age didn't detract from the splendor of the home.

  Gabrie tried to imagine Darren growing up in such luxury. He'd always seemed so down-to-earth and fun on their dates. She frowned. Did growing up rich somehow make a person not fun? Ugh. She couldn't be this cynical. Maybe she'd lucked out and found a perfect, smart, funny, and rich boyfriend.

  And then promptly broke up with him.

  She groaned as she thought back to how stupid she'd been to let him get away, but at least it wasn't hopeless. This poor guy she'd let slip through her fingers was generous enough to offer her a place to stay when she had nowhere else to go, and she wasn't going to miss this opportunity. She'd regretted letting him go almost as soon as she'd done it, and now that she was here, at his childhood home, she wouldn't make the same mistake again.

  Filled with determination, she set the map on the seat next to her and maneuvered the old truck up the rocky and cracked drive to the front of the house. She didn't see any other cars around, but the property appeared to be endless. She had no idea how much of it belonged to Darren's family, but, judging by the size of the plantation, it was a lot.

  Gabrie stepped out of the truck and reveled in the chance to move her cramped legs even as the intense summer sun and humidity beat at her. She moaned at the conflicting sensations as she looked the house up and down once more. She had a sinking feeling that a house this old and dilapidated didn't have air-conditioning.

  After only a few seconds, the heat got the best of her. Even though she didn't see anyone, she figured there was no harm in knocking on the door. Darren told her to meet him there over half an hour ago, and she would've made it on time if it weren't for the miles and miles of construction she'd run into.

  Gabrie eyed the weathered stairs for a few moments before she took her chances. The aged wood creaked beneath her feet, but nothing collapsed. But old and weary was good. This was the reason she even had such a great opportunity.

  Her day from hell two weeks ago was the perfect example of one door closing and another door opening: getting laid off from her dull office job one minute and offered her dream job the next. While she oversaw the renovations on Darren's family home, she could figure out where she wanted to go from here. It would give her a few rent-free months to get her act together.

  It would be like a long vacation. An unplanned and mostly unpaid vacation that she was going to make the best of, starting with getting the one who got away back.

  She inhaled the moist air and straightened her back as she softly knocked on the peeling wood door. There didn't seem to be a doorbell in sight, and she had no idea whether anyone inside would be able to hear the knocking. After a minute of silence ticked by, she brought her knuckles down as hard as possible, the sound loud enough to echo on the empty porch.

  As Gabrie waited, the heat seemed to surround her and she stared longingly at her truck. It might not be pretty, but the A/C worked like a charm.

  With a sigh, she decided to try the door one more time. She curled her fingers into a fist, ready for a forceful bang, but the door swung open before her hand ever made contact. She managed to pull back before accidentally punching someone in the face, but the abrupt change in momentum sent her tottering backwards.

  Warm arms wrapped around Gabrie and pulled her up against a hard, and very bare, male chest. She took a deep swallow before she looked up into Darren's dark gaze. Good grief, how had she ever let this man go? He wore only a towel; water droplets dripped from his hair and right down a chiseled jaw, slightly hidden under a few days' worth of stubble. He'd always been clean-shaven when she'd known him in the city, but he could wear that stubble unlike anyone she'd ever known.

  "You're a sight for sore eyes," she breathed. Her heart did little somersaults in her chest at the sight of him. The feel of him.

  If he weren't wet, his embrace would probably have overheated her in a second, but her now damp shirt seemed to keep the burning away while his arms against hers, bare skin to bare skin, sent tingles of excitement through her.

  Yes. This is what she needed. This spark. Something to want.

  "Hey there," he said. His chest rumbled against her. "Glad I could help."

  Did he move closer? She could've sworn his lips weren't so near hers a second ago.

  But this was good. She hadn't imagined his flirtatious smile, the way his arms lingered around her. Besides, she had been off balance, but nowhere close to falling. This man wanted her as much as she wanted him, and Gabrie wasn't going to deny herself anymore. No more regrets. From now on, she was wild and did as she pleased, and she needed his lips on hers.

  Already feeling herself slip into the land of overthinking everything, she pulled Darren down to her and kissed him with all the pent-up frustration that had bubbled within her since she got laid off.

  Darren stiffened as her lips brushed over his and for a second, she was terrified he was going to push her away. Tell her there'd been a terrible misunderstanding.

  But then he relaxed in her arms, let his big palms rest on her hips and pulled her tighter against him. She squeaked at the force he used; a tingle of excitement raced through her. Despite his initial hesitation, he dove fully into the kiss. His tongue took possession of her mout
h as his hands roamed freely over her back and ass.

  Gabrie moaned in pleasure as he curled his fingers in her hair. She clenched her shoulder blades in just the right way to push her breasts closer to his face. Darren took the hint to tug her shirt up and over her head, leaving her in a tight tank and denim shorts. He didn't bother to pull the tank off; instead, he pushed the low neckline and bra cup down to give his mouth immediate access to a nipple while he roughly palmed the other through her clothing. The sensation of the clothes rubbing against her sent tendrils of delight through her.

  Her eyes drifted closed about the same moment her knees gave in, but Darren caught her easily and lifted her into his arms as he carried her into the house. His mouth covered hers again, and Gabrie wrapped her legs around his hips. As he moved, his towel fell, and he was completely naked by the time he pushed her up against the wall. His hard length eagerly pressed against the fabric of her shorts.

  Her head fell back as she let out a groan. When was the last time she'd had a man between her legs? Hell, she hadn't even had time to get out her battery-operated boyfriend in months. This was probably the best idea she'd had in forever.

  Darren bit exactly the right spot on her neck and she jerked as the electricity reverberated through her body. Encouraged by this rough, wild side of Darren she'd never seen before, she leaned forward and nipped at his shoulder, reveling in his responding grunt. His fingers fisted in her ponytail and angled her exactly the right way for his powerful, possessive kiss.

  He was just gentle enough that the sharp tug didn't hurt, but the force he used spoke to her in some strange, animalistic way. He kissed her as if he owned her, but she gave as good as she got: she pulled him in closer and rubbed against him in a rhythm as old as time.

  He ripped away from her. His dark eyes raked over her heaving chest. Filled with the confidence only really great foreplay could bring on, Gabrie pulled off the tank and bra in one smooth move. The motion caused her to rock more fully against Darren's rock-hard cock pressed up against where she wanted it the most.

  He leaned forward, one palm flat against the wall while the other curled around her neck before it slowly trailed down between the valley of her breasts and then lower. In one quick move, he had her shorts unbuttoned. His eyes roamed over her stomach and breasts, each rosy peak begging for more attention, before he met her gaze.

  Gabrie almost forgot how to breathe. Darren had always been beautiful, but to see him look at her with so much need, so much desire, it had to be the sexiest thing she'd ever seen.

  "You're like a wet dream come to life," he whispered.

  The corner of her mouth hooked up. "I thought you were the wet one." She motioned to the discarded towel with a tilt of her head.

  He swooped down for a quick kiss, and as Gabrie felt herself float away again on the wave of desire, he lifted her an inch higher against the wall, leaving just enough room between them for him to move a hand between her thighs, and two fingers slid into her moist heat with no problem.

  "Definitely not the only wet one," he whispered into her ear as his fingers moved in and out of her core. His thumb brushed against her clit every few strokes and sent her into a tailspin of pleasure.

  He seemed to read her body like a map, knowing exactly when to speed up or slow down. As his fingers moved faster and faster, the delicate torture of her clit sent her over the edge. She held onto him as tightly as possible as her mind seemed to shatter into a million pieces.

  Gabrie's body went limp as she tried to catch her breath, but Darren wasn't finished with her yet. He gently set her shaky feet on the hardwood floor long enough for him to push her shorts off her hips. A second later, she was back in his arms and staring into those black, desire-filled eyes.

  "Are you safe?" he asked, the desire taking a back burner to the serious question.

  Her brow crinkled. "Of course. I'm on the pill." It wasn't that strange of a question, she told herself. It had been over a year since they'd seen each other, let alone been together. In fact, it was stupid that she didn't ask—

  He slid into her in one powerful thrust. The force of it slammed her against the wall, which was now warm from their earlier play. Her limp muscles were awakened with this second wave of sensations and she held onto him tighter, urged him to go farther, deeper. His hands gripped her ass, held her steady for him as he took her. The steadiness of the wall and the frantic energy of the man inside her threw off her equilibrium, but it didn't matter anymore. It was her and Darren, and for this moment, everything seemed so perfect and serene and right, and when the second orgasm came over her, it was almost by surprise.

  But this time Darren came with her. His fingers tightened into her flesh with almost bruising force as his muscles went tight beneath her palms. For a few moments, they didn't move, content to revel in the ecstasy of what they'd just shared.

  Gabrie leaned her head against Darren's as the room slowly came into focus. It was a living area right off the entryway, decorated in outdated, but still functional, sofas and tables from the seventies.

  Mentally, Gabrie considered different restoration ideas. Dated furniture might work in a home with this much history, but it had to be from the right era. Also, considering most plantations were built off the backs of slaves, maybe it was better to give it a modern touch.

  "You okay there?" Darren stepped back enough to allow her feet to unwrap from around him and touch the ground.

  "Yeah," she murmured. Despite the heat, a little shiver snaked through her. Being spontaneous and in the moment was one thing, but how was she supposed to deal with the minutes after? Though she'd probably feel better if she weren't completely naked, but Darren didn't seem to have any qualms about his own nude body.

  He bent to pick up the discarded towel and Gabrie took a moment to appreciate the view of his muscular thighs and buttocks as his muscles flexed and tensed with the movement. Hmmm, the last year had been good to the man. He'd always been a gym rat, and the first and only man she'd been with who had a six-pack, but he seemed tighter, even more fit, now.

  Maybe they should've done some catching up before fast-forwarding straight to the fucking up against a wall.

  Gabrie's cheeks heated at the memory. Good grief. She'd always been the type to make love or, at the worst, have sex. But this was different. He'd been rough and demanding, but she'd been as fierce as him. If sex could be that good, maybe she'd been doing it wrong.

  Or maybe he'd practiced on a lot of women in the year they'd been apart. The thought sobered her, and she quickly slipped on her panties, bra, and tank. She frowned as she glanced around the room. Where the hell did her shorts go?

  "Head's up," called Darren.

  Gabrie whipped around just in time to catch the denim bundle that came her way. "Careful," she said as she pulled the shorts on.

  He cocked his head as he watched her. "You sure you want to cover up so quick?"

  Her eyes widened at his offer. "You're up for round two?"

  He smirked as he padded across the room towards her. "I don't know about you, but that was pretty mind blowing. I wouldn't mind getting blown away again."

  She felt the blood rush to her face at the implication and she let out a nervous laugh. "I, um—"

  Darren pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, so at odds from the primal way they'd gone at each other moments before. "I'm messing with you," he said. "Why don't I get dressed and then we can talk without you turning red as a beet?"

  Ugh, she probably blushed even more now. "That might be a good idea," she mumbled.

  He let out a little laugh before he turned away. She considered waiting for him to come back, but as soon as he was out of sight, she rushed to catch up. This was going to be her home for the next few months, so she wanted to get a good look at what needed to be done.

  And if she happened to get a nice view of Darren's ass while doing it, well, that was the cherry on top.

  He strode up the stairs and down a long hallway decorated with fad
ed floral wallpaper, with coloration marks where pictures had once hung. Gabrie was so focused on figuring out why the pictures would've been taken down, she lost track of the number of rooms they'd walked by.

  Darren turned into one of the last doors. The bedroom was rather plain, with one antique-looking dresser and a full-size bed. This room also had the floral wallpaper, but at least this pattern was mostly blue.

  He crouched down over the one suitcase in the room and dug out a pair of black boxers.

  "That's all you brought with you?" she asked. To be honest, she thought she'd be staying at the house alone, so it was jarring to see that he'd already claimed a room. Well, it was his family home, and if the local doctors were right, he would inherit it shortly.

  "I don't need much." He picked his jeans off the bed.

  And Gabrie thought her own paltry three suitcases in the back of her pickup was a depressingly small about of luggage. She supposed the mental baggage made up for the lack of physical.

  As he put a foot through a leg of the jeans, a few credit cards tumbled onto the floor.

  "Damn it," muttered Darren as he tried to stuff the other leg in.

  "I got it." In a flash, she'd picked the cards off the ground and handed them to Darren. As he reached for them, the light bounced off the engraved names and Gabrie frowned. "Who's Jack?" She pulled the cards closer to her. The three credit cards in her hand all said the same thing. Jack Cross.

  Darren snatched them out of her hand. "What do you mean? I'm Jack."

  Gabrie blinked a few times. "Huh? You're Darren."

  The change in him was instant, the easy-going attitude replaced with a stern, angry expression. "You came here to fuck Darren?"

  She took an unsteady step back. "This isn't funny. You know I came here to see Darren. You invited me here. You are Darren!"

  He clenched his jaw before he roughly pushed past her and headed out of the room. "Hate to break this to you, hon, but you screwed the wrong brother."