To the wonderfully talented author, my sister from a different mister, Victoria H. Smith – without your help and your patience, I would have pulled my hair out trying to write “Exposed”. I appreciate your encouragement and support more than words can express.
Read an excerpt of her upcoming interracial romance novel, Found by You, at the end of this book!
To my friends and family who have been an endless well of support, I love and thank you ALL from the bottom of my heart!!!
Also available from Raven St. Pierre
Free Falling Book 1: Gravity
Free Falling Book 2: Secrets
Red Sun
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
Coming Soon
Again for the First Time
Raven appreciates your purchase and would love to get your feedback when you finish! Leave your review of this author’s work wherever you made your purchase and let others know what you thought of “Exposed” (Free Falling Book Three).
Friend Raven on Facebook:
Follow her on Twitter:
Subscribe to her Blog for updates, excerpts, trailers, cover reveals, and dates for new releases!
Email feedback or inquiries to:
[email protected]
Become a fan of Raven St. Pierre on Goodreads!!
There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.
– Friedrich Nietzsche
Chapter One
Five Years Later…
Sam
Wading through the sea of pedestrians on the streets below Dr. Gill’s seventh floor office, I fought my way there every Wednesday like clockwork. First, I’d stop for a strawberry-banana smoothie from a kiosk a few blocks away, run by a sweet-spirited, older gentleman named Giuseppe. He learned my routine after seeing my face week after week at the same time, rain or shine. Now, when I made it to his stand, my beverage was always prepared and waiting beside the register. I’d grab the drink, pay him with exact change, and we’d trade smiles before I continued on. Sure, an actual lunch would’ve been nice; however, these thirty-minute sessions were too precious to forfeit.
My thoughts all ran together like a 10-car pileup as I searched for the answer to Dr. Gill’s question, and all she’d asked was, “How’re you feeling about all of the changes you’ll be facing in the upcoming weeks?”
I sat there cross-legged and silent.
She saw the frustration as my brow tensed, prompting her to amend her statement. “Okay…let’s take this one step at a time. We’ll start with your feelings regarding Angel moving out of your apartment.”
I shrugged and took a deep breath. “Honestly? I’m encouraging her to go. Things are going well between her and Lamar and they’re both ready to make that step.”
“Has Angel’s impending move made Jason push harder for the two of you to share a place?”
Another sigh escaped. “He brings it up at least once every few days, but I manage to avoid the conversation for the most part.” I laughed a little, but Dr. Gill saw straight through me as usual, leveling a concerned glare my way.
I smoothed my dress down my thighs to distract myself. “I’ve given it some serious thought, though. Really, I have…I just don’t know if I’m ready for that.”
When I met her gaze, Dr. Gill already knew why I wasn’t keen on the idea of sharing my space – or my bed – with Jason on a full-time basis. Of the many scars I bore as a result of the sexual assault, my intimacy issues were perhaps the hardest to shake. Jason had been patient thus far, not letting my hang-ups affect his feelings for me. It wasn’t that we didn’t have sex, there were just…rules.
Dr. Gill cleared her throat while making a note. I waited, hoping that she’d move on to a new topic.
“There’s a wedding coming up soon, correct?” She wore a smile, but I was anything but excited about next weekend. I mean, sure I was happy for Terrell and Maisha deciding to tie the knot; however, I was not happy about Terrell’s choice for his best man.
“It is next weekend, right? Or did I confuse the date?” She asked, checking her notes when I failed to respond.