Pretty Little Things
Teresa Mummert
Teresa Mummert
~Synopsis~
I was young enough not to understand that my life was different. Colin became the one person that I could count on to protect me. He suffered for the both of us by carrying the burden of our secret.
We were the lucky few that got a chance to start over. A fake family, a new home and a pretty little life built on lies. But while our lives continued to intertwine, we were put on very different paths. Now it was only a matter of time before they collide and the beast behind the beauty is exposed.
~Excerpt~
“What are your
plans for the day, little one?” I asked, and she startled.
“I have a report
I need to finish on the adverse effects of corporal punishment used on
children.” I laughed and shook my head, my eyes going back to the television.
“Yeah, so that will be fun. But if Connor and Grace aren’t back, I can always
skip school tomorrow.”
“Not a chance.”
“I wasn’t
asking.”
I looked over at
her, her eyebrow raised in challenge.
“You had a
private tutor.”
“I had
antisocial tendencies and a habit of challenging authority.” I laughed as the
credits rolled on the screen in front of us.
“I don’t doubt
that.”
We fell silent
as we both sat, unmoving. “So this guy…” I let my voice trail off.
“He’s just a
guy.” She shrugged as she pulled on a loose thread on the blanket.
“Is he a good
guy?”
“Are you?” she
shot back.
“That’s a loaded
question.” I stood up, stretching, and when I looked down at her, her smile
fell. “What?”
“Did that hurt?”
I sighed as I
thought of the marks that covered my back. “Don’t.” I walked over to the
shelves of movies, scanning the titles. I didn’t know if it bothered me more
that she was asking about them or that she looked upset over my injuries. I was
no one for her to feel sorry for. While I’d received them for not doing what I
was told, I’d earned them by following through with the orders. But answering
that question perplexed me. If you take a child and never show him affection,
any attention received is positive in his eyes. Coupling that with the twisted
abusive behavior and dominance that was instilled in me so young, I learned to
derive gratification from receiving pain as well as giving. It was a release, a
way to atone for my sins.
She stood and
walked up to my side. My scars should have been a warning to not get close to
someone like me, but Annabel saw my dominant side as a reflection of my
overprotective nature toward her. My eyes closed as her hand ran softly over my
back. Her featherlight touch on my own wounds more painful than when I had
received them.
“Annabel, stop,”
I bit out, but she continued on, her fingers trailing over the raised welts. My
body stiffened, not wanting someone to give me affection I didn’t deserve. It
turned my stomach, and for once I was completely thrown off guard. So I did
what I knew best, and I instilled fear in her.
“I said fucking
stop,” I seethed as I grabbed her by her shoulders and slammed her small body
against the movies, causing the shelves to shake. Her green eyes were wide with
fright, and now I was the one desperate to touch. Her fear was palpable, and
while I knew I was pushing away the one person who even remotely began to
understand me, it was for her own good. She didn’t have to understand as long
as she listened. But listening to me was something Annabel rarely did anymore.
She’d become too comfortable in my presence, and now she ignored the alarms
that would set a normal person on edge. That was what terrified me about her
seeing this guy. I had no idea what kind of person he was, but I knew Annie
wouldn’t be as cautious as she should be.
“Annabel…” I
rested my forehead against the case, my body hovering over hers, caging her in
with my arms on her shoulders. Her name came out like a plea for help.
“I-I’m sorry.”
I lifted my head
and looked at her. The fear-induced stutter let me know I had succeeded in
making her understand.
I took a step
back from her, running my hand along my jaw before turning and leaving the
room, desperate to put distance between us.
~About Teresa Mummert~
"I was a Russian spy at the ripe age of thirteen, given my uncanny ability to tell if someone was lying ( I also read fortunes on the weekends). By sixteen I had become too much of a handful for the Lethal Intelligence Ensemble (L.I.E.). I was quickly exiled to the south of France where I worked with wayward elephants in the Circus of Roaming Animals and People (C.R.A.P.). I was able to make ends meet by selling my organs on the black market for pocket change and beer money. At the age of twenty three I decided to expand my horizons and become a blackjack dealer in Ireland. I loved the family atmosphere at Barney's Underground Liquor Lounge (B.U.L.L.). People couldn't resist the allure of Liquor up front and poker in the rear. Eventually I became tired of the rear and headed off to the United States to try my hand at tall tales. That is what brings us here today. If you have a moment I'd like to tell you a story.
(This bio is not to be taken seriously under any circumstance.)
Teresa Mummert is an army wife and mother whose passion in life is writing. She is the author of the New York Times and USA Today best selling novels White Trash Beautiful and Suicide Note. Born in Pennsylvania, she lived a small town life before following her husband's military career to Louisiana and Georgia. Check out her website for samples and updates! TeresaMummert.com"
~Social Media Links~
~Purchase Links~
iTunes: Will send when Available
~Book Trailer~
a Rafflecopter giveaway
No comments:
Post a Comment