Needing Him Read online

  Needing Him

  An Obsessed Novella

  Jeanne St. James

  Copyright © 2017 by Jeanne St. James

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Editor: Proofreading by the Page

  Cover Art: Susan Garwood

  www.jeannestjames.com

  * * *

  Sign up for my newsletter for insider information, author news, and new releases:

  www.jeannestjames.com/newslettersignup

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Disclaimer

  Books by Jeanne St. James

  The Obsessed Series

  Books by Jeanne St. James

  About Needing Him

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Tempting Him Sneak Peek

  About Tempting Him

  Tempting Him - Chapter One

  If You Enjoyed This Book

  Also by Jeanne St. James

  About the Author

  Only Him Sneak Peek

  Only Him - Chapter One

  Loving Her Sneak Peek

  About Loving Her

  Loving Her - Chapter One

  Forever Him Sneak Peek

  About Forever Him

  Forever Him - Chapter One

  FREE Erotic Sampler Book

  Warning: This book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. This book is for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

  DISCLAIMER: Please do not try any new sexual practice (BDSM or otherwise) without the guidance of an experienced practitioner. The author will not be responsible for any loss, harm, injury or death resulting from use of the information contained in this book.

  A BIG thank you to my beta readers:

  Whitley Cox & Debbie McDuffie

  Keep an eye on her website at http://www.jeannestjames.com/or sign up for her newsletter to learn about her upcoming releases: http://www.jeannestjames.com/newslettersignup

  * * *

  Author Links: Jeanne’s Blog * Instagram * Facebook * Goodreads Author Page * Newsletter Jeanne’s Review & Book Crew * Twitter * BookBub

  Books by Jeanne St. James

  Made Maleen: A Modern Twist on a Fairy Tale

  Damaged

  Rip Cord: The Complete Trilogy

  * * *

  Brothers in Blue Series:

  (Can be read as standalones)

  Brothers in Blue: Max

  Brothers in Blue: Marc

  Brothers in Blue: Matt

  Teddy: A Brothers in Blue Novelette

  * * *

  The Dare Ménage Series:

  (Can be read as standalones)

  Double Dare

  Daring Proposal

  Dare to Be Three

  A Daring Desire

  Dare to Surrender

  * * *

  The Obsessed Novellas:

  (All the novellas in this series are standalones)

  Forever Him

  Only Him

  Needing Him

  Loving Her

  Temping Him

  * * *

  Down & Dirty: Dirty Angels MC Series:

  (Can be read as standalones)

  Down & Dirty: Zak

  Down & Dirty: Jag

  Down & Dirty: Hawk

  Down & Dirty: Diesel

  Down & Dirty: Axel

  Down & Dirty: Slade (Coming Soon)

  * * *

  You can find information on all of Jeanne’s books here:

  http://www.jeannestjames.com/

  The Obsessed Novellas:

  * * *

  (All the novellas in this series are standalones)

  * * *

  Forever Him

  Only Him

  Needing Him

  Loving Her

  Tempting Him

  Books by Jeanne St. James

  Made Maleen: A Modern Twist on a Fairy Tale

  Damaged

  * * *

  Brothers in Blue Series:

  (Can be read as standalones)

  Brothers in Blue: Max

  Brothers in Blue: Marc

  Brothers in Blue: Matt

  Teddy: A Brothers in Blue Novelette

  * * *

  The Dare Ménage Series:

  (Can be read as standalones)

  Double Dare

  Daring Proposal

  Dare to Be Three

  A Daring Desire

  Dare to Surrender

  * * *

  The Obsessed Novellas:

  (All the novellas in this series are standalones)

  Forever Him

  Only Him

  Needing Him

  Loving Her

  Temping Him

  * * *

  The Rip Cord Trilogy:

  Rip Cord: The Reunion

  Rip Cord: The Weekend

  Rip Cord: The Ever After

  * * *

  Down & Dirty: Dirty Angels MC Series:

  (Can be read as standalones)

  Down & Dirty: Zak

  Down & Dirty: Jag

  Down & Dirty: Hawk

  Down & Dirty: Diesel

  Down & Dirty: Axel

  Down & Dirty: Slade (Coming Soon)

  * * *

  You can find information on all of Jeanne’s books here:

  http://www.jeannestjames.com/

  About Needing Him

  This is not just a love story, it's an obsession...

  * * *

  Grace:

  * * *

  The same week every year he comes to my little resort in Maine for five days, then disappears. His darkness, his demons, intrigue me and I need to know his story.

  * * *

  I hope he shows up again this year, because I’m determined to talk to him, make him see me and not look through me like I don’t exist. Make him realize I’m not just some anonymous person who hands him a key.

  * * *

  No, this year will be different.

  * * *

  I haven’t gotten laid in a long time. So tag, he’s it.

  * * *

  Nick:

  * * *

  For the past three years, I’ve come up to this remote area to forget, to bury my grief. But this year, I don’t need a trip to this run-down resort, this little cabin on the lake, to survive this week. However, there’s one thing I’ve left behind each year when I head back to reality…

  * * *

  Her.

  * * *

  I’ve found the right woman who’ll fill the emptiness deep inside of me, the hole that’s lurked there for years. I can’t get her out of my head. Funny thing is, I don’t even know her name. I never asked.

  * * *

  This year that’s going to change. And I hope she’s willing because I’m taking complete control.

  * * *

  Note: All books in the Obsessed series are standalone novellas. They are intended for audiences over 18 years of age since they include explicit sexual situations, including BDSM.

  Chapter One

  Grace:

  Every year he shows up. He comes for five days and then disa
ppears. Same week, every year, for the past three years. Arrives on a Sunday night and leaves Friday morning.

  He hardly says a word to me. He picks up the keys to his cabin with a couple grunts, then locks himself in for the duration. I don’t know if he sleeps, eats or what. All I know is I’m not to disturb him in any fashion. He made that perfectly clear in a surly manner the first year.

  I’m just glad I have an occupant. He never quibbles about the price of the cabin, never asks me for anything. Never complains.

  The best part is, he comes during the off season when it’s so slow I think I'll become destitute. Be homeless and starve.

  But I watch him. He intrigues me and I want to know his story. Why this small town in Maine? Why this time of year?

  Why?

  And, last but not least, why is my tired little lakeside resort his choice? Yes, the area is beautiful, but it’s remote. Though, it’s not like he goes out hiking, or mountain biking, or even boating on the large lake.

  Maybe that’s what he needs. Quiet. Peace.

  Me? I get too much peace and quiet. This town bores me to death. Anyone with any ambition escapes as soon as they can.

  Though I can’t get myself to run away. I can’t even walk away.

  This was my father’s resort. When he died, he left it to his only daughter. Hell, his only child. He took pride in this place, he built it with his own hands. So, of course, I take pride in it, too.

  Even though it bores the fuck out of me.

  And the dating scene?

  Non-existent. If I’m lucky, I get laid when tourists come to moose watch in the summer. If I’m lucky, I get laid when the snowmobilers blow into town and take over the frozen lake and the nearby trails. If I’m lucky, I get laid when mountain bikers come and ride through the woods when the leaves are changing colors.

  But let’s just say, I haven’t been very lucky lately. Not in a long time. I swear I’ve converted back to a virgin, if that’s even possible.

  Fortunately, I’m not uptight and can take care of my own needs. Though that gets lonely and boring, too. Batteries and my vibrators have become my best friends.

  Honestly, I really just need to get the fuck out of this town.

  I sigh and look at my reservation book. Yes, book, because even the Internet sucks up here. And cell towers? Yeah, right. You may get a signal if you stand on your head and face North while singing Yankee Doodle Dandy.

  Every cabin is still equipped with landline phones and the only television comes from a satellite dish, which only works when it isn’t cloudy, raining, snowing, or the birds aren’t chirping.

  My heart races as I see his name written in my unreadable scribble. But I know it’s him. I’ve reserved his regular cabin.

  Not that any of the other cabins are booked since it’s the shoulder season. No one in their right mind is here. The leaves are now brown and falling, the lake too cold to swim in, but too warm for winter activities.

  He made his reservation for this year before he left last year.

  I hope he shows. Even at the deep discounted rate I’ve given him for coming at this time of year, every penny counts.

  That's not the only reason I hope he comes. No, this year I’m determined to talk to him, make him see me, and not look completely through me like I don’t exist. Make him realize I’m not just some anonymous person who hands him a key and makes him sign a receipt.

  No, this year it’s going to be different.

  I haven’t gotten laid in a long time.

  So tag, he’s it.

  Nick:

  Once again, I’m making this fucking long-assed trip to the middle of Nowhere, Maine. And I have no idea why.

  No, I know. I just don’t want to completely admit it to myself. Or think about it too hard.

  I don’t need this place anymore.

  I’m almost back to normal.

  Whatever that means.

  For the past three years, I’ve come up here to forget. To bury my grief. But this year, I’m sure I don’t need this trip, this run-down resort, this little cabin on the lake, to survive this week.

  Not this year.

  So, that’s not the reason I’m taking this six-hour drive to a place that has shitty TV service, no cell coverage or Wi-Fi, right?

  Not that I can’t use a break from my hectic schedule at work. I can. But I could do that somewhere better. Like Aruba, not Bumfuck, Maine, where it isn’t warm, and the water is too cold to swim.

  But there’s one thing I’ve left behind each year when I head back to reality.

  Her.

  And she’s the reason I’m making this long trek again. Only a mere six hours from the city, from my everyday life.

  Though wouldn’t that just suck if she hooked up with one of the locals in the past year? Got married, is barefoot and pregnant, gained fifty pounds, and now wears a mu-mu and slippers around the place?

  Damn.

  If so, I would turn around and drive another six hours home, repack my bag, and jump on a flight to somewhere else.

  Maybe not Aruba, maybe South Beach. Where the women are bangin’ and I may get a little banging myself.

  It’s been too long.

  Way too long.

  And I’m so ready.

  But I can’t get her out of my head.

  And I don’t know why.

  Funny thing is, I don’t even know her name. I never asked.

  My bad.

  Chapter Two

  Grace

  When his car pulls up, I not only hear it, but see it. And for good reason. I’ve been waiting on pins and needles for him to arrive. My German Shepherd, Magpie AKA Maggie, lets out a wimpy bark and gives me a look.

  Thanks for letting me know the hot stud just arrived, dog. Like I hadn’t noticed myself. Does my dog even know my nefarious plans? She might be ashamed of me if she did.

  My breath catches as I hear his car door slam and his heavy footsteps approach the office. Soon his big body will be in this tiny office with me.

  When the door swings open, my heart thumps all the way into my neck and I freeze as Maggie gives him a soft woof and wags her tail. Yeah, she’s no guard dog, that’s for damn sure. But she’s good company, even though she has no choice in the matter, since she gets paid in kibble to live here.

  My gaze raises from Maggie to the man patting her on the head and pushing his way past the sixty-five-pound useless security system.

  I open my mouth to greet him and I squeak.

  Actually. Fucking. Squeak.

  I frown for a second, then quickly recover my nervous smile, and try again. “Welcome back, Mr. Landis,” I get out this time like a normal person.

  One side of his mouth turns up. And, oh fuck, it’s sexy as hell. “Thanks. Good to be back.”

  Wait. What?

  The man actually answered me? I didn’t just get a bunch of grunts?

  As he stands there smiling down at Maggie, petting her, she’s looking up at him in adoration and I’m jealous. His hands are on her. Her eyes are on him.

  I’m jealous of my freaking dog.

  What a bitch.

  “What’s her name?”

  Wait. What?

  Uh…

  “She has a name, right?”

  “Yes… It’s Magpie.”

  His eyebrows twitch. “Magpie?”

  “Maggie.”

  He smiles again, not at me, but at my dog. “Hey, Magster, good to see you again.”

  What. The. Fuck.

  However, as I think about it, he’s not only saying words to me, but he’s talking to my dog. So, I wonder if he’s now on medication. He’s never been this talkative nor this openly friendly.

  Weird.

  With a last pat to Maggie’s head, he takes the two steps (yes, that’s how small my office is) to the counter, and stares right into my eyes.

  I blink. Then blink again. And when he gives me a smile, I just about come in my pants.

  (I said it’s been that long. Don�
��t judge.)

  But instead of having an orgasm, I stutter. “I… I… Uh.” I shut my mouth, spit the marbles out, and try again. “I reserved the same cabin as last year. I hope that’s okay.”

  “Perfect.” His low, deep voice makes me quake in my boots. A rush of warmth lands between my thighs.

  What happened to the brooding man who had been here three times before? I almost don’t recognize this new guy.

  Although, I’m not complaining. Like I hoped, he’s actually seeing me. And I hope he likes what he sees.