Aries - Mr. Adventure: The 12 Signs of Love (The Zodiac Lovers Series Book 4) Read online

  ARIES

  Mr. ADVENTURE

  THE TWELVE SIGNS OF LOVE

  (The Zodiac Lovers Series)

  Written by Tiana Laveen

  Edited by Natalie Owens

  Cover by Travis Pennington

  BOOK 1: Capricorn – Mr. Ambition

  BOOK 2: Aquarius – Mr. Humanitarian

  BOOK 3: Pisces – Mr. Imagination

  BOOK 4: Aries – Mr. Adventure

  BOOK 5: Taurus – Mr. Persistent

  BOOK 6: Gemini – Mr. Versatile

  BOOK 7: Cancer – Mr. Intuitive

  BOOK 8: Leo – Mr. Boss

  BOOK 9: Virgo – Mr. Intelligent

  BOOK 10: Libra – Mr. Romantic

  BOOK 11: Scorpio – Mr. Magnetic

  BOOK 12: Sagittarius – Mr. Philosophical

  Welcome to the “Zodiac Lovers Series” – The 12 Signs of Love.

  This is a series which features a hunky hero for each zodiac sign of the year!

  This series is stand-alone, so whether you wish to only purchase one or two books of this astrological romance series, or all 12, you can do so without missing a beat. Each Hero embodies typical characteristics of their zodiac sign, but please bear in mind, this is simply for fun – and not to state emphatically that any sign mentioned will act as described. Each tale chronicles the life of the hero and heroine’s quest to love and romance, and each story is unique.

  Some of the heroes are serious and brooding, others capricious and fun loving. Some of the tales will feel like a modern-day fairytale while others take a more serious tone. Some tales may lie somewhere in between. This series is written from the heart.

  Enjoy!

  COPYRIGHT

  Copyright © 2018 by Tiana Laveen

  Kindle Edition

  All rights reserved.

  Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. PIRACY IS AGAINST THE LAW.

  IN OTHER WORDS: If you do any of the above, the karma bus is waiting for you. If you steal this author’s work and illegally loan and/or share it, request illegal/free copies online and/or in printed version, you are no better than a burglar that breaks into someone’s house while you think they are away. You are a criminal. A thief. A cheat. You don’t work for free, so why should authors?!

  WE WORK HARD. SHOW SOME APPRECIATION.

  BLURB

  Alex Valentine is a 37-year-old chief firefighter in Charleston, South Carolina, one of the youngest in the city’s history. One day, he faces a horrendous house fire that leaves him shaken. After a tumultuous break up, Alex’s best friend decides that he needs a getaway. A trip with friends to enjoy kayaking, paddle boating and fishing seems just like what the doctor ordered but much to Alex’s surprise, during his outdoor adventures he sees one of the most beautiful women he’s ever laid eyes on.

  Snow Apperson is an attorney for a thriving firm in Charleston. She is on Cloud 9 after her prominent, celebrity client is acquitted of all charges. The good mood is soon crushed under the weight of an evening that changes her life forever. After getting into a violent physical altercation with an acquaintance and discovering devastating news, she takes a trip with her best friend, a staycation to a local campground to unwind and regroup.

  Spurred on by pure lust, Alex decides to approach her, but is immediately shot down. Not one to give up, he takes a different approach and what was expected to be a simple date turns into a night of passion and desire. But not all is well that ends well.

  Despite the obstacles, Alex and Snow’s draw to one another is magnetic and more adventure awaits them. Snow fights her attraction, completely against falling in love, but life has other plans. Can Alex become a softer, more understanding man to win the woman of his dreams and can Snow trust men again after the betrayal from a friend?

  Read, Aries – Mr. Adventure to find out.

  WARNING

  Please bear in mind that each book in this series is adult in nature and includes:

  Profanity – (sometimes gratuitous depending on the characters/specific book in the series)

  Explicit intimate encounters – (this is consistent in all 12 novels of this series.)

  Adult topics and situations – (This could be anything from drug abuse to mental illness, disease, etc.)

  If you are offended or triggered by any of the above mentioned, please consider this before moving forward.

  Thank You.

  DEDICATION

  This book is dedicated to all the Aries in the world. You are the proud, the brave, the resilient and adventurous of the zodiac. Never be afraid to show compassion – it doesn’t make you weak, it makes you even stronger than your already powerful self…

  Empathy, compassion, and kindness, combined with your innate strength, make you a force to be reckoned with.

  Always remember that.

  Love is a superpower, too…

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Title Page

  Copyright

  About this Book

  Warning

  Dedication

  Letter to the Reader

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Tweleve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  About the Author

  LETTER TO THE READER

  To my Laveen Queens and Kings, welcome. If you’ve been rocking with me for a while now, then there are no words to express my gratitude. To any new readers who happen upon this book—welcome, and thank you for going on this journey with me. All right, so as to the question that many will ask: why did you create this series, Tiana? Since a very early age, I have nurtured an interest in the field of astrology. It wasn’t something I relied upon necessarily, but I was intrigued by it, especially if a specific forecast rang true. Regardless of anyone’s personal beliefs, astrology can at least be considered an interesting study. Some believe it to be total nonsense. Others believe there may be some credibility, but it is still rather farfetched. Yet others believe that the entire subject is evil while some tend to take it quite seriously and consider it no laughing matter. Whatever one’s beliefs, please suspend them for the reading of this romance series.

  None of the books in this series are about conjecturing, prophecy, predictions etc. They are merely avenues, or tools, if you will, to view the astrological sign as a gateway into a particular character. This is used to highlig
ht a few key characteristics, be they good, bad, or indifferent, about all 12 zodiac signs from a male perspective.

  I am an author who writes lengthy books by default. You would be hard-pressed to find over 10% of my portfolio that does not hit the 100k+ word mark. With that being said, I wanted this series to be full-bodied, but not overwhelming. I wanted to write love stories that unfold in a timely manner, something a reader could knock out in a day or two, but not be explored so fleetingly that the reader misses my signature character and story development. I prefer to write extensive novels because I am practically addicted to the human mind – the psychology behind a character. Why did he say that? Why did she do that? How did this happen? Who were their parents? And so on and so forth.

  This kind of in-depth exploration takes time, which equals a longer page count. Longer does not always equate to better, however, and in my personal writing journey this series has been inside my mind for quite some time and needed to come out. I wanted the series to be standalone, meaning if a reader only wished to read Pisces, Cancer and Libra, they could do so without missing key components. In fact, my “Raven Maxim” series is similar – no book is contingent upon the other, though the stories take place in the same town. That series is ongoing and may never end, because I have given myself permission, as an author, to fully explore the characters, the city etc., and not worry about readers waiting a long time for a conclusion due to a succession of cliffhangers. Series are mostly either loved or hated, but standalone books in a series, to me, merge the best of both worlds. In the Zodiac series, the link that binds the books is that you, the reader, are looking at the hero’s astrological sign. But there is so much more to these men, these exciting heroes, than this.

  These guys are all different, from all walks of life. They tell their tale in the manner that they see fit. Some are entertaining, others inspiring.

  In this 12-part series, you will meet 12 men and their love interests.

  12 signs…

  12 different minds…

  12 lifetimes…

  You will sit back and watch the magic unfold.

  Please get comfortable, grab your favorite beverage, and enjoy the, “Zodiac Lover Series – The Twelve Signs of Love.”

  It is a gift from me to you…

  Tiana Laveen

  I’m confident. Why? Because I know what I bring to the table and I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about what anyone thinks of me. That’s the bare bones, motherfucking truth. Some people just say that, but I actually mean it. Even when I doubt myself, I make sure no one, including me, is completely unaware. I can be brutal when telling someone how I feel. I just don’t believe in trying to spare feelings when the truth will do just fine, especially if you’ve pissed me off. If I know I’m right, and that’s most times, I will argue to the death. Some believe I have problems staying faithful; that was the case more so in my youth because of a high sex drive, a bit of immaturity, and just plain ol’ curiosity. But once I’m committed and I’m being treated right, trust me, I am not going any damn where.

  I’m dominant. I’m extremely competitive, many times for a good cause. I will share many things, but my woman isn’t one of them. I’ve got a temper, but I’m a damn good friend – I am there when people need me. I work my ass off to achieve the things I want in life. I love a good game of cat and mouse, though I can be impatient and hate waiting to receive anything—that includes a first kiss—and I detest dealing with people who don’t have their shit together. I love a challenge. If you tell me it’s impossible, I will tell you, “It was until you met ME.” I’m daring and optimistic, and though I don’t admit it often, I really want to be needed. Wait, I take that back. I don’t want to be needed… I NEED to be needed. That’s kinda hard when I’m often attracted to independent, strong-willed women. Some have the desire to also be nurturing and that’s when I know I’ve hit the jackpot. Sometimes there is a power struggle when I find this gem of a lady, but that just keeps me on my toes. I like taking care of people as long as I know they appreciate it, and though I won’t always say it, I want to be taken care of, too.

  I’m helpful and independent, and a definite risk taker.

  If I love you, I will pursue you with all that is in me. The chase is sometimes the most fun of all and even if you tell me ‘no’, I will call your bluff. Once I set my sights on you, consider yourself mine.

  I stop at nothing and if I fall in love with you, be prepared for my hot intensity. If someone hurts the woman I love, I’ll light the whole damn world on fire to drive them out of hiding and then they’ll realize the blaze was much friendlier than the likes of me. They may even contemplate dashing back into the flames to escape my wrath…

  I am your Aries lover…

  CHAPTER ONE

  In the Dead of Night

  The low country architectural home with a quaint double balcony that Fire Chief Alex Valentine had passed by and seen all his life was up in smoke. His men surrounded the structure in the dead of night, with the exterior now charred almost beyond recognition. He’d shown up as Incident Commander when the call came in, but when he arrived on the scene, his greatest fears materialized right before his eyes.

  The high tide in downtown Charleston had dwindled days prior and the rain had stopped, but the winds had been gusting at 60 mph, aiding in the spread of the devastating fire. When he looked at the ambulance and the mounting crowd gathered across the street, his heart dropped.

  This is a damn nightmare…

  People stood about crying, their sobs loud, the fear and sadness tangible. Questions were asked, but he didn’t have all the answers. The weight of his fire uniform felt ten times heavier as emotions set in and an ungodly heat burned within his heart. He reached the ambulance, clutched the open door, and looked on as the paramedics hoisted Mrs. Brassie’s limp body into the emergency vehicle with her hands clasped across her stomach and the oxygen mask on her face. For a faint moment, he had hope. He turned and looked back at the house where rolls of deadly white smoke drifted from the structure, coating the sky in a thick blanket of choking fog. The scent of burnt wood wafted by, the smell of death undoubtedly soon to follow. The news crew had come and was still reporting live from the scene and he, St. John’s fire chief, was asked to give the details. He pushed himself to speak calmly in giving the particulars the people of Johns Island, South Carolina so desperately needed. He didn’t have much to share and didn’t want to speak too soon but let it be known that they were on the case and the investigation was underway.

  “Chief Valentine!” Gerald called out. He looked towards the young firefighter who was taking a break, breathing heavy and covered in oil and grit.

  “Yeah!” He waved towards the man and made his approach. As he stood hovering over Gerald, he looked down into the eyes of a kid. Gerald was an adult, full of potential and with a great work ethic, but right then, the look in his eyes was that of a wounded child.

  “Bale is still in there, but the house is a loss. Didn’t find anything obvious, just like you reported, but the smoke detector above ’er head in the first-floor bedroom didn’t have any batteries in it. We’ve confirmed it.”

  Alex hung his head and shook it.

  “Damn it. All right. The police tried to reach her family but they haven’t gotten a hold of anyone yet. If you hear anything else, let me know.” Gerald slumped down onto the ground, a pile of weariness covered in young, human flesh. The ambulance doors shut and the red sirens of the mortality machine sounded as the vehicle made its way down the winding, tree-lined road. Alex stood in a daze, watching until he could not see it any longer. His heart beat fast within his chest to the point of pain. Running his gloved hand along his ribs, he swallowed then gasped for air…

  Wrong time for a panic attack.

  He was the youngest fire chief the island had ever had. The city of Charleston was at odds, its climate changing. The once quaint, sleepy place was host to hundreds more families, the traffic lanes were congested, and with more p
eople came more problems. It didn’t help that the previous fire chief had been accused of unscrupulous behavior, which included taking a pay raise during budget cuts.

  Alex had paid his dues, worked his way up the ladder. He had a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science, had been a firefighter since the age of twenty-two, and was now approaching his thirty-seventh birthday. He’d proven himself over the years, rarely shaken. The more things changed, the more they remained the same. He prided himself on keeping his cool during high stress situations and he worked his ass off, even when fatigue overwhelmed him and tried to knock him down for good.

  He’d seen corpses hauled away in body bags, the young, the old, and everything in between… but this time, seeing this woman struck him hard. He thought he was used to seeing such grisly things, even one case of alleged spontaneous combustion, but the look in Ms. Brassie’s eyes would stay with him to the grave. The terror showed on her face like a map. As she raised one shaky, frail, thin arm and parted her cracked lips to speak, nothing came out, but a solitary tear traced down her wrinkled skin, as if she too knew what it all meant… He felt at that moment as if he were watching an old, beautiful soul leave its body, observing the last sliver of wispy breath departing from a beloved sweet little old lady that was adored and cherished in the community.

  She’s not going to make it… I can feel it…

  He knew these things now for death was something he lived with. It crawled in his bed and nestled close, smelling of burnt ends and grim reaper trappings. Death was like predicting the weather, and at this point in his career, he could smell the storm long before the sun had even given way to the heavy, ominous clouds.

  Trudging away towards one of the fire trucks on the scene, he tugged at the door and slid inside, needing just a minute to gather his thoughts.