At First Glance Read online

  First Edition January 2022

  Published by GPC Publishing

  Copyright © 2022 Melissa Tereze ISBN: 978-1-915242-10-5

  Cover Design: May Dawney

  Find out more at: www.melissaterezeauthor.com

  Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaTereze Follow me on Instagram:

  @melissatereze_author

  All rights reserved. This book is for your personal enjoyment only. This book or

  any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the

  express permission of the author.

  This is a work of fiction. All characters & happenings in this publication are

  fictitious and any resemblance to real persons (living or dead), locales or

  events is purely coincidental.

  ALSO BY MELISSA TEREZE

  ANOTHER LOVE SERIES

  THE ARRANGEMENT (BOOK ONE) THE CALL (BOOK TWO) BEFORE YOU GO (BOOK

  THREE)

  THE ASHFORTH SERIES

  PLAYING FOR HER HEART (BOOK ONE) HOLDING HER HEART (BOOK TWO)

  OTHER NOVELS

  ALWAYS ALLIE

  MRS MIDDLETON

  BREAKING ROUTINE

  IN HER ARMS

  FOREVER YOURS

  THE HEAT OF SUMMER

  FORGET ME NOT

  MORE THAN A FEELING WHERE WE BELONG: LOVE RETURNS NAKED

  CO-WRITES

  TEACH ME

  TITLES UNDER L.M CROFT (EROTICA)

  PIECES OF ME

  “The bravest thing you will ever do is love again.”

  - Madalyn Beck

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Epilogue

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  About the Author

  SOCIAL MEDIA

  Also by Melissa Tereze

  CHAPTER ONE

  FAYE HOLMES RARELY LOST THE WILL TO LIVE. HER LIFE WAS

  generally pleasant day-to-day. But this morning…she was

  contemplating gouging her eyes out with the coffee-stained

  teaspoon in front of her. Writer’s block had hit. Damn it!

  She rubbed at her eyes, squinting as she focused on her

  laptop screen. This…wasn’t ideal. She needed some fire in

  her belly, something to inspire her. She needed…some

  bloody ideas.

  Maybe if the romance writer had her own romance,

  things would be different. Maybe if she didn’t keep herself

  holed up at home, the potential for exactly that may be

  possible. Faye scoffed. Her life was plain and boring, simple

  as that.

  Her eyes fell to the window of the bistro. She watched

  people mill about outside, rushing to reach their

  destinations. Some frantic, some strolling along without a

  care in the world, some couples holding hands as they

  browsed shop windows. Faye smiled. She could people

  watch all day. Maybe it was the writer in her that took an

  interest in other people’s lives…maybe she was just a nosey

  cow. Either way, people watching was her favourite thing to

  do. And recently, it was why she’d decided to spend most of

  her time in her local bistro. Now her issue was that instead

  of tapping away at her keyboard, the general public

  seemed much more interesting.

  “Hey,” A soft voice pulled Faye from her thoughts. “Can I

  get you a refill?”

  Faye looked up at the dark-haired server, smiling. Oh,

  wow… “That would be great.” She eyed the nametag.

  “Thank you, Talia.”

  Faye didn’t recall seeing Talia here before, and she’d

  spent so much time outside of her own place lately that she

  would definitely remember a woman like her. She had the

  most beautiful brown eyes—the kind you got lost in—and a

  tall, slender figure. Even covered by a blue pinstripe shirt,

  Faye could see how perfectly sculpted Talia’s shoulders

  were.

  Okay, calm down.

  Faye turned her attention back to her laptop, pinching

  the bridge of her nose. If she could just put some words on

  the screen, words that actually made sense, that would be a

  start for the day. It wouldn’t necessarily turn out to be

  anything life changing, but it beat a blank document. Her

  editor would have a lot to say if she didn’t come up with

  something.

  “Here.” Talia placed a fresh cappuccino down beside

  Faye’s MacBook, offering a gentle smile as she slid a

  blueberry muffin onto the table beside it. “I know you

  didn’t order it, but I’ve thrown it in anyway. You look like

  you need a bit of happiness, and the muffins are amazing.”

  “They…are.” Faye side-eyed the clock above the counter.

  How did Talia know she usually ordered a muffin around

  midday? “Best in the city.”

  “Well, have a lovely day. And whatever you do, don’t

  burn a hole through that screen. Those laptops are pricey.”

  Talia glanced down at the book sitting behind Faye’s laptop

  —her latest bestseller—and picked it up. “Have you started

  this yet?”

  Faye cleared her throat. “No, not yet. I haven’t had the

  time.”

  “You should make time.” Talia smiled, running her

  fingers over the cover. For a split second, she seemed to

  float off into a world of her own. Faye couldn’t help but

  stare. “I read half of it this morning before I left for work.

  You won’t be disappointed.”

  “Maybe I’ll give it a whirl tonight with a glass of wine.”

  Faye smiled, studying Talia’s eyes. Dark, expressive…

  beautiful. “Thanks for the muffin.”

  “N-no problem.” A blush swept up Talia’s neck as she

  lowered her eyes. “And maybe if you’re back in here again

  on Monday, we can discuss what you think about the book.”

  Faye should tell Talia she was the author of said book,

  shouldn’t she?

  “I, uh…yes, I’d love to.” She knew what she was capable

  of, but that didn’t mean she went out of her way to tell

  people who she was. It made life much easier if she

  remained faceless, especially to the local community. “Have

  a lovely weekend.”

  “You too.” Talia turned, heading back behind the counter

  and into the kitchen.

  And then a message pinged on Faye’s screen.

  Phoebe: Taking you out tonight. Pick you up at 10.

  Faye: I’m not sure I feel up to it, but thanks.

  Phoebe: I’m not taking no for an answer. Be
ready

  for 10 or I’ll drag you out in your pyjamas.

  Faye rolled her eyes as she minimised the message box,

  blowing out a breath. She didn’t want to roam the streets

  tonight. It was cold. She’d much prefer to be at home and

  working on her manuscript. Something she should have

  been doing for the last few weeks.

  Curling her fingers around her coffee cup, Faye sat back

  and trained her eyes on the outside world again. There may

  only have been glass separating them, but she felt a million

  miles away.

  SATISFIED WITH HER OUTFIT, Faye groaned as she took her

  clutch bag from the bed. She loved her apartment in the

  city, it was warm and cosy, so why was she standing in a

  little black dress and heels in the middle of winter?

  Because Faye’s best friend, Phoebe, had plans for tonight.

  And those plans would probably involve Phoebe setting

  Faye up with someone she had nothing in common with.

  One hint of Faye’s personality, learning that she loved to be

  home and working, and they never called again. It was the

  same old story every single time. Come on, it’s Friday

  night. Live a little.

  Faye flicked her hair, blew herself a kiss in the mirror,

  and headed for the living room.

  Phoebe would be outside and less than impressed if Faye

  didn’t get her act together and leave the apartment. She

  drained her wine glass, placed it in the kitchen sink, and

  headed for the door. Her feet were already letting her know

  how unimpressed they were to be hitting the pavement

  tonight, but once Faye was in a bar and sitting down, she

  knew she’d have an enjoyable night. It was just the getting

  off the couch phase she had issues with.

  Phoebe: Sometime today would be perfect!

  Faye: Relax! I’m on my way down.

  Faye grabbed her keys and headed out into the corridor.

  The chill sent a shiver down her spine, the hairs on her

  arms standing to attention, but a bourbon would warm her

  up in no time. And maybe, if she got lucky, a beautiful

  woman, too.

  The lift greeted her as she pressed the call button.

  Phoebe had definitely sent it up for her. She loved her best

  friend dearly, but Lord…she was impatient. When the lift

  reached the ground floor, she was met with a scolding

  Phoebe, her green eyes almost ablaze.

  “I’m here. It’s barely even 10.”

  “So, maybe you could get here for 9:55, and then I

  wouldn’t have to be mad at you.” Phoebe linked an arm

  through Faye’s, dragging her down the street. “You look

  great, by the way.”

  “Um, thanks. Who have you set me up with this time?”

  “Now, I had a feeling you were going to assume that, so

  I decided to change it up a little bit tonight.” Phoebe

  slowed her pace, strolling with a grin on her face as she

  swept a hand through her light brown hair. “I’m not setting

  you up tonight, Faye.”

  “Thank God.”

  “We’re going somewhere new instead. It’s the talk of the

  city, and it’s…something different.”

  Faye stopped dead on the pavement, her brow furrowed.

  She wasn’t fond of Phoebe getting an idea in her head. It

  usually ended in disaster or one hell of a hangover. Faye

  really wasn’t in a position to nurse a raging headache

  tomorrow. “Where are you taking me?”

  “Strip club,” Phoebe said without batting an eyelid,

  guiding Faye across another street with an arm around her

  waist.

  “Sure. Hilarious. Seriously, where are we going?”

  “I’ve just told you. We’re going to a strip club.” Faye

  side-glanced at Phoebe. Her best friend really wasn’t lying.

  “Come on. Move a little quicker. I’ve booked us a table.

  This place is brand new, and you need a letter from God to

  get inside lately.”

  “N-no.” Faye shrugged Phoebe off her. In what universe

  would she freely walk into a strip club? “I’m not going to a

  strip club.”

  “Stop being such a prude. It’s just a strip club. Let go a

  little.”

  “Phoebe—”

  Phoebe held up a hand. “Don’t try to pretend you

  wouldn’t be into this. You forget that I’ve read everything

  you’ve written. Darkhorse!”

  It didn’t matter what Faye wrote; she still wasn’t into

  this. As her best friend, Phoebe should know that. “I really

  don’t want to go to a strip club.”

  “Why? Think of all the hot women.”

  “Yeah and think of the reason why they’re doing it. They

  don’t all want to be there you know. They don’t all choose

  to do what they do for the fun of it!”

  “Please, would you lighten up?” Phoebe whined, sending

  Faye’s frustration deeper. “Come on, just give it a try. If you

  really don’t like it, we’ll leave. Okay?”

  “Fine.” Faye sighed, dragging her feet down a side

  street she wasn’t familiar with.

  When they reached a dark building that towered over

  them, Faye shuddered. She really hated this. Home was

  where she wanted to be. It didn’t matter that it was Friday

  night; her couch seemed much more appealing than here.

  She shifted slightly, contemplating turning around and

  going home. But then Phoebe guided her inside the

  building, seemingly knowing the security on the door.

  “What are you having?”

  “Just a water for me, thanks.” Faye smiled weakly; her

  nose wrinkled as she followed a darkened corridor. When

  she reached an open space, her eyes widened. Phoebe had

  actually brought her to a strip club.

  “Why the hell are you drinking water?”

  “Because I feel bad enough being here. I don’t need

  alcohol to play a part in my regrets tomorrow when I wake

  up.” Faye shook her head. “I just… Water will be fine,

  thanks.” She averted her eyes to the bar. Staring at these

  women didn’t feel right.

  Faye inhaled a shaky breath, her eyelids fluttering

  closed. This was what people did. They came to these

  places. If they didn’t, clubs wouldn’t exist. And while she

  had never contemplated coming to a gentlemen’s club,

  Faye would admit to feeling slightly intrigued.

  She looked up, her eyes taking in the decor. Okay, she

  was pleasantly surprised. It was high-end. Nothing about

  this venue would indicate that women were being

  exploited. If anything, the space could lead her to believe

  they were well looked after.

  Maybe after a little while she would feel comfortable

  here. Faye doubted it, but as she scanned the room, she

  found many beautiful women. Honestly, they looked

  anything but sad. Thrilled was how she’d describe them.

  Maybe I was wrong about this…

  Brought from her stare, Phoebe nudged Faye, grinning

  as she held up a glass of wine and a bourbon. “Water my

  arse!” She gave Faye a knowing look, pointing towards an

  empty area. Faye followed, keeping her head down as she


  strode across the floor. “Come on. I may or may not have

  booked us into the VIP section.”

  “You mean you had this planned all along?”

  “Maybe.” Phoebe shrugged as she rounded the table and

  dropped down onto the expensive leather couch. “You

  deserve this. And you definitely need it. Just let your hair

  down and stop feeling bad.”

  “But—”

  “But nothing. Do you really think I’d bring you to a place

  where you’d feel uncomfortable?”

  “I suppose not.”

  Phoebe smirked. “My best friend only deserves the best.

  And if you behave yourself, I may have something else

  planned for this evening.”

  “Like what? I think it’s safe to say you’ve outdone

  yourself tonight.”

  Phoebe lifted an eyebrow. “So you are enjoying

  yourself?”

  Faye swallowed when a gorgeous blonde gripped the

  pole in front of them, her eyes taking in every inch of

  exposed skin. The woman dancing for them wasn’t quite

  Faye’s type, but she could certainly admire her from afar.

  Perhaps Phoebe was right. This was a welcome change

  from sitting at home on a Friday night.

  Faye nodded. “But just so you know, dinner would have

  sufficed.”

  “Dinner can be eaten whenever. This is so much more

  fun.”

  Faye cocked her head, grinning as the blonde in front of

  her wrapped herself around a pole. “You know, I think you

  could be right.”

  Faye focused on the dancer, conflicted feelings churning

  deep within her belly. She shouldn’t enjoy this…should she?

  But then she kicked the guilt from her mind. This club was

  exclusive in some ways. It didn’t appear to have sleazy

  clients just looking to get off. The people here seemed more

  interested in the show the women put on than the goods

  beneath what they wore. If Faye focused on that, sitting

  here this evening wouldn’t feel so cruel.

  The dancer left the stage to the right, heading for a

  group of guys across the room from Faye and Phoebe. Faye

  wasn’t necessarily disappointed, but she had been enjoying

  the show.

  When another blonde stepped onto the stage, Faye lost

  her breath. She wore intense eye makeup, killer heels, and

  the lingerie covering her body only added to her beauty.

  The previous blonde had enhanced breasts and thick, heavy