2 Times the Bliss (Dirty Down South) Read online

  2 Times the Bliss

  Copyright © 2019 by Sapphire Knight

  Cover Design by CT Cover Creations

  Editing by Mitzi Carroll

  Format by Brenda Wright – Formatting Done Wright

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the author.

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  WARNING

  This novel includes graphic language and adult situations. It may be offensive to some readers and includes situations that may be hotspots for certain individuals. This book is intended for ages 17 years and older due to some steamy spots. This work is fictional. The story is meant to entertain the reader and may not always be completely accurate. Any reproduction of these works without Author Sapphire Knight’s written consent is pirating and will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

  This book is fiction.

  The guys are over-the-top alphas.

  My men and women are nuts.

  This is not real.

  Don’t steal my shit.

  Read for enjoyment.

  This is not your momma’s cookbook.

  Easily offended people should not read this.

  Don’t be a dick.

  My husband – This life wouldn’t be possible without having your continued support. I know it’s not always easy when I zone out on my laptop and don’t want to be disturbed. I appreciate you rolling with it and embracing my chosen career. I’m glad you’ve discovered a way to implement Knight Creations business to fit so well with mine. I wouldn’t want to spend my life with anyone else. I love you, I’m thankful for you, I can’t say it enough.

  My boys – You are my whole world. I love you both. This never changes, and you better not be reading these books until you’re thirty and tell yourself your momma did not write them! I can never express how grateful I am for your support. You are quick to tell me that my career makes you proud, that I make you proud. As far as mom wins go, that one takes the cake. I love you with every beat of my heart, and I will forever.

  My Beta Babes –Patti W. and Wendi H. this wouldn’t be possible without you always being there to cheer me on. I can’t express my gratitude enough for each of you. Thank you so much for sticking with me for this long. I’m blessed to have your continued support and friendship.

  Editor Mitzi Carroll – Your hard work makes mine stand out, and I’m so grateful! Thank you for pouring tons of hours into my passion and being so wonderful to me. Thank you for your amazing support.

  Cover Designer Clarise Tan – I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful work you’ve done for me. Your continued help and support truly means so much. I can’t wait to see our future projects; you always blow me away. You are a creative genius!

  Formatting Brenda Wright– Thank you so much for making my books always look professional and beautiful. I truly appreciate it and the kindness you’ve shown me. I know I can depend on you even in short notice and it’s so refreshing. You are always quick and efficient, thank you!

  My Blogger Friends – YOU ARE AMAZING! I LOVE YOU! No, really, I do. You take a new chance on me with each book and in return, share my passion with the world. You never truly get enough credit, and I’m forever grateful! There are so many of you that have stuck with me from the beginning, that dedication is truly humbling.

  My Readers – I love you. You make my life possible, thank you. I can’t wait to meet many of you this year and in the future. To those of you leaving me the awesome spoiler free reviews, you motivate me to keep writing. For that, I will forever be grateful, as this is my passion in life.

  And as always, ADOPT DON’T SHOP! Save a life today and adopt from a rescue or your local animal shelter. #ProudDobermanMom

  Oath Keepers MC Series

  Secrets

  Exposed

  Relinquish

  Forsaken Control

  Friction

  Princess

  Sweet Surrender – free short story

  Love and Obey – free short story

  Daydream

  Baby

  Chevelle

  Cherry

  Blaze – coming soon

  Russkaya Mafiya Series

  Secrets

  Corrupted

  Corrupted Counterparts – free short story

  Unwanted Sacrifices

  Undercover Intentions

  Dirty Down South Series

  Freight Train

  3 Times the Heat

  2 Times the Bliss

  Complete Standalones

  Gangster

  Unexpected Forfeit

  The Main Event – free short story

  Oath Keepers MC Collection

  Russian Roulette

  Tease – Short Story Collection

  Oath Keepers MC Hybrid Collection

  Vendetti

  Viking - free newsletter short story

  Capo Dei Capi Vendetti Duet

  The Vendetti Empire - part 1

  The Vendetti Queen - part 2

  Harvard Academy Elite Duet

  Little White Lies

  Ugly Dark Truth

  This one’s for everyone who has ever been underestimated.

  You never know what you’re capable of until you’ve been given the chance.

  ***

  Thank you for being patient with me on Nate’s book.

  He was totally worth it!

  Table of 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

  Epilogue

  Keeping Up with Sapphire

  Nate

  There’s no way that’s who I think it is.

  “Dude is that…?” Dallas leans in and gestures.

  “Shh!” My hand slaps his chest to get him to shut up and not draw attention to us.

  We both eagerly watch as the woman crosses the street. Her curvy hips swing left and right, with each strut putting me in a trance. The seductive sway gains every male’s attention within eye sight.

  “I remember that walk,” my cousin mutters, making me want to really hit him. There’s only ever been one woman to garner that type of reaction from me.

  “It’s her?” I ask, even though I think I already know. Like he said, that saunter is hard to forget.

  “Sunshine!” he yells suddenly, causing me to drop to the ground and pretend to tie my shoe. I can’t face her, not at this moment. I was content just to stand and stare a bit. He’s such a damn asshat at times.

  Fuck. I’m wearing my work boots. No laces.

  She scans the area quickly, neve
r breaking her stride as she heads into the hardware store. It’s enough for me to get a glimpse of her face, though. There’s no doubt in my mind anymore; that’s Sunshine Simmons.

  She’s my ex everything…and one hell of a sore spot where I’m concerned.

  “What’s she doing back? You have any idea?”

  Ignoring him, I round the truck, hopping in and slamming my door. He quickly follows suit, jumping into my old pickup. I don’t need her coming out and finally spotting me. She’s the last person I expected to see back in town; I figured she was gone for good.

  “Well?” he pries as I turn the engine over and start backing out of the parking spot. With my arm across the seat, I peer out the back window as the truck reverses.

  “How am I supposed to know?” I mutter with a scoff. Turning the wheel, I put the truck in drive, giving the old hunk of metal some gas.

  “Wait, you didn’t know she was coming back home?” His eyes are rounded, brows raised in shock, lips tilted in an amused smirk. I don’t need to glance over to know which expression he’s wearing. I’m sure he loves this far too much for my liking.

  “Nope,” I grumble with a shake of my head. My glare’s prominent as I stare out the windshield, driving along the nearly vacant Main Street. I’m dumbfounded right now by her impromptu visit, and I’m not the sort of fellow who enjoys surprises.

  A noisy chuckle bursts free from him, pissing me off further. “I can’t believe she didn’t tell you...of all people.” He guffaws at my expense, and I shoot him a look saying he better shut his trap.

  “Why, ‘cause we used to be…” I clear my throat, suddenly feeling the need to cough, “…friends?” The word makes me damn near dizzy, he knows as well as I do that Sunshine and I were way more than just friends.

  “Nah, Nate, ‘friends’ doesn’t cut it. You used to be each other’s shadows, more like it. I thought one day I’d show up and y’all would be glued together or something crazy.”

  I glance at him, rolling my eyes. Sometimes I wonder how I can be related to him with the stuff that leaves his mouth. “You’re stupid, Dallas.”

  “Must just mean she’s over the ol’ Owens effect. Maybe she’s ready to try out the stallion.”

  I laugh, damn near snorting at the absurdity. “You mean you? You’re the stallion?”

  “Well, yeah. Everyone knows I’m hung like a horse.”

  “We measured dicks at age twelve, and I was already bigger. Besides, last I checked, you’re an Owens as well, dumbass.”

  “Sunshine doesn’t know it though.” He shrugs it off, the idea already forming in the front of his mind. That woman would chew him up and spit him out, no doubt about it. You can tell by her walk alone, just what kind of woman she is. I’d bet she’s a complete handful—the type that won’t put up with any shit, a real ballbuster.

  “Everyone knows you’re our cousin,” I point out. He really is clueless sometimes.

  Sunshine would shoot him down in two seconds flat. My poor cousin wouldn’t stand a chance. Besides that, if she did give him the time of day, I’d have to whoop his ass. Sunshine Simmons is mine. She always has been, and she always will be. At least, in Alabama, that’s the way it is.

  “Wanna get drunk then?”

  He knows me well by now; I’ve drunk her memory away plenty of times. “We can drink while we fix the fence out at the ranch.”

  “Think Clyde will notice if one of his jugs is missing?”

  “Hell yes. We’re not touching the shine. We’ll drink the bottle of whiskey I have under your seat.”

  My brother counts the moonshine jugs religiously. I’ve already had my ass chewed over Dallas dipping his hands into my brother’s side product. I’m not trying to face Clyde’s wrath, especially when it’s not my fault. Unless he asks for my help with his illegal income source, I keep my nose out of it. I can get into enough trouble on my own without adding in the prohibited sale or production of moonshine to my record.

  Dallas pins his scrutiny on me again. “People ever give you shit with Sunshine being mixed?”

  “What kind of question is that?” No one was ever brave enough to even consider bringing her skin tone up to me. I’d have hurt their feelings really quick. If anything, her mixed ethnicity makes her even more beautiful and unique, in my opinion.

  “Those mixed chicks are hot,” he comments and shrugs. The fool grins broadly and mentions, “I was thinking maybe I’d find one too.”

  “Sometimes I wonder how we’re related,” I contemplate aloud, shaking my head. I flip on the blinker and make the turn pulling onto the road leading to my family’s ranch. Being this close to home again, my chest finally relaxes.

  His forehead bunches as he explains, “Your dad’s brother was my dad’s brother, and so that means…”

  “Shut up, D; just stop talking. I know how we’re related.”

  Dallas sighs and peers out the window. He acts as if he’s the one losing patience with me, not the other way around. I think he was dropped one too many times as a baby and he’s lost his common sense. I have an airhead for a cousin, but he’s also like my best friend. Dallas is one of those people who annoys you, but once he’s not around, you miss him. Plus, he’s damn good at repairing stuff around the ranch, and we can use all the help we can get.

  Ever since my older brother, Clyde, started making moonshine, we’ve had to cut back on who’s allowed around the ranch. Dallas, being our kin, is one of the few who can come and go all the time as he pleases. Sunshine was allowed once upon a time. My brother didn’t care as long as she stayed away from the back lot, where he has everything set up. I doubt people would suspect his raggedy old shed covered in brush and trees has anything worth money in it.

  It was hard making many real friends as a teenager when no one’s allowed over. Don’t get me wrong, I was popular back in high school with acquaintances and wanna-be friends there. We all were, thanks to football, but we’re all older now. Shit’s different when you’re an adult; you don’t talk to people like you do in school. My younger brother has brought some friends around in the past, but they’re college brats, and none of them pay any attention. They come around to be with Tyler—the legend—and get drunk. Just normal, dumb college stuff, I suppose.

  I follow the bumpy dirt road until it curves a final time, and I pull off right where we’d stopped working yesterday. My empty bucket’s still in the same spot I’d left it. The ranch has much more than just Clyde’s moonshine business; we have horses and chickens and probably around ten stray cats living in the barn. My brother also has two dogs, but they’re always by his side. To be honest, I’m not sure how many acres of land we have here. I just know it feels like it goes on forever when I’m taxed with having to fix the fence.

  We had a cow, Mrs. Betsy, but she got sick last year, and the vet had to come out. Clyde ended up having to put the old girl down. The poor thing was bit by a damn snake. The wound was infected by the time we discovered it and had no choice but put her out of her misery. My brother shot her after we’d prayed on it. We had no other choice and haven’t had the extra money to get another.

  “This the only bottle you have?” Dallas questions after he hops out and digs through all of the crap stuffed under my seat. He holds up a half full bottle of amber whiskey. The label says Jack on it, so I know it’s the good stuff.

  “Yeah, besides, we’re working, man, not having an all-nighter.”

  My cousin nods, opening the top of his fountain drink we’d just gotten in town. He pours in a hefty amount of Jack with his soda. Holding the bottle out to me, I take a hefty swig, drinking it straight and then hand it back.

  I busy myself by unloading the stack of wood. I can’t help but ponder over how Sunshine hasn’t changed in the slightest. Even being older now, she looks exactly the same in my eyes. That’s a damn lie, and I know it. The woman has the type of curves now that make grown men thank the heavens. She’s no longer the timid girl who’d left me behind, brokenhearted. She’s a full-gro
wn, confident woman.

  One thing hasn’t changed, though. She’s still absolutely stunning.

  I wonder if she’s married or has children. It’s hard for me to picture her like that...with another man who isn’t me. It never crossed my mind earlier, or I would’ve gone ahead and checked out her left hand while I had her in my sights. I was too floored in discovering her back in this same old small town to think of anything else. You ever want to see a guy speechless, that’s one way to go about it. A car could’ve been headed straight for me, and I never would’ve paid it any mind. I was too focused on the gorgeous woman headed for the hardware store.

  “You think she’s married?” I can’t help but wonder aloud. I’m a glutton for punishment. I shouldn’t care, especially after so long—it’s none of my business, really. Yet, I find myself headed down that road regardless of what I should and shouldn’t be worrying over.

  “Who? You talking about Sunshine?”

  “No, my brother! Of course, I mean Sunshine, jackass.”

  “Nah,” he grumbles with a rasp, sounding like one of the damn goats on the ranch and waves me off. He takes another large gulp of his liquor laced soda as I regard him. I’m curious with his response, wanting him to elaborate more.

  “Why not?”

  “You want her married, or somethin’?” His eyes meet mine, and I scowl.

  “Hell no, of course, I don’t want her with someone else.”

  “Then she’s not.”

  I shake my head with a chuckle and prop up a new board next to the one I left off with. “You’re something else, man.”

  “I’m just saying if she was married and you wanted her? You’d take her right out of the arms of whoever she’s with. You and I both know it. So to me, that makes her automatically un-married.”

  “You have a point, cousin.” I grin. “Can’t help it if we Owenses are legends in these parts when it comes to the ladies.”