LaCasse Family Series Read online

  LaCasse Family Series

  A box set of four full length high heat romance novels in order of release

  Ju Ephraime

  This box set is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  ENVISION Business & Computer School Publishing, an Imprint of ENVISION Business & Computer School, LLC,

  23 Kimberly Avenue West Haven, CT 06516

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information address inquiries to, ENVISION, 23 Kimberly Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516.

  Copyright © 2016 Julia E. Antoine

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN-10: 0-9971866-6-6 EAN-13: 978-0-9971866-6-6

  LCCN: 2016950124

  www.juliaeantoine.com

  Printed in the U.S.A.

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

  ENVISION Business & Computer School Publishing, an Imprint of ENVISION Business & Computer School, LLC 23 Kimberly Avenue West Haven, CT 06516

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information address inquiries to, ENVISION, 23 Kimberly Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516.

  Copyright © 2011 Julia E. Antoine

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN-10: 0972878912 EAN-13: 9780972878913

  LCCN: 2010916389

  www.juliaeantoine.com

  Printed in the U.S.A.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Twenty-Three

  Twenty-Four

  Twenty-Five

  Twenty-Six

  Twenty-Seven

  Twenty-Eight

  Epilogue

  From the Author

  This, my first novel, is dedicated to my wonderful editor, DG, who pushed me to give my very best writing with this book. DG’s editing made the novel shine and took it from so, so, to fabulous. Thanks DG, with sincere appreciation.

  It would be very remiss of me, if I did not mention my dearest friend, BDL, who was my sounding board for all the hot love scenes. I do appreciate all your love and support, BDL. And to all my anticipated readers, I hope you enjoy Wolfe and Daphne’s story.

  Xoxo

  Ju

  O ne

  Connecticut, United States of America

  Daphne felt like a fool, a devastated fool that was. She couldn’t tell whether it was her heart that was broken or her pride that had taken a blow. She had been dating Michael for eight months now, and she had assumed theirs was a monogamous relationship. You know the old adage about assuming—the one with, ass, in it? Turned out she had been a naïve fool; not only had Michael been dating someone else the entire time he’d been professing his undying love to her, he had become engaged. She found out today. The wedding was in a week. Her self-esteem, already at an all-time low, took another plunge.

  She wished she could retreat into a corner, as she used to when she was little, and not come out until the hunger became unbearable. Alas, that was not an option; she was no longer a child. She had responsibilities. She had to keep a stiff upper lip, report to work, and pretend that all was well with her world, even though she was weeping inside.

  She reported to work, only to sit at her desk, staring into space. She couldn’t function, couldn’t focus on anything. She couldn’t tell which hurt her more, the fact that Michael was marrying someone else or the fact that he hadn’t called to apologize, as she’d foolishly expected.

  She sat for hours staring at the phone expecting it to ring. When that did not happen, she checked the receiver to see if she had a dial tone. She knew she was crazy to expect anything from a cheating bum who had played her for a fool, but she couldn’t help herself. It was her nature to take everyone as he or she presented. She was always being told she was too trusting. That might very well be, but she couldn’t change who she was because it didn’t conform to society’s norm. She was who she was, take it or leave it.

  All this bravado couldn’t fix what was wrong with her life. She had come to rely on Michael. She had very few friends, male or female. What was she to do now? Who would she go to dinner with? Enjoy a play, a movie, anything. As managing partner in a well-established shipping company, her life was hectic and busy. She did not have a social life until she’d met Michael. He filled the void that had been left by her parents’ passing.

  She lived alone, ever since her parents were killed in that terrible accident. When she met Michael, she thought she’d found her Prince Charming. He made her feel that way. He was always buying her gifts, taking her out, and professing his love. They spent every minute they weren’t working together. When did he have the time to lead such a double life?

  She could no longer sit there thinking about the S.O.B. She had to get out for some fresh air. As it turned out, that was a mistake. When she stepped outside, the first place she saw was their favorite restaurant across from her job. That was where she’d met him, eight months ago to the day. She couldn’t resist looking inside, expecting to see him there. There was no place that didn’t remind her of Michael. He’d ruined everything for her. She decided to return home. Maybe there she would have some peace.

  Arriving at her house, she let herself in and put the kettle on to make a pot of tea. She did her best thinking while she sipped a relaxing cup of tea. Unfortunately, this would not be one of those times. She found herself listening for the doorbell or for the sound of his heavy footsteps approaching her door. Part of her wanted to see him, and part of her wanted him dead. He’d ruined her life, so she wished all bad things for him.

  She tried to read a book–that would do the trick, she thought—but she found herself sitting with the opened book, either staring into space or going over the same paragraph several times and still unable to comprehend what she was reading. After wasting several hours doing nothing, she had to acknowledge she needed a change of scenery. There was no escape for her, at work, at home, or in her neighborhood. Her searching for him, expecting him to appear any minute, was not good for her self-esteem and peace of mind. She needed a change of scenery… a fresh start, if she were to maintain her sanity and repair her tattered pride.

  She needed to visit a place that didn’t make her think of Michael, but every place seemed to remind her of him. She would eliminate all the places they’d visited together. Even the places she’d gone alone during the past eight months were out. They had spent time talking on the phone, even if he’d not been there. She’d purchased little souvenirs for him while on her trips. She’d always been thinking of him and wishing he were with her the few times she went away without him.


  She couldn’t shake the depressed feeling that seemed to hang over her like a death pall. It had been two weeks since she had last seen Michael, and the pain had not lessened. She had no appetite, she could not sleep, and she had a headache that would not quit. She felt as if she was simply existing, day in and day out. There was no joy in anything anymore. Her assistant and best friend, Gayle, tried her very best to bring her out of it, but nothing worked.

  Gayle used all her considerable skill playing devil’s advocate in an attempt to weaken her resolve to swear off men for good, but after two weeks of the same, she had admitted defeat.

  Gayle had been married for eight years to her husband, Robert. They had two wonderful children, Jonah, who was two, and his sister, Shelby, who was six going on ten.

  Gayle did not understand her problem. Her husband was devoted to his family— he worshipped the ground Gayle walked on. So what did she know about cheating spouses and two-timing boyfriends? Nothing, but you couldn't tell her that. She considered herself an expert on the subject.

  “All men are creatures of habit. They are dogs and are ruled by their male piece. When their male piece is in control, the rest of their brain is in total meltdown. They cannot tell one woman from another,” Gayle stated with complete confidence.

  Daphne sat on the bed beside her, trying not to interrupt her words of wisdom, but the visual image of a man being ruled by his male piece was enough to take her mind, however briefly, off her situation.

  Boy, how she hated men. They lied, cheated, and manipulated their way through life. They used women and discarded them like dirty underclothes when they were done using them.

  She’d promised herself she wouldn’t dwell on unpleasant things, but every so often, unpleasant thoughts crept up on her. In those instances, before she knew it, she would be back in the past, reliving her breakup with Michael.

  She had to force her mind back to the present and Gayle’s nonstop ramblings. Sometimes, something sensible came out her mouth, and Daphne had to pay close attention or she’d miss it.

  Like now she was saying: “If you want a man, and he happens to want another, you should use every feminine trick up your sleeve to make him notice you and want you in return.”

  “But what if he doesn’t want you and prefers another?” Daphne asked her learned friend. “What then?”

  “You just have to make yourself irresistible to him.” This was her advice for everything.

  I don’t have the heart to tell her I tried that, and it didn’t work. I’ll let her keep her illusions. Maybe it was just me.

  “Let’s get out of the house,” she suddenly said to Gayle. “I want to go on a shopping spree.”

  “What shopping spree, for clothes? You hardly went shopping. Now you want to go on a spree?”

  “I’ve some items I need to pick up. Are you coming?”

  “Okay,” Gayle readily agreed. “I believe a change of scenery will do us both some good, and we’ll splurge on something nice.”

  They didn’t even change from the jeans and T-shirts they were wearing. They rushed out of the house as if the hounds of hell were at their heels.

  They had visited a couple stores before they found themselves standing in front of a travel agency. On a whim, Daphne walked in. It was so bright and colorful in the place, with huge posters of exotic and exciting places lining the wall, that it lifted her mood just looking at the different countries. Then a huge advertisement for a trip to the French Caribbean island of Martinique caught her attention.

  Daphne thought it was the most beautiful place she’d ever seen. There were beautiful people milling about on white-sand beaches while they sipped drinks from glasses with little colorful umbrellas in them. It was as if she could feel the excitement through the poster. She walked up to the agent and inquired about the advertisement.

  “Is this special still available?” she asked.

  “Yes, it’ll be over tomorrow. Are you interested in visiting the Caribbean?”

  “I’ve been to the Caribbean,” she told the agent, “but not Martinique. It looks beautiful.”

  “It is. You should visit sometime.”

  “Maybe I will.”

  “Here, take my card, let me know if there’s any way I can help you decide.”

  “Thanks. I’ll be back.”

  Gayle was surprised at the change that had come over Daphne when they walked out of the travel agency. It was as if Daphne had experienced an epiphany inside the travel agency. She was making jokes and laughing, and Gayle saw a glimpse of the girl she used to be.

  Gayle did not know what brought this about...seeing an advertisement about the islands? She was stumped, but she wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Whatever had brought about the change in Daphne, she was grateful.

  They shopped a bit longer and returned home in much better spirits than when they left, particularly Daphne. Gayle hoped it did not mean what she was beginning to suspect it meant. She would maintain her silence and wait until Daphne brought it up. To maintain their careful attitude, she began regaling Daphne about her favorite topic…men. She was pleased to see Daphne laughing about her silly jokes. It had been weeks since she’d seen her smile, let alone laugh. It was good to have her friend back.

  After weeks of being in a depression, Daphne suddenly felt energized. She had come to a decision while she had been in the travel office. She was going on a vacation. She loved her work, but she had been good for nothing lately. It was time for a vacation, and what better place than Martinique?

  As partner, she made decent money and was due a vacation. Having come to that decision, she got right on it, called the travel agent, and gave her instructions to make the arrangement for her to visit Martinique for a six-week vacation.

  She called her other partners, there were three, and informed them of her plans to take some time off, effective immediately. They were constantly taking time off to go on vacation with their families. She had no family and was always left holding down the fort. Well, now it was her turn. They could love it or leave it. She didn’t give a fig.

  She and the other partners, each handling different territories, ran a very lucrative business. Her market was the Caribbean Basin, and as such, she’d visited almost all the islands, with the exception of St. Lucia and Dominica. The French Caribbean island of Martinique was not part of the initiative, so it would not have been on her list. But she had been meaning to visit the island when she visited St. Lucia, which was a stone’s throw away from Martinique.

  She felt now was as good a time as any, and from the advertisement, the place looked beautiful, with lots of flowers and beautiful beaches. She loved beautiful beaches and could spend days lying on the beach with a good book, listening to the waves as they crashed on the shore.

  Daphne was excited about the trip. She was on a quest for new adventures—whatever the form. She felt as if she was shedding the old Daphne and a new, more adventurous person was emerging.

  As she made final preparations for her trip, Daphne spent a lot of time with Gayle. She and Gayle had been friends since kindergarten. They were exact opposites in personality. Where Gayle was outgoing and flamboyant, Daphne was quiet and reserved. Some would even call her an introvert. But there were two sides to Daphne—the side that everyone saw and the side she kept hidden. Not even Gayle had seen that side of her.

  She kept it under strict control after having lowered her guard one time. She’d never been able to forget. Had it not been for Gayle walking in on her, she would have lost her virginity at sixteen. Thank God, she’d been saved from what would have been a devastatingly humiliating experience had she gone all the way with Bobby, Gayle’s older brother and a good many years her senior.

  She had to force her mind back to the present. Gayle was talking about something. Most days, Daphne didn’t mind, but today, for whatever the reason, it grated on her last nerve.

  Not wanting to make Gayle feel bad, she pretended an interest in the conversation
, but she’d much rather finish packing her bags for her upcoming trip than writing notes about the things she wanted Gayle to do at the job and at her home also. Gayle was going to keep an eye on her home while she was gone.

  Daphne was hoping for this trip to bring about a positive change in her. She intended to return home a much-changed person. Her other side was fighting for control, and it was becoming more difficult to keep it hidden.

  Sometimes she wanted to let it all go, just for the hell of it. She constantly felt as if she was outside herself looking in—not participating—not actively living life to the fullest. If she had to be honest, she’d admit to having begun her metamorphosis the day she found out what a two-faced cheat Michael was.

  She always had her hands on the reins of her personality, struggling to maintain the façade she had established. This could account for her depression because she was trying to stifle her natural inclination and had only succeeded in hurting herself.

  After her parents’ death, she’d been responsible for every decision she made. She had been very careful to make sound ones, except for the Michael fiasco. Even her partnership in her present business hadn’t been done without a lot of careful planning on her part. She watched every penny and was never extravagant, except for her shoes, her one weakness. Nothing but the top designers would do.

  This used to be the only luxury she allowed herself, but if her recent shopping spree for this trip was any indication, then she was truly on her way to effecting her change.

  She’d splurged on her plane ticket and was flying first class. She’d also made reservations at one of the top hotels on the island, Hotel Papillon. Daphne was going to pamper herself and hang the consequences. Going forward, she would think of no one but herself. She was going to do anything and everything that pleased her. In other words, she would transform herself into one selfish bitch, with a capital B. She intended to drop the shy introvert like a hot potato. Come on, bitch, the genie is out of the bottle.