Rocked Down & Out: Rocked, #11

By Clara Bayard

Divided desires and divided loyalty

For the first time in her life, Ellie Martin has a lot to lose and even more to hope for, forcing her to make a choice between her budding career and the man she's falling in love with. But when hearts are open, they're much easier to break. 

Note: Rocked Down and Out is the second in a set of three serialized novellas featuring Matthew and Ellie's romance. This set is part of a larger series featuring the members of Dream Defiled. It is not necessary to read other books in the overall series first, but you should. They're good, sexy fun.

Length: 22,000 words
Series: Rocked, #11

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rising Books
• Release date: Jun 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533766816

Book preview

Rocked Down & Out

Rocked Series #11

By Clara Bayard

Copyright © 2016 by Clara Bayard

Get a first look at New Releases on my email list

www.ClaraBayard.com

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

About this book

Divided desires and divided loyalty 

For the first time in a long time, Ellie Martin has to make a choice between her budding career and the man she's falling for. But when hearts are open, they're much easier to break.

One

I came to slowly, sound returning first. Then touch, as gentle fingers stroked my hair back from my face. Then smell and finally, hazily, sight. The first thing I saw was a pair of beautiful hazel eyes, full of concern and care.

Matthew's eyes, looking down on me. Matthew's fingers in my hair. My head in his lap.

Around my dry tongue, I croaked out a question. Don't you hate me?

He shook his head. Hush, stay still. Ambulance is coming.

I'm fine.

You're not. You fainted. And hit your head.

I'm okay. Let me up.

One of his hands gripped my shoulder, holding me down. No. You could have a concussion or… panic and pain blazed through his face, leaving his handsome features twisted and drawn. Just… don't move.

My vision blurred and I sighed. Okay.

There was a commotion around us, about me, I assumed, but I didn't really care. As much as my head was beginning to pound, Matthew's touch softened the edge of the pain. Thank you, I whispered.

For what?

This. Helping me.

He smiled faintly. I'm just sorry I didn't catch you before you fell.

Mmm, that would have been better. Try to remember for next time.

Matthew laughed, and the tension in his face eased. His hand stroked my cheek.

I was opening my mouth to speak when a new face appeared above me. A strange face.

Miss, are you all right?

She will be, Matthew said, curling his torso over as if to protect me from this interloper.

Of course, woman next to him said. Medical attention is on its way. If you need-

Just leave us alone, he spat at her, interrupting. Don't worry, no one is going to sue the hotel. At least not if you back the fuck off right now.

She cleared her throat and backed up a step.

I choked back a laugh, which induced an agony in my skull that I couldn't describe. My eyelids felt heavy and I let them close, anchoring myself to the world outside by fisting a hand in Matthew's shirt.

All too soon there was a new rush of noise, and he was pulled away from me. A pair of paramedics took over, examining and asking questions. Sounds and lights made my head hurt more and I whimpered throughout the process.

They helped me to my feet and over to waiting stretcher.

I'm okay, I insisted, to no avail. Regulations or something. So I stopped arguing and just observed the crowd of people watching the scene. Hotel guests and staff milled around at a respectful distance, a few taking photos.

And then my eyes settled on Matthew. He was standing with his arms crossed, bouncing slightly on his feet.

I… can my friend ride to the hospital with me? I asked shyly.

Sorry, no. He'll have to meet us over there.

Matthew smiled and walked over to stand next to me. He reached out and took my hand. You're going to be okay. I'll grab a cab and be right behind you.

One of the paramedics fastened a strap across me and gestured for Matthew to back up. We're taking her to University Hospital. He looked down at me. Time to go.

All right.

*

The next few hours were a blur of tests and questions. Doctors and nurses. Being rolled from one section of the hospital to another. And a lot of waiting. Finally, a doctor came into the curtained off area where I'd been dozing and told me I was fine.

So what happened?

He shrugged, which wasn't very reassuring. All of your labs came back okay. There's no sign of anything troubling. He looked down at my chart. Says here you're working long hours and traveling?

Yeah.

I also see it looks like you're not eating enough. Working long hours and not getting the rest you need. That sort of thing will always catch up with you. You've got to take care of yourself, Miss Martin.

I nodded. Okay.

Did something happen before you passed out?

Yeah, I got into a huge fight with my brother.

Ah. Considering the state of exhaustion you're in, overloading your emotions on top of everything is probably the cause of the panic attack. Have you had any before?

No, never.

Hm. Well, I wouldn't worry too much. They're not uncommon and can, if you're not careful, lead to episodes such as this. He flashed a stern look at me.

I pretended to ignore it and asked, What do I do now?

I'm going to release you, but you've got to rest. I recommend a few days off at least. And after that, be smart.

All right.

The doctor smiled. Do you have any other questions for me?

No.

Okay. Sit tight and let me finish this paperwork and we'll get you out of here. Oh, you mentioned your brother. I believe he's downstairs creating quite a scene. Would you like me to have him removed?

I seriously considered it for a moment. No, I'd like to see him.

You got it. He nodded once and then left the room.

I shifted up on the bed to look at myself in the mirror over the sink. My face was pale and my eyes wild. With a snort of disgust I turned away. What a pile of shit. How had I become some kind of pathetic Victorian character? Fainting because of my fucking feelings? Weak and pathetic.

Still cursing myself, I barely noticed when the door opened. I looked up, expecting to see Steven, and wondering how he'd even found out where I was.

But instead, Matthew's gentle eyes met my gaze as he walked in and came over to sit on the edge of the bed.

I curled my legs up and made sure the