His Premarital Ex: The Alexander Series, #3

By Tina Martin

Tyson and Gabrielle Alexander are living the ideal life of marital bliss, but lurking in the shadows of their happiness is one crazy ex...

Dilvan Alexander!

The perfect opportunity to speak with her one-on-one arises when Dilvan learns that Gabrielle is attending an expo in Chicago with his mother, Padma. With Tyson out of the way, he feels that Gabrielle would likely listen to his endless apologies.

New discoveries are made in The Alexanders, Book 3: Tyson's relationship with Gabrielle is beautifully displayed as his past slowly begins to unravel. Gabrielle develops a relationship with her sister-in-law, Tamera and cousin, Lalita. Heshan thinks about getting serious and settling down. Dilvan tries to mend his relationship with his brothers and is so desperate for Gabrielle that he'd do the unthinkable. But does he have a conscience after all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tina Martin
• Release date: Jul 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781386726654

Tina Martin

TINA MARTIN is the author of over 80 romance, romantic suspense and women’s fiction titles and has been writing full-time since 2013. Readers praise Tina for her strong heroes, sweet heroines and beautifully crafted stories. When she’s not writing, Tina enjoys watching movies, traveling, cooking and spending time with her family. For more information, visit www.tinamartin.net

Book preview

Padma’s Food House

: : : Menu : : :

Our Vision: To serve five-star quality food to people of all walks of life. All food is free of charge. All we ask for is a small donation.

: : : Appetizers : : :

Ms. Bea’s Clam Chowder

Crab Dip

Mozzarella Sticks

Hot Wings

House Salad

Caesar Salad

: : : Entrees : : :

(All entrees served with hush puppies and a choice of two side items.)

Stuffed Flounder

Crab Cakes

Fried Shrimp

Fish Tacos (Two Tacos served with rice pilaf)

Rotisserie Chicken

: : : Sides : : :

Fresh, steamed veggies

Macaroni & Cheese

Coleslaw

Rice Pilaf

Baked Potato

Steak Fries

: : : Desserts : : :

(All desserts by famous pastry chef, Tyson Alexander)

Ask your server about the pastry of the day.

: : : Drinks : : :

Carolina Sweet Tea

Lemonade

Coke

Diet Coke

Dr. Pepper

Sprite

Hi-C Orange

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

Chapter 1

~     *      ~

Gabrielle lay comfortable early in the morning, drowning in a mess of white sheets, her legs intertwined and locked with Tyson’s. She closed her eyes and pulled in a long, relaxing breath, releasing it as a soft yawn. From an opened window, she could hear the pleasant tussles from the Roanoke Sound. The beach morning breeze and trickling water made her want to stay in bed. Even the salty smell of ocean water that seeped in brought a smile to her face. But nothing made her happier than the man lying beside her, Tyson Alexander, her amazing husband.

Four months into marriage was nothing to brag about – like people who’ve been married for thirty plus years do – but they were just starting out, beginning their journey together. That was just fine with them. And they’d started out on a good note. They hadn’t argued over a thing. They both made concessions to satisfy the other person before any disagreements could morph into arguments. On top of that, Tyson was good at giving her any and everything she wanted, completely spoiling his lady with a new car, flowers, candy, romantic dinners on the beach and surprise vacations.

Gabrielle stared at her husband in complete awe. She’d put him on a pedestal a long time ago. Her king. Not only was his sun-kissed brown skin evenly toned, but so was every muscle in his athletic body. He kept in shape, had an aristocratic face that was sculpted to perfection. His nose was stately, his mustache and thick eyebrows added texture to his smooth, handsome face.

How did I get so lucky, she thought.

Gabrielle glanced at the clock. The time displayed 3:56 a.m. She secretly celebrated the four additional minutes she had to gaze upon Tyson’s face without him knowing she was doing so. She wanted to reach out and run the tip of her index finger across his lips, but she didn’t want to disturb his last few minutes of sleep before their morning jog. Instead, she moved closer to him – so close that their noses almost touched. She smelled a light, musky cologne on his skin, listened to him breathe and watched his chest rise and fall. Looking at his well-formed, alluring lips made her smile. She was close to stealing a kiss when she watched his lips form into a smile.

He chuckled softly. This is the third time this week I wake up to you staring at me.

A look of surprise and embarrassment swept over Gabrielle’s face. Tyson! I thought you were sleeping.

You know my internal clock is already programmed to wake up a few minutes before four. I’ve been doing it for years, sweet lips. He took a kiss from her soft lips, then closed his eyes again with a look of satisfaction on his face.

Gabrielle gently traced her fingertips down the side of his face and played with his ear lobe. Yes, I know that, she whispered.

Then why do you seem so surprised?

Goodness. Those eyes. His relaxed coffee brown eyes in the morning made him incredibly irresistible. Well, he was already irresistible, but it was something about his placid demeanor in the mornings that made Gabrielle want to stay in bed instead of going for a jog.

Then it dawned on her – she knew what it was about mornings – he was calm and not on his laptop ordering food and supplies for his restaurants. He wasn’t running off to Padma’s charity restaurants to make pastries or in the kitchen cooking – things he enjoyed doing, but activities that also took up a lot of his time and energy. He was just calm, and she had all of his attention.

Bri, did you hear me?

Yeah. I heard you. She left a few pecks on his cheeks. His chin. His neck.

Beep, beep, BEEP!

The alarm clock interrupted her advances, but it hadn’t stopped her.

It’s time to go.

No, Gabrielle said, continuing to place little kisses on him. We can run later.

Bri, time to go, baby.

Noooo, Tyson, she pouted.

He took a kiss from her lips. Yes. Let’s go.

Oh, Tyson...don’t do this to me, she drawled out.

Tyson stood up from the bed, stretching his arms up in the air. Come on, little lady. Up. Time to get that adrenaline pumping.

Ugh...okay, she said, taking a deep breath and sitting up. Finally.

*  *  *

They ran along the shoreline together, listening to seagulls squawking, seeing a few other runners out as early as they were. Over the months, Gabrielle learned to keep up with Tyson, running alongside him instead of lagging behind.

Today, however, she stayed behind him a little so she could see the sheer power in his thick, muscular legs as his size fourteen Nike’s struck sand. He always had strict determination with whatever he did and that’s something Gabrielle admired about him. He selflessly gave everything his all, from helping the less fortunate to making her feel loved in every way he could think of.

As they ran back towards home, she watched sweat dampen the gray tank top he was wearing.

Bri...you okay? he asked when she began falling behind a little too much.

Mmm hmm, she replied.

Are you getting tired?

No.

What’s wrong then? he asked, turning around to face her, jogging backwards now. You’re usually good about keeping up with me.

Nothing’s wrong, Tyson. She wouldn’t tell him that her concupiscent feelings for him is what slowed her down, but somehow, she had a feeling he already knew that.

Come on...get on my back. I’ll take you the rest of the way...just like old times.

I’ll make it, Tyson.

No, get on my back, he said, stopping, then leaning over so she could hop on.

All right...if you insist.

He walked swiftly with the weight of her like it didn’t faze him.

Gabrielle closed her eyes and rested her head against his back, just below his neck, rubbing her face in his sweat. This was love. True love. The kind of love most people dream about. The kind of love she used to dream about when she was in an abusive relationship with