Jack

By Megan Slayer

I call on the fates to bring my love to me. As I will it, so mote it be…

What if those simple words plus a name on a scroll could guarantee true love? The moment Mandy meets Jack, she knows he’s the one. Tall, dark, handsome and those tattoos… He’s quiet, smart and brooding, too. She wants to run her hands all over his body and taste his kiss. What’s a girl to do? Turn to the Summon a Bad Boy spell and take a cooking class with him?

Mix a bad boy with some magic and have faith. Anything’s possible, and Mandy won’t stop until she gets her man.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Changeling Press
• Release date: Apr 14, 2022

Megan Slayer

Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com. When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice.

Book preview

Chapter One

The designated driver? Again? Mandy Szmanda folded her arms and fought against rolling her eyes. Her friends sure knew how to take advantage of her sweet nature. They could have a good time and party, while she sipped cola in the corner. Again.

You’re the one. Sarah shrugged. The brain of the group, Sarah could be pushy and forthright to a fault. She liked control, too. If things weren’t just so, she wasn’t happy. You don’t like drinking, and you don’t look old enough to drink, so you’d get carded. Why not avoid the issue and just help us by being the DD?

Nikki fiddled with her nails, admiring the deep red polish. Nikki prided herself on looking good. She loved shoes, clothes, makeup and being the epitome of high style. If something wasn’t on point, she manipulated her look until she achieved it. She was the beauty of the group and the one who tended to attract the guys. It’s either that or we stay in.

Right, Mandy shot back. I’m the problem. She hated that they used her natural desire to please against her.

I’ll be the DD, Karey said. I don’t mind. She nodded to Mandy. You should let loose sometimes. Karey, always happy, but mostly quiet, tended to observe, rather than speak. She loved books, cats and her bulky sweatshirts. She could be the most pragmatic, but was fun. She liked to talk about books and now, tattoos, although she refused to get one.

Mandy hadn’t been close to Karey, but since Karey hooked up with her current boyfriend, Jimmy, she’d mellowed. She’d also become better friends with Mandy -- almost like a surrogate mother. Karey did like to take care of people. Thanks, Mandy said. It’s okay. I’m not feeling very festive.

Natalie, the sporty one of the group, tended to outfox the boys on the baseball diamond, soccer field and football field. She curled up on the couch and swiped through the screens on her phone. Why do we have to go out? There’s nothing to do in this town. It’s boring. We’ve all seen the same men. Nothing’s new, and I’m ready for another adventure. Why don’t we try a new bar?

I don’t want to change what’s worked. Sarah held up her car keys. Mandy will drive. Come on.

Mandy took the keys and wished she were better at standing up for herself. She tucked her wallet and phone into her pockets, then headed out to Sarah’s car. One of these days, she’d find a hot guy, and she wouldn’t be just the DD. Was it too much to ask to have a boyfriend who loved her, wasn’t going to use her and didn’t need to treat her like crap?

To One More Round, Sarah declared. She locked the house, and everyone piled into the car.

Mandy backed down the driveway, then drove across town to the bar. If she were the one choosing, she’d have gone to a better bar. This one reeked of smoke, stale beer and sweat. She’d prefer something with a better television and food. One More Round had decent drinks, but nothing to balance the booze out. She needed something in her stomach before she could drink, or two drinks put her over the edge.

She parked in the lot, then followed her friends into the bar. At the door, the burly man stopped her.

ID, he said. You don’t look old enough to get in.

I know. She pulled out her license. I am.

He eyed the card, then swept his gaze over her. He asked her if she was old enough each time they visited the bar. He’d seen her a dozen times and never believed she was of age.

Will that work? Again? She sighed. And here is the cover.

Thanks. He grunted as he gave her back the card. One of these days I’ll figure out how you’ve fudged this.

You’ll figure out it’s legitimate. I have better things to do than fudge a damn license. She walked past him into the bar. She wasn’t a fan of bars. Her father hadn’t known how to keep his hands off whisky, and her mother liked to pretend he didn’t drink. Her father wasn’t a nice drunk, either. He used his fists more than anyone liked, but no one mentioned how he’d abused them. Mandy rubbed her arms. She didn’t bear any of the physical bruises from her childhood, but she had plenty of mental ones.

Let’s do karaoke! Sarah rushed up to the stage and the machine.

Mandy refused to sing in public. She loved to sing, but not when her friends could hear her. Their version of singing involved giddy, rambling songs. She preferred heavier songs and thundering tunes.

How are you? Karey asked. I heard about Sheldon. She leaned on the bar with her back to the bartender.

She hadn’t wanted to talk about her ex. He’d decided to use her apartment for a crash pad, her body and heart as objects and ruined her outlook on men for a while. I’m okay. God, she hated to lie.

You are not. Karey elbowed her. I know you. He was slime, and you deserve better.

I do, but where am I going to find one? I tried to use the scroll and guess what? I got Sheldon. She clasped her hands together. Why? Do you know someone?

No, but I had a hard enough time finding Jimmy. I thought I’d never find him. Karey shrugged, then accepted a glass. What do you want in a man?

Someone who is loyal, sweet, handsome and gives me space to do what I do. Is that so hard to ask? Mandy didn’t bother to ask for a drink. She wasn’t in the mood. I’m just down and out because I can’t seem to find someone. That and I’m scared I’ll end up with someone like my dad.

You won’t. Karey rubbed Mandy’s arm. You know what to avoid.

I thought I did. But then there was Leo. She’d dated him all through high school and thought he was the one. Sure, she’d been young, but he’d given her escape. He’d acted like he’d protect her. Then he turned on her. He grabbed her too hard and demanded she give him things she didn’t have. Her skin prickled, and she wanted to leave.

Jimmy walked into the bar, straight to Karey. Hi, stranger. Mandy.

Hi. Mandy took the glass from Karey. You got out of being here.

Karey grinned. I don’t want to sing karaoke all night. She tucked against Jimmy. Why not give yourself the chance to look for someone, but don’t expect him to be right outside. Let him find you.

Right. She hated to admit Karey might be right, but she also hated to admit she wanted the guy to be right outside. Hell, anywhere close would work. Somewhere she’d find him.

See you. Karey left with Jimmy, abandoning Mandy at the bar.

So much for her friend. Nikki, Natalie and Sarah danced while various men ground with them.

Mandy shook her head. Her friends could want her to be there, but she refused to hang out at the bar. She needed some air. She ducked out to the patio and leaned on the fence. The chilly breeze cleared her mind but made finding her dream man a little more difficult. There wasn’t anyone else on the patio except for another bouncer.

She might as well talk to him instead of ignoring him. Hi.

The bouncer smiled. Hi.

I’m Mandy. She pulled her jacket around her tighter. Chilly, isn’t it?

Sure is. He nodded once and said nothing else.

She didn’t mind. She liked to talk. I came here with my friends as the designated driver. I don’t drink, so that sort of helps. They wanted to go out, and I had nothing else to do, she said. I don’t know. Hanging out with them makes me feel silly. I feel left out. They’re all fun and easygoing, but then there’s me.

He half-smiled.

Maybe he wasn’t listening. Maybe he didn’t care. She did. She stared at him. The man wasn’t bad-looking. Strong jaw, dark eyes, a little bit of scruff… or was it that he’d never be able to achieve a clean shave? The muscle in his jaw tightened,