Kick Back & Review: PROMOTION: Shatter Me by Alex Grayson

Alex Grayson's book, Shatter Me, just released on January 12th, 2015. There are some tough situations in this book but at the heart of the book it's about domestic violence and domestic violence isn't pretty. Read on for some enticing teasers from the book!

****This book contains content like rape, drugs, and hard situations that may trigger bad memories for those that has been in similar situations. Not suitable for anyone under 18.****

I'm running, as fast and as far as I can. My past is trying to shatter me, but I am determined not to let it. I've come this far, I won't let it break me now.

I had to stop in a small town to get enough money to run again, but I found myself wanting to stay. The reason? Jaxon Walker. He doesn't make me so afraid. He comforts me. But how much comfort will it take before my walls shatter? And what happens when my past finds me? Will it destroy me finally or could Jax possibly save me?

My name is Bailey Winsor and this is my story.

*****

He finally looks to me and I'm struck dumb. He had the most stunning eyes. One eye is a violet color. But it's the other eye that stands out the most. It has two different colors. Both sides are violet, but one side has more of a cornflower blue tint to it. I have never seen anything like it. I know that it would be so easy to get lost in them.

He stands there, staring at me and I become fidgety. The intensity in his eyes is making me nervous, but I can't tear mine away. I reach up to make sure my hair was still covering my scar and find that it is. After what seems like an endless amount of time he says simply, "Not interested," and turns to walk away.

*****

In an attempt to ward off the blows, I duck my head and throw my arms up to either side of it, dropping the papers that are still clutched in my hand in the process. I clasp my hands behind my head and tuck my elbows in front of my face.

"No, please. I swear I didn't do anything." I whisper.

"Sweet Jesus," I hear muttered in return. I feel hands lightly grab my arms and I huddle even tighter into myself.

"Please, don't hurt me. I swear I'll be good, just please don't hurt me." I manage to whisper past the lump of emotions stuck in my throat. My cries are becoming hysterical, making it hard to take in air.

"Fuck!" A voice hisses as I feel arms wrap around me. I stiffen. What is Steven doing? He's never -not once-comforted me, especially during one of his rants.

Begging usually spurs him on more. I've learned to not give in to begging. It just makes it worse. It's what he wants. I normally just lie there and take the beating. This time though I give into the impulse to beg. I thought I managed to get away, but he found me.

*****

I don't get a chance to reply because I see Jaxon out the corner of my eye walking out of the hallway. Andrew drops his hand and we both glance up to watch him make his way towards Shady's table. Shady has his back to Jaxon so he's clueless he has a very pissed off tattooed guy storming towards him.

When Jaxon gets to his table, he says not one word to him before he grabs the back of Shady's head and slams it face first against the wood. He then bends down to whisper something in his ear. Jaxon yanks Shady from his chair, still holding onto his neck and starts marching him towards the door.

People are scrambling to get out of his way. Shady's two friends begin to rise from their seats to follow, but Jaxon turns and points to them while saying something. It's too loud in the bar to catch what he says but whatever it is it causes them to sit back down. Jaxon and Shady disappear out the door.

I turn wide eyes to Andrew and ask, "What is he going to do?"

"He's gonna teach that stupid fuck to not mess with what's his."

*****

His nostrils are flaring and his eyes are radiating heat so hot that it's a wonder that I haven't gone up in flames. His pupils are dilated and his breathing has become erratic. The only reason I recognize the emotion in his eyes is because I've seen it numerous times from Steven and his friends. Only this time it's not accompanied with malicious intent.

The desire in Jaxon's eyes doesn't so much as scare me because I worry about the harm he'll cause but because I actually like the desire I can clearly see on his face. I don't want to like it and I never thought I would like it. I also don't think I could ever let him do the things to me that I'm sure he's thinking. When I think of sex all I can picture is the various ways Steven would force me to service him and his sick and twisted associates. I may not completely trust him, but I know that sex with Jaxon would be different. I just don't think I could ever block out the images. Jaxon deserves better. He deserves someone that will give him all of their attention, not someone that would be visualizing all the ways sex could be bad.

I'm also worried that once Jaxon sees all the damage done to my body he'll look at me differently. My scars are definitely not the sexy battle scars that a lot of people carry. They are jagged lines and sunken in holes. They represent weakness and cowardliness, not bravery and loyalty. Would he look at me with revulsion and pity?

"Holy Christ," I hear Jaxon say under his breath. His eyes are squeezed tight and it sounds like he's pleading with me when he says. "Please go get dressed, Angel."

I'm a little confused by his request and stand there and stare at him. It looks as though he's in pain. I don't understand why he would be and I don't like that it looks like he is.

He's already dropped my hand but now he takes a step back. He opens his eyes and zeroes in on me. "Fuck." He hisses out. "Bailey, I really need you to leave and go get dressed. Now." He grits the last out between clenched teeth.

*****

Jaxon reaches down and scoops me up into his arms. The move is so sudden that I let out a loud yelp and throw my arms around his neck.

Jaxon isn't fazed by my yelp and starts chuckling while he carries me down the hallway.

"It's okay, I've got you." He says while still chuckling.

He doesn't set me down until we reach the bed. He gently lays me down in the middle and then reaches for the comforter. I'm forced to lift myself so he can pull it back. He sits down and starts pulling off his boots. I lay on my side huddled into a ball and watch him. He then gets up and removes his jacket and places it at the end of the bed.

Tonight he's wearing his standard black shirt and ripped jeans. Jaxon sits back on the bed and lays down, bringing the covers with him. I have to admit that I'm a little disappointed that he didn't remove his shirt.

He rolls towards me and opens his arms. "Come here, Angel." He says softly.

Hesitantly, I scooch over to him. He puts his arm around me and maneuvers me until my back is facing his front. Once that's done he has one arm wrapped around my middle with his hand tucked under my side. The arm that I'm lying on goes around my neck and lays diagonal across my chest and is resting on top of my arm. He buries his face in my hair and takes a deep breath. I am completely wrapped in Jaxon. I thought I would be nervous and a little uncomfortable lying in bed with Jaxon but it's the opposite. I love it.

He releases a sigh. "Thank you. I've wanted to hold you like this for a while now." He shifts slightly to bend his knees, which causes me to bend mine as well.

*****