Shine With Me: A With Me In Seattle Novella Read online

  Shine With Me

  A With Me In Seattle Novella

  By Kristen Proby

  Shine With Me

  A With Me In Seattle Novella

  By Kristen Proby

  1001 Dark Nights

  Copyright 2020 Kristen Proby

  ISBN: 978-1-951812-10-2

  Foreword: Copyright 2014 M. J. Rose

  Cover photo credit © Annie Ray/ Passion Pages

  Published by 1001 Dark Nights Press, an imprint of Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.

  Book Description

  Shine With Me

  A With Me In Seattle Novella

  By Kristen Proby

  From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby comes a new story in her With Me In Seattle series…

  Sabrina Harrison hates being famous. She walked away from show business, from the flashing bulbs and prying eyes years ago, and is happy in her rural Oregon home, dedicating her life to her non-profit.

  Until Hollywood calls, offering her the role of a lifetime. In more than ten years, she’s never felt the pull to return to the business that shunned her, but this role is everything Sabrina’s ever longed for.

  Now she has to get in shape for it.

  Benjamin Demarco’s gym, Sound Fitness, continues making a name for itself in Seattle. And now, he finds himself with the task of training Sabrina, getting her in shape for the role of her life. He’s trained hundreds of women. This is his job. So why does he suddenly see Sabrina as more than just another client? His hands linger on her skin, his breath catches when she’s near.

  He knows better. Soon, she’ll be gone, living her life. A life that doesn’t include him.

  **Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

  About Kristen Proby

  New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby has published more than fifty romance novels. She is best known for her self-published With Me In Seattle and Boudreaux series. Kristen lives in Montana with her husband, two cats, and a spoiled dog.

  Also From Kristen Proby

  Click to purchase

  Bayou Magic:

  Shadows

  Spells

  The Big Sky Series:

  Charming Hannah

  Kissing Jenna

  Waiting for Willa

  Enchanting Sebastian

  Kristen Proby’s Crossover Collection

  Soaring With Fallon: A Big Sky Novel by Kristen Proby

  Wicked Force: A Wicked Horse Vegas/Big Sky Novella by Sawyer Bennett

  All Stars Fall: A Seaside Pictures/Big Sky Novella by Rachel Van Dyken

  Hold On: A Play On/Big Sky Novella by Samantha Young

  Worth Fighting For: A Warrior Fight Club/Big Sky Novella by Laura Kaye

  Crazy Imperfect Love: A Dirty Dicks/Big Sky Novella by K.L. Grayson

  Nothing Without You: A Forever Yours/Big Sky Novella by Monica Murphy

  The Fusion Series:

  Listen To Me

  Close To You

  Blush For Me

  The Beauty of Us

  Savor You

  The Boudreaux Series:

  Easy Love

  Easy Charm

  Easy Melody

  Easy Kisses

  Easy Magic

  Easy Fortune

  Easy Nights

  The With Me In Seattle Series:

  Come Away With Me

  Under the Mistletoe With Me

  Fight With Me

  Play With Me

  Rock With Me

  Safe With Me

  Tied With Me

  Burn With Me

  Breathe With Me

  Forever With Me

  Stay With Me

  Indulge With Me

  Love With Me

  Dance With Me

  Dream With Me

  The Love Under the Big Sky Series:

  Loving Cara

  Seducing Lauren

  Falling For Jillian

  Saving Grace

  From 1001 Dark Nights:

  Easy With You

  Easy For Keeps

  No Reservations

  Tempting Brooke

  Wonder With Me

  The Romancing Manhattan Series:

  All the Way

  All It Takes

  After All

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights

  Click here to explore

  COLLECTION ONE

  FOREVER WICKED by Shayla Black

  CRIMSON TWILIGHT by Heather Graham

  CAPTURED IN SURRENDER by Liliana Hart

  SILENT BITE: A SCANGUARDS WEDDING by Tina Folsom

  DUNGEON GAMES by Lexi Blake

  AZAGOTH by Larissa Ione

  NEED YOU NOW by Lisa Renee Jones

  SHOW ME, BABY by Cherise Sinclair

  ROPED IN by Lorelei James

  TEMPTED BY MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian

  THE FLAME by Christopher Rice

  CARESS OF DARKNESS by Julie Kenner

  COLLECTION TWO

  WICKED WOLF by Carrie Ann Ryan

  WHEN IRISH EYES ARE HAUNTING by Heather Graham

  EASY WITH YOU by Kristen Proby

  MASTER OF FREEDOM by Cherise Sinclair

  CARESS OF PLEASURE by Julie Kenner

  ADORED by Lexi Blake

  HADES by Larissa Ione

  RAVAGED by Elisabeth Naughton

  DREAM OF YOU by Jennifer L. Armentrout

  STRIPPED DOWN by Lorelei James

  RAGE/KILLIAN by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright

  DRAGON KING by Donna Grant

  PURE WICKED by Shayla Black

  HARD AS STEEL by Laura Kaye

  STROKE OF MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian

  ALL HALLOWS EVE by Heather Graham

  KISS THE FLAME by Christopher Rice

  DARING HER LOVE by Melissa Foster

  TEASED by Rebecca Zanetti

  THE PROMISE OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart

  COLLECTION THREE

  HIDDEN INK by Carrie Ann Ryan

  BLOOD ON THE BAYOU by Heather Graham

  SEARCHING FOR MINE by Jennifer Probst

  DANCE OF DESIRE by Christopher Rice

  ROUGH RHYTHM by Tessa Bailey

  DEVOTED by Lexi Blake

  Z by Larissa Ione

  FALLING UNDER YOU by Laurelin Paige

  EASY FOR KEEPS by Kristen Proby

  UNCHAINED by Elisabeth Naughton

  HARD TO SERVE by Laura Kaye

  DRAGON FEVER by Donna Grant

  KAYDEN/SIMON by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright

  STRUNG UP by Lorelei James

  MIDNIGHT UNTAMED by Lara Adrian

  TRICKED by Rebecca Zanetti

  DIRTY WICKED by Shayla Black

  THE ONLY ONE by Lauren Blakely

  SWEET SURRENDER by Liliana Hart

  COLLECTION FOUR

  ROCK CHICK REAWAKENING by Kristen Ashley

  ADORING INK by Carrie Ann Ryan

  SWEET RIVALRY by K. Bromberg

  SHADE'S LADY by Joanna Wylde

  RAZR by Lariss a Ione

  ARRANGED by Lexi Blake

  TANGLED by Rebecca Zanetti

  HOLD ME by J. Kenner

  SOMEHOW, SOME WAY by Jennifer Probst

  TOO CLOSE TO CALL by Tessa Bailey

  HUNTED by Elisabeth Naughton

  EYES ON YOU by Laura Kaye

  BLADE by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright

  DRAGON BURN by Donna Grant

  TRIPPED OUT by Lorelei James

  STUD FINDER by Lauren Blakely

  MIDNIGHT UNLEASHED by Lara Adrian

  HALLOW BE THE HAUNT by Heather Graham

  DIRTY FILTHY FIX by Laurelin Paige

  THE BED MATE by Kendall Ryan

  NIGHT GAMES by CD Reiss

  NO RESERVATIONS by Kristen Proby

  DAWN OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart

  COLLECTION FIVE

  BLAZE ERUPTING by Rebecca Zanetti

  ROUGH RIDE by Kristen Ashley

  HAWKYN by Larissa Ione

  RIDE DIRTY by Laura Kaye

  ROME’S CHANCE by Joanna Wylde

  THE MARRIAGE ARRANGEMENT by Jennifer Probst

  SURRENDER by Elisabeth Naughton

  INKED NIGHTS by Carrie Ann Ryan

  ENVY by Rachel Van Dyken

  PROTECTED by Lexi Blake

  THE PRINCE by Jennifer L. Armentrout

  PLEASE ME by J. Kenner

  WOUND TIGHT by Lorelei James

  STRONG by Kylie Scott

  DRAGON NIGHT by Donna Grant

  TEMPTING BROOKE by Kristen Proby

  HAUNTED BE THE HOLIDAYS by Heather Graham

  CONTROL by K. Bromberg

  HUNKY HEARTBREAKER by Kendall Ryan

  THE DARKEST CAPTIVE by Gena Showalter

  COLLECTION SIX

  DRAGON CLAIMED by Donna Grant

  ASHES TO INK by Carrie Ann Ryan

  ENSNARED by Elisabeth Naughton

  EVERMORE by Corinne Michaels

  VENGEANCE by Rebecca Zanetti

  ELI’S TRIUMPH by Joanna Wylde

  CIPHER by Larissa Ione

  RESCUING MACIE by Susan Stoker

  ENCHANTED by Lexi Blake

  TAKE THE BRIDE by Carly Phillips

  INDULGE ME by J. Kenner

  THE KING by Jennifer L. Armentrout

  QUIET MAN by Kristen Ashley

  ABANDON by Rachel Van Dyken

  THE OPEN DOOR by Laurelin Paige

  CLOSER by Kylie Scott

  SOMETHING JUST LIKE THIS by Jennifer Probst

  BLOOD NIGHT by Heather Graham

  TWIST OF FATE by Jill Shalvis

  MORE THAN PLEASURE YOU by Shayla Black

  WONDER WITH ME by Kristen Proby

  THE DARKEST ASSASSIN by Gena Showalter

  Discover Blue Box Press

  TAME ME by J. Kenner

  TEMPT ME by J. Kenner

  DAMIEN by J. Kenner

  TEASE ME by J. Kenner

  REAPER by Larissa Ione

  THE SURRENDER GATE by Christopher Rice

  SERVICING THE TARGET by Cherise Sinclair

  THE LAKE OF LEARNING by Steve Berry and MJ Rose

  THE MUSEUM OF MYSTERIES by Steve Berry and MJ Rose

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  Table of Contents

  Book Description

  About Kristen Proby

  Also from Kristen Proby

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights

  Foreword

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Epilogue

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Seven

  Discover More Kristen Proby

  Discover the World of 1001 Dark Nights

  Special Thanks

  One Thousand and One Dark Nights

  Once upon a time, in the future…

  I was a student fascinated with stories and learning.

  I studied philosophy, poetry, history, the occult, and

  the art and science of love and magic. I had a vast

  library at my father’s home and collected thousands

  of volumes of fantastic tales.

  I learned all about ancient races and bygone

  times. About myths and legends and dreams of all

  people through the millennium. And the more I read

  the stronger my imagination grew until I discovered

  that I was able to travel into the stories... to actually

  become part of them.

  I wish I could say that I listened to my teacher

  and respected my gift, as I ought to have. If I had, I

  would not be telling you this tale now.

  But I was foolhardy and confused, showing off

  with bravery.

  One afternoon, curious about the myth of the

  Arabian Nights, I traveled back to ancient Persia to

  see for myself if it was true that every day Shahryar

  (Persian: شهریار, “king”) married a new virgin, and then

  sent yesterday's wife to be beheaded. It was written

  and I had read, that by the time he met Scheherazade,

  the vizier's daughter, he’d killed one thousand

  women.

  Something went wrong with my efforts. I arrived

  in the midst of the story and somehow exchanged

  places with Scheherazade – a phenomena that had

  never occurred before and that still to this day, I

  cannot explain.

  Now I am trapped in that ancient past. I have

  taken on Scheherazade’s life and the only way I can

  protect myself and stay alive is to do what she did to

  protect herself and stay alive.

  Every night the King calls for me and listens as I spin tales.

  And when the evening ends and dawn breaks, I stop at a

  point that leaves him breathless and yearning for more.

  And so the King spares my life for one more day, so that

  he might hear the rest of my dark tale.

  As soon as I finish a story... I begin a new

  one... like the one that you, dear reader, have before

  you now.

  Prologue

  ~Sabrina~

  “We’re out of tampons,” my assistant, Melanie, says with a sigh. “Again.”

  “There’s some in the office,” I reply as I open paper bags and line them up on the table. “Someone delivered a whole pallet of them this morning.”

  “Thank God.” She hurries away to fetch the feminine hygiene products.

  We’ve been filling bags full of tampons, pads, wipes, and encouraging notes all morning. We do this once a month and then deliver the goods to the area middle and high schools. Tomorrow, we’ll pack the same sacks full of healthy snacks and then make another delivery, this time including the elementary school.

  Helping kids has become not just a passion for me over the past ten years but also an obsession.

  I turn to start gathering more panty liners from a box when I see him walk into my storeroom. Tall. Broad. Disheveled blond hair. And more handsome than any one man has the right to be. A blast from my sordid, better-left-forgotten past. And yet, a sight for sore eyes.

  “Are you lost?” I ask and watch a smile slide over his devastating face. How it’s even legal for a man to look like that, I have no idea.

  “I found what I was looking for,” he says and pushes a hand into his pocket. His other hand, a gold wedding band glinting on his finger, holds a large envelope. “How are you, Sabrina?”

  “I’m great, and curious as to what brings Luke Williams into my storeroom in Bend, Oregon.”

  “I came to see you,” he answers. “You’re more beautiful than ever, my friend.”

  I narrow my eyes at him. When we starred in a series of films together years ago, Luke and I got close. Since then, we’ve left the spotlight—him to work behind the camera as one of the most sought-after producers in LA., and I left Hollywood altogether.

  And never looked back.

  “As lovely as it is to see you, I don’t think you’re here just to catch up. Why are you here, Luke?”

  He extends the envelope to me. “I have something I want you to read.”

  I pull out a movie script. Without even reading the title, I pass it back.

  “No, thanks.”

  “I know I haven’t seen you in years.”

  “Fifteen of them, give or take,” I agree, nod, and go back to filling paper bags. “If you’re going to try to talk me into something, you can at least help me here. These bags won’t fill themselves.”

  “Happy to.”

  Melanie returns with two big boxes of tampons and almost drops them when she sees Luke.

  “Thanks, Mel. Can you give us a minute, please?”

  “Is Luke Williams standing here, or am I having a throwback hallucination from my college days?”

  I laugh as she sets the boxes on the table. “He’s here. You’re not hallucinating.”

  “Okay. Have a good talk.” She smiles and waves awkwardly, tucks her hair behind her ear, and practically stumbles over her feet as she turns to walk away.

  I roll my eyes.

  Luke grins.

  “You can put five tampons in each bag,” I instruct him. “Unless touching girl things weirds you out.”

  “I live with a house full of women,” he replies, as smooth as silk, and starts divvying up the tampons. “Shawn O’Callaghan and Nora Perry co-wrote the script based on Nora’s bestselling book. The lead female character was made for you, Rina. When I read the book, I immediately thought so, but then I read this script, and no one else will do for it. It has you written all over it.”