Compass Read online

  FIRST ORIGINAL EDITION, APRIL 2019

  Copyright © 2019 by Deborah Bladon

  All rights reserved. No parts of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without written consent from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual person’s, living or dead, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.

  ISBN-13: 9781095830352

  eBook ISBN: 9781926440552

  Book & cover design by Wolf & Eagle Media

  www.deborahbladon.com

  Also by Deborah Bladon

  THE OBSESSED SERIES

  THE EXPOSED SERIES

  THE PULSE SERIES

  THE VAIN SERIES

  THE RUIN SERIES

  IMPULSE

  SOLO

  THE GONE SERIES

  FUSE

  THE TRACE SERIES

  CHANCE

  THE EMBER SERIES

  THE RISE SERIES

  HAZE

  SHIVER

  TORN

  THE HEAT SERIES

  MELT

  THE TENSE DUET

  SWEAT

  TROUBLEMAKER

  WORTH

  HUSH

  BARE

  WISH

  SIN

  LACE

  THIRST

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Epilogue

  Preview of VERSUS

  Thank you

  Deborah’s Mailing List

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  Kate

  “I’m thinking a mermaid style gown. It has to be sleek and fitted. That’s exactly what I want, Kate.”

  That’s not what she wants. Corly Brunton has come to my bridal shop every week for the past month to try on dresses. Three weeks ago it was mermaid style and those were all thumbs down from the group of four bridesmaids she brought with her.

  Two weeks ago she was convinced that she wanted a princess ball gown. Last week, she went through an off-white, off-the-shoulder phase.

  “I think Natalie has the perfect dress in mind for you,” I say, laughing inwardly because I know my assistant manager is going to be pissed that I’m dragging her into this.

  “I love Natalie,” Corly claps her hands together. “I’m ready whenever she is.”

  I slip out of the change room and set out to find Natalie Diehl.

  Katie Rose Bridal is busier than usual today. I attribute that to the fact that a member of the royal family tied the knot just a few days ago.

  Whenever a high profile wedding takes over the headlines, business picks up.

  “Natalie,” I call out to her when I see her red hair peek out from behind a rack of vintage dresses in the stock room.

  “What do you need, Kate?” she asks, glancing over to where I’m standing.

  “I need you to grab the A-line gown that came in yesterday that you thought would be perfect for Corly Brunton.”

  “The lace one with beading on the bodice?” Natalie rests her hand on her hip. “Is she back?”

  “She’s in change room four and you’re about to sell her that gown.” I skim my hand over the front of my red sheath dress. “I thought you’d appreciate the commission on the sale.”

  She narrows her eyes. “I see right through you, Kate Wesley. As much as I would love to help Corly not find the perfect dress again, I’m busy with a bride of my own.”

  “I can take over that.”

  She scratches her chin. “This bride’s budget is more than Corly’s. I’m talking way more, Kate.”

  “The commission on both is yours, even if I make the sale.”

  “I’m game.” She starts walking across the room. “I’ll grab the dress for Corly and you’ll go help Annalise Brookings find her perfect gown.”

  “She’s in the main showroom?”

  Natalie nods. “With her entourage of seven. Her fiancé and his best man are on the way too.”

  When I first started working in bridal, I was surprised whenever a future groom showed up to witness his soon-to-be wife trying on dresses. It’s not that uncommon. We have at least a few men in the showroom every week.

  “What’s Annalise looking for in a gown?”

  “I don’t have a clue.” Natalie laughs as she zips open the garment bag on the A-line gown. “We haven’t gotten that far yet. I came back here to get a new notepad and a pen so I could jot down what she likes.”

  “I’m about to find out.” I smile as I turn toward the doorway. “Wish me luck.”

  I take quick steps down the carpeted corridor that leads to the main showroom of Katie Rose Bridal.

  I had it redecorated two years ago in elegant and sophisticated tones. The benches are covered in cream-colored fabrics. The walls are painted pale gray. It’s the perfect space to choose a dress to wear on the most important day of your life.

  A client walking back toward the change rooms catches my eye. I glance at the gown she’s trying on. It has a sweetheart neckline and a lace train. It’s a beautiful dress that has brought a tear to her eye.

  This is exactly why I bought this boutique.

  “You look stunning,” I whisper to her as we pass each other.

  I round the corner to the showroom and spot a group of women huddled together.

  One of the women is staring in a mirror while the others gather around her. The tiara on her head is a clear sign that she’s the bride-to-be.

  I smile as I near her. “You must be Annalise.”

  “That’s me.” She shakes with excitement. “I’m here to find my wedding dress.”

  “I’m Kate.” I reach out to take her hand in mine. “I’m excited to help you do just that.”

  “You have perfect timing, Kate.” Her hand flies in the air next to my shoulder. “My man is here with his best man.”

  I turn to face the double glass doors that open onto the sidewalk in front of the boutique.

  Time stops.

  My breath catches.

  I stare at the two men in suits walking toward us.

  One is blond with a beard and a blank look on his face as he takes in the dresses, veils, and vases of fresh flowers that decorate the boutique.

  The other man is t
he one I can’t take my eyes off of.

  His hair is brown, his eyes a shade of green I’ll never forget and the smile on his face could still light the night sky.

  He slows as he nears me, his hand reaching up to touch his chest.

  “Katie?” His voice rumbles through me as deeply as it did the first time I heard it.

  I nod, my head moving as slow as time had when he left me days before our wedding with little explanation and a broken heart.

  “Gage,” I say his name softly. “Gage Burke.”

  Chapter 2

  Kate

  “Time heals all wounds.”

  The words my mom said to me the day Gage left me echo through my mind.

  That was five years ago.

  I’ve held fast to the faith that those words are true, but if time heals all wounds, seeing an ex-fiancé rips them open until they’re gaping and raw.

  “You know Gage?” Annalise shakes my arm as if that’s going to jerk me out of my daze.

  It doesn’t work.

  I stand and stare at the man I thought I’d build a lifetime of memories with.

  I loved him for more than two years and I never saw him dressed like this.

  His suit is dark blue. The tie around his neck is as white as his dress shirt.

  Dr. Gage Burke.

  That was his dream. Maybe, just maybe his dreams came true.

  “It was forever ago,” I manage to say as I turn to look at her.

  Is she his fiancée?

  I drop my gaze to her left hand and the massive emerald cut diamond on her finger.

  I rub the back of my ring finger with my thumb.

  It’s bare. I took the silver band with the blue topaz stone off of my finger the day Gage called off our engagement.

  I handed it back to him. He insisted I keep it. I suggested he go to hell.

  “Katie.” His breath gusts over the back of my neck.

  My hand moves to cover the skin that’s exposed. I gathered my long blonde hair up into a ponytail this morning after I brushed my teeth.

  I put on my makeup, got dressed and came to work as if this would be a day like every other.

  I couldn’t have known the earth would crack open and my past would come crawling out.

  “You’re in New York,” Gage says from behind me.

  I’ve thought about his voice endlessly. I replayed the last voicemail message he left me over and over until I deleted it before I stepped on the airplane the day I moved to Manhattan.

  “Obviously.” Annalise rolls her eyes. “Her name is on the front of the store. Can you two catch up later? I need to find a dress so I can marry Myles.”

  My traitorous heart leaps inside my chest.

  Myles is her fiancé, not Gage.

  “I’m Myles Sims.” The blond-haired man shoves a hand at me. “It’s good to meet you, Kate.”

  With a tentative hand, I reach for his.

  He holds it for a moment too long as if he knows. I look up into his blue eyes. They’re kind and understanding. Impatience doesn’t live there.

  “Are you sure you have time for us today?” He holds my hand in his. “I booked the appointment myself with a woman named Natalie.”

  He’s giving me an out. I have no idea why, but I take it with a squeeze of his hand in appreciation. “Natalie will be right here.”

  “You’re not helping me?” Annalise’s bottom lip juts out in a pout.

  “Kate must have a million things on her plate, darling.” Myles drops my hand to run his finger over Annalise’s lip. “Natalie will help us. Besides, I see your dream dress right over there.”

  “Where?” Annalise’s head snaps to the left and then the right.

  Myles guides her chin to the center of the boutique. “Over there. That’s the dress from Kate’s website.”

  Annalise takes off in the direction of the vintage Chanel gown that’s been sitting in a glass showcase for more than a year. The price tag is too steep for most of Manhattan, but a picture of it on the front page of my website lures brides-to-be through the door.

  “Let’s go, Gage.” Myles’s voice resonates behind me.

  I don’t turn around.

  There’s no need for me to steal another glance at the man I once loved. I can draw from memory every inch of his handsome face. I can still smell the scent of his skin when I close my eyes, just as I can hear the ache in the growl he makes when he orgasms.

  Gage Burke was once as much a part of me as my beating heart.

  He’s not anymore. He never will be again.

  Chapter 3

  Gage

  Kate Wesley.

  My Katie Wesley.

  I stare at her back as she walks out of the showroom, disappearing down a long corridor.

  I followed Myles to this bridal shop today out of a sense of duty.

  He asked me to be his best man the day after he proposed to Annalise. That was two months after he sat down on a barstool and poured his heart out to me.

  I returned the favor by telling him about Katie.

  When drowning his sorrow in beer stopped working, he looked to Annalise to help him forget the woman who had loved and left him.

  It’s worked out well for him.

  I yank on the tie around my neck.

  I can’t remember the last time I wore a tie or a suit, for that matter.

  The one on my back is courtesy of Myles. He took me to his tailor three weeks ago to get fitted for this.

  I pulled out my credit card, but Myles insisted that it was on his dime. I scoffed, but he’s sparing no expense on this wedding so I’ll arrange a bachelor party he won’t soon forget.

  The knot loosens and I breathe a sigh of relief.

  I have no idea if the tie is what’s suffocating me or if seeing Katie is forcing all the air out of my lungs.

  I finally break the tie’s grip on my neck enough that I can undo the top button of my shirt.

  I’m a walking mannequin at the moment since Annalise has to sign off on what I’m wearing.

  I’ll put on the suit one more time on the day of their wedding. After that, I’ll hand it off to someone who needs it more than I do.

  “I’m liking the look, Gage.” Annalise points at me. “Don’t mess up that tie. The silk is imported from Italy.”

  Priorities in Annalise’s world don’t mirror my own.

  She’s a beauty by most men’s measure. Her brunette hair falls to the middle of her back. Her blue eyes are bold. Her face has landed on more than one fashion magazine.

  She’s the dream that Myles needs to settle his past once and for all.

  My past just walked out of this showroom in the form of a blonde-haired, hazel-eyed, spitfire of a woman.

  “Everyone sit down,” Annalise demands with a sweep of her hand in the air toward a large curved bench. “I’m about to wow you with this gown.”

  I had my wow moment.

  Katie Wesley is hiding somewhere in this boutique and now that I know she’s here, nothing is going to stop me from righting the wrongs of my past.

  ***

  “Are you running for mayor?” Zeke Morrow gives me the once-over. “If you are, don’t count on my vote.”

  “What the fuck?” I toss my hands in the air in mock shock. “If I can’t count on one of my closest friends, who the hell can I count on?”

  “There’s a cute brunette at table seven eyeing you up.” He gestures past my shoulder. “I bet you can count on her vote and an invitation to her place.”

  I don’t bother stealing a glance at the woman he’s talking about.

  Since I bought this bar, there hasn’t been a shortage of women wanting to take me home.

  I don’t fuck customers. I leave that to Zeke.

  He tends bar, does the books and when the urge strikes him, he’ll spend the night with a woman who wanders into Tin Anchor looking for more than a drink.

  “What’s with the suit?” He pushes his eyeglasses up the bridge of his nose. “That’s
expensive, no?”

  “Very.” I nod as I finally pocket the tie.

  After wedding dress shopping, I was invited to Nova, Annalise’s favorite restaurant.

  I tried to bow out with an excuse about needing to relieve Zeke behind the bar, but Myles convinced me to sit through the celebratory champagne toast.

  I took off before the appetizer round left the kitchen.

  “Myles picked it out,” I go on, tapping my hand on the top of the wooden bar. “It’s what the best man wears in his world.”

  Zeke fingers the collar of the jacket. “This is premium. Myles spared no expense for his favorite guy.”

  I swat his hand away with a laugh. “Your brother is building his Wall Street wardrobe, right? We’re about the same size. It’s his after the wedding if he wants it.”

  “You’re fucking joking.”

  “Dead serious,” I shoot back. “Myles knows I’m paying it forward after they tie the knot. If Grady wants it, it’s his.”

  “He wants it.” He rakes a hand through his dark hair. “He’ll buy you a bottle of scotch to thank you.”

  I point at the array of bottles on one of the shelves behind the bar. “I’ve got the scotch covered. He can let me beat him in pool the next time we play.”

  “Deal.” Zeke looks over at a group of guys who just walked in. “I’m back at it. You hanging out here for the night?”

  I look around. We’re busy, but Zeke has it covered. “I just stopped in to see if you needed me, but looks like I’m taking the night off.”

  “Enjoy,” Zeke says as he walks away.

  I’ll enjoy it more if I can track Katie down. I haven’t stopped thinking about her since I saw her this afternoon. Hell, I haven’t been able to get her off of my mind for more than two minutes in the past five years.

  She’s a woman no man in his right mind could ever forget.

  Chapter 4

  Kate

  I walk into Premier Pet Care and stare across the reception desk at my best friend, Tilly Wolf.