RISKING FOREVER: Vol 1 (The Forever Series): New adult college romance Read online

  RISKING FOREVER

  Volume 1

  TARA GALLINA

  Free Reads

  For the FREE bonus read SEBASTIAN - RISKING FOREVER: Vol 1 in his POV (see warning below), sign up here: https:// www.taragallina.com/

  **WARNING – Sebastian's POV has spoilers that aren't revealed in RISKING FOREVER Ainsley's POV until mid-novel of DARING FOREVER. If you don't want to ruin the anticipation built in the series, wait to read Sebastian's novel until after you've finished RISKING FOREVER and DARING FOREVER.

  For the next installment in the Forever Series, DARING FOREVER: Vol 2, click here:

  https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B07NQKQZ88?ref_=pe_1724030_132998070

  About the Book

  My best friend has been obsessed with Sebastian since our freshman year in college. She wants him to herself, which is fine by me. He's a paycheck, a means to an end goal. He's temporary. But he's also tempting—the way he looks at me, the things he says, the way he touches me… If I'm not careful, I might do something I'll regret. ~Ainsley Belle

  The Forever Series is a new adult college romance that contains adult language and content. It follows Ainsley, a conflicted sophomore desperate to control her life, and Sebastian Gianni, a sexy senior rumored to have connections to the Italian Mafia.

  The novel is written in Ainsley's POV but is available in Sebastian's POV for free here: https:// www.taragallina.com/

  Table of Contents

  Free Reads

  About the Book

  Table of Contents

  About Serial Novels

  The Forever Series

  Copyright

  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

  DARING FOREVER Vol 2

  Chapter 1

  The Forever Series Collection

  A Special Thanks

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  About Serial Novels

  RISKING FOREVER is a serial novel and one of three installments in the Forever Series. The story is continuous and meant to be read in sequential order. The average length of each book is around 160 pages in paperback and can be read in a few hours or less. For this reason, I've heard them referred to as lunchtime reads.

  Why a serial novel?

  Many of my friends work full time and often opt out of reading due to the commitment of finishing a book. A serial novel introduces quick installments, or volumes, that make completing each a breeze.

  I read my first serial novel about a year ago and fell in love with the concept, which prompted me to launch this series in the same format.

  Serial novels have been around since Charles Dickens. This past decade, they've gained a lot of popularity in romance and erotica. Some people love them and the anticipation of each installment while others are opposed to cliffhangers of any kind, whether in a full-length novel series, novellas, or serial novels.

  Whichever way you prefer your reading material rest assured each volume in the Forever Series will be released quickly with the compilation of the three novels (the full book) available as the fourth installment.

  Happy reading!!

  The Forever Series

  At twenty, Ainsley knows it's time to follow her own dreams and not the future her mother planned for her—a future she never wanted. Losing her job couldn't have come at a worse time.

  Sebastian Gianni isn’t the ideal boss, but he has a position to fill and Ainsley is desperate. The sexy twenty-two-year-old comes from money, owns a successful business, and graduates from college in three months. He has his life together in a way Ainsley could only dream.

  No wonder her best friend is obsessed with dating him. Even his ex-girlfriend is determined to get him back, although threatening him seems like the wrong approach. Ainsley would be a fool to fall for the guy, too.

  By no means, should she trust him. He has more secrets than anyone she knows, which makes her wonder if the mafia rumors about him are true. It doesn't matter that he's a good listener, and sweet and protective at times. That playful flirty side he shares with her alone means nothing. Right?

  When a kiss turns into a secret romance neither can give up, Ainsley learns the truth about Sebastian's corrupt family and why his ex-girlfriend won't go away. A future together is near impossible and comes with a risk that could get them both killed—or give them everything they've ever wanted.

  Copyright

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The author makes no claims to, but instead acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of any wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction including brands or products.

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Copyright © 2019 by Tara Gallina Tara Gallina (2019-01-14). Risking Forever (The Forever Series book one)

  Chapter 1

  MY NEW VIBE comes today. If it arrives charged, I'll come today too. LOL. Get it?!? Vibe? V-toy? Cooch masseuse? I'm cracking up. Do you get, Ainsley? Huh? Huh? Do you get it?

  The text from my best friend, Harper, lights up my phone.

  My cheeks blaze, and I'm caught between wanting to laugh or roll my eyes. I swear, she's cruder than any guy.

  Another text from her comes through.

  Do you remember which color I ordered? Pink or purple? I should have bought the glow-in-the-dark one too. That would have been fun.

  Snickering sounds to my left.

  I tense and press my phone against my stomach to hide the screen. If someone saw those texts, I'll die. The girl next to me is focused on the professor. Discreetly, I peer over my shoulder to the guy sitting behind her.

  He gives me a once-over and winks.

  Oh my God. "It's rude to read other people's texts," I whisper.

  "Not any more than it is to be texting porn during class."

  My jaw drops. "I don't text porn." The last word comes out louder than intended.

  Silence falls over the room.

  I cringe and face forward, my cheeks burning hotter than before.

  If this were any other college, the professor might make a joke about my outburst or blow it off. Ryland is different though. Small and private, it caters to trust fund babies who push their luck so often most professors have no humor or patience left to spare.

  Unlike the privileged students here, I’m on a scholarship, two grants, and a favor from a family friend who works in admissions. If I get in trouble, I could get kicked out.

  Dr. Collins nods at my hand. "Perhaps you've forgotten about my no-phones policy during class."

  Crap. I forgot I'm holding mine. "Sorry. I'll put it away." I set it face-down on the desk and bend to open the zipper on my bag. The phone vibrates with another text, rattling on the Formica surface before sliding off.

  "No," I squeal and lurch forward to save it. Long
wavy hair falls around my face making it hard to see, but I manage to catch the phone before it hits the floor. Thank God. I can't afford a new one.

  I sit up, shovel my golden strands behind my shoulders, and pray the professor doesn't kick me out. I'm a good student and have never been kicked out of class in my life. To have it happen as a newly turned twenty-year-old in my sophomore year of college would make this moment even more humiliating.

  "Ainsley? I think you've interrupted us enough for today." Dr. Collins gestures to the door. "Please excuse yourself and, next time, remember to put your phone away before class."

  I bite my lip to keep from begging him to let me stay. It wouldn't do any good.

  The moment I'm in the hallway my phone buzzes in my pocket. I'm sure it's from Harper. I have the urge to send her a nasty reply. Something like, your stupid texts got me in trouble. But it isn't her fault I got kicked out of class.

  I turn the corner and eye the set of double doors ahead. They're solid mahogany and heavy as hell. At five-three and average weight, it takes all my strength to push one open, and, even then, it's a struggle. I get that they're historical and match the Mediterranean architecture of the campus, but would it kill the school to replace them with something lighter?

  In no mood to work up a sweat, I take advantage of the empty hallways and charge the door like a bull.

  It swings wide open, its hinges creaking. The momentum sends me stumbling forward like a klutz. I laugh at how I must look and gain traction in time to notice the guy.

  He's walking straight for the door, unaware of the slab of thick lumber sailing toward him. His head is down, his eyes on his phone.

  "Look out!" I yell and move in what feels like slow motion, grappling for the door handle before the guy gets knocked out.

  At the last second, he lifts his head and without flinching, throws up his hand, catching the door an inch before it smashes him in the face.

  I let out a wild breath, my heart pounding in my chest. He stopped it. I don't know how, but he did.

  My gaze locks on his hand that’s gripping the door. Is that blood? Not good. "I think you're hurt." I lean in to examine two red droplets on his knuckles.

  "I’m fine," he says in a deep voice that's a little scratchy and a whole lot of sexy.

  Focus. "Um." I clear my throat and point to the red staining the knuckles on his tan hand. "You’re bleeding right here. It doesn’t look bad, but you might want to get it checked out."

  Crap. If he goes to the school clinic, I should probably go with him.

  "It's not blood. It's fake. They're tattoos."

  "Really?" I lean closer. "But they look so real." Unable to believe my eyes, I run my finger over the red teardrops. Dry, smooth skin. "That's amazing."

  "It's 3D art. It's meant to look real. That's why people like it." Now that incredible voice sounds annoyed.

  I drag my gaze from his hand toward his face, stopping at another 3D tattoo on his neck. The placing, under his chin at the start of his throat, is odd. I tilt my head and study the black shape that looks like a knife or a small sword.

  "It's a dagger," he says, as if reading my mind, or guessing since I’m all up in his personal space, gawking at his neck.

  I breathe in and inhale the most delicious scent. A woodsy musk mixed with citrus and spice. Oh God. I could lick him. The thought snaps me out of my cologne induced haze.

  "Sorry." I have to tip my head back further to take in his face. My breath catches in my throat.

  Sebastian Gianni, the infamous senior surrounded by mafia rumors and the guy Harper named her favorite vibrator after, stands before me. You'd have to be blind not to see his appeal. Broad shoulders, sculpted body, and lean waist all covered in smooth bronze skin.

  What I don't get about him is his style. He dresses like he's modeling business-casual for a Burberry ad. Most guys on campus wear shorts and a t-shirt. He's rocking dark fitted pants, a shirt that clings to his six-pack abs, and leather shoes that are more hot professor than student.

  The same goes for the style of his dark wavy hair. Would it kill him to use less gel or none at all? I can't say anything negative about his features. They're about as perfect as can be. Before now, I've only ever seen him from a distance or on Harper's phone when she shows me pictures of him she secretly takes. It's too dark in the dim corridor for me to see the color of his eyes, but I don't miss his scars. One cuts through his right eyebrow, and another tinier one raises the skin under his bottom lip. Neither diminishes his appearance. I like them. They make him sexier.

  "Do you think you'll be moving out of the doorway anytime soon?" He arches the brow with the scar, and I realize I'm staring.

  How many times have I ripped on Harper for doing this same thing? Hypocrite.

  "Sorry." I jump aside.

  He lets the door swing closed with a thud.

  "I'm sorry I almost hit you," I add. "I don't usually ram the doors like that."

  He holds up his phone. "I wasn't paying attention. Texts can be distracting."

  "Must have been an important text."

  His gaze narrows in an accusing way that has me shrinking.

  "I just mean you were so focused on it you didn't hear or see me plow through the door." Like an idiot. I give half a laugh.

  His brows tighten as he continues to stare like I'm an undercover cop about to bust him for drugs. It's the strangest thing and starting to freak me out.

  "So, you're okay then?"

  He nods, all stiff and bothered by my presence.

  "I'll be going then. You take care now." I pat his arm as I walk by, unable to miss the way he flinches at my touch.

  What the hell? I keep walking, in the wrong direction, but I'm not about to turn around and follow him to the parking lot. I think I get the mafia rumors about him now. His designer clothes and paranoia make him the perfect target. It's also very Ryland, home to Winter Park, Florida's finest.

  Half of the students are local and attended my high school, where rumors spread like wildfires. My parents bought a run-down Mid Century Modern two decades ago when middle income could afford a home in this neighborhood, or I wouldn't be a part of this world.

  Chapter 2

  AT THE END of the corridor, I glance over my shoulder to see if Sebastian is gone before heading back that way.

  A person jumps in front of me.

  I shriek and stumble backward.

  Harper plants her hands on her curvy hips. "I've been calling and texting you. Are you ignoring me on purpose?"

  "You called me?" I didn't hear my phone ring.

  "Yes, dammit. And I'll forgive you if you tell me what the hell you were doing talking to Sebastian Gianni? He never talks to anyone, except his close friends."

  Of course she knows this information about him. "I wasn't talking to him. I mean, I was but only because I almost hit him with the door."

  Her prettily made-up features scrunch. "Huh?"

  "I rammed the door—you know how I struggle with getting them open—and he was right there. I didn't know. It was embarrassing. But he has ninja-like reflexes, caught the heavy door with one hand, and wasn't even fazed that it almost dented his nose. It was impressive. I'm not gonna lie."

  "Oh man. I wish I could have seen that. I bet it was hot." She fans herself with her hand.

  "Yeah. It kinda was, until he got all weird."

  She stands taller, peering down at me. "What do you mean weird? Like sexy weird?"

  I laugh. "No. Like creepy, paranoid weird."

  "Pfft." She waves a hand down. "That's his mafia nature. Either you like it, or you don't. I like it."

  "I know you do." I consider telling her my theory about the mafia rumors, but then I'd ruin the fantasy of him for her and she loves her fantasy. Besides, if she really thinks about it, she'd come to the same conclusion as me. Central Florida, home to Disney World, a.k.a. the happiest place on earth doesn't sound like the stomping ground for the Italian Mafia. Just saying.

  Harp
er moves her big Gucci bag from one arm to the other. "Give me the deets. How good did he smell?"

  If I breathe in, I can still catch a hint of his delicious cologne. "He smelled nice."

  "Hmm." She sighs and her lashes flutter. "And his eyes, are they as amazing as I've heard?"

  I shrug. "I couldn't tell. The lighting in here isn't good. But what have you heard?" Now I wish I tried to notice their color.

  She puckers her glossy pink lips. "Different things. They look like a kaleidoscope. They change colors in the light."

  "Where do you hear this stuff?"

  "I'm nosey," she says with zero shame. "I listen when people talk, ask questions, take notes."

  "And take pictures," I add with a giggle.

  She shoves me, a big fat smile on her face, and glances around. "Someone might hear you."

  "Come on." I start for the other end of the hallway. "Let's get out of here before classes let out and the halls fill with people."

  "Yeah, yeah," she drones and catches up to me, her wedges clomping on the hard floors.

  We make it to the exit and into the hot sun before students file out of classrooms, only it’s not as hot as I expected.

  A cool breeze flutters my long golden strands around my face. I tuck them behind my ears and squint in the afternoon light. "It's nice out."

  "I know." Harper digs in her purse then covers her smoky gray eyes with a pair of Tiffany sunglasses. "Spring showers bring rainbows and sometimes cooler temperatures."

  Palm trees and old Oaks with moss-covered branches shade the rest of the path and line the outside of the parking lot.

  "I might not sweat today," I say in a cheery voice.

  Harper tugs the ends of my wavy hair. "This is why you're always so hot. Maybe cut the Rapunzel locks and you'd be cooler."