Follow Me Series by Helen Hardt – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read

Follow Me Series by Helen Hardt – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.ilovenovels.com Sun, 02 Mar 2025 13:35:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 http://www.ilovenovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/favicon.png Follow Me Series by Helen Hardt – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.ilovenovels.com 32 32 Always (Follow Me #6) Read Online Helen Hardt http://www.ilovenovels.com/always-follow-me-6-read-online-helen-hardt Sun, 02 Mar 2025 13:35:58 +0000 http://www.ilovenovels.com/always-follow-me-6-read-online-helen-hardt Genre: Alpha Male, BDSM, Billionaire, Contemporary, Erotic Authors: Helen Hardt Series: Follow Me Series by Helen Hardt
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Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 77016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)

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Take his breath away…

Braden and Skye have an electric connection that gets stronger with every boundary and every limit they push. There’s nothing Braden won’t explore with Skye…with one exception. Only now she’s the one who's challenging him. Because what Skye wants is the one thing Braden can’t give her. And the only way he’ll be able to keep the woman he loves is to relinquish the one thing he’s mastered above everything control.

Don’t miss this intensely sexy series with the first books, Darkly (told from Braden’s point of view) and Follow Me Darkly (told from Skye’s). Discover an even spicier experience by reading stories from both perspectives as you enjoy bestselling author Helen Hardt’s daring Follow Me series.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Prologue

Oh? What are your hard limits?

I only have one.

What is it?

I don’t talk about it.

Don’t you think I should know? So I don’t bring it up?

Trust me, Skye. You will never bring it up.

I was so wrong. She did, indeed, bring up my one hard limit.

“All right,” she says. “I’m listening.”

“I told you once that I only have one hard limit.”

She nods.

“It’s neck binding. Breath control. Choking. I won’t do it. Ever.”

“Choking is taboo,” she says. “You told me once you love the forbidden.”

“I do.”

“Then why?” she asks. “Why won’t you do this?”

God, the memory. Addie. Loss of consciousness. The hospital. I don’t talk about it. I can’t talk about it. But maybe, if I throw her a bone…

“Why? Perhaps I’ll tell you why…as soon as you tell me why you feel you need it.”

“I…don’t know.”

I inhale. Exhale. Inhale again. She doesn’t know the answer, but it is inside her, and she needs to find it.

“For God’s sake, Braden,” she finally says. “Can you show me some emotion for once in your life?”

I cock my head as my nostrils flare. Anger curls at the back of my neck.

She fucking broke me, for God’s sake! Emotion is now as much a part of my life as breathing.

“You think I don’t show you emotion?” I stand. “How can you say that? I’ve shown you more emotion than I’ve ever shown anyone. Anyone, Skye. If you don’t know that, you should.”

“Braden—”

“No. You don’t talk. Not until I’m done. I told you who I was. I told you I wasn’t wired for relationships. But I made an exception for you. I made that exception because I love you, Skye. I wasn’t looking to fall in love. I knew it would put a dent in my life—”

“A dent, Braden? I’m a fucking dent?”

“Shut up! Just shut the fuck up, Skye. I will have my say, and then you can have yours. If you’re brave enough.”

“Brave enough? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know exactly what it means, and if you interrupt me again, this discussion is over.”

Her lips tremble as she nods.

I clear my throat, forcing my anger into my gut. I will hold myself together.

“I made an exception for you. I decided to have a relationship—or try, at least—but I fear this little experiment of mine has failed.”

Already I hate myself for the words. Little experiment? Skye is so much more than that. She’s not an experiment at all. She’s the woman I love. I couldn’t give her up.

Except I have to.

It will kill me, but I have to.

“The club is about pleasure,” I say.

“I know that. I get pleasure there.”

“You do. But you get something else, as well. Something that’s important to you, and that’s what you need to face before we can continue in a relationship.”

She fingers my collar still around her neck. “Braden, please…”

“I love you, Skye.” I tunnel my fingers through my hair and then rub my forehead. “I love you more than I ever thought I was capable of loving another human being. But you want something I can’t give you. Something I’ll never be willing to give you.”

She gulps. “I can live without the choking.”

I trail a finger across her forehead and down her temple. “Can you? Because this isn’t just about the choking. It’s about more than pleasure. More than pain. More than my dominance over you and your submission to me. You’re punishing yourself, Skye, and I can’t be a part of it.”

She shakes her head vehemently. “But you… You punish me all the time!”

“That’s my prerogative. Not yours.”

“I get that. And you’re wrong. I love everything we do. You know that. I’m not punishing myself. Why would I do that?”

I kiss her forehead. It’s not lost on me that it’s more of a kiss to a sad child than to a lover.

There’s a little girl inside Skye who is trying to punish herself, and I can’t—I won’t—be a part of it.

Numbness settles around me.

I can’t lose her.

I can’t.

But I can’t give her what she wants.

And I can’t be with her—not in the kind of relationship we both want—until she figures a few things out.

“Why would you punish yourself?” I finally ask, staring past her and out the window. “That’s a question you need to answer.”

She swallows down a choking sob.

And though I never cry, I feel the lump in my throat as well.

She’s lost. So lost.

And so am I.

Because I’m about to lose the only woman I’ve ever loved.

Chapter One

Seconds pass like hours.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

I let the silence stretch between us, a tangible thing that seems to fill the entire room. Skye watches me closely, her green eyes studying my face, her fingers nervously picking at the wine label on her glass.

How did it come to this?

For the first time in my life, I let myself feel something more. I opened my heart to Skye…and now…

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Under (Follow Me #5) Read Online Helen Hardt http://www.ilovenovels.com/under-follow-me-5-read-online-helen-hardt Fri, 26 Aug 2022 19:46:26 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/under-follow-me-5-read-online-helen-hardt Genre: Alpha Male, BDSM, Billionaire, Contemporary, Erotic, Romance Authors: Helen Hardt Series: Follow Me Series by Helen Hardt
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Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 78521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)

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Read Online Books/Novels:	Under (Follow Me #5)
Author/Writer of Book/Novel:	Helen Hardt
Language:	English
Book Information:
Come back and play—through Braden’s eyes—in this tantalizing companion novel to Follow Me Under from #1 bestselling author Helen Hardt. Powerful and enigmatic billionaire Braden Black doesn’t do relationships. He doesn’t fall in love. But ever since meeting Skye Manning, he’s breaking every one of his careful rules. He just can’t get enough of her fierce independence and the white-hot sizzle of attraction between them. Of course, there are still lessons Skye has yet to learn… Only Braden isn’t sure Skye is ready. Falling in love is one thing. Inviting her completely into his world—and the reality of his darker, most forbidden appetites—is quite another. It’s about trust. His and hers. But his past mistakes are catching up with them both. And Braden is running out of time to show Skye the things she’s never imagined…and have only just begun.
Books in Series:	Follow Me Series by Helen Hardt
Books by Author:	Helen Hardt

Chapter One

I walk toward her and wrap my arms around her. We look out at the beauty of the harbor, the moon shining down and casting silver sparkles on the boats below.

“I have more in store for you,” I whisper, “now that I control you in the dark. Will you follow me, Skye? Trust me to give you all kinds of pleasure?”

“I will.”

I kiss her forehead. “I can’t believe what I’m about to say.”

She pulls away slightly and meets my gaze.

“What?” she asks.

“Maybe we can give this relationship thing a try.”

She smiles then, and of all the smiles I’ve ever seen on Skye’s face, this one is the most radiant.

She parts those lips—

“I love you, Braden.”

The words.

The words I’ve been feeling in my heart but was going to wait to say.

She said them.

Skye said them.

My heart fills with everything I never knew I wanted. She loves me. I love her and she loves me. We have a lot more to learn about each other, a lot more to experience together.

But in this moment—

“I love you, too, Skye.”

…

I’m in love.

It’s not something I thought would ever happen to me. It’s not something I thought I’d ever allow to happen to me.

But I’m determined to embrace it, make the most of it, with Skye.

After a beautiful weekend together—a lot of time in the park playing with Sasha and Penny—I take Skye home, actually drive her in one of my cars rather than have Christopher drive us, on Monday morning before I head into the office.

“I’d like to see you tonight,” I tell her.

“I’d love that, Braden.”

“Are you ready to discover more about yourself in the dark?”

“Very ready.”

I kiss her lips. “See you tonight, then. I’ll text you the details.” I kiss her again. “I love you, Skye.”

“I love you, too.”

My first call once I’m at my desk is to my decorator, Glenna Rice. Already I’m planning to make one of my guest rooms into a sanctuary for Skye—her own place in the penthouse, where she can keep her things, have a little privacy when she requires it. It’s not lost on me that I’ve never considered such a gift to any other woman…but then, I’ve also never uttered those three words to any other woman.

I love you.

I love Skye.

And I want to do this for her.

With a reply from Glenna that she can make it happen by this evening, my plans are in motion.

I text Skye a few hours later.

Be ready tonight. I’m going to take you where you’ve never gone before.

She replies instantly. Can’t wait!

Neither can I. Will she be ready for what I have in mind?

I rub my arms against a chill. Nerves? Damn. Braden Black doesn’t get nervous. Of course, Braden Black also doesn’t do relationships. Braden Black doesn’t fall in love.

Things change, apparently.

Things change where Skye Manning is involved.

A smile edges onto my lips.

I’m in love. Truly in love, and while I’m ecstatic about it, I’m also looking at tonight with a certain amount of trepidation.

I don’t want to drive Skye away by going too quickly too soon. I want tonight to bring us closer, so I must tread carefully.

I must think about things I’m not used to thinking about.

And it dawns on me…

Being in love is about giving up a little of my control.

I’ll make sure it’s damned little.

After an afternoon of grueling meetings, I make a few calls. Plans. For tonight.

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Follow Me Always (Follow Me #3) Read Online Helen Hardt http://www.ilovenovels.com/follow-me-always-follow-me-3-read-online-helen-hardt Mon, 16 Aug 2021 22:59:45 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/follow-me-always-follow-me-3-read-online-helen-hardt Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Dark, Erotic, Romance Authors: Helen Hardt Series: Follow Me Series by Helen Hardt
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Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 91862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)

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Read Online Books/Novels:	Follow Me Always (Follow Me #3)
Author/Writer of Book/Novel:	Helen Hardt
Language:	English
ISBN/ ASIN:	1682815560 (ISBN13: 9781682815564)
Book Information:
He unleashed the darkness in her…but it might cost them both. Billionaire Braden Black has one hard limit in the bedroom. He doesn’t talk about it, and he doesn’t engage in it. But when his lover, Skye Manning, begs him for it, he has to face facts—while he may be able to buy her anything, he can’t give her this. Though he loves her desperately, he’s starting to worry their relationship can’t continue. Skye Manning has fallen down the rabbit hole and become captive to her needs. When Braden asks her why she desires something so dark, and she finds she can’t respond, she knows she’ll have to come up with those answers on her own. She’s willing, but she wants something in return—Braden’s complete honesty about his past. Because Skye is convinced her needs, his limits...everything is tied to this one secret. Start this amazing series off with Darkly, Follow Me Darkly told from the hero's point of view, or spice up your reading with Braden's story any time while enjoying the Follow Me series. Darkly (Book #1 in the hero's POV) can be read and enjoyed in any order!
Books in Series:	Follow Me Series by Helen Hardt
Books by Author:	Helen Hardt

Prologue

Oh? What are your hard limits?

I only have one.

What is it?

I don’t talk about it.

Don’t you think I should know? So I don’t bring it up?

Trust me, Skye. You will never bring it up.

…

Braden was wrong. I brought it up. Why did he think I wouldn’t?

Control. It’s the ultimate loss of control, and he assumed I’d never go there.

“Why?” I ask. “Why won’t you do it?”

“Why? Perhaps I’ll tell you why…as soon as you tell me why you feel you need it.”

“I…don’t know.”

He inhales. Exhales. Inhales again. Is he thinking about how to reply to me? Is he angry? Sad? Does he feel anything at all?

Because I can’t tell.

“For God’s sake, Braden,” I finally say. “Can you show me some emotion for once in your life?”

He cocks his head as his nostrils flare. “You think I don’t show you emotion?” He stands. “How can you say that? I’ve shown you more emotion than I’ve ever shown anyone. Anyone, Skye. If you don’t know that, you should.”

He’s right. I’m not being fair. He showed me a ton of emotion last night when my dinner burned, and I lost it. “Braden—”

“No. You don’t talk. Not until I’m done. I told you who I was. I told you I wasn’t wired for relationships. But I made an exception for you. I made that exception because I love you, Skye. I wasn’t looking to fall in love. I knew it would put a dent in my life—”

I can’t help responding. I’m torn in half, and I’m angry. “A dent, Braden? I’m a fucking dent?”

“Shut up! Just shut the fuck up, Skye. I will have my say, and then you can have yours. If you’re brave enough.”

“Brave enough? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know exactly what it means, and if you interrupt me again, this discussion is over.”

My lips tremble as I nod.

He clears his throat. “I made an exception for you. I decided to have a relationship—or try, at least—but I fear this little experiment of mine has failed.”

Little experiment? I’m a damned experiment? I want to yell, scream, tear out his hair. Punch his smug face until it’s bruised and battered.

I want to cry, sob in his arms, and tell him I’ll do anything to please him.

I want to beg him to take me back underground, tie me up, choke me.

I want to bare my soul, confess my love, tell him I’ll do anything… Anything…

But I sit quietly. I sit quietly because I’m afraid. I’m very afraid of where this is leading.

If you’re brave enough…

I’ve lost so much already.

And now I’m about to lose the man I love.

Chapter One

Seconds pass like hours.

Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Tock.

I wait.

I wait while emotion hurricanes through me in a mass of anger, sadness, and fear.

I wait for Braden to continue. To say what he has to say.

To end our relationship—a relationship that perhaps should never have begun.

I could be content right now. Who needs Susanne Cosmetics? I could still be working for Addison Ames. She paid me pretty well, and yeah, she’s a narcissistic bitch, but I was making contacts.

And Tessa. I’d still have Tessa. My best friend forever, except that forever apparently has an end after all. Maybe I’d be dating that Peter guy. He’s not a billionaire, but he’s an architect at a major firm. He does all right. Who needs a private jet anyway? Or a private driver? I’ll settle for a guy with a decent car. Who needs to be tied up? Spanked? Choked?

I never did.

I was content before.

Except that I wasn’t.

I was never challenged.

And Braden?

He challenges me. Not just in everyday, run-of-the-mill ways, either. He challenges my very way of thinking. He challenges my concept of myself. He dares me to try new things. Things I never even conceptualized before.

Things I never knew existed.

And I’m not just talking about the bondage.

I’m talking about life. About my photography. About seeing a bigger picture. About becoming what I’m meant to be.

Braden did all that for me.

And now he’s going to take it away.

“Well?” he finally asks.

I lift my eyebrows, fearing that if I speak, he’ll walk away that much sooner.

“You may speak,” he says.

I nod. “Well, what?”

“Fuck it all, Skye. Don’t you have anything to say?”

What? Did he say something after the experiment comment? Shit. He may have. I was busy having a little pity party for myself inside my head.

“I’m sorry. I’m a little…distracted.”

“Distracted? Really? So you don’t give a shit that we’re breaking up?”

My heart sinks to my belly. His words aren’t unexpected. No. In fact, I predicted them. But actually hearing them? In his voice?

They hit me like a tornado, crashing into me and shattering every glass window inside my soul.

It’s an implosion of thought and emotion. Of reality and identity.

“I’m sorry.” I choke back a sob. I made a fool of myself last night, crying over my ruined dinner. I won’t do it again.

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Darkly (Follow Me #4) Read Online Helen Hardt http://www.ilovenovels.com/darkly-follow-me-4-read-online-helen-hardt Sat, 29 May 2021 22:37:13 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/darkly-follow-me-4-read-online-helen-hardt Genre: BDSM, Erotic, Romance Authors: Helen Hardt Series: Follow Me Series by Helen Hardt
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Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 83171 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)

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Read Online Books/Novels:	Darkly (Follow Me #4)
Author/Writer of Book/Novel:	Helen Hardt
Language:	English
ISBN/ ASIN:	B093YT7VKN
Book Information:
Self-made billionaire Braden Black is used to getting what he wants when he wants it. So when aspiring photographer Skye Manning doesn’t immediately fall into his bed, Braden finds himself craving her even more. And when she finally does submit to him, no one is more surprised than Braden that the thrill of the chase didn’t satisfy his appetite—to the contrary, it only fueled it. Behind Skye’s dedication and focus, he sees a natural submissive, and he’s determined to bring her out. Skye Manning takes charge of her life. Everything she does brings her one step closer to her goal of becoming an internationally known photographer. Until Braden Black. He challenges her, shows her more pleasure than she ever imagined between the sheets, but he asks something in return—something she can never give up. Her control. But Braden Black never backs down from a challenge.
Books in Series:	Follow Me Series by Helen Hardt
Books by Author:	Helen Hardt

Chapter One

Addison Ames hates coffee.

I don’t think about Addison Ames much anymore, but sometimes the past inevitably collides with the present—like when I check my Instagram, which also doesn’t happen often.

I have no idea how many followers—other than it’s in the millions—I have on my Instagram, which is run by my social media team for the most part. Me? I don’t have time for social media, but the team insists I post every couple of days, and that it has to come from me, to make it personal.

I’m not sure why anyone gives a damn what I’m doing, but apparently Boston’s Blue Collar Billionaire is everyone’s business.

I’m a private person by nature, so posing in front of a camera and a team of photographers isn’t on my to-do list, either, but I complied, resulting in a spread in GQ magazine that I’d prefer to forget. Apparently it matters what I look like in skivvies.

Apparently it matters to a lot of people.

And so does social media.

So no matter how much I hate it, I post on Instagram once a week. My phone is set up to remind me, so when it buzzes this morning with the dreaded admonition, I pull up my account.

And I see Addison Ames’s fake smile as she holds up a cup of some hipster drink from a new place called Bean There Done That.

Hanging out at the new Bean There Done That coffee shop in downtown Boston. The cinnamon mocha latte is to die for! @beantheredonethat #sponsored #coffeeisdope #coffeeaddict #coffee #latte #beantheredonethat

Coffee is dope? Really?

She reviles the stuff. I should know. We have a…history.

That history I try not to dwell on.

Normally I ignore her, but for some reason, the post triggers me. Maybe it’s because I just got off a heated phone call with a supplier overseas. Maybe it’s because I haven’t had sex since Aretha and I parted ways. Maybe it’s because I haven’t visited my club in New York for a while.

Or maybe I’m just sick and tired of all the fakeness in the world, and I detest my part in it.

Addie already has hundreds of comments and thousands of likes for a post that only went live fifteen minutes ago.

You rock, Addison! #luvyourface

Love me some cinnamon mocha latte! Love your lip gloss. What’s the brand?

Bean There is the greatest! #whoneedsstarbucks You and I both love cinnamon mocha lattes!

Love you, @realaddisonames!

More and more of the same.

Before I even realize it consciously, I’m typing a comment. I push Send.

Nice try, @realaddisonames. Coffee makes you puke. I should know. #youreafake

I instantly regret it, because snideness isn’t my style. The past is the past, and to be honest, part of me admires Addison Ames. She’s making a cushy living as an Instagram influencer with millions of followers. She’s a hotel heiress, but she’s not living off Daddy’s money. Or maybe she is, but she’s at least contributing to her own expenses.

Yeah, I should delete the comment. I swipe my finger over it, and the red trash can appears. I hover then, my thoughts hurling back through time…

I don’t delete it.

I’ll never forget her part in what ultimately happened all those years ago, so all admiration aside, I can’t let her off the hook. Not this time. I just won’t lower myself to her level again.

Not ever.

I shove my phone into my pocket without posting on my own account and gather some documents for my scheduled meeting with Legal. The earlier phone call with the supplier has put a kink in one of our larger contracts, and I’m not looking forward to informing my attorneys.

I whisk by my assistant, Claire. “No disturbances during this meeting,” I tell her. “Please let Reception know.”

“Sure thing, Mr. Black.”

I walk briskly to Conference Room Two.

My brother, Ben, and three of our lawyers are seated.

Already, the headache is clawing its way across my skull.

…

A grueling two hours later, I head back to my office.

“Any calls?” I ask Claire.

She hands me a few message slips. I’m kind of old school. I like written messages. Voicemail is fine for personal use, but for work, I want a paper trail. Nothing gets lost in the shuffle—or erased—on my watch. I learned that lesson the hard way long ago.

I leaf through the messages.

“There was one problem, though,” Claire says.

I raise my eyebrows and meet her gaze. “What’s that?”

“Cindy down at Reception got a call from Addison Ames.”

I frown. I guess I should have seen that coming. Why didn’t she just delete my comment and move on? “What happened?”

“Apparently she demanded to leave you a voice message. Cindy was a little shaken.”

Shaken? Anyone working for me can’t be easily shaken. I make sure of it. Which means Addie was being extra bitchy.

“I’ll take care of it,” I say. “Thanks, Claire.”

I close the door to my office, sit down at my desk, and call down to Reception.

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Follow Me Under (Follow Me #2) Read Online Helen Hardt http://www.ilovenovels.com/follow-me-under-follow-me-2-read-online-helen-hardt Wed, 03 Feb 2021 06:27:52 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/follow-me-under-follow-me-2-read-online-helen-hardt Genre: Alpha Male, BDSM, Billionaire, Erotic, New Adult, Romance, Suspense Authors: Helen Hardt Series: Follow Me Series by Helen Hardt
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Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 88228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >86

Read Online Books/Novels:	Follow Me Under (Follow Me #2)
Author/Writer of Book/Novel:	Helen Hardt
Language:	English
Book Information:
She gave him control in the bedroom. But is she losing control of her identity? Dating Boston’s billionaire bachelor has opened up a new world for Skye Manning. Opportunities are suddenly everywhere, her new career is flourishing, and she experiences luxury she’s only seen in the pages of magazines. So why does she feel like she’s losing herself? Braden Black never meant to fall for Skye, and he still tries to resist a relationship he knows he’s not wired for. But not only has Skye awoken something inside him—he’s stirring something dark and forbidden inside his Cinderella. Something even he can’t control…
Books in Series:	Follow Me Series by Helen Hardt
Books by Author:	Helen Hardt

Chapter One

Everything’s ready for tonight. Are you?

I stare at the text from Braden.

For a moment, I’m no longer sitting with Betsy, my new friend who’s known my ex-boss, Instagram influencer Addison Ames, since they were kids. Instead, I’m in some kind of time-warped vacuum, where only my phone and I exist. Betsy hasn’t just told me that Braden dumped Addie for refusing to get kinky with him after something he did left her shaken. That women are a game to him. That Braden is dangerous. I’m simply alone, reading Braden’s enigmatic text and anticipating what he has in store for me tonight.

But only for a moment.

When I look up, Betsy is fidgeting, clasping and unclasping her hands. She’s clearly nervous. Clearly frightened that Addie will somehow find out she’s telling me all this. How was Betsy ever friends with Addison Ames? High school was a while ago for them, of course. She and Addie are twenty-nine now.

I look at the text from Braden once more.

Everything’s ready for tonight. Are you?

I can’t feel my face. Only minutes earlier, I was alive with excitement and anticipation about tonight.

Now?

Am I feeling fear?

Not exactly.

Apprehension.

Yeah, a little, but that’s not the sum of what’s whirling through me.

Trepidation and nervousness, yes.

But underneath it all, flowing through my veins, is what I’ve felt all along.

Love.

Even after what Betsy told me—that Braden dumped Addie after she refused to do what he asked—I’m still in love with him.

I still yearn for him.

But I need answers. Big-time.

My hands clench into fists. My shoulders ache from the tension. A drum pounds in my head. I’m sitting here in the back room of Betsy’s Bark Boutique—she even closed the shop to talk to me—and I’m ready to implode.

There’s an explanation. There has to be. Braden is a man who volunteers at the food pantry that kept him fed when he was a child. He’s a man who rescues dogs.

Betsy continues to speak, but her words are only a high buzzing sound between my ears. Her mouth moves, her lips flap, but nothing resonates in my brain.

Then her clammy palm lands on one of my fists.

“Skye?”

My lips part, but I can’t force any words out. Instead, a squeak emerges.

“Skye?” she says again.

This time I bite my lower lip. The magnitude of the accusation she just lobbed against the man I love hits me with the full force of a sucker punch to the gut.

Addie passed out after one of their escapades. When she refused to get kinky with him again, he dumped her cold and broke her heart. She was never the same. It took her forever to rebuild her confidence—not until her Instagram took off, really.

“She’s lying,” I say. “Addison is lying.”

Betsy bites her lip and starts fidgeting with her fingers again. “Maybe. All I have is what she told me. I certainly wasn’t witness to what transpired between her and Braden.”

“Besides, you’re the one who told me that she pursued him. Maybe he decided she wasn’t the right match for him.” I can’t help my pleading tone. I’m angry—frightened, even—but I won’t take these emotions out on Betsy. None of this is her fault, and she’s only trying to help me.

“I’m not saying anything, Skye, other than what Addison told me. I don’t know if it’s true, but if there was even the slightest chance it is”—Betsy shrugged, clasping her hands together—“I felt I needed to tell you. I don’t want you to end up brokenhearted like she did. I betrayed a huge confidence telling you this because I care about you.”

I nod. Betsy’s a good person.

But Addison is not a good person. And I think deep down, Betsy knows it.

“I’ve searched everywhere on the internet, trying to uncover this”—I make air quotes—“‘secret’ that neither Addie nor Braden will talk about. And you’re telling me the only secret is that he likes to tie women up, and she decided she didn’t want to do that anymore?”

Is this supposed to surprise me? Addie’s a major influencer. She has a public image of leadership, of being in charge of her life. Of course she doesn’t want to be submissive.

Still…she knew about my nipple clamps. Did Braden use them on her? She must have consented, or Braden wouldn’t have dominated her in any way. It’s possible she submitted at first and then decided that wasn’t her jam after they did something that freaked her out…

And then he dumped her?

Betsy looks away and unclasps her hands, fiddling with her fingers again before zeroing back in on my gaze and placing her palm on my fist once more. “If there is even a tiny chance of it being true, I had to tell you, Skye. I’d decided not to, but then you said you’re in love with him. I can’t let you get hurt.”

“Braden would never hurt anyone. If he was the one who ended the relationship, he had a good reason.” My words sound confident. Almost too confident. Am I trying to convince myself? If Betsy is telling the truth, was Addie refusing to do some kind of kink a good reason?

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Follow Me Darkly (Follow Me #1) Read Online Helen Hardt http://www.ilovenovels.com/follow-me-darkly-follow-me-1-read-online-helen-hardt Thu, 01 Oct 2020 21:34:08 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/follow-me-darkly-follow-me-1-read-online-helen-hardt Genre: Billionaire, Contemporary, Dark, Erotic, Romance Authors: Helen Hardt Series: Follow Me Series by Helen Hardt
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Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 87522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >85

Read Online Books/Novels:	(Follow Me #1) Follow Me Darkly
Author/Writer of Book/Novel:	Helen Hardt
Language:	English
ISBN/ ASIN:	1682814998 (ISBN13: 9781682814994)
Book Information:
I’ve always been a control freak. But he makes me crave submission. . . Working for a hotel heiress and social media influencer may not be my dream job, but at least it allows me time to do what I really love - take photographs. Pretty good for a wholesome farm girl from Kansas trying to make it in Boston. Life may not be easy working for a diva, but at least I know what to expect. Until blue-collar billionaire Braden Black strides into the office. He’s beyond handsome and sexy, but also domineering with a definite hard edge. I’m not sure why he’s interested in me, but within a few weeks, he’s showing me a world I never knew existed. He’s opened up a side of me I can only face in the dark, and it’s quickly becoming an obsession. How can I give up something this addictive - even if his secrets could ultimately destroy me?
Books in Series:	Follow Me Series by Helen Hardt
Books by Author:	Helen Hardt

Chapter One

Addison Ames hates coffee.

In fact, she says the smell of it gags her.

But here she stands, cinnamon mocha latte in hand, as I snap a photo with her smartphone. She extends her left arm because it has to look like a selfie. A perfect selfie, which is where I come in. A normal selfie is subject to silly things like an arm’s length and faulty lighting, so we have to create the illusion that it’s a selfie.

Bean There Done That, a new coffee joint hoping to give Starbucks a run for its money, just paid Addison a buttload to post a “selfie” with one of their hipster drinks. Apparently having their brew sipped by a Boston hotel heiress means something.

I just haven’t figured out what.

Addison couldn’t possibly spend her fortune in three lifetimes, yet she’s getting paid to pose with a pouty fake smile and a latte.

I edit it quickly, making her look even more gorgeous than she is, and hand the phone to her.

She shakes her head. “No. I look fat in this one, and my hair’s a mess.”

Fat? Addison weighs all of a hundred pounds soaking wet. Still, I take the phone back. I hate not getting it right the first time—I’m a control freak by nature—but I’m used to her. She grabs a compact out of her purse, fiddles with her blond hair, and then resumes her pose.

I need this job. I’m lucky to have this job. I worked my butt off to get this job, calculating every move I made. How else would Skye Manning, Kansas farm girl and aspiring photographer, be hired as assistant to Addison Ames, hotel heiress and Instagram influencer extraordinaire? This was a business move on my part, and I’m not about to screw it up, no matter how much my employer grates on my nerves.

I shoot the photo again. It’s nearly identical to the first. I edit and hand her the phone.

“Much better,” she says. “Get this up right away. Use the copy the company sent us. They’re already after me about not posting it earlier this week.”

I nod, tag the location, and post the photo.

Hanging out at the new Bean There Done That coffee shop in downtown Boston. The cinnamon mocha latte is to die for! @beantheredonethat #sponsored #coffeeisdope #coffeeaddict #coffee #latte #beantheredonethat

Within five minutes, Addison has a thousand likes and a hundred comments.

Unbelievable.

Sometimes Addison writes her own copy. More often, I write it. This time, we go with Bean There’s copy, since Addison has nothing good to say about coffee of any kind.

I disagree about coffee. I can’t get enough of the stuff, and my mouth waters over the cinnamon mocha latte that will end up in the trash. Does she ever think of offering it to me?

Nope.

Addison Ames doesn’t concern herself with the “help.”

My phone dings constantly with new comments on Addison’s latest post. I look down. Yeah, more of the same.

You rock, Addison! #luvyourface

Love me some cinnamon mocha latte!

Love your lip gloss. What’s the brand?

Bean There is the greatest! #whoneedsstarbucks

You and I both love cinnamon mocha lattes!

Love you, @realaddisonames!

Until my jaw drops.

Nice try, @realaddisonames. Coffee makes you puke. I should know. #youreafake

Uh-oh.

Part of my job is to delete all negative comments as soon as they post, and I’m about to, until I notice the sender.

@bradenblackinc

Braden Black?

The billionaire? Can’t be.

Except it is.

His profile pic is on the money. Gorgeous dark hair and blue eyes the color of the hottest flame. I know, because I’ve spent the last month drooling over his spread in GQ. It’s Braden Black all right. He’s fairly new to his money, not born into it like Addison, and definitely from a blue-collar background. How do they know each other?

Doesn’t really matter. I quickly delete the offending comment and search through the rest. This part of my job is unending. Social media posts are forever, so a negative comment can pop up anytime. My only consolation is that Addison rarely checks her Instagram account. Those questions she sometimes answers? That’s me, not her. She has a private Instagram for her large circle of rich friends, and she also uses other social media. Her public Instagram, though, is where she makes money.

I catch an Uber by myself back to her office. It’s in one of Daddy’s most posh hotels in the heart of Boston. Although Addison doesn’t keep normal hours, I’m expected to. I don’t mind. It’s a job. A job is supposed to have normal hours. Of course, oftentimes she calls me outside those normal hours if she needs a “selfie.” “No one takes a selfie like you do, Skye,” she says with a smile.

I should be flattered. My skill as a photographer had a big part in landing me this position. So it’s not exactly art. At least I’m doing what I love.

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