Stay With Me (Lazarus Rising Book 3) Read online

  He had to blink, fast, and then he focused on her. Carefully, ever so carefully, he put the photos down. He knew he’d look at them a thousand times. Always. But first, there was something else he had to do.

  John reached into the pocket of his jogging pants. He found the small box he’d slipped in there, the box he’d carefully hidden from Shelly. Before they’d returned to the cabin, he’d snuck away to make a purchase. Jay had wired some of John’s funds to him, and he’d made quick work of finding Shelly what he hoped would be the perfect gift.

  “John?”

  He was kneeling in front of her. The lights from the tree and from the fire flickered over her, and he’d never seen anything more beautiful. He offered his small gift to her.

  She ripped it open. Tore the wrapping paper away in a blink. And saw the black box that waited for her. So much smaller than the box she’d given to him.

  Shelly opened the box. The diamond inside gleamed.

  “I love you,” John told her. She was the best gift he’d ever gotten. And he’d treasure her always.

  A tear slid down her cheek. Shelly put the ring on her finger. Stared at it. Then at him.

  “Shelly…” John cleared his throat. “I know it’s soon but…do you think…would you ever want…” His words trailed away. Would you ever want a life with me?

  “I love you, John,” Shelly replied softly, but with certainty. “And it’s soon, and I don’t care. I want you.” She threw her arms around him. They tumbled back onto the rug.

  She kissed him. He kissed her. They laughed.

  The darkness inside of him…it was quiet. Still.

  Because he was happy. So happy.

  He’d found her.

  And she’d saved him.

  THE END

  Find out what happens to Jay and Willow. The “Lazarus Rising” series continues with RUN TO ME, available 1/23/2018!

  RUN TO ME

  He’s used to getting what he wants…

  Jennings “Jay” Maverick is a tech billionaire. He has the world at his feet, and he thinks he can buy anything…but he can’t buy her. One look at the mysterious Willow, and Jay knows that he is a goner. He wants to give her anything and everything she desires, but he’s the man responsible for the pain in Willow’s life, and getting close to her—well, that’s not going to be easy.

  Her life is a nightmare that she can’t escape.

  Willow woke up in one of the “Lazarus” research facilities. She now has increased strength, incredible speed, and some scary psychic bonuses. Because of the danger associated with her new gifts, she’s afraid to touch anyone. One touch from her, and a man’s darkest fears will seemingly turn into reality. But Jay isn’t afraid of her touch. Instead, he seems to…crave it. To crave her.

  She can’t trust him, and he won’t let her go.

  Willow knows that Jay has been involved with Lazarus in the past, but he swears he only wants to help her. She never expects the white-hot desire that burns between them, a desire that grows more with every moment that passes. Thrust together as allies, Willow finds herself wanting to put her faith in Jay, wanting to find someone she can rely on, but Jay may still be keeping secrets from her. Secrets that could get them both killed.

  When darkness and danger close in…RUN TO ME.

  Pre-order RUN TO ME now.

  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  Thanks so much for reading STAY WITH ME! I love Christmas, and I couldn’t wait to write a book that would allow me to set my “Lazarus Rising” world during the holiday season. I wanted my characters to enjoy the season, but, of course, they had to survive danger and deception first. My favorite scene in the book was actually Shelly and John’s Christmas tree buying moment. Despite the madness around them, they were taking some time to find a bit of joy. I hope you can find joy during this busy time of the year, too.

  If you haven’t read the other “Lazarus Rising” books, be sure to check out the first book in the series, NEVER LET GO. All of the books can be read as stand-alone stories, but I think it’s more fun to read the full series.

  Happy Holidays!

  If you’d like to stay updated on my releases and sales, please join my newsletter list.

  You can also check out my Facebook page. I love to post giveaways over at Facebook!

  Again, thank you for reading STAY WITH ME.

  Best,

  Cynthia Eden

  www.cynthiaeden.com

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Award-winning author Cynthia Eden writes dark tales of paranormal romance and romantic suspense. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Cynthia is also a three-time finalist for the RITA® award. Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over eighty novels and novellas.

  More Information

  CynthiaEden.com

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  HER OTHER WORKS

  Free Reads

  The Wolf Within (Purgatory, Book 1)

  Mine To Take (Mine, Book 1)

  Bound By Blood (Bound Book 1)

  A Bit of Bite

  Boxed Sets

  Only For Me (Dark Obsession, Books 1 to 4)

  The Beasts Inside (Purgatory, Books 1 to 4)

  Mine Series Box Set Volume 1 (Mine, Books 1-3)

  Mine Series Box Set Volume 2 (Mine, Books 4-6)

  Forever Bound (Bound, Books 1 to 4)

  Lazarus Rising

  Never Let Go (Book One, Lazarus Rising)

  Keep Me Close (Book Two, Lazarus Rising)

  Bite Series

  Forbidden Bite (Bite Book 1)

  Mating Bite (Bite Book 2)

  Bad Things

  The Devil In Disguise (Bad Things, Book 1)

  On The Prowl (Bad Things, Book 2)

  Undead Or Alive (Bad Things, Book 3)

  Broken Angel (Bad Things, Book 4)

  Heart Of Stone (Bad Things, Book 5)

  Tempted By Fate (Bad Things, Book 6)

  Dark Obsession Series

  Watch Me (Dark Obsession, Book 1)

  Want Me (Dark Obsession, Book 2)

  Need Me (Dark Obsession, Book 3)

  Beware Of Me (Dark Obsession, Book 4)

  Only For Me (Dark Obsession, Books 1 to 4)

  Mine Series

  Mine To Take (Mine, Book 1)

  Mine To Keep (Mine, Book 2)

  Mine To Hold (Mine, Book 3)

  Mine To Crave (Mine, Book 4)

  Mine To Have (Mine, Book 5)

  Mine To Protect (Mine, Book 6)

  Mine Series Box Set Volume 1 (Mine, Books 1-3)

  Mine Series Box Set Volume 2 (Mine, Books 4-6)

  Blood and Moonlight Series

  Bite The Dust (Blood and Moonlight, Book 1)

  Better Off Undead (Blood and Moonlight, Book 2)

  Bitter Blood (Blood and Moonlight, Book 3)

  Blood and Moonlight (The Complete Series)

  Purgatory Series

  The Wolf Within (Purgatory, Book 1)

  Marked By The Vampire (Purgatory, Book 2)

  Charming The Beast (Purgatory, Book 3)

  Deal with the Devil (Purgatory, Book 4)

  The Beasts Inside (Purgatory, Books 1 to 4)

  Bound Series

  Bound By Blood (Bound Book 1)

  Bound In Darkness (Bound Book 2)

  Bound In Sin (Bound Book 3)

  Bound By The Night (Bound Book 4)

  Forever Bound (Bound, Books 1 to 4)

  Bound in Death (Bound Book 5)

  Did you know that Cynthia Eden also writes romantic suspense? Check out her full book list.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  C
hapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Author’s Note

  About The Author