The Damaged Souls Series
Scarred Now Permafree!!!
Alexis Bolden has seen her fair share of tragedy and experienced enough abuse to last a lifetime. Witnessing the double murder-suicide of her parents and dealing with a string of abusive losers, Lexi often found comfort in the brutal ritual of cutting. And now, narrowly escaping with her life from the last episode of abuse, Lexi finally finds the courage to press charges and start a new life.
Meanwhile, Sloan Stryker, a war veteran suffering from the physical and internal scars of war and bouts of PTSD, has found himself estranged from his disapproving parents, no job and homeless.
Through a chance meeting and a dramatic rescue, an unusual friendship develops between these two deeply wounded people. Can they work past their damaged souls to finally come together? Find out in Twyla Turner's new erotic romance, Scarred. Accompanied by a sensual auditory journey.
Excerpt:
They ran through the streets of an Afghan city. Sloan and Vick ran down deserted streets, running from an unknown enemy. They rounded a corner and a bomb went off throwing Sloan backwards and in slow motion he watched as Lexi, instead of Vick was blown to bits in front of his eyes. Sloan screamed his heart ripping in two as the woman he loved was ripped away from him in one devastating blow.
“Sloan! Wake up, wake up! It’s not real. You’re not in Afghanistan. You’re here in Savannah. You’re here with me…Lexi. It’s okay.” Lexi comforted him, combing back his hair with her fingers.
Sloan’s eyes flew open and he looked up at her. But still trapped in the nightmare all he saw was her bloody face. He half screamed half sobbed and crawled away from her to the corner of the room, cowering in fear.
Tears welled up in Lexi’s eyes as she looked at the strong man so broken in the corner. In that moment Lexi understood how he could still want her, damaged and all. Because she still wanted him, as scared as she was to take that step into trusting another human being. They were both broken and scarred people on the inside and out and they were both trying their damnedest to crawl out of that hell into the light to make a better life for themselves.
Lexi and Sloan are doing everything in their power to fight the demons of their past. They continue to build each other up while rebuilding Lexi’s home. Both their careers are skyrocketing and they're carving out a nice life for themselves as a couple. But the demons of the past are beginning to catch up to the present. And Lexi must decide between fight or flight.
Can their relationship withstand the constant threat? Or will the damage be more than either of them can take?
Find out in Open Wounds, the sequel to Scarred.
Excerpt:
“Why did you go off alone with him?” Sloan asked her quietly.
Lexi gave him a cutting look and then took off her heels and started up the stairs to her room, without a word. Sloan followed, without hesitation.
“I asked you a question, Alexis.” Sloan said, trying to remain calm.
“And I’m not going to dignify it with an answer.” Lexi replied as she stomped to the top of the stairs.
She walked quickly down the hall to her bedroom door. Once she walked through the doorway, she tried to slam it in his face, but he was too quick and caught the door with his hand. Lexi stamped her feet over to the closet in frustration and threw her shoes in. She was about to stomp into the bathroom, when she heard him speak and she turned to glare at him.
“I’m going to ask again. Why did you go off alone with him? And why did you let him touch you? I’ve taught you how to defend yourself.” Sloan asked, his voice low and ominous.
“Why did I let him touch me?! Well what about you?! I saw Victoria touch you. A couple times! And you did nothing to stop her! So don’t give me your jealous bullshit, Sloan!” Lexi finally exploded.
“She’s an old friend. And completely delusional. But you know how I feel about him!” Sloan shouted back, striding up to her.
“What did you expect me to do? Kick him in the nuts?! In his own house? He wasn’t forcing himself on me, he just touched my cheek. That’s it!” Lexi held her hands up in exasperation.
“Anything would’ve been preferable to you just standing there!” Sloan shouted before taking a deep breath. “Now I’m only going to say this once, so listen up.” Sloan said deceptively quiet as he stepped closer to her and leaned down until they were eye to eye. Stormy grayish blue to molten green. “You. Are. Mine. Do you understand?” Sloan growled low and Lexi squinted furiously at him.
“Go. Fuck. Yourself. Do you understand?” Lexi shot back.
Lexi turned on her heel and started for the bathroom, but Sloan had other plans. He grabbed her by the elbow and spun her back around. He pulled her into him and firmly gripped her hair, pulling her head back to look up at him.
“No, but I’d much rather fuck you.” Sloan said before pulling her in to claim her mouth in an angry kiss.
Lexi placed both hands on his chest and pushed as hard as she could. He released her lips on a gasp. “So what, now you’re gonna rape me? ‘Cause there’s no way in hell I’m having sex with you willingly, right now.” Lexi snapped at him.
“Rape? I don’t think so. You’ll be begging for it by the time I’m through.” Sloan said spitefully.
“Go to hell!” Lexi shouted in his face, her voice faltering slightly with panic that he was right.
“Gladly. But I’m taking you with me.” Sloan said before tossing her onto the bed.
Lexi and Sloan have narrowly escaped one of their demons, only to face another. One that neither of them could've ever expected.
Their issues continue to threaten their fragile relationship. Pulling them further apart and possibly pushing them into another's arms.
Will Aaron and Victoria finally get what they want? Or will it be Sloan's parents that rip them apart?
Find out in Healed, the emotional conclusion to the Damaged Souls Series.
Excerpt:
It was nearly the same as yesterday. She stood in front of her easel, painting. This time she was in a pair of her form-fitting yoga pants and a tank top. Her soft dark cloud of hair pulled back by a scarf. Standing in front of a field of flowers, she took his breath away like before. But, even though, by all appearances, everything looked the same. Sloan knew better.
As he walked towards her, he made sure that he stepped heavily so that she knew he was coming. When she heard his footsteps, he saw her quickly wipe her hands across her face before she turned to look at him. And when their eyes connected, he saw that they were once again puffy and red from crying. It took all he had not to burst into tears, himself. He swallowed several times, trying to dislodge the lump in his throat as he came to a stop a few feet away from her.
“Lunchtime,” Sloan said, and then cleared his clogged throat, hearing the choked sound of the word, around his obstructed vocal cords.
“Alright,” Lexi said, equally gruff.
Sloan saw the canvas, with the painting she was working on. The picture was like another kick to the gut.
“Where would you like to set up camp?” Sloan asked, not sure if going to their spot yesterday, was a good idea.
“I don’t know. I guess here, in the grass is fine.” Lexi shrugged, wanting nothing more than to go to their spot, but fearing that the once welcoming and warm embrace of the tall grass and wildflowers would now feel claustrophobic and oppressive.
Without another word, Sloan found a relatively rock-free spot in the grass. He threw out the blanket, and it billowed out, as he guided the floating material down onto the overgrown grass, perfectly. They took their places on the blanket. The day before they sat in the middle, close to each other, some part of their bodies touching each other at all times. But this time, they sat on opposite corners, as far away as they could get from one another.
They both recognized the difference, and the reality, broke their hearts. But Sloan didn’t want to freak Lexi out by his nearness. And Lexi’s nerves had full control over her, no matter how badly she wanted to be close to him.
They fixed their own plates and ate in silence. Both found it hard to eat past the knot in their throats. And once the food cleared their thick throats, it landed like a brick in their churning stomachs. They were a wreck, with no clue, how to get through their impasse.
Once they were finished, Sloan started to gather up his half-eaten plate to put away before Lexi stopped him.
“I-It’s okay. I can clean up. I got this.” Lexi said, quietly.
Sloan nodded his head sadly, unable to speak and strode away, with shoulders hunched. As if bracing himself to enter into a raging storm. Lexi watched him walk away, with tears clouding her eyes. She sat for a moment, trying to pull herself and her emotions together.
She swiped angrily at her face, at the tears that had slipped down her cheeks. Getting to her knees, she slowly put away the remnants of their melancholy lunch. She closed the basket, folded up the blanket and took a ragged breath before walking back to her easel to finish painting one of the last cherished moments they’d had. The painting, a reminder of what had been lost.