It's Not Them, It's Only Her

IT’S NOT THEM, IT’S ONLY HER Young in Love Book 4 ELLE WRIGHT Contents Dear Reader Recommended Reading Dick Interrupted 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 Epilogue It’s Not Me, It’s You Excerpt: It’s Not Me, It’s You Acknowledgments Connect with Elle! About the Author Also by Elle Wright This is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. It’s Not Them, It’s Only Her Copyright @ 2023 by Elle Wright Paperback ISBN: 979-8-9854542-3-9 Excerpt from It’s Not Me, It’s You copyright @ 2021 by Elle Wright ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this work made be used, reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. Elle Wrights Books, LLC Ypsilanti, Michigan www.ElleWright.com Copy Editor/Proofreading: Paulette Nunlee 5-Star Proofing Cover Design: Sherelle Green It’s Not Them, It’s Only Her My mission in life is simple. Family. Food. Freedom. Most people don’t question my love for my family. And I make my living as a celebrity chef. The freedom part? The thought of being confined—behind bars, at a desk, or in a monogamous relationship—is not something I want for myself. Unfortunately, it becomes a problem when women want to make me their Forever Bae. Even after I make it clear that I’m not looking for more than short interlude. Except… when I think of her, when I’m with her, I don’t feel stuck. I actually want uninterrupted time with her. Surprised? Me too. Want to know how I ended up in this predicament? I wish I knew because I definitely wasn’t looking for it. Maybe it’s the way she takes care of me? By listening to the things I say and everything I don’t say. Want to know why changing our relationship dynamic is a bad idea? I’m not the only one who wants her. Which makes it very complicated. Want to know another reason why this is a bad idea? My track record speaks for itself. And she deserves someone good. I’m… not. The choice is hers, though. I hate to lose so I’m playing to win. And I will show her that it’s not him that she needs. It’s me. Dear Reader Duke is finally here!! This character has to be one of my favorite characters in my Universe. He grabbed a hold of my heart when I wrote The Way You Tempt Me, and hasn’t let go. Now, it’s his turn! Brace yourself, because he is not for the games. He’s ready to risk it all for her… And only her! Thank you for joining me on this ride!!! I hope you enjoy them! Love, Elle www.ellewright.com Recommended Reading MEET THE YOUNG FAMILY It’s Not Them, It’s Only Her is the fourth book in my Young in Love Series, but the Young family has been cutting up for a long time! If you’d like to get acquainted with this family before you read, I recommend starting with the following books: IT’S NOT ME, IT’S YOU is book one in the Young In Love Series, followed by IT’S NOT LOVE, IT’S BUSINESS, then IT’S NOT THE HOOKUP, IT’S THE CHASE. I would highly suggest you start with those stories. The Young Family have also appeared in several of my other novels/novellas. Duke Young burst onto the scene in my Pure Talent novels, THE WAY YOU TEMPT ME and THE WAY YOU HOLD ME. And he stole the show. He also appeared in the prequel to my Smoke and Burn Series, SOME KIND OF LOVE. Paityn Young found everlasting love in my novella, HER LITTLE SECRET. The twins, Blake and Bliss made their first appearance in her story. Blake Young appeared again as Ryleigh’s friend in my Once Upon a Baby novella, BEYOND EVER AFTER. Dallas Young made her presence known in my Once Upon a Funeral novella, FINDING COOPER. Meet their extended family in TEN CHRISTMAS SHOTS, which is a follow-up of my first historical romance set in the 1980s, MADE TO HOLD YOU. Please Note: Several of these stories For all the women who found love with that guy. Dick Interrupted A DUKE YOUNG ORIGINAL Duke Part I A Long-Ass Time Ago It had been hours. Hours of uncertainty. Hours of Tristan throwing shit around the house. Hours of unanswered phone calls to my parents. Hours of threatening messages from her father. Hours of her crying. I couldn’t find a bright spot, but I knew I couldn’t take it much longer. If only this was the first time this had happened. I was younger then, but the helpless feeling I’d had then still applied now. It might have been worse today. Years ago, Demita Strong had come to the house, soaking wet, with only the clothes on her back. And my brother Tristan and I were home alone then too. She needed our help that night, and she needed it now. Taking care of her was important to all of us. The fact that she was my sister’s best friend was irrelevant. She was family. My family. From the moment she’d darkened our doorstep, cold and afraid, my parents had set things in motion to ensure she’d never have to return to that hellhole her father called home. She’d been with us ever since. Everything she’d witnessed still affected her, though—even years later, after she’d been accepted into our family. Everything her father had done still propelled her to