Taken by Lies (Truth or Lies 1)

I could win. Actually, we would tie if we both guessed correctly. I know the truth. They are all truths. I just refuse to say it. Because if I say it, then it makes it true. And it can’t be true. None of it can be.

“All of yours are lies,” I say unable to meet his eyes, which leaves me looking at his bare feet.

“Kai,” he commands.

One word and my head raises.

“Are you sure? That’s your choice?”

I nod.

He sighs, knowing I just threw the game.

I narrow my gaze. Did he want me to win? Well, I can’t! I can never win! Because I’ll never be free.

“You win,” I whisper. I lose. I always lose, even when I win.

22

Enzo

Kai let me win.

Because she can’t face the truth. She wishes every word out of my mouth was a lie.

She hates that I care that another man hurt her.

She hates that I’ve claimed her forever.

And she hates, most of all, that I know someth

ing she doesn’t. That six years have passed instead of three. That the reason time seemed to move so slowly over the years was because it was standing still for her.

My choice was easy, even if she hadn’t thrown the game. I know her well enough to know even though she needs to sleep on the floor, she yearns to find comfort in the soft cloud of fabric covering the bed. Even though she’s afraid of my touch, her body begs to feel that exquisite warmth she remembers from our first encounter all those years ago.

Six years ago.

And I saw the way her body heated when she said she wanted to fuck me, I’ve heard her cries for me to fuck her in her sleep. Those were the hardest words I’ve heard leave her mouth. It pushed my restraint to the limit. Because I’m desperate—for anything. A touch. A caress. A brush. Anything. I need that spark that occurs when cold and heat mix.

I need more.

I need her lips pressed against mine as I suck on her swollen lip. I need her body aligned with mine, writhing beneath me. I need to watch her gasp and moan as I flick her harden nipples between my fingers. And most of all, I want to watch the tears well in her eyes as I spread her wide with my cock. And I want to watch the tears change as her eyes roll back in her head and the pain changes to ecstasy.

Yet I don’t get to touch her. She’s just desperate for a chance to feel any pleasure after being denied joy for so many years.

I need a drink.

Kai shouldn’t drink when she’s this weak, but the only way I’ll get to drink without her protests is to offer her some too.

So I walk over to the bar cart in the corner. I grab two glasses and pour some scotch into both before I bring the drinks back. I hand one to Kai.

She takes it with shaky hands. She doesn’t even focus intently to ensure our hands don’t brush as she snatches the glass from my hand. I should have brushed my fingers against hers since she wasn’t on guard. That might have been my only opportunity to touch her.

I sigh as I sit and sip mine.

Kai’s hands continue to tremble violently as she brings it to her lips. I know she tastes the liquid, but her eyes have glazed over into a blank expression.

I take the glass from her hands and set it down on the floor beside her. Her body is too focused and unsteady for the alcohol at the moment.