Lust & Lies Box Set-Sexual Awakenings, Excess, Predator & Prey

“I joined everything in hopes of making some new friends when I became wealthy. I was chair on a couple of committees due to my overly generous donations. I’ve stepped down and ducked out of everything in the last six months. I no longer give a shit. I’ve hated most of these functions, but this is one cause close to my heart.” I nodded out of the window and smiled as he saw the sign for the Charleston Aquarium.

He nodded as he exited the car and reached out his hand for mine. We bypassed the carpet at his insistence and were greeted by an ambiance of soft lights and live jazz music. I immediately grabbed a waiting glass of champagne and handed one to my beautiful date.

“It’s my job to get the drinks,” he cooed in my ear as we sipped champagne, hands clasped.

“Come on, I want to show you something.” I walked him past the first two larger than life-sized aquariums filled with tropical fish, and he looked on, admiring them along with me.

“It’s way more fascinating to me than art. It’s alive and beautiful and ever changing.” He squeezed my hand as we walked along the colorful and contrasting wall of fish. I weaved through the crowd, intentionally not making eye contact with anyone. I was here with Aiden, and that was all that mattered. For once in the last two years, I had someone to entertain. I wasn’t being hidden, a kept secret. For once I was being revered as someone important. At least to him.

“Want to dance?” I asked quickly. Aiden seemed distracted as he looked around us.

“No, not here. I’ll dance with you some other time. I promise.” He squeezed my hand, and I let it go.

We circled the aquarium, stopping in a quiet room filled from floor to ceiling with sharks. I stood in awe, staring into the tanks with the same fear that always struck me when I saw them. I swam among them in all aspects of my life, but I respected them greatly. I watched as a six-foot blacktip swam past me, touching the reinforced glass as it slid along side of me.

I loved the sea and all its creatures and was fascinated by its intricate ecosystem. My plans were to help expand the aquarium, making it one of the east coast’s biggest and best. I stood for several moments watching the beady-eyed, smooth skinned predators glide along the water, changing directions without warning.

Suddenly there was a whirlwind of activity. They began to circle faster as more sharks joined the mix, causing my pulse to pick up with the flurry of activity in front of me as they raced around, held captive only by a few inches of glass.

“Aren’t they incredib—” I was cut short by the sight of Aiden facing Devin in the center of the room.

I stood paralyzed with fear and jumped as a shark tale tapped the glass next to my head. The two men were completely silent in what looked to be a standoff. Terror crept through me as I realized these men not only knew each other but hated each other as well.

I stood motionless as fierce blue eyes met molten lava. I could literally feel the hate static mounting between them and cringed. I’d never seen Devin so livid, his jaw set. I couldn’t see Aiden’s face clearly, but his posture told me his look was probably eerily similar.

Breaking my immobility, I walked up next to Aiden and grabbed his hand.

“Let’s go,” I prompted, starting to walk as Aiden gripped my hand hard, telling me to stay in place.

Devin turned his glare from Aiden to look at me and seemed to suddenly realize I was standing there, a physical jerk moving through him, his glare turning to disbelief. Aiden caught on quickly and turned to look at me for confirmation, asking the silent question, “Is this him?” and I nodded quickly as he dropped my hand.

My heart ripped at the loss as my eyes stayed glued between the two of them.

“Fuck you, I’m not doing this tonight,” Aiden hissed at Devin through clenched teeth. I looked to Devin who had murder in his eyes, his gaze shooting back and forth between us.

“Nina, when you fuck my cousin, does it remind you of me?”

I was crippled in that moment. Devin looked at me with a “Well?” as I stood there, completely powerless to stop the next few minutes of my life. Aiden turned to me, confrontation clear in his features.

“Research.”

My defense was weak and worthless.

“I wasn’t sure. I didn’t know. I swear I didn’t know.”

I cowered away, terrified of the two of them.

“We’re leaving,” Aiden snapped as he came toward me in a blur.

“You aren’t going anywhere with her,” Devin hissed as he walked forward in an attempt to block him.

“Devin, do yourself a favor and walk away,” Aiden countered, sliding his hand around my hip.

“The fuck I will!” Devin yelled as I stood in front of Aiden.

“You have no say in anything I do, Devin. I came with Aiden, I’m leaving with him. This wasn’t intentional. It just happened. Aiden can attest to that.”

I turned on my heel, heading toward the exit with or without Aiden. I knew I should be throwing myself at his feet, at his mercy, but I couldn’t do it. Not with Devin standing there.