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

“You think I thought this was some conspiracy?” I poked my head out of my closet to eye her.

“Nina, with what you’ve been through, I can’t imagine you being able to trust anyone. Cedric has a new black eye, by the way.”

I walked out of my closet with wide eyes. “You shouldn’t have.”

“Son of a bitch deserved it, keeping me in the dark. Apparently, he and Devin are new best friends.”

I let out a small chuckle. “It would appear so.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really,” I said, surprised. “I’m getting really good at coping with unbelievable circumstances.” Taylor nodded, her red, sculpted ponytail falling over her shoulder. She was looking down at my carpet with what looked like remorse. She seemed vulnerable, something I wasn’t used to seeing on her. I didn’t like it.

“Taylor, I’m not angry with you in the slightest.”

She nodded once. “I’m sorry I’ve been so fucking evasive. I know that you are just trying to know me, to be a friend.”

“Well, the offer still stands.”

She looked up at me with a smirk. “You know, I’m almost crazy enough to trust you with the truth. I need a friend too, Nina. I’ve been alone for a very long time.”

“And what about this new boyfriend in Savannah?”

“Cedric’s oth

er eye will match,” she spit out with disdain.

“He didn’t really tell me anything. I assumed as much. So are you in love?”

She laughed as she pulled at her red hair with her fingers. “No, not in the slightest. Actually, it’s not one man.”

“Really? I should warn you that can be dangerous.”

“When we met Violet after she showed us the land, she confided in me that she met her husband, Rhys, at the club. I guess she smelled the Dom in me.”

“You are a Dom?”

“No.” Taylor smiled. “I just hate referring to myself as a sub.”

I laughed as I took a seat next to her on my bed. “Of course you do.”

“I wouldn’t put myself in any category, but I saw the opportunity to play around a little, and I’ve kind of let it get out of hand.”

“Oh?”

“I’ve just been…experimenting.” She winked. “Anyway, that’s what I’ve been doing. Nina, I’m truly sorry for what happened. I’ll hire more security.”

“You know, I think I’ll keep Cedric.” She looked up at me with surprise.

“But he kept you in the dark.”

“It wasn’t his truth to tell. Besides, he knew me well enough to know I could only handle the truth in small doses like Devin did.” Saying his name brought that same burning lump to my throat.

“I misjudged him.”

“So did I,” I said.

“What will you do?”