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

“You don’t get to want anything when it comes to her. I’m all she needs,” I said possessively.

He simply nodded in agreement and I shook my head in disgust.

Fucking pussy.

I wanted him to do something stupid; any excuse at this point would be a good one.

Alex looked back at the house. “She didn’t deserve what I did. I know that,” he said in a whisper.

“And that’s your cross to bear, not hers,” I said stiffly. “She’s been through enough.”

Alex simply nodded with defeated features as he took one last look at the house.

I felt my phone vibrate as Alex slid inside his car and pulled away. After checking my text, I quickly walked to mine, cursing in frustration. It was late. I had to get back to my son. Relief washed over me when I saw her mother’s car approach and pull in the drive.

Alex didn’t want her; it was his guilt eating him alive. He didn’t deserve her forgiveness and I wasn’t about to let him try for it. He’d never earn it. I would erase him from her completely.

She wouldn’t be alone tonight and that’s all that really mattered, that and the fact that she loved me.

RHYS: I need to see you.

It could have been worse. He could have not responded at all. Then again, needing to see me might not be promising, either. I had told Rhys that I loved him in a text while drunk and angry. Not my finest moment. The problem now was that I was in love with a man I hardly knew. The feeling of unfamiliarity had a great deal to do with the omission that he was a father and had hid that fact from me. I wasn’t sure if I was longing more for the man who, until recently, seemed to be an open book, had an easygoing demeanor and a matter of fact look at life, whose eyes were filled with sincerity, and had a gentle touch and endless patience. Or if I was pining more for the man whose voice consumed my every thought, sent a shiver down my spine, filled my body with longing and had a hard edge and seemed unreachable. Rhys was both of these men, but how much did I really know about him? I needed to know more before we went any further.

I kicked my mother out early this morning and kept busy by circling my house, taking inventory of the things that were missing as a result of my home invasion. I went shopping and bought a rug to cover the huge bloodstain in my entryway until I could get the floors replaced. I was in the middle of writing a list in the kitchen when I heard a knock at my door. Startled, I jumped where I stood, dropping my list, instantly terrified.

Snap out of it, Vi.

Taking deep breaths, I grabbed the closest thing I could to arm myself—a meat mallet—and walked to the door.

“Who is it?”

“Crete’s Messenger Service.”

Cautiously, I opened the glass door between us and stared at the seemingly harmless man.

“Who is it from?”

He glanced at the package then eyed the meat mallet before turning an irritated look at me.

Yeah, buddy, I’m crazy.

“Alex Harvell.”

I opened the door wider and signed where he indicated. Not wanting to see his expression as he took in the bruising on my face, I shut the door quickly. I’d made the mistake of thinking it would be an easy trip when I’d gone shopping earlier for the rug, but had caught the attention of everyone there. I was overwhelmed with the help I received while deciding on my purchase, which normally would have been appreciated, but I just wanted to be left alone. After locking the door, I walked into the kitchen then stood staring at the package for a few minutes before quickly making the decision that whatever I was offered, I would accept. I didn’t want a messy divorce. The marriage had been enough. It was a complete and utter failure.

I opened the envelope and saw that the official papers had been drawn. That was fast. I read it carefully. The house would be mine and would be paid in full and titled to me along with my car, and in lieu of alimony, I would get a lump sum. I had to turn the page to see the figure and when I did I froze.

Seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars!

Well, a house and car, and close to a million dollars would do, I supposed. I was happy, more than happy, but I couldn’t bring myself to get excited. I called my lawyer and sent him the signed paperwork to be reviewed, with strict instructions to have it completed within the next day or two. I had been toying with an idea and I was now sure I wanted to see it through. I called Molly to ask a favor. I also called my regular doctor and made an appointment to have my neck and face checked the following day.

I had just finished inventory and was folding clothes when my phone pinged.

RHYS: Hi.

VIOLET: Hi.

RHYS: I can’t stop thinking about you.