Chapter 1 Autumn
ThemomentZoe’scallcamethrough,Iknewsomethingwasup
Abadsomething.ThesortofsomethingthatfitsrightintotheI-don’t-need-anything-else-to-go-wrongcategory.
Theconfirmationofthatwasthereinthenail-biting,teeth-chatteringwayshe’dsaidhello.
“What’sgoingon?”Itrytokeeptheworryoutofmytonebutfail.
“Maybe youshould sit.” The cautionripplingthroughmybestfriend’s voice contorts mystomachinto twisted shards of moltenmetal Igripthephonetighteragainstmyear.
“Seriously,sit It’snotgoodnews” Christ. Whatthehellcouldhavehappenednow?
Imakemywayovertothebedandsitontheedge,mykneesbrushingagainstmysuitcase.I’msupposedtobeheadingto LAXtojoinZoeandmyfamilyinCanadafortonight’sbigicehockeymatch.
It’s an important night for the team my father just bought, so he’s summoned everyone family, friends, and business associatesalike
AsZoeworksasanassistantatmymother’sPRcompany,shetraveledwithmyfamilydaysago. Hockeyisnotmything,butneitherisdefyingmyfather
To those who have the Jakobe blood runningthroughtheir veins or have business ties to our family myfather is the judge,jury,andexecutioneroftheirlives.
“I’msitting,”Itellher
“Okay,isyourlaptopnearby?”
“Always”I’majournalist Inearlycameintothisworldwithalaptopnestledinmypalms Icradlethephoneagainstmy shoulderandgrabthelaptopfrommydesk.“Igotit.”
Zoe sighs, and her breathsounds statickythroughthe phone “Before Isayanythingmore, Ithinkit’s importantthatyou knowyourfatherreallytriedtododamagecontrol,butitwastoolate.”
AnArcticchillrollsovermybody,fillingmewithmoredread.“Jesus,Zoe,justtellmewhathappened?”
“PartofitisaboutCharlotte”
Charlotteismysister.Attwenty-eight,she’solderthanmebyfouryears,awildlysuccessfulentrepreneur,andMissI’mso-perfectshebelieveseveryoneshouldfalltotheirkneesandworshipherlikethequeenshethinkssheis Andtheydo.AnydaynowIexpecthertobecrownedMissUniverse.
“WhataboutCharlotte?”Mytonesoundssour Witheverythingmysisterhasdonetome,andgottenawaywith,it’shardfor metoconsiderthatsomethingbadcouldhavehappenedtoher.
I’mnotanevilcold-heartedbitchlikeher.I’mthecivil,level-headedsister,butevenIhavemylimits.Thataside,I’msure thatifsomethingbadhadhappenedmyparentswouldbecallingmetobreakthenews Notmybestfriend Sothisissomething else.
“ColeproposedtoCharlottelastnight”Thewordsspillfromherlips,andmyhearthammerswiththeechoofthatawful truthIlearnedlongagowhenColebrokeupwithme.
The awful painful truth thathewantedmysisterfromtheget-goandusedmeasastepping-stonetogetclosertoher. Hedatedmefortwoyears,thenherforelevenmonths.Nowthey’reengaged.
Two-timing asshole.
“Proposed…”IonlyspeakbecauseIknowIshouldsaysomething.
I’veknownZoesincewewerelittlekids We’vealways beenreal witheachother,nomatter what,buttherearecertain types ofembarrassmentyoudon’twantto pickapart. Myexleavingme for mybeautiful, perfect, connivingsister is one of them
“Ithappenedlastnight.”
Fabulous Yesterdaywas Valentine’s Day “I’ll betmyparents are thrilled Theywere ecstatic whenCharlotte andCole gottogether.”
“I’mnotgoingtosaytheyaren’thappy.”Zoesighswithexasperation.“Sorry,Iknowthetimingissucky.” “It’sfine WhydoIneedmylaptop?”
“That’stheotherpart.Coletalkedshitaboutyoutothepress.Hedidaninterviewwiththe Enquirer. ” Mybacksnapsstraightandmylungslock,thesuddenimpactmakingmypulsepoundlikeit’sgoingtoexplode “What?”Myvoicecomesouthigh-pitchedandsharpenoughtocutglass.
“Ijustheardaboutitfromyourdad Hecalledthe Enquirer anddidwhathecould,butitwasalreadytoolate”
“WhatthehelldidColesayaboutme?”Thewordsshootoutofmymouthhardandfierce,likeboulderscrashingdowna cliff.
I’ve keptmydistance fromthatsnake Ididn’tevencause trouble whenhe leftme for Charlotte Iknew doingsowould makemelookjealous,andnowaywouldIgiveeitherofthemthatsatisfaction.
“Findthe Enquirer It’sallthereontheirwebpage Sorryinadvance,Autumn” MyentirebodycavesandIwanttosinkintoablackhole,oratleastabottomlesspit.
Feelingweak,Iusemyfreehandtotapthekeysonmylaptopandfindthe Enquirer’s website.
AblissfulpictureofCharlotteandColeisthefirsthit.
TheylooklikeaDisneycouple.Theprinceandtheprincess.Charlottewithherwhite-blondehairlikeElsatheicequeen fromFrozen,andColewithhisdarklockslikePrinceEricfromThe Little Mermaid
Theyalso lookhappy. And inlove. Icansee itinCharlotte’s hazel eyes, whichmirror mine, and the excitementinher smile Colewearsthesamesickening,etherealgrin
Abovethemistheheadline:
Cole Van Camp Decides to Tie the Knot, saying he picked the better sister. The better sister
Thosewordsstabaholeinmyheart,buthiscrueltydoesn’tstopthere.
Beneaththepictureofthe blissful couple isCole’sinterview.Thefirstparagraphisinboldsoyoucan’tmissasinglejab.
Cole Van Camp calls Charlotte Jakobe everyman’s dream come true. He’s ecstatic she’s agreed to become his wife. When asked about his previous relationship with her younger sister, Autumn, he explained that he and Autumn were as incompatible as fire and water.
He states that although the younger Jakobe sister appears to be a high-achieving introverted bookworm, in reality she’s a trainwreck waiting to happen.
God knows what kind of medication or drugs she’s on these days.
Humiliationandrageracethroughme,andIhavetostopreading.
Becausethere’smore.Alotmore.
Hevirtuallycallsmecertifiablycrazy
MyhandsgolimpandIalmostdropthelaptop.It’sagoodthingI am sittingandthelaptopisrestingonmylap,oritwould havelandedontheconcretefloor
Cole. Thatbastard.That’swhathethinksofme?
Trainwreck waiting to happen
Andmedicationand drugs?
Godinheaven.KnowingtheshitI’vebeenthroughdidhe really needtosaythattomakehimselflookbetterforchoosing mysister?
Whatanabsolute,arrogant,egotisticalfuckingasshole.
Tryingtoexposemypainfulsecretsandpaintingmeassomekindofdrugaddictwaitingforhernextfixissuchafuckedup move.EspeciallywhenheknowsI’mnothing likethat.
“Autumn,talktome”Zoe’svoicecreepsintomythoughts,pullingmebackfromburningredrage “Ican’tbelievehedidthistome.Andmyparentsweren’tgoingtotellme?”
“Theywereplanningtotellyouinpersonwhenyougothere.ButIwasworriedyou’dseetheshitforyourself,soIhadto callyou”
headedness.Itignitessomethingwicked.
Somethingwickedandrebelliousthatpushesacrazyideaintomymind.
Trainwreck waiting to happen
Yeah,maybe…
MaybeCole’swordscutmedeeperthananybladecouldbecausehemightberight Theobjectivewordbeingmight Idon’thavetogivehimthatpoweroverme.
Nothimormyfather
Atleast,nottoday.
Myflightleavesatten.ButI’mnotgoingtoCanada,andI’mnotseeingmyfamilylater. I’mgoingtoVegas
Huntersetshisbeerbackdownonthetableandlevelsmeahardstare.“NoonewouldexpectmutinyfromthegreatLucLe Blanche,stardefensemanfortheNewYorkHawks,akaTheDragon.”HeuseshisbestESPNsportscastervoice.
“No, theymost definitelydidn’t see that coming” The planI’ve concocted also extends to skippingout onthe matches againstMontrealandToronto.
Thisisthekindofstuntthatcouldhavegottenmefiredinmyrookieyears,orifIwereanyoldhockeyplayer
Still…evenIknowI’mplayingadangerousgameandtreadingonthethinnestoficethatcouldcrackatanygivenmoment.
“Managementtriedtomakeanexampleoutofme,butI’mgivingthemareminderofwhothey’redealingwith”Ipushmy wideshouldersbackandrestmyhandsonthetable.“EveryoneknowstheHawksstandabetterchanceofgettingthroughtothe playoffs andwinningtheCup iftheyhaveme.SinceI’vebeenplayingforthemwe’vewontheCupseriesforthelastthree yearsinarow”
“Yes,thenumbersspeakforthemselves.”
I’mateamplayerbutIknow myworth TheHawksareoneofthefinestintheNHL,butthingsweretouchandgountilI came along. The lasttime theyhad thatkind ofwinningstreakyear after year was nearlytwentyyears ago whenmyfather playedforthem Thatsaysalot
“YetIwasbenched,andnothingwasdonetoEvan.”
“I’msorry,man.”
The fight started whenEvan called mymother a gold-diggingslut I’ve beenignoring that fucker’s snide comments all season,butIcouldn’tallow himtotalkaboutmymotherlikethat.Whetheritwasmymotherorfather,Iwouldhavelostmy shitthesameway MyparentsdiedinaboatingaccidentwhenIwastwelveandfartooyoungtolosethem
“I’dkickthecrapoutofhimalloveragainforwhathesaid.”
“Ijustwishthere’dbeenawitnesstohearhim.”
“GodknowsIwishthat,too.”
BythetimeanyonecamealongIwasontopofEvan,pulverizinghisfacewithmyfistsandshoutingatthetopofmylungs thatI’dkillhisass Ittookthreesecurityguardsandtwoofmyteammatestogetmeoffhim
WhenI’dcooledoffIthoughtofalltheothershitEvanhaddonetome,andIrealizedtheassholehasbeentryingtoscrew withmeandsetmeupsoI’dgetkickedofftheteam
“WhatareyougoingtodoaboutEvan?”
“I don’t know yet, but I have to do something. His problem is obviously me I’m standing in his way because that motherfuckerwantsthesamethingIwant tobecaptainoftheHawks.”
“Itmakesperfectsense.”
“Itdoes He’sthesameageasme,playsthesameposition,andwasthecaptainofhisoldteaminLA for twoseasons LeadingateamliketheHawkstovictoryintheStanleyCupwouldmakeyoualegend.”
“Nottomentionthefactthatyournetworthandvaluewillincreasesubstantially,”Hunterpointsout “Exactly.It’senoughammotosabotageafellowteammate akame andgetwhatyouwant.”
“Itis.”Hunter’sexpressiontakesonaseriousedge.“Youcan’tallowhimtomesswithyourcareer,Luc.”
“RestassuredIwon’t”
I’vebeenoneoftheteam’salternatecaptainsforthelastthreeyears.Afterthelastcaptainretired,itwasagivenI’dgetthe fullpositionbutthatchangedwhentheHawksweresoldandEvancamealong
Thatwasthebeginningofmyproblemsbecausethenewowner,ShawnJakobe,haditinformebeforetheinkwasdryon hiscontract Hehadalong-standingfeudwithmyfatherbackintheday,whentheyplayedonrivalteams ItwasJakobewhoorchestratedEvan’stradetotheHawksandsetouttobasicallyreplacemewithhim. Andsurprise,surprise,itwasJakobewhoissuedtheordertonotjustbenchmebutalsotostripmeofthealternatecaptain positionwhichhethengavetoEvan
Ididn’tgetthecaptain’spositionwhenJakobefirstboughttheteambecauseheclaimedhewantedtoseemeearnit.Now I’mnowherecloseandeverythingseemstobestackedagainstme Hunterraiseshisbrowsandgivesmeawildsmirk.“I’minterestedtoseehowlongyouplantokeepupthismutiny.” “AslongasIneedto”Myvoiceisfilledwithvenom “Thelessonneedstobelearned”
ThoselessonskickedoffyesterdaywheneveryonerealizedIwouldn’tbetravelingwiththemtoVancouver.That’swhen thephonecallsfromCoachDonovanandothermanagementofficialsdescendeduponmelikeaflockofwildbirds.
ThingsthentookoffafterlunchtimetodaywhenfansspottedmehereinVegas Isignedautographs,tookpictureswiththem, anddideverythingtogetmyfaceoutthere.
Throughthepowerofsocialmedia,withinthehourwordaboutwhereIwasspreadlikehotlavaspewingfromavolcano “Justbecareful.”Hunternods.“I’mallfordolingoutpunishmentbutthere’sgoingtocomeapointwhenyouhavetotalkto thecoach.Ifyoucontinueignoringhiscallsthiscouldallbackfireonyou.”
ThisisHuntersummoninghisnegotiatorside,thethingIthinkIneededfromhimmostwhenIaskedhimtocometoVegas withme.
Chapter 3 Autumn
Hello, Vegas, I’m here
Imadeit,andIfeelprettydamngoodaboutmydecisiontocomehere.
Defyingmyfather’s wishes like this is rebellionatits finestand Ifeel a surge ofindependence thatIdesperately needed.
OnceI’dcheckedintomyhotel,IwalkedaroundforawhileanddidsomeshoppingwhereIspentwaytoomuch closeto anentiremonth’ssalary
WhennightfellItooktheshoppingbagsbacktomyhotelroomthendecidedIhadtodothewholenightlifething.
TheBlueMooncalledtomebecauseofthenameandthelogo Theywerealsogivingoutchocolateloveheartsatthedoor toanyonewho’ssingle.Anicechangetowhatyou’dexpectduringValentine’sweekend.
Itookthechocolateandwaltzedrightintothisswankyupbeatclub,knowingasmyphonebuzzedinsidemypursethatIwas inallsortsoftroublebutnotcaring.
Atleastnoone really hastoworryaboutme.Theydon’tknowwhereIambuttheyknowI’malive. OriginallyI’dplannedtodoacompletedisappearingact,butIknewMomwouldfreakoutwhenshewenttopickmeupat theairportanddidn’tfindme.
AsangryasIfeelaboutwhat’shappenedIcouldn’tdothattoher,soIsentheratextlettingherknowIwasn’tcomingto Canada.Ialsotoldherwhy.
IthoughtitwouldbemoreeffectiveifIvoicedmyrage.
Ofcourse,mydeclarationheraldedanonslaughtofcallsfrombothmyparentsandZoe,whichIignored Idon’twanttotalktoanyone.Notrightnoworforthenextfewdays.
Idon’tknowhowlongIplantostayyet,butIknowIwon’tbeinanyhurrytoseemyfamilyanytimesoon
AsthedayworeonandIthoughtaboutwhatColedid,ithitmethatifthiswereanyotherfamily,he’dbegone.Insteadit’s mewhohastofeelliketheoutsider
Well,tonightIwillbeexactlythatandI’lldoitwithasonginmyhearthereinVegas.
Cole’scruelwordsarestillstuckinmymindlikeatreatment-resistantvirus,andIfeelalittlelikealoserforbeinghereby myself,butI’mgladI’mhere
MylittlerebellionhasgivenmeaboostoflifeIhaven’tfeltinfartoolong,andmytwenty-four-year-oldselfisthanking myinnerwildchildforthebreak
Astheclubmusicchangesandgetsalittlelouder,thepeoplearoundmeandonthedancefloorbelowcheer.
Ilikeclubslikethisthataresetupsoyoucaneitherdanceorhangoutandstillenjoythemusic WhereIamthemusicis mellowandlowenoughsopeoplearoundmearetalkingitupwitheachother.
Itakeasipoftheluminousblueandredcocktailthebartenderjustfixedmeandsavorthesweetburstoffruitmixedwith thewarmthofaromaticrum Idon’tknowwhatthiscocktailiscalledbutit’sseriouslygood WhenthebartendercametotakemyorderItoldhimtobecreative.
Hedidagreatjob ThedrinkhasjusttherightamountofsweetnessandtangandremindsmeofmytriptotheBarbadosfor mytwenty-firstbirthday.
Rumisn’tsomethingIdrinktoooften,butIdoonoccasionwhenIneedaquickfix.TonightitworkslikemagicandIcan alreadyfeelmymindmellowingout.Idrinksomemore,alreadyplanningtogetanothercocktailassoonasIfinish.
ThisisthekindofdrinkZoewouldenjoy.
The sad thoughthits me thatshe’s nothere. It’s strange doingsomethinglike this withouther. Ifshe were here we’d be takingpicturesofeachotherandourdrinkstoposttoourInstagramandTikTokaccounts ZoeistheonlypersonIfeelbadaboutignoringtoday.
IwishIcould have found a wayto bringher alongbutIknow onthis occasionshe would have tried to convince me to followmyparents’ordersandgotoCanada.
She’s like that with anything to do with them, which is totally understandable since she works for my mother and her parentsworkformyfather.
It’sfine.I’mjustgoingtohavetoberebelliousallbymyselfandenjoymydrink whichIdefinitelyam. EventhoughIdon’tknowwhatI’mgoingtodonext Thenightisyoung.Ijustdon’tknowwhattodowithit.
I’malsoawarethatinsittingherebymyselfI’minvitingallsortsofattention QuiteafeweyesfollowedmeasImademy wayin.Therewereguysingroupsalongthewallsandinthesurroundingbooths.
Theywatchedmeclosely Intently Andwiththekindofinterestyou’dexpectwhenapersonishopingyou’reavailable I always get attentionlike that wherever I go, whichis not always a bad thing. I’mjust not usuallyinthe mood to do anythingaboutit.
I’mnotexactlyinthemoodnow,butIpromisedmyselfthatifI’mgoingtobehereforamuch-neededtimeoutIwouldstep awayfromthebubbleofwoeI’vebeenlivingin.
Enteringthisclubwasstepone I’veneverbeentoaclubbymyselfbefore,sothisisnewanddifferentforme
Worst-case scenario will see me gettingwasted right here inthis corner of the bar before headingbackto the hotel to devoureverythinginsidetheminibar.
Withthatreasoning,Ifinishoffmydrink.
“Youshould be Venus,” says a deep and sexybaritone voice right next to me. It seems to fill all the spaces inside and outsideofme
Iturnandhavetolookupuntilmyeyesconnectwiththeintensegreensofamansohandsomeanddevastatinglybeautiful thebloodstopsflowingthroughmyveins
Itake inthe wild, blackcurlyhair adorninghis head and the razor-sharp cheekbones ofhis chiseled face thatseemtoo perfecttobelongtoareal-lifeperson.
Asifthat’snotenough,he’sGreek-godtallandhaswidemilitary-manshoulderssetatopapowerfultorsothatlooksmore pronounced inthe long-sleeved blackT-shirtmolded to his skin. Igetthe feelinghe’s notone ofthose guys who purposely showsoffhismuscles He’sjust huge
Everythinginside me comes to a halt the longer I stare and onlystarts up againwhena smirkspreads across his face, settingmeonfire
Hestraightens,toweringoverme,andIhavetotiltmyhead.
Iguesshimtobeatleastsix-foot-six.Atfive-foot-fourI’mfairysizeincomparison.
HiseyesroamingdownmybodyheatmeupinascandalouswaythatmakesmethinkofsinfulthingsIshouldn’timaginein thepresenceofastranger.AseriouslyhotstrangerI’vejustbeenstaringatasifI’velostmymind.
ButImusthavelostitwellbeforehewalkeduptomebecausehowdidn’tIsee him?
ThisguylookslikeacrossbetweenHenryCavill andMicheleMorrone.Healsohastheexoticswoonworthycharmthat couldmeltyourinsides Andyourbrain
HowcouldIhavebeensolostthinkingaboutfoolishnessthatIdidn’tnotice him?
Andwhatdidhesaytome?
SomethingaboutVenus?
“I’msorry,whatdidyousay?”I’mthrilledIhaven’tlostmyabilitytospeak.Thatwouldbeevenmoreembarrassingthan staringathim
Myhandsomestranger’ssmirkmorphsintoafull-blownsmile.GodinHeaven,it’slikethefabricofrealityunravelsand everystarinthenightskyrealignsallinthesplitofasecond
“IsaidyoushouldbeVenus.”
Ididhearhimright orpartlyright butwhatdoeshemean?
“Venus?Liketheplanet?”Igivehimanarrowedstare Hesmileswider.“No,likethegoddess Venus.Unlessyou’reoneofthosepeoplewhomaintainsheshouldonlybecalled Aphrodite,butIthinkVenussuitsyou”
Istarebackathim,mylipsagapeandmymindracing.Mybrainisworkingalittlebetternow,soIunderstandfullywhathe meansandI’mimpressedheknowshismythology.AndI’mjustasstunned.
Hepaidmeahuge,hugecompliment,andcomingfromaguywithlookslikehisitaddsamillionbonuspoints. “Oh.Thankyou.”
MylipspartagainandIsearchhisface,hiseyes,hiswords.Icomeupwithablank.There’snowayinhell I’dforgeta manlikehim.
“Knowyou?”Icheck
“Youdon’trecognizeme?”
Thewayhesaysthat,it’slikehemightbesomeonefamous Itwouldbejustlikemetobeinthepresenceofsomeonelike thatandnotknow.Ican’tevenblameitonworkbecause,truthfully,Ihaven’treallybeenworking.
“Idon’t ShouldI?”
Myanswerseemstopleasehimevenmore.“No.Thisisgood.”
“Isit?”Iblinkseveraltimes,expectinghimtotellmehisname.
“Yeah That’sthewholepointofthegame”Hewinksatmeagain “How aboutyoudon’tsaynoandplaythegamewith me,Venus?”
Ifindmyselfsmilingand,myGod,I’magreeing
Thisdoesn’tfeelbad.ItfeelsliketheharmlessfunIneed.ThekindofharmlessfunpeoplecometoVegasfor. “Okay I’llplay”
“Perfect.” Ilike the wayhe says that. As ifhe knew all alongthatI’d sayyes butwas still givingme the choice. “How aboutwealsoagreetobecalledbythenameswegiveeachother?”
Yes That’sactuallyperfect Iwouldn’twanthimknowingwhoIamandlinkingmetotheshitColeblastedtothepress
AlthoughMr.Handsomedoesn’tlooklikehemightreadanysortofgossipmagazineortabloidnewspaper,Iwouldn’twant toriskruiningmyselfbeforewe’veevenbegun
“Thatsoundscool.”Inod.“WhatshouldIcallyou?”
“WhatdoyouthinkIlooklike?”Hechuckles.
Ilookhimover,allowingmyselfthemomenttosavorsimplylookingathisperfect,muscularbody,thenIdecidequickly whoheshouldbe.
“Aries GodofWar” Imeethis eyes again,whichholda sparkofmischieflurkinginthe corners thatreels me intohim evenmoreandthisdaring andpossiblyrisqué adventurehe’sabouttotakemeon.
“Ilikethat”Henods,andhissmilebrightensanotch “Comewithme,Venus” HestretchesouthishandtotakemineandIgiveittohim.Tinglesraceacrossmyskinthemomentourhandstouch,sending thetemperatureofthatliquidfirepoolinginsidemeskyhigh.
God… damn
WhatamIgettingmyselfinto?
Whateveritis,Iwantit
Do I?
Notreally.Butsomethinginsidemewantstoscreammygrieffromtherooftopandlettheworldknow I’mnottheoneat fault ThatI’mnotbroken I’mjustagirlwhowantsthechancetoliveherlife.
IthinkaboutwhatIwouldsayifIdecidedtotellhimwhathappenedtome Mytruefeelingshavebeenlockedawayforsolongthatitwouldbenicetospeaktosomeonewhodoesn’tknowme. WhatwouldIsay,though,withoutrevealingtoomuchaboutmyself?
Maybejustenough?
“My ex left me for my sister, and now they’re engaged.” There. That’s just enough. I told him the shocking truth but remained vague enoughthatmyhandsome stranger wouldn’tbe able to linkme to Cole or Charlotte, or evenidentifyme as ShawnJakobe’syoungestdaughter.
Ariesnarrowshiseyesandhisfulllipspartinsurprise “Jesus I’msorrythathappenedtoyou”
“It’sokay.TheonlythingthatupsetsmeisthatIcan’tseemtoescapetheawkwardnessoftheaftermath.Itkeepsfollowing me That’sthepartIhateandwhatbroughtmetoVegas”
“Ithinkyourneedforabreakfromlifeisperfectlyunderstandable.”Heblowsoutaraggedbreath.“Doyoustillspeakto yoursister?”
“Unfortunately,Ihaveto”GodknowsIwouldlovetoignoreCharlottefor therestofmylife,butthebeststancetotake withherisoneofstrength.
“Wow Well, I’msure your exhas lost out byreplacingyou” He sounds as ifhe trulybelieves what he’s saying, but I wonderifhereallyknewme,orCharlotte,whetherhe’dstillsaythesamethings.
Ifeelthatmostpeople includingmyparents believedColedidbetterinpickingCharlotte.
“That’ssweetofyoutosay.”
“Trustme,I’mnotsweet.”Aslygrinliftsthecornersofhismouth,compellingmetobelievehim.
“Aren’tyou?”He’sbeennothingbutsweettomesincewemet
“Notevenalittlebit,Venus.”Helooksmeupanddown.“Butnotbeingsweetisn’talwaysabadthing.” Ipickupadangerousvibeinhiswanderingeyes Surprisingly,itdoesn’tscaremealthoughitprobablyshould Instead,I’m intriguedbytheelementofpossessioninthedangerthatemanatesfromhim.
“Whatareyoulike,then?”
Hiseyesdarkenandlingeronmylipsbeforedriftingbackuptomeetmygaze.“I’mthekindofmanwhothinksyourex’s lossismygain.You’reherewithmenow.”Hisvoiceslidesovermyskinlikesmoothvelvet.Deepandintentionalandfilled withthekindoftemptationthatmakesagirlforgetthegeneralrulesofwhatyoushouldandshouldn’tdoonafirstdate
Thisthingwe’redoingmighthaveadifferentlabel,butit’sstill adate.Itjustfeelslikeitwasdesignedtoskipover the usualboundariesyou’dexpectwhenmeetingsomeoneforthefirsttime
“IguessIamherewithyounow,”Iagree,laughingnervously.
“Yes,youare.AndIsincerelyhopeyou’renotstillhunguponthisexofyours.Areyou?”Heraisesaquizzicalbrow.
“No,I’mnot”
“Howlongwereyoutogether?”
“Twoyears Webrokeupnearlyayearago”
“Twoyearsisalongtimetobewithsomeone.Doyoustilllovehim?”
I’veaskedmyselfthatquestionamilliontimes andcomeupwiththesameanswer “No”AnyloveIfeltfor Colefaded awaythemomenthetoldmehewantedtobewithCharlotte.
Iwon’tdenythe hurtfromour breakup continued to gnaw awayatmyinsides for months, like flesh-eatingbacteria, but therecameapointwhenIwasabletoletgo
Cole’srecentactionsareonlygettingtomenowbecausetherewasnoneedforhimtohurtme.
“Istoppedlovinghimlongago”Thosewordsoutsidemyheadsoundasliberatingasmydecisiontocomehere “That’sevenbetterforme.”Ariescontinuesdrinkinghiswine,andthewildlookinhiseyesintensifies.“Iwouldn’tliketo getmyhopesupifyou’rethinkingaboutsomeoneelse”
“Trust me, I don’t have that problem.” I’msure hardlyanyone would if theyhad a choice betweenMr. Handsome and whoever they were in a relationship with. I’mhaving a hard time remembering my own name in his presence, much less thinkingofsomeoneelse leastofall Cole
“Perfect.” His eyes roamover me again, this time witha slow seductionthat makes the ends of mynerves tingle with anticipation
AsurgeofdesirestirsinmycoreandIhavetolookawayfromhispotentstaretosavemyself.
Ifocusondrinkingmycocktail.It’ssaferthanbeingtrappedinthoseeyesfilledwithsinfuldelight.
Idon’tthinkI’veevermetanyonewhowassoopenlycockyandflirtatious.It’sintense,butwhat’smoreworryingisthatI likeitalittletoomuch.
thinkIneedadrinkorten.”
“Howaboutaglassofwineandthensomewater?”
I’msurprisedtofindmyselflaughing “Water?”
“Iwanttomakesureyourmindisclearwhenwemoveontothenextpartofthegame.”Hesearchesmyeyesandthedesire Ireadinhiswipesmymindfreeagainofallmyworries
“Whatwasthenextpartofthegame?”Therewerenoinstructionsotherthantheguidelinesaboutthequestionsbutthelook inhiseyestellsmethispartisallaboutusandwhateverwecreatenext
He touches myhair againandmoves tomyear,his hotbreathticklingmyskin.“The partwhere Itrytoconvince youto comebackwithmetomyhotelroom.”
“Your hotelroom?”Iturnslightly,causingmycheektobrushagainsthis Hereleasesabreath.“Yes,soIcanfuckyouallnight.”
Oh My God
Mybreathingstillsthenshutsrightoff,asifsomeoneblockedmyairwaywithaconcretewall.
WhenIseetherawlustbrimminginhiseyes,dangerousheatcoursesthroughmysoul,leavingmebreathless Aflushofintenseneedrollsacrossmybody,andIshockmyselfwhenIacknowledgedeepwithinthatIwanthimtohave me. To fuck me all night.
I’mnotstupid,soIwon’tpretendthatIdidn’tfactorinthathewouldwantsexfromme
EvenifIdidn’tthinkthatspecifically,Idon’timagineanyonecouldlookatthismanandnotthinkofsexwhenhe’sliterally oozingsexappeallikesweatandlooksbetterthanadream
“Doesthatscareyou,Venus?”Hiseyesroamovermyfaceandanuncannysmileinchesacrosshislipsasheliftsmyhair uptohislips.
“No...”Myvoiceislowandalmostfaraway.
“No?”
I shake myhead slowlyand allow mywild curiosityto seize control over mymind The moment I do, I imagine what spendingthenightwithhimcouldbelike.
Thankstomyvividimagination,Iimagineusnakedinhisbed I’mpressedupagainsthimandhe’sburieddeepinsideme, poundingintomybody.
Theimageheightensmysensesandawakenseverycellinsidemethat’sbeggingtobetouched.
It’sbeensolongsinceanyonetouchedmeinsuchaway,andIreallydon’twanttorememberthelasttime.Idesperately wantnewmemories.
“Howwouldyouconvinceme?”Ihearmyselfsay
Ican’tbelieveIjustaskedhimthatbutIreallywanttoknow.
“Comehere”Heliftshisfreehandandcrookshisfinger,beckoningmetomovecloser Ido.
Hemovestowardme,too,andrunshisfingeralongthesideofmyjaw,thenthemagnetismofrawattractiontakesoverand weclosethespacebetweenuswithahot,hungry,heavenlykiss
IlosemyselfinthesensationofhavinghislipsonminelikeI’vebeenstarvingforhim.Idrowninit,wantingtheinsurgent feelingtotakemedeeperandpullmeundersoIcan’tcomebacktoreality
Hisfirmlipscoaxmineopenandhethrasheshistongueover mine,cuppingthebackofmynecksohecanpull meflush againsthischestanddeepenthekiss
Imoanintohismouthandmeltintohishardbody,pressingmyhandagainstthecordedmusclesofhischest.Thefirecomes next.Theflamesflickalloverme,consumingeverycellintheirpath.
Thensuddenlywebreakapart,andI’mbreathingsohardwithmyheartpoundingsoloudIwonderifhecanhearit Can he?
I’veneverkissedastrangerbefore I’veneverevenconsideredit AndIneverimaginedthatI’dlikeitthismuchandwant more,somuchmore.
Isthatwrong?
Itdoesn’tfeelwrong.
“Comewithme?”hehusksinadeepersexyvoice,rousingthegrowingwetnessbetweenmythighs.“Spendthenightwith me,Venus”Hebrusheshisnoseagainstmine Can I do this?
CanIhaveaone-nightstandwithamanIjustmet?
Wait…that’snottherealquestionhere. Therealquestionis,doIwanttogowithhim?
DoIwanthim?
DoIwantthisfreedomI’vegivenmyselfjustbybeinghereinVegas?
Tonight I’mnot just free to be whoever I want to be, I’mfree to do whatever I want to do as well, with the sinfully gorgeousmanwho’schristenedmeVenus.
Withthatreasoning,theanswercomestomeasquicklyasmynextbreath “Yes.”
