Текст книги "Only Tonight"

Автор книги: Elizabeth Miller

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Текущая страница: 4 (всего у книги 9 страниц)

Chapter Six

Kyle

It’s a full-out race and she’s fast. Those long-ass legs have a great stride. A glowing tan and firm muscles pull her through the sand. I’m right on top of her, touching and grabbing skin wherever I can. Her giggles spur me on.

We’re minutes from her house. She lives in an apartment complex with maybe five units, supported ten feet from the ground on stilts with individual staircases leading to the front doors. I grab her on the first step, spinning her around so we’re eye to eye. Loneliness hides within them most of the time, but not now. Not tonight. In this moment there’s only need, and that's something I know how to work with.

Our breath, heightened by the run, meets between us until it stops altogether when I crash my mouth against hers. There’s no thought, no chance to stop, and no way I’ll let her change her mind. I lick into her mouth as if she's better than anything I've tasted before, and it's the truth.

I’m drunk on Faith, consumed by her smell. The sweet hint of jasmine and sex suck me in. It's so fucking good. I want to savor every bite until I can have it all—all of her.

Finally, after what seems like years, my hands are on her tits. Still living on the memory of her pussy tightening on my fingers, I long for more. I pinch and pull until her whimpers extend to a full-blown groan. The tight tips dig into my palm as I squeeze the perfect fit.

I break away and she gulps in air. Smiling when she whispers “Oh, God”, I bend to take her in, ripping her clothes down to expose her tit to the air and my tongue. It's my turn to call for God when I'm sucking so hard she cries out and grips my hair.

My mouth takes over, devouring, destroying, taking and giving it all back so we can start again. Her whimpers have my dick twitching and her roaming fingers set my pulse on fire.

She settles on my cock. I release her, pressing my open mouth into her neck. I can't think with her hands on me. It’s time to take her and make her mine. I need to be inside of her—now.

“Did you like my fingers inside you? Did it feel good when I made you come with my hand?”

“Not as good as it’ll feel when it’s your dick.”

I lean into her forehead and laugh. This girl. Fuck, if she’s isn’t exactly who I’ve been looking for. “Damn, right. I’m going to fill your sweet pussy so full you’ll need my mouth on it to sooth the sting.”

“Is that a promise, Cowboy?” she asks, and pinches my ass.

Gripping her waist, I force her feet to take one step at a time. “You’re damn right it is,” I say, and then I'm on her, and our tongues try without success to reach exhaustion. She’s food for the soul and I have plans to satisfy my hunger. It feels as if it'll never be enough. Who the hell knows why? Why now? Why her? I’ve had my share of one-night stands, but this? This is different. Like a comforting touch I’ve felt before. That's nuts. I get it, but it doesn’t take away the feeling.

The unmistaken lust when I saw her the first time, the intense need to claim her . . . I thought about it for two days. I warred against it, told myself I could have any other woman. But the thought of anyone else left my dick limp. That’s never happened before. I tried to talk myself into one night, one time with Faith. Get her out of my system. Take her and walk away. Now I'm not so sure that's possible.

She’s been clear we're only tonight, but I’ve always enjoyed a challenge. Where there’s a will there’s a way, and I’m about to find mine.

Slamming her back into the door, I align our bodies. The only reason to tear our mouths apart is to look at her lids sinking into sexy, her lips bruised from mine. With deliberate concentration, I roll and press my dick into her. My aim is perfect. Her long moan assures me of that. Once more, I pull back and press in deep, and this time it’s my name, long and drawn out on a breath.

“Kyle”.

I smile. “Keys, Faith. Where are your keys?”

It takes her a moment to comprehend the question and another to reach into her bag, fumbling first to find them and then to slide it in the lock.

Out of sheer need, I take over and push us inside her flat. As we tumble in, I glance around. A small lamp lights the one room, a bed pushed against the farthest wall lying perpendicular to a long window. A small kitchen to my left holds an even smaller table for two. A loveseat and coffee table fill the space to my right. Good to know my options.

“Take off your clothes.” I stalk forward. I’ve been waiting for this moment for two days, or maybe my whole life.

I never believed she existed. Maybe I even thought I was immune to the feelings that are now weighing heavy in my head and quite possibly strangling my heart. Damn if I’ll let her get away without feeling the same way. Even if it takes all night, I’ll be sure when her eyes open she remembers where I’ve been, and what I’ve left with her. My mission is defined; my plan of action in place. Take charge and make it happen, Sommerton. Stake your claim.

“Now,” I growl when she hasn’t moved. Her eyes are cloudy with a hint of apprehension. I’ve left her alone for a minute and the fear that stalks her begins to creep in. Not on my watch. “Look at me, Angel.”

My shirt is the first thing to go. Her eyes roam somewhat feverishly over my chest and arms, following the line of my abs to the painful swelling at the front of my pants, her breath spiking, her nipples sharpening, her chest rising and falling while I rub myself. “Do you want this?” I ask.

Licking her lips and nodding, she breathes out, “Yes.”

“Then I’m going to give it to you, but I need you naked and wet. Can you do that for me?”

The hesitation in her golden browns clears, and a small smile lifts the side of her mouth. “I’m already half way there.”

Well, shit. “Show me all of you. I want to see everything before I take you against the wall, and on the table, and get you in my mouth.”

I keep rubbing my dick as the show starts with her shorts. Faith’s ass sways while she shimmies them down her lean legs, ass swinging when they’re slow to fall, leaving her in the smallest thong I’ve ever seen. A surprise tattoo, three words, is drawn out on her left hipbone. Before I can read it she turns around, shaking her ass while she looks over the side of her shoulder. I can’t take my eyes off of her; I’m literally glued to every move, and right now she’s untying the strings keeping her top in place. My dick lurches at what I can’t see but want in my hands, in my mouth, sucking and biting.

“Your back’s beautiful Angel, but I need to see all of you. Turn around.” I meant to be calm, yet the words are rough and probably desperate.

I may be on the verge of a Neanderthal throw-down, but she purrs like a kitten. “Patience, Cowboy, I’m getting to that part.”

I groan when she’s naked in front of me. She’s all woman. A long curve clearly separates her tits from her ass, which is round and tight. Long legs beg to wrap around my waist. Words become lost somewhere in my brain when she turns, arms crossed to shield herself from my prying eyes.

“You’re my kind of gorgeous,” I say, somehow stringing a sentence together.

Dropping her arms to her side, she stills for a minute while I take my fill, staring at her perfect tits. They’re a handful, heavy with dark tips reaching out for my mouth. Fuck. Me.

“My turn, Cowboy. Show me what you’ve been hiding all night,” she says, unashamed of her naked beauty. Taking a step forward, she stops inches from my chest.

Faith

I’ve abandoned shame. Kyle’s eyes, the way he looks at me, the longing in the rough gravel of his voice are more than enough evidence of his desire. If that weren’t enough, every touch of his mouth to mine, and the roaming heat of his hands and fingers confirm it. Everything about his actions emboldens my own, and it’s liberating. For so long I’ve been immune to the carnal appreciation men have shown. From strangers to Derrick, any attention was wasted, never reciprocated—until Kyle.

When I first saw him sitting in the sand, staring out into the open ocean, my heart clenched. It was an unusual response for sure, because of the trauma suffered after James’s death and the desertion of my friends. I was left paralyzed from extending myself beyond casual acquaintance. Why a reaction to him at this moment in my life? Why should I care to figure it out?

Now, embracing the heat between us feels right. Letting myself go for one night surely can’t hurt. I’ve already felt the release of pleasure, and if his fingers are an indication of what his body will do to me, giving in to his demands is worth whatever risk exists.

I’m standing naked before him, and his eyes clearly state his intentions. With heavy lids, his clear gaze roves over every inch of my skin. It’s as if he’s memorizing the swell of my breast into the taut ridge of my nipple and the valley in between the rise of the other. His gaze travels down the smooth plain of my stomach, hesitating on my tattoo, and finally stopping on my bare sex. I’m ready to feel the warmth of his mouth all over me, tasting and biting.

“I’m waiting,” I whisper.

He smirks. “I said naked and wet. After a thorough inspection, I’ve verified naked, but I’ll need to complete a full systems check before proceeding.”

I laugh, playing in to his game. “Take your time. Quality assurance is important for customer satisfaction.”

Leaning in, I wrap my arms around his neck, bringing our chests flush together. His breath hitches when my nipples graze over him and then it’s game over. I’m crushed first into him and then against the wall.

His mouth lacks the self-control he’s shown throughout the rest of the night. He plunders, stealing my panted breath and drawing out whimpers at the same time as my knees weaken from the assault. Slowing only long enough to take my bottom lip between his teeth, he sinks in and then sucks the sting away. My whimper-turned-moan fills the room, and still I’m not embarrassed. I’m consumed with need. Wrenching my mouth from his, I gasp for air when he confirms I’ve met both of his expectations.

“Faith.” His voice is a rough patch against the silken slide of his fingers as two of them press into me.

“I want to feel you inside of me,” I barely breathe out.

His answering groan is driven into my breast as his mouth tightens over my nipple. He alternates between laving it with the tip his tongue and then biting it until I cry out. Pleasure floods to every nerve ending, and my clit throbs to the beat. I stretch my arms above my head and arch into his mouth, rounding my hips to meet him halfway. Kyle.

If he won’t give me what I want I’ll take it for myself. Reaching between us, I make quick work of his button fly. He doesn’t stop me, but he doesn’t help either, too intent on driving me crazy with his tongue and his hand. After a minute I manage to push both his jeans and boxers to the floor, his erection springing forward and bobbing with the weight of freedom. A natural inclination takes over and my hand gravitates to hold him, his pulse as heavy as mine. He groans when I squeeze the base and stroke his thick, long length. Taking extra care under and around the ridge, I apply pressure and pretend my hand is my mouth, before moving back down only to do it again and again.

“Fuck me, Faith.” He moans around my breast at the same time his fingers drive inside and curl into the sweet spot.

“Oh, Kyle. That’s what I’ve been talking about. Please . . .”

Lifting his head, our eyes connect, ice melting in the bright blue sky of a clear day. His breath pants in time to his fingers, tap, tap, tap. I can only whimper in response.

“I want to take my time and savor every moan and the soft grip of your pussy while I bury myself in you. But I have no patience right now. It’s going to be fast and hard, and when we’re done here, we’ll do it again, nice and slow.”

Using his whole mouth, lips, tongue and teeth, he kisses me breathless and then rips away.

The air is cool against my skin when his heat disappears. Bending for a condom in his pocket, he slides it in place. And then he’s back, and I’m trapped between his body and the wall. I can’t speak. The only thing I know is that I ache for him—I need him to fill the void that’s hollowed me out for so long.

My hips rock to relay the message my mouth can’t. Kyle responds by sliding his erection back and forth and bumping into my clit, teasing me with the short burst of pleasure at each pass. I try to smile at the absolute concentration drawing his brow down and thinning his lips, but I’m losing myself in him rather quickly.

“What are you thinking?” I breathe out.

A moan vibrates in his chest and then his mouth hovers over mine, not for a kiss, just waiting while he stares into my eyes. “Do you want to know everything?”

He grunts at the next sweep of his dick along my length.

“Yes. Everything.”

“That you’re the first woman I think I’ll lose my mind to. I want to drown in you, so the morning will never come. I’m thinking about all of the things I want to do to you with my hands, my tongue, my body, and where I want you. But this . . .” He presses against my entrance, opening my body to take him. “I want this to go on forever.”

Two things happen at once. I use his neck as leverage to hop up and wrap my legs around his waist. He drops his head onto my shoulder, to watch as he pushes forward, slipping in an inch at a time—slowly, deep, and we pulse together. I grip his hair and mewl as he stretches me open, so full, so good. Relief at having him inside of me sends a shiver up my spine, and a ripple wraps around him.

His mouth finds mine and we kiss, a long, wet mimicry of his retreat and slide back in until there’s nowhere left to go. My God. An animalistic need takes over and I rake my nails down his back. I want hard and fast; to hell with this slow rotation of his hips, once, twice, sinking deeper each time.

“Fuck me, Kyle.” Because I gave up on being embarrassed—I’m not holding back.

“God, yes.”

And so it begins. He pulls out almost all the way only to slam back in, over and over. Starting a brutal pace, he pounds me against the wall and I have nowhere to go, no choice but to take him in. Each stroke is deeper than the last and I feel him everywhere. I’m balanced perfectly between pleasure and pain. When I’m full, he exacts a sweet piercing pleasure and then I fear his withdrawal, missing the stretch until he’s back again. It’s a beautiful give and take.

I lose myself, demanding what I need to end with what I want. I want the moment where the world disappears and I feel nothing, nothing but intense pleasure, and I’m willing to do anything to get there. A wild abandon takes over, and I bite his shoulder until his growl vibrates against my chest. I pull his hair and guide his mouth to where I want it—everywhere. Lips, neck, nipples, I say it out loud and with my body. I won’t let him be gentle. Fuck gentle. I force a roughness from him, or maybe he gives it freely—either way, we’re there together.

Stepping from the wall, he has me flat on the kitchen table, my legs moved from around his waist to up on his shoulders. He bites and sucks a path along my pulse as it races up my leg. From the inside ankle to mid-thigh, he bends over me only to level his eyes to mine. His erection slides into a new depth. My mouth falls open on a gasp that sticks in my throat, only to slip out in jagged whispers with each thrust. He watches, as if captured by something more beautiful than the first snowfall of the year, more enthralled than he’d be if the stars came to life and Cassiopeia paid him a visit. It’s as if I’m the only thing in the world special enough to warrant all of his attention. No one else—nothing else matters.

I draw him down to lick and bite his lips, to break the intensity passing between us, but he just keeps going, pushing me into feeling.

When his teeth drag from my chin to the swell of my breast, I hope for a lasting remnant of our time together. A mark I’ll touch and remember what we shared. “Harder. I want to feel you tomorrow.”

Dipping into the curve of my neck he bites a piercing sting and the sensation flashes everywhere. It transitions to electricity traveling along my now hypersensitive skin. Reaching the hazy cloud of my thoughts it translates to life. A sweet blow in my clit hits at the same time as he pushes in. For the first time in forever I feel alive and present, but that’s not what I need. Fear grips me in a tight hold. No, no, no. I need numb.

I pick up his rhythm to find the elusive place where memories are banished and pleasure reigns.

The solid grip of his fingers on my ass is all I need to focus and forget. “Take me there, Kyle.” Our mouths reunite, rough, working into a storm waiting to pass. I take and take some more, selfish in pursuit of what I've been missing for so long. We learn the deepest recesses and softest curves of each other’s bodies until the once soft flutter grows.

My body takes over and I start to come. Arching off the table, the sweet sting of his teeth on my breast pushes me past the edge of reason and I feel life everywhere, the pulse of it unraveling with absolute freedom. Clenching around him, I hang on through the tremors that threaten to break down two years of barriers. Kyle, Kyle, Kyle—I chant in my head or out loud. I don’t know which.

“Faith. Ah, Faith, I’m coming with you,” he grunts. Falling into me, he thrusts twice, the second deeper than the first and he’s there. I can feel it, oh, I can feel him swell, and then release inside of me.

I’m surrounded by Kyle; his weight pressing me into the table, the throb of his cock inside of me, and the rough gravel of his groan a rousing memory in my ear. I could get used to this. And that’s exactly what I’m afraid of.

Chapter Seven

Kyle

I may have begun this night with the intent to destroy her fears and make her come undone, but it’s completely fucking backfired. Never could I have imagined how soft and wet she’d be, a damn perfect fit—so perfect I’ve come undone. Her soft whimpers send shivers along my heated skin and sink into my heart. There’s absolutely no way I can leave her, not her body or her life. I’ve not felt this level of intensity before having Faith.

She leaves me with an overwhelming desire to conquer, devour and claim. It’s a rather caveman-like perspective, but right now, with her, it makes a hell of a lot of sense. The thought of another man having her is enough to send me into a rage. This girl, this sweet, sexy, beautiful, sensitive girl is all I want to hold onto in this crazy-ass world.

Our bodies pulse together, the remnants of our shared climax slow to an end. It’s a reminder of how good we are together. I’ve buried my head in her neck, just as my dick is buried deep in her pussy. I stand with her wrapped around me, pressed and stuck together. Exertion and the revelation of my feelings have my heart racing ahead of me. It’s mimicking Faith’s, but I’m not so sure hers is out of control for the same reasons. Time will tell, yet it’s not on my side. I’m leaving in hours. There’s no way around that. My job has very little flexibility. I go wherever the boss does, at the mercy of her schedule. Sometimes we spend weeks at home, and others we fly around the country or out of it.

Reality intrudes as our breath and bodies calm. Her hands have stayed glued to me, one in my hair the other massaging my lower back. Everything she does feels good, and I feel everything: her legs gripping my waist, the heat of her pussy wrapped around me, still wet and tight, the swell of her tits pressed into my chest, and her breath heating the already hot skin along my ear and neck. And sometimes, sometimes she bites me and licks the light sting away, just like she’s doing right now. Fuck me, again and again.

“You keep doing that, Angel, and I’m going to take you, right here, right now.” My cock twitches in confirmation. Her giggle confirms she felt it.

“Promises, promises,” she says before biting my neck again, harder this time.

My growl is more animalistic than I meant for it to be, but it’s how I feel so I roll with it. I grip her ass, and in seconds I have her straddling my lap on the couch.

“Just for that I’ll make you work for it this time.” I groan when she clenches tight, sucking my cock even further inside her. Rocking my hips, I aim and hit her sweet spot until she gasps.

“There’s no way you could possibly be ready so soon,” she says, shaking her head and laughing. Her smile, goddamn that smile, it reaches right in and punches my gut. A knockout made just for me.

“How much would you like to bet?” My grin is cocky; I can feel it. At the same time I can feel myself grow even thicker. I need to pull out and change the condom, but I’ll get to that in a second. She feels too good.

“Again? Now?” She's incredulous.

Those honeyed browns grow wide and damn if they don’t twinkle like the stars in the sky. I realize that’s not possible, but her eyes are dancing with humor and the lift of the right side of her mouth says, try me or bite me or both. Yes, ma’am; I can do.

Laughing feels good with her; it’s a new kind of warmth in my chest. “We don’t have much time. I need to leave a lasting impression.” I realize when saying it that there’s a fine line between scaring her off and reeling her in. So far, so good I’d say, based on the smile stretching across her face and the coy tilt of her head. I could never tire of looking at her, especially in moments like this when it’s apparent I’ve been there. It’s my hands that wrecked her hair. My mouth that devastated her lips. I left the red marks trailing from the line of her jaw down her neck, and am responsible for the pink flush of her orgasm that’s yet to fade. All mine.

“The just-fucked look looks good on you.” The tenderness in my voice isn’t overshadowed by the teasing comment. Shit Faith, don’t panic now. I wait for her reaction, prepared for battle if I have to go there. But it comes in the form of a giggle and relief sinks through me like a weight.

“Oh, God. I must be a mess.” She laughs, showing no sign of being embarrassed, no shielding of her naked body. I like that a lot. I like her arched back as her hands rake through her hair to tame the crazy waves.

“I like it this way. Reminds me of where I was five minutes ago.” I especially dig the tight tip of her tits as they jut into my face. With a flick of my tongue, she moans into the silence. When I suck her deep into my mouth, her back curves like a goddamn ballerina and I'm in heaven. Angels are signing. Or maybe it's just the musical pants of her breath as I move to the other side.

Heaven with Faith is an interesting place. It’s not so pure, but a whole lot of raw, carnal need. If she grips my hair any harder she’ll yank me into next week, but at least I’d be with her then. As her fingers trail over my face, I grab and pin them to my chest.

The thought of leaving in a few hours crashes into reality, my lips stumbling over the roadblock forming in my brain. How do you leave perfection?

Before I can move to devour her mouth, she’s distracted by my medallion. Her eyes turn from playful to curious. “What’s this?”

The long silver chain is entwined through her fingers like a snake, the medal held lightly as she strokes over the front before flipping it to the back. “My grandfather gave it to me before I was deployed. Saint Christopher is supposed to protect and provide safe passage to others. Gramps thought I could use the extra help when I left home.”

“Is your job dangerous?”

“There’s the potential for it to be. Why? Will you worry about me when I leave?” I ask, interested in knowing if she will and if she’d admit it.

Shrugging, her eyes grow darker and lose some of the ease we just found with each other. Her fingers continue to stroke the medal while she remains deep in thought. And then she does the exact opposite of what I thought she’d do. I thought she’d say no and pull away, but she sighs and tucks her head into my neck.  “Maybe.”

Ah, the sweet joy of progress. Smiling into her hair, I hold her for a long time. The moon is the only source of light in the room, but it’s bright enough to cast shadows. My fingers rub in the hollows of the two dimples just above her ass and sweep up to her shoulders and back again. I’ve never felt skin as soft as Faith’s.

She tenses beneath me and I know it’s time to fight for her. When her muscles coil, waiting to spring, I clamp down on her hips to keep her steady.

Pushing against my chest, she whips her head back and says, “You need to go.”

“Don’t.” I’m harsher than intended, but she’s pulling away, and so is the condom. “Stop. Ah, fuck . . .” It’s too late.

It might be funny, if it weren’t so fucking disastrous. Faith, naked, standing and staring wide-eyed with her arms out to the side. I remain silent and open-mouthed, still as a damn statue.

She recovers before I do. “Goddamn it, Kyle,” she screams, leaping for the bathroom with my come running down her leg.

I let my head fall to the back of the couch, the heels of my hands gouging into my eyes. Fuck, fuck, fuck. This is not where I thought we’d end up. The one thing I want to do is stay naked with her, but somehow I think we’re going to need some time to talk so I slip into my jeans, leaving the fly open just in case I’m wrong.

She’s taking forever, so I pace back and forth and then lean my head against the door, waiting for it to open. I remain silent, because what can I say?

Faith

The reflection in the mirror is what scares me the most. I remember the face staring back at me. She’s full of hope and trust, and she believes in a future that doesn’t exist. Kyle did that to me. Damn it, this was supposed to be only tonight, but now the rippling energy under my skin is hinting at wanting more. More than this minute and more than what I can give him.

Swinging away from my reflection, I pull on a robe and then stalk to the door with a solid resolve to end this now. It’s time for him to go.

When I yank it open, Kyle stumbles into me and grabs my waist.

“Hi, gorgeous. Everything okay in here?”

His endearing dimple is back, and for a minute I’m lost in it and him. I long to run my hands through his crazy hair, to have his eyes rake over the naked contours of my body and feel his fingers push into me one more time. I can’t let that happen, so I close my eyes instead and count to three.

The weight of his hands distracts me. The subtle pull to drag me from the bath and into my apartment all happens in the dark. I can’t look at him, so I turn my head and look out the window. The moon provides the perfect silhouette to watch the palm trees sway in the breeze. I’ve come to love this island and the serenity it brought me in my time of need. Now it’s time to say my peace.  “You need to go. I had fun, but I’d like to be alone . . .”

“Stop,” he says, and my gaze snaps to his. Anger bubbles to the surface and I break away to spew it forth.

“Don’t stop me, Kyle. This is my house and my life.”

“Then why are you afraid to live it?”

I close my eyes, wishing I could wish him away, but I can’t. A large part of me doesn’t want to. I’ve had more fun in the last five hours than I have in the years since I stepped foot on this island. But I don’t want tonight to turn into a deeper dive. Not into my mind, or what keeps it closed up tight.

“I’m not going there with you. It’s none of your business. Just because you’ve been inside my body, doesn’t give you the right to know more.”

“What if I want in?”

“You’re not invited.”

“I call bullshit. I was right there, until you freaked out.”

I sigh; it’s long and drawn-out, and it shares my frustration. “Nothing is making any sense; you’re supposed to be one night with no questions. Why are you doing this?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know. You’re right. It doesn’t make sense, yet everything does at the same time. I don’t know what drew me to you, but I damn well know I want to stay. I don’t know anything about you, yet I know when I do, I’m going to fall for every quirk and angry flip of your hair. I’m not afraid of your past or mine, because what we can do is make our own tomorrow. That’s the basics. Seems like we’ve got a good foundation to build from.”

“How? None of this is possible, Kyle. You live all over the world and I live here.”

“That’s what planes are for, Angel.”

My breath is crashing in on me like Niagara Falls, brutal and beautiful at the same time. What he offers is hope for more than I have today. But I won’t give him anything unless he gives me the truth.

“How do you know my name?”

Silence stretches between us, his chest rising and falling under the weight of my question. Minutes pass, his eyes never leaving mine, and finally he answers. “I asked around . . . and then I called in some favors from my colleagues at the Bureau.”

I let my head fall into my hands, and I’m not sure if it’s out of anger or relief. I should be pissed he researched me, but it’s more of a release from the ties that have held me hostage for the last two years. He knows and he hasn’t held it against me.

Kyle’s with me now, hands on my shoulders, drawing me into the warmth of his chest. “You know everything about me then . . .”

He tightens his hold. “I know what happened to you, but that’s not who you are. James Marshall and what he did doesn’t define you, Faith. Why do you let it weigh you down?”

What? I shove him away and release the two years of pent-up frustration rolling up my spine. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to wake up one morning to find out you’ve lived a lie? I do! My life turned into a national bestseller when the man I was going to marry left me to climb out of the house of cards that fell around us. He killed himself, Kyle. He stole millions of dollars from our friends and his firm, people who trusted him. Then he got caught and he left me to deal with the anger and the lives he destroyed. Including mine.”

I dig my fingers into my hair as if I can bury the memories from existence in my mind. “If that doesn’t define someone, I don’t know what does. I believed in him, just as everyone else did, when I should have known. I think about it every day—what signs did I miss? Was I stupidly gullible or did I turn the other cheek? Did I just let it go because I liked what I had and who I was with?”