Page 14 of Ravaged By Lust

The gentle way he once kissed me.

The confident way he made me feel so safe when we were together.

The thrill of him sneaking into my bedroom at night simply to touch me.

How he’s whispered that I was a good girl. His good girl.

Goddamn it.

It’s never been a wonder why Bishop is one of the biggest stars on the planet. I mean, just look at the guy. He’s so gosh-darn-it handsome.

Tall. Sharp. Cheekbones to die for. Cute dimples. Deep brown eyes. An athletic, toned body sprayed with tattoos. Cutting eyes under his slicked back dark brown tousle of hair.

Fuckity fuck.

But then I remember the bad times. The memories of what he did to me.

And I am lost for words.

Everyone in the kitchen is all waiting for my reply – Maddie, Axel, and Bishop himself - and I have absolutely nothing to say.

It’s up to Maddie to break the awkward silence.

“You guys know each other?” she asks.

Bishop smiles at her question. Axel looks away.

Oh, he knows.

Maddie clearly has no clue what’s gone on between the man standing in her kitchen and her boyfriend’s sister. I’m guessing Axel hasn’t told her what happened.

“Yep,” Bishops replies. “We know each other for sure.”

Maddie shrugs, not grasping the extent of the issue at hand. “I guess you would, being Axel’s best friend.”

“Well, it’s been a few years since Chloe and I have actually seen each other…”

“Seven years,” I reply curtly. “Seven.”

“Hm.” Oh, Bishop is such a tormentor. “Seven years is a long time, isn’t it, Chloe?”

“Yep.”

Maddie’s gaze swivels between the two of us.

“Chloe and I used to be very close,” Bishop explains to Maddie. Close? God, he’s so infuriating. He knows he’s winding me up by being so… casual. “I wonder why we aren’t anymore, though.”

“I’ve got nothing to say to you, Bishop,” I say.

I’ve got to nip this early in the bud. I can’t be having this conversation.

Let’s just say that seeing Bishop again was not why I came to this city.

“Things are clearly awkward, and I was just here for my guitar,” Bishop says, raising his hands in mock surrender. “I don’t mean to start a riot or anything.”

“The guitar’s in the hallway,” Axel says flatly, still not making any sort of eye contact with the rest of us. He clearly doesn’t want to be drawn into this. It’s as awkward for my brother as it is for me.

“Ah, great,” Bishop replies. “I’ll get it on my way out. I’m sure I’ll see you around, Chloe. Goodbye, everyone.”