AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Why hadn’t she seen what Marco was sooner? Instead she’d been fooled by the glitz and the glam. The way he’d focused so entirely on her, as if she was the most fascinating woman in the world to him rather than just a naive college student. One who’d barely dated before him and of course was easy pickings for someone older and cultured and experienced.
He’d been the first one to hold her down in bed. To show her the other side of sex, rather than just sweet lovemaking. Deep down, she’d wondered if she was normal because she loved bondage and being controlled. Especially after his controlling nature outside the bedroom had poisoned all the rest.
Being with Ry had shown her she wasn’t broken. Not even close. Or if she was, he was too, and their cracks fit together and made something beautiful.
She owed him the truth. Every bit of it. Even the ugly parts that might make him think differently about her. If she lo—
Ryan’s humming from the bathroom cut off her thoughts. Exhaling, she clutched the phone against her hip. She had to tell him, and she would. Tonight. No more stalling. But not when he was excited about the awards show. She’d wait until after and find the words to come clean. Somehow.
“Oh yeah? What miracle are you up to now?” he asked distractedly, clearly just tuning into what she’d said.
She forced a smile and held up her phone, though he couldn’t see her. “Calling Donovan. His jet would’ve just landed an hour ago.”
Ryan leaned out of the bathroom. “He’s here?”
“Yes, he and Lila and her family flew in for the awards show. I guess they’re combining it with a vacation. Though not sure I’d think traveling with two-year-old twins is all that fun, but I guess if they’re yours, you feel differently.”
She honestly wasn’t sure on that score, but even Michael claimed that having kids with Chloe had changed him, too. She’d punch that ticket when and if her boat came around.
“Jase, my little bro, has a son. He’s three. Cutest kid ever.”
The wistfulness in Ry’s tone made her flop back on the bed, phone in hand. She hadn’t made it any closer to calling Donovan.
While every signal in her head was screaming abort, her mouth wasn’t nearly that smart. “You want kids, don’t you? The white dress, the fence, the whole nine yards.”
Whatever he was doing in the bathroom, he kept it up long enough that she picked up her phone again. Okay, maybe he didn’t want to talk about that particular subject either. Good deal. She’d just—
“Yeah,” he said finally, and when she leaned sideways, she could just make out his fingers gripping the sink. “I guess I do. I didn’t line it all up until you asked, but yeah. Seeing Mike has been an eye-opener for all of us.”
“Careful with your group statements there, bud. Some of us still have their eyes closed and we’re fine with that.” But she gripped her phone tighter, staring at the case until the crystals blurred in her vision.
She’d wanted exactly that once too. Not that she’d sketched out every step in her head, but she’d been a traditional chick at the core. The idea of a husband and kids—and yes, frequent freaky time between the sheets—had seemed…right. The path meant for her once she’d done the school thing and opened her own accounting firm.
After Marco, she’d shelved those dreams along with some others. They were dusty and buried deep. Yet they were still there.
“One thing at a time, Colorado. No one’s trying to hem you in or freak you out.”
“How about manage me?”
“Well, that’s just part of being a wise man. I want to get laid later, you know.”
She snorted. He was such a guy, but at least he was honest. Soon enough, she would have to do the same. She’d started to
come clean, but she definitely hadn’t confessed everything yet.
One mountain at a time.
“You’ve been laid plenty,” she said, her finger hovering over Donovan’s speed dial.
“And your point?”
“I don’t have any. I just have to call my uncle and get this over with, so I can get there before they announce your award. I have a good feeling about tonight. Obviously so does my uncle and Li, or they wouldn’t have made a trip out of it.”
He came out from the bathroom, fussing with the cuffs that fell just a little longer than his suit. Designed just for his long, lean form. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get over the weirdness of you being related to Donovan Lewis.”
She forced her gaze up to meet his. “It’s weird for me too. I didn’t like not telling you guys, but it’s not like we’re chatting every day and breaking bread. I can’t tell you the last family holiday dinner we were at together. It’s not his deal, and it’s not mine.” She blew out a breath. “And I need to make this call before I wuss out.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me here?”
