AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She remains unphased, and I’m impressed with her poker face, because by the way her thumb is rapidly tapping the counter, I can tell she’s nervous. I need to find a way to get her to leave in case this thing goes bad.
Taking a deep breath, I give Talia a forlorn look, hoping she takes the bait, and turn to Jules. “What kind of deal?”
Jules grins.
Talia scoffs. A bold move, scoffing at a crime lord.
Jules’ smile falters. “What’s the matter, honey? Not a fan of your boyfriend’s job?”
“Oh, he has a job. A job that is aprivilegeto have. But it sounds like he’s used to taking things for granted.” Her words are a double-edged sword, and she’s driving it right through me.
I might never get her back after this. I lace my words with equal edge and poison, even if it nearly chokes me to say them. “If I’m not what you signed up for, Talia, you can leave.”
Talia meets my gaze, a look of disbelief on her face. There’s a moment of hesitance, a shared breath between us, like she’s waiting to see if I really mean what I said. It kills me to know that even after everything, she would still give me this last chance.
And I still have to ruin it.
“Don’t pretend like this was going anywhere.”
Now I’ve done it, I think. Any and all chance with Talia is gone as I watch her bite down on her lip, her eyes going glossy. She turns on her heel and stalks out from behind the bar. Jules watches her with an amused grin as she rushes past us. It both pains and relieves me to watch her walk out that door.
But now I’mreallypissed.
Jumping out of my seat, I grab Jules by the collar and pull him close enough that I can smell the tequila on his breath. “Whatever deal youthinkI’ll give you, I want you to get it out of your head that I willeverwork with you again,” I grit out. “Now you’re going to walk out those doors, and I never want to see your face in here again.”
Jules smirks up at me, unphased by my threats. His smile doesn’t falter as he narrows his dark eyes at me. “You’re going to regret your words, Kay.”
“I doubt I will.” I shove him back. He catches himself against the bar before he can tip over on his stool. “Now get the fuck out of my club.”
Jules rises from his seat and turns toward the door. At the last moment, he looks back at me over his shoulder. “She’s quite a beauty, you know. It’d be easy to track down someone so… vital… to you.”
Icy dread sloughs through my chest, a feeling I’m so unfamiliar with, it nearly kneecaps me as Jules walks out the door. Once it shuts behind him, I lean against the bar, feeling true terror for what might be the first time in my life.
I know what I have to do to get rid of the Jules problem in order to protect Talia. It’s a decision I’ve avoided making so far, but to protecther, I’ll sacrifice everything I ever used to stand for.
Chapter Eighteen: Talia
“Yeah, you like that, baby?”
No, not really,I think to myself as Brian pounds into me from behind. It’s a position we don’t normally explore during sex, but I was feeling reminiscent of a certain someone. There’s a bit of a selfish motive behind it, too. In this position, I can’t see Brian’ face. I can imagine someone else’s, but hekeepsasking if I like it. I just wish he’d hurry up and finish.
Brian slaps my ass, the sharp sound ringing through the bedroom filled only with our skin slapping together. His strokes aren’t as satisfying as someone else’s. His dick isn’t as satisfying as someone else’s. I bury my face in the pillow and moan, half for Brian’ sake and half for mine.
His pace picks up, and I know he’s about to finish. He quickens his thrusts, and I grip the pillow, riding it out. I don’tmindsex with Brian. It’s predictable. It’s safe. I’m in control of how we have it, which I like. It scratches that itch that’s only grown more insatiable since—
“Aw, fuck!” Brian comes, his sweaty body collapsing on top of mine as he pumps into me a few more times. “Oh, man. You feel so good, baby.” He uses me as a prop to hoist himself up, placing his hands on my back until he’s sitting on his knees, pulling the condom off.
I lay there for a moment, mimicking his panting breaths so it looks like I equally enjoyed it.
“You came, didn’t you?” Brian asks proudly, tossing the condom into the trash bin on the side of my bed and getting up, heading toward the bathroom.
“Oh, god, yes,” I breathe, still sprawled across the comforter. Truthfully, I just don’t feel like moving.
“Nice.” Brian goes into the bathroom and shuts the door. I hear the shower start.
Immediately, my face falls from its feigned pleasure-induced stupor. I blow a loose strand of hair out of my face, roll onto my back, and stare at the ceiling, trying very hard not to think about who I would rather have taking me from behind—whoalmostdid in the middle of the club before we were interrupted.
Before he…
