Page 51 of Secrets, Lies and Love

I focuson the memory of him with the actress; a murderous rage spreads inside me.

Almost recovered from the impact of his presence, I lift my chin and begin to descend as if I feel very safe, which is a lie.

"Thank you," I say as I pass him, as if I'm very used to having a handsome man complimenting me.

Before I pull away, however, he grabs my arm.

Instead of looking at him, I look at where his fingers touch my skin.

Dionysus is hot in every way. I want more of those hands on me; I need them touching me.

Be the actress, Cecily. Just two days ago the womanizer was with another woman. He's playing with your head, perhaps even proud of making you tremble like a fool.

“I'll take you,” he says.

The arrogant statement drives me crazy. "Really? I thought you had company for the wedding. Did you forget the French actress on the airport luggage belt?"

Jesus Christ, shut up, Cecily! You could write an encyclopedia of the mistakes you just made. What do you have to do with your boss's love life?

My rational side begs me to pay attention to it, but the jealousy is much stronger, because even though I know how much I'm deluding myself, that cursed voice keeps repeating over and over again:mine.

I look at him, trying to assess the amount of damage my words have caused, but I get irritated when I notice an amused look.

He's laughing at me, the heartbreaker bastard. "I didn't have sex with her, redhead."

"I don't give a damn about that."

"You should, since you are the one to blame for ruining my fuck."

I pull out of his grip, worried that if I stay too close, I'll hit him and knock that smug smile off his face. "I didn't ruin anything. You can sleep with whomever you want. I don't care."

His big bad wolf grin widens. "When I go out with a woman, the last thing I do is sleep."

I swallow hard, feeling the center of my thighs throb. "I'm sure. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a wedding to attend."

My back is to him, but I don't move away quickly enough and I almost faint when I feel him at my back, his mouth whispering close to my ear:

"I don't want another woman."

"I don't care what you want, sir."

He pushes a strand of my hair to the side. "Such a liar. You're shaking, Cecily, and we both know why. It's the same reason why, no matter how much I try to rationalize against it, I can't stay away from you."

I get tired of the lies and turn to face him. "You don't really want me. You are just curious. You can have any woman youwant, and maybe that certainty makes you bored and makes you wanna play with someone who doesn't belong in your world. I would have to be dead not to be attracted to you, but I have a lot to lose, Dionysus. I'm not going back to Kansas. I belong here, and if you allow me, I intend to take care of Joseph for a long time. Look for another woman to have fun with, with all due respect,sir."

"Is that what you really want?"

"No."

"Then why are you lying?"

"I'm not lying. I'm protecting myself."

"I want the truth."

"Do we still have that agreement where I can talk without being judged?"

"Yes."

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