Page 16 of Her Double Desire

Chapter 6

Veronica

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Ifind a selectionof fluffy robes in the bathroom. Draping a crimson and black one on, I drop my phone in a deep pocket. Clutching the thick material tight, I wander into the hall. The array of doors all look the same.This place is a maze. How do I find the room I woke up in?

Up ahead, I notice one of the doors is cracked open.I'm pretty sure I didn't shut my door when I crept out,I think, heading closer. Low, passionate grunts reach my ears.

Peeking through the crack, I clap a palm over my lips. It's the only way to muffle the shock that wants to explode out of me. It's hard to stay silent when I'm looking at something so incredible.

Jared is stretched out on a king size bed. The blankets are ruby-red, the same shade as the angry cock he's clutching in his fist. Before my eyes, the hot-as-sin man is masturbating.

His teeth are clenched like he's hurting himself. No—like he's overwhelmed by pleasure and has no choice but to bring himself to climax. His hips thrust into the air once, twice, as if he's fucking more than his own hand.

Still fully dressed, his shirt clings to his sweaty torso. His belt is dangling open, pants slung low enough to let him grip the base of his cock.

Something buzzes against my leg. I jump, fumbling in my pocket to quiet my phone. This is the worst time for a phone call!

The bed springs stop rustling.Shit, that means Jared has stopped moving. Did he hear my phone? Does he know I'm outside his door, peeping on him like a voyeur?

Not waiting to find out, I back away, then sprint down the hall.Please don't let him have seen me!

Up ahead I spot the big curving staircase I fainted on. I have my bearings now. Lifting my phone, I see that it's Sonya calling. Tapping the green button, I dodge into my tiny, plain room, then shut the door. I suck in breath after nervous breath. “Hello, Sonya?”

“Veronica? Are you okay? You sound like you're jogging!”

“I'm fine.” Dropping onto the bed, I fall backwards and shut my eyes. “Okay, I'm notexactlyfine.”

“If you had a hangover as bad as mine this morning, I believe it.”

“It's more than that.” Pinching the bridge of my nose, I work out how to explain everything. “Sonya, do you remember last night?”

She snorts. “It was too memorable to forget, Little Miss Impulsive.”

A cold spike of shame digs into my belly. “I think I was more than a bit impulsive. Sonya, I...”

“Sorry, hold on.” Her voice vanishes—she's talking to someone else in a whisper.

“You there?”

“Yeah, sorry, I'm still at work.” There's a long pause. “Are you mad that I went in? I know you were fired up last night about Tim, maybe I should have quit, too. In solidarity.”

“No,” I assure her. “It's fine. You're allowed to want a paycheck, Sonya.”

Her laugh is hollow on the edges. “You say that, but... I just want us to be alright. No drama. But, yes, I do need the money. That credit card debt won't pay itself off.”

I cover my face with my forearm. “Yup. I know all about debt.”

“Veronica, in your voicemail, you said you had some big changes happening. I saw you leave with those two guys last night.”

My lungs expel all of their air.She saw me leave with them?“I guess that's why you didn't freak out and call every cop and private eye in the city to find me,” I say, trying to lighten the mood.

She doesn't bite. “Are you with them now?”

Glancing around the room, I sigh through my nose. “I am. It's really not a big deal.”

“But you called it a big deal.”

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