Page 125 of Tell Me All Your Lies

My eyes clear, and I realize it’s Fred. He must have left my house. Only there’s no way Grant knows because he would have come with him to warn me.

Fred releases his hand from around my neck, and I gasp for air.

“I asked you a question.”

I grip my neck as I try to inhale as much air as I can. Fred is strong, much stronger than I assumed he would be. I’m beginning to realize there’s a lot I don’t know about Fred Jones.

“I-I…” I stutter.

I didn’t anticipate being caught in the act by him. I’ve rarely been in this situation with some of the worst criminals in the world.

“Oh, baby, looks like you found out my secret,” he says.

The camera room.

“What am I going to do with you now?”

“I swear, I wasn’t in there. I came over to find out a few things that you like for Grant. He wanted to surprise you since your birthday is coming up. Have a party with friends,” I lie.

Fred takes a step back and examines me. The way his deep-blue eyes try to peer into mine is alarming. I’ve never taken agood look at Fred before, but his tall, broad frame is powerful next to mine. The way his tattoos travel up the length of his arms tells a story I don’t think I want to know.

“What did you see? Don’t lie to me,” he says. It comes out harshly, as though he’s worried about whether to believe me or not.

“Nothing. Just technology. But I mean, everyone has computers?”

Fred crosses his arms and leans against his staircase railing.

“You’ve come snooping in another man’s home looking like you wanted to be caught.”

I look down at my attire, and confusion fills me. I’m not in anything sexy, not that it would be my fault if I did choose to dress that way. He needs to be able to keep it in his pants, even if I were wearing underwear over here.

“I’m wearing leather pants and a shirt?”

“Your tits are basically popping out of your shirt, baby. You come here dressed like that, looking around my bedrooms. Makes me feel like you want something you aren’t getting at home.”

I stand tall yet pretend to be bashful as he tries to come onto me. A meek little housewife who needs attention from her neighbor.

Fred uncrosses his arms and stalks forward. He reaches for me and gently starts caressing my neck with his fingers. It’s no where near the roughness as before.

“What are you doing?” I whisper.

“Can you keep a secret?” he huskily asks.

Fuck. I cannot sleep with Fred. I need to attack him and leave, then tell Grant, and we can clean up the mess together.

Being in a relationship changes everything. Ordinarily, I would have probably given in a little, just enough to tempt himinto letting me leave. I can’t put Grant’s and my relationship at risk.

“Of course,” I say with an innocent smile in place.

Maybe if I hit him right on the nose and kick him in the groin, it will take him down.

“I won’t tell anyone that you were getting up to no good in another man’s house if we can keep a secret.”

“From Ace?”

“From everyone, baby. I can fuck you so good that you’ll want to come over here day and night to get some from your neighbor Fred.”

My breath hitches as he steps almost flush to my body. It’s now or never. I have to get out of here before this happens.

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