Page 2 of Bound to the One-Night Stand

But he’s taking her. Somehow, I thought he’d still be in the city. Hell, the state even. Never in my wildest nightmare did I think he was going to take her to Greece. Not a perfect stranger.

Unless he already knew her? So many questions pelt mybrain as I sit there, slumped over, my head in my hands. How could he betray me like this?

Our spot? The place I dreamed of ever since we made our pact? The place where I was going to give myself to him. All of me. Nothing held back.

And for what? So he can take some stranger instead of me? So he can fuck her on the beach as the waves roll in? Granted, that idea was just the result of one too many drinks and a romcom binge sesh.

But it doesn’t make the pain any less real.

“Hey Jess.” My work bestie Kessily pops in behind, scaring the ever-loving shit out of me. Her tight, jet-black curls bounce and quiver with every minute movement. “That doesn’t look like a foreclosure property.”

As quickly as I can, I hit a few keys, and the screen disappears. “Just looking at some ideas for a girls trip.”

She crosses her arms and shakes her head, narrowing her amber eyes. “Right. And I’m the queen of England.”

A sigh flits past my lips as I hang my head and push away from the desk. “He blocked me.”

“I mean, what did you expect him to do?” Though her voice is soft and gentle, her words still strike a chord.

“He could have done something. Said something.”

She gathers me into her arms and squeezes. “Would you have let your new husband text an old girlfriend?”

A flash of jealousy sears me for a moment, stealing my breath. Unfortunately, she’s right. Not that I want to admit it. We stay there for several moments, neither of us saying a word. But then… we don’t have to.

Hurt continues to sting, like a wound that refuses to close. It should have been us. It makes no sense why it wasn’tus. Eventually, I pull back as a cramp sends a far different sort of pain signal to my brain.

“Look,” Kessily hedges, gesturing at the screen. “You’re never going to get over him if you stalk him like this. I have a better idea. The club I go to is having an open membership night. Why don’t you join me for some sexy fun?”

I wrinkle my nose and shake my head. “Kinky fun, you mean. I’m not into all that stuff.”

She laughs and crosses her arms. “Oh, I’d beg to differ. Weren’t you the one who loved dipping her fingers into candle wax while it was still hot?”

Heat fans my face, but I refuse to duck my head. “Okay, but that was like-”

“Last week,” she butts in, a knowing smile on her face.

“It’s not like I got off on it.”

“Okay, fine,” she retorts. “Weren’t you also the one who enjoyed sticking safety pins into your fingers and palms?” This time, she raises her eyebrow and taps her foot.

As much as I hate to admit it, her show of authority sends a shiver down my spine. It’s a weakness of mine, and she knows it. Screwing my lips up into a fierce frown, I cross my arms.

“Okay, but that was during my school days. Everyone was doing it. Not just me.” Despite how much I try, I can’t seem to keep the whine out of my voice or the humph at the end.

Kessily’s eyes sparkle as she tilts her head back and laughs. “Not everyone. Remember how grossed out Becky was?”

Giggling, I let the memory wash over me, soothing the hurt and replacing it with something else. “We’d both go up to her and wave our hands around. I’m surprised she didn’t throw up.”

“She did!”

“What? When did that happen?”

For the next several minutes, I forget all about the Alpha I was supposed to be with and rest in the moment with my best friend from forever. However, the moment we stop laughing and wipe the tears from our eyes, that familiar ache comes back.

I wasn’t supposed to be alone like this. Alec and I were supposed to be together. Forever.

“So, am I picking you up?” Kessily’s voice permeates my brain, bringing me back to the present.

---