Page 27 of The Truth of Our Secrets

My body involuntarily shudders at the memory of his lips touching my ear and his thumb on my pulse.

The fact that he’s strong enough to cut off my air supply should not bring my cock to life.

Fucking hell.

Chapter eleven

Emmet

I’m still shaking when I punch in the code for the apartment above Unframed Art. I pace the length of the open concept room belonging to Shane and Cole. Cole uses the far end of the room as a painting studio, while Shane has a home office squeezed between the huge bed and the wall. They gave me full access to the kitchen, but I don’t like imposing.

They’re rarely here, but Cole likes to paint with the morning sun and his favorite subject is Shane. I learned the hard way not to sneak a peek at the canvases. Either Shane is packing or Cole paints him in the best light.

The urge to call my mother to make sure she’s okay is overwhelming after dealing with a drug overdose. But it’s late and she may not answer the phone or sound wired from nottaking her medication. Either way, I’ll worry and the phone call will make it worse. I hate the saying ignorance is bliss. It’s bliss until your world comes crashing down.

I fucking hate drugs. They’re a necessary evil. They can heal, but when abused become lethal.

I debate texting Alec because Von looked like he’d seen a ghost when they left. He had a classic trauma response. Hopefully, Dylon’s okay and I get an update.

I settle on texting my sister for a quick check-in. No dots appear, so she’s probably studying. Since the world does not revolve around me, I’m going to assume she’s learning something important to save lives.

She’s finishing her nursing program and studying for the NCLEX-RN. The two-year degree is taking longer since she has to work to pay for food and help our great-aunt. There’s a pang of guilt, but I can’t do it all.

The loneliness sits on my chest as I flop down on my bed.

Texting Madyson would be stupid. Jayce must be home by now and I’m certain he’ll give her an exaggerated play-by-play of our fight. He’ll conveniently leave out the part where he continually tried to flatten me on the ice and Von protected me.

All my friends from my old job have stopped texting me. I guess we really had nothing in common but work. Solid friends are hard to come by.

I rub my dick and throw an arm over my face. Fucking Jayce got so fucking hard when I pinned him to the wall.

It’s official. I’m a stupid motherfucker. My erection thickens with memories of Jayce. His chest heaved as he inhaled as if trying to suck all the air out of the hallway. And his pulse was so damn sexy, hammering away under my thumb. I almost lost my mind and kissed him.

Certainly a death wish. Witnessing near death had me tempting fate.

There’s no rational reason for me to get anywhere near that man.

He cut off my support system, my lifeline, when I needed it most. And he’s still sabotaging my relationship with Madyson. Not that we have a relationship, but it’s something. He’s not taking it away.

I’m craving a release after tonight. For privacy, I lock the bedroom door, then shuck my clothes off. I’ll hear someone coming, but old habits die hard.

A couple of strokes and I’m on the edge. I envision Madyson’s hand on me. Her slight fingers and long hair tickling my body. I’m enjoying my spank bank, then Jayce appears, replacing Madyson’s hand with his larger one, increasing the grip. I imagine his body pressing me into the mattress as he nuzzles my neck and bites down.

My shout echoes around the room as cum jets out of me with such force I jackknife and it hits my shoulder.

I collapse, panting and stroking myself through the aftershocks. Shock is right. I should go to a club and find a guy. I obviously need to get laid.

My stomach curdles at the thought of another man. And I hate myself a little more.

Madyson

Jayce’s face is swollen and I’ve never seen him so dazed after a game. Not even a pro one.

“Love, what happened? Are you okay?” He lets me lead him to the sofa and I sit in his lap, tracing the swelling with my fingers.

“It’s nothing.” He clears his throat. “Just a stupid hockey fight. Dylon was taken to the hospital.”

“What?” I startle in his lap. “Explain.”

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