Page 60 of Stick to the Deal
The moment hangs. Him waiting for me to answer. Me trying to hold myself together.
When his voice comes again, it’s the faintest of rasps. “I’ll be out here when you’re ready, Princess. I’m not going anywhere.”
The cold tile stings my feet as I rush to the shower, turning the water on full blast. My skin burns as I slide down the wall to the floor. The ruby heels clatter as I toss them across the bathroom floor. A mocking reminder of my naïve hope at the beginningof the evening.
I let my head fall back against the tile, and finally give in to the overwhelming emotion. Hot tears stream down my face like lava. I haven’t cried like this since I was a child.
After my parents died and my grandmother rejected me, I swore I would never let people close again. I’ve done well until now, but I need to face the truth. At some point, I let that unassuming, broody husband of mine into my heart.
We had a deal. I’m the one who wants to change the rules now. That’s not fair to him. Yet as the scalding water washes me clean, I can’t quite let go of the hurt. I shouldn’t be mad at him. This is a me-problem. So I need a me-solution.
Florida. Everything will be better with some distance.
I just need a new project to distract me from these inconvenient feelings for my husband.
March
Patience is a virtue, my friends—though not usually one of mine. I was almost growing bored with the idyllic image of Lord and Lady Ravenscourt, but I held strong with my vigilance, and boy have I been rewarded!
The couple made a dramatic entrance at the Gala with coordinated outfits. Lady R turned heads in a shocking red dress, but evidently not shocking enough to hold her husband’s attention. While his wife was dancing with his dashing brother, Lord R was seen renewing an old…friendship. Enter Miss Wentworth—Lord R’s longtime girlfriend. Rumor has it the young woman and Lord R were on the verge of wedding bells themselves before a mysterious parting. Official sources for Lord R claim they are long-time family friends. If it were so innocent, why is Lady R back in Florida while Lord R attends functions alone? Functions where Miss W is also in attendance?
I just adore a good love triangle, don’t you?
I smell a story.
TTFN
Wendy
Chapter 31
Junk Food and Feelings
The Florida golden sunset shining through my penthouse window does little to lift my mood. The apartment feels cold and empty in ways I’ve never noticed before. I toss my phone across the couch, wanting that vile gossip rag to disappear.
If I ever find out who that Wendy is, I’m going to make her life miserable. I can take an unflattering candid and post it all over the internet. How’s that for poetic justice for a tabloid bottom feeder!
This marriage of convenience is becoming quite inconvenient.
I don’t care that Reginald has a past—we all do. I don’t even care that his ex is some heinous society bitch—though it does make me question his taste. It’s the insinuations that they are still…something that has me irritated.
It shouldn’t.
That was the deal! I’m his wife in name only. When we are apart, he can do whatever, whoever he wants. And so can I—not that I have.
Reginald is the only person I’ve slept with in a year. Oh, there’ve been offers. I’d like to make the excuse that I’ve been too busy, but I really haven’t been.
The truth is, no man has caught my interest since I met Reginald. When I can get the best orgasms of my life at home, why would I go out looking?
The fucking asshole has ruined sex for me with all men.
So I’ve found myself spending more time with him than our contractual week a month. I say it’s just for the orgasms, but my current mood implies it could be more than that. The last thing I need is to depend on someone—that’s the way of heartbreak. So here I am, alone in Florida on a self-proclaimed husband detox.
The irony is, with no shoots or Pop business to keep me distracted, my mind keeps flitting back to Reginald instead of thinking about literally anything else. I need a damn distraction. Some new project to dive into.
But first, junk food.
How about that new Mexican place? What the fuck was the name of it? I’d grabbed a flyer at the food truck event last month. Where did I shove it?
