Page 21 of One Little Lie
So many answers to that one question. Dropping the phone, I sit up in bed to stare at her. She’s so fucking beautiful it rips my heart out that she can’t be mine.Why can’t she be mine?She’s standing before me in a nightshirt that goes to mid-thigh, and I struggle for words.
“I loved you, Hatty. With everything that I am, I loved you.” The floor sways beneath my feet, and I plant them wide to keep from toppling off the bed.
“Did you ever even really care about me? I know you didn’t love me—”
“I’m going to hell,” I rumble as I jump up, cutting off her words. I cross the room to stand before her in two long strides, and she peers up at me wide-eyed.
“Have you been drinking?”
“I had a shot with GG.”
“Of what?”
“Rylan, do you want to talk about GG right now?”
She bites her lip, and I snap. The world is a little fuzzy, but I can’t think of one damn reason why I can’t have this girl. I know there’s a reason. A really fucking big one. But right now, all I can think about is her and me.
I scan her body and feel my dick spring to life. Rylan’s hands are clasped in front of her like she’s about to pray, but we’ll save that for tomorrow. Grasping her hands, I straighten the fingers of her left one and entwine mine over both of hers, then lift them above her head. Stepping into her space, I back her into the wall, crowding her until she’s breathless.
“What are you doing, Hatty?”
“I never hated you,” I vow just before my lips crash into hers. With both of her arms contained, she can’t move. She doesn’t have to think, just feel.
Pulling back, I take her swollen bottom lip between my teeth. “Do you want me, Verity?”
“I-I—”
Lowering my lips, I swallow her answer. Before she can think, I spin her, keeping her hands locked in mine. My arm now cages her back into my front, and I walk us backward to the bed. I can barely feel my legs, but when we crash into the plush mattress, my only thought is Rylan.
Holding her tightly, I relish the feel of her body pressing into me as I run my free hand up her thigh, then lean in to kiss her neck.
“Fucking hell, Rylan. Do you know how many dreams I’ve had about you? How one time with you ruined me for life?”
My hand lands on her bare stomach, and I inch my fingers lower, groaning when I realize she still doesn’t sleep in panties.
“Hatty, I—”
Her words cut off as I graze her bundle of nerves, then dip my middle finger deep inside of her channel.
“Fuck, Verity. It’s only ever been you, don’t you see that?”
I pick up my pace with my palm on her clit, and I can already feel her body tensing.
“Just you. You were always meant for me. Always,” I roar, the sound bringing me back to the present, and I pause in my assault, trying to catch my bearings.
But then she moans, long, low, and sweet as fucking honey, and I’m more determined than ever to bring her to orgasm. My name on her lips. My fingers inside of her pussy.Mine.
“Feel how you react to me, Rylan? Me. I wanted you more. I needed you more, but I can’t have you. I can’t give you …”
Her body goes rigid a split second before her harsh words call out, “Stop! Halton, stop.”
The room lurches into focus, and I glance around. It’s like an out-of-body experience as Rylan jumps off my lap, and I’m forced to let her go.
“Y-You can’t do this to me again, Halton. If I’m not good enough for you …”
“You’re too good for me, Rylan. Don’t you see? I can’t love you, but I can’t let you go either.”
“Why?” she screams, and I wince as her face becomes blurry. “Why, Halton? Why can’t you love me? Can’t implies that you have a choice. And you do have a choice.” Her voice cracks, and it slices through me like a knife. “Have you ever loved me, Halton? Deep down in your bones, cry yourself to sleep at night? Endless, painful days that feel empty and bleak without someone by your side? Have you ever loved anyone that fiercely? Because if you did, you would choose it. You would choose me, but you say you can’t?”
