Page 61 of Savage Temptation
When Atticus told me he loved me, I thought that would be accompanied by more than a postponed conversation we’d never get around to. I knew that love alone couldn’t make it work, and I was prepared for him to tell me as much.
But I wasn’t prepared for his abandonment.
He said he’d be away for a few days, and when he returned, we’d sit down and talk about our feelings. He returned a week and a half ago, sending me an occasional,‘I’m super busy but I hope you’re doing well,’text, but nothing more.
I never pushed him, because I know what men do when they feel cornered: they run.
Butfuck—the bomb that just dropped on my lap will not go unanswered. He owes me an explanation…and an apology.
“Can you just say it’s a deep fake?” Ashley asks.
“I can’t say anything. Lance says it’s worse to be caught in a lie than to say nothing at all. So I have to fucking sit here and let the public speculate.” I throw my hands up in frustration. “I’m being called a gold digger.Me—the one woman on the planet that doesn’t care about his wealth.”
An hour after the footage dropped, Lance was at my door. It was clear he was furious, but he never once yelled at me. He told me to lie low, which I agreed to because I was mortified. Then Savage Incorporated’s lawyers contacted me, offering me advice.
And a sizable payout for my pain and suffering.
Of course, I said no to a payout. It was obviously unintentional and money is the last thing I want from Atticus.
But at some point, I’m going to have to re-enter the world. It’s been three days since I’ve last stepped out of my apartment, and I’m beginning to wonder if I ever have to again. I mean, being a hermit is a thing, right?
“How is Lance?” Cindy asks.
“Angry, and I can’t say I blame him. Not only did he find out his best friend was banging his little sister, but there’s video evidence floating around, and the kink factor is out of this world. Pun intended. I don’t know if their friendship will recover.”
Ashley cocks her head to the side. “That’s silly. Why wouldn’t it?”
“Screwing your best friend’s sister is totally off-limits.”
Cindy blinks back at me. “Like…in every situation.”
“It’s a major breach of trust.”
Cindy looks down at her well-manicured nails. “Oh…”
“I’d totally fucking own it,” Ashley cuts in. “I’d go on every network and tell everyone how fucking cool the experience was. You’ve seen Savage Incorporated’s stock, right? It’s through the roof. That video was money.”
“I still can’t believe it was recorded. That there is video evidence of Atticus Savage in an alien skin doing…all the things…”
“It was pretty hot,” Ashley says.
“Wait—you fucking watched it?”
“Wouldn’t you?” She shrugs her shoulders. “The footage is everywhere. A part of it was even shown on the news, though heavily blurred.”
“That footage was stolen—my privacy was invaded!”
“I mean, yeah…that happened.”
“How could you be so insensitive?”
“Look—as I said, it happened. I’m sorry I watched it. I really am, but it’s done.” Ashley puts an arm around me. “Please forgive me so I can be here for you.”
I exhale morosely. “I do forgive you. I’m just so mad…it’s spilling over.”
“Have you thought of reaching out to him?” Cindy asks.
“I don’t think he wants to speak to me. That, or Lance has forbidden him from doing so.”
