Page 59 of Savage Temptation
“What are you going to do about it?”
“I don’t know. I feel terrible. I like the girl…a lot, actually, but this all got complicated real quick.”
“Have you considered telling Tessa?”
He scoffs. “Cindy is too worried about ruining her friendship.”
“Why does it have to be ruined?”
“Because that’s a major breach of trust. You don’t sleep with your friend’s brother. Cindy says everyone knows that.”
I blink back at Lance, wondering if I’m being set up because the situation is so shockingly similar to my own.
And when I see that there’s no glint of trickery in his eye, I say, “Perhaps Tessa and Cindy’s relationship will grow stronger after the confession.”
He snickers. “Fat chance. If I caught you fucking my little sis—fuck, I don’t know what I’d do, but there’s a good chance I’d spend the night in jail.”
This is not good.
I clear my throat. “Am I so bad? I mean, I’ve been called the world’s most eligible bachelor by many.”
His brow skews. “You’re a dog that treats chicks like they’re disposable. There’s no way you’d commit to one woman, not with your record, and my sis deserves better.”
“Much the same can be said about you, but you seem to have found someone that holds your interest.”
“Can we just get off the subject already?” he snaps. “It’s making me sick.”
In an instant, all hope I had of having a reasonable conversation went up in smoke.
This couldn’t have gone worse. I’d invited him for drinks so I could tell him how I feel towards his sister—so I could rush to her apartment straight after and confess my undying love and devotion, and he’s already inadvertently threatened me with physical harm.
And then it hits me.Reallyhits me. By going after the one woman I care for, I’ll have to give up my best friend, who is like a brother to me.
It’s like a punch to the gut, and I hate myself for fucking this all up.
“Dude, I’m sorry for bringing down the mood,” Lance says. “I just really liked this girl, and I thought she liked me too.”
“No need to apologize. It’s fine.”
My phone buzzes, and I see that it’s Samantha, my assistant.
Samantha:Remember how you flew out to meet with Conduit, then forwarded all communications to me afterward, telling me you never wanted to deal with them personally again?
Atticus:Yeah, what of it?
Samantha:They’d started making demands, wanting more money. I knew the contracts were signed, so I told them no and directed all additional communication to your legal team. They kept saying you’d regret it. And now, I think I know why.
My stomach twists.
Atticus:What are you getting at?
Samantha:Thirty minutes ago, there was a release to YouTube of someone using the Playground.
Atticus:We’ve had it showcased on various networks. That’s not a big deal.
Samantha:I don’t think you understand. It’s like someone is having sex with an alien and the timestamp is right before you landed in Japan for the ribbon cutting. People are saying it’s you. I’ve already contacted your lawyers. I’ll send over the link.
“Oh, fuck!”I blurt out.
