Page 29 of Truth & Lies

Trailing his tongue down my soaked seam, he moves back up to circle my clit, making my body ache with need before pressing his tongue inside me with a deep raspy growl that vibrates against my skin. He mixes it up, dragging his teeth over my sensitized flesh and thrusting his fingers deep inside me while sucking and licking and driving me insane with the need for more.

He rises above me, reaching down and wrapping his fist around his cock as he guides himself to my entrance before burying himself to the hilt in one solid stroke. I cry out as he pulls back and dives back in again, over and over he pounds into me, the feeling, the emotions, everything that is him being poured into our lovemaking.

His mouth drops to my neck then my shoulder, his teeth biting into my skin as my entire body tightens around him and I cling to him, the intensity of my release washing over me as my body grips his and we both barrel headfirst into climax. His deep groan and my loud whimpers fill the room as we ride out the wave of release.

He collapses down on top of me, and that’s how we stay for what seems like forever. Our breathing slowly drifts from hard and fast to slow and steady, our bodies staying connected in the most intimate way throughout.

With his face buried in my neck, he lifts his hand and runs his fingers whisper-soft down my cheek.

“Stay with me, tonight. Whatever happens tomorrow, whenever you have to walk away from me, I want to have the memory of you here tonight,” he whispers in my ear. Incapable of speaking, the only thing I can do is nod. His words speak the truth that we both know—whatever happens, we can’t have anything more than this moment in time.

Hours later, once he’s finally drifted off to sleep, I carefully crawl out of his bed and get dressed. I allow myself one last look at him, committing all of it to memory, from his furrowed brow to his dark lashes down to his full lips and the graze of stubble that covers his jaw.

Then the inevitable guilt hits me like a sledgehammer.

I knew I’d been weak and when overcome by his proximity, his smell, his touch, his taste—I’d been overwhelmed with want and need. I’d been unable to resist temptation and I’d given in.

I knew that sleeping with him, giving in to him would irrevocably change me. But even with that knowledge, I’d barely put up a fight.

But he also poses the biggest threat to my future happiness. Actions bear consequences and that’s something I do not yet want to contemplate, let alone experience. But that’s my cross to bear and the penance I will have to pay when the time comes

Because in this moment, seeing Barrett at his most unguarded, in his most vulnerable state, he still takes my breath away and tugs at my heart.

A heart that I can no longer deny now belongs to two men.

ChapterTwelve

Aweek after sneaking out of Barrett’s bed and ignoring all attempts at contact from both him and Aiden, I’m back to burying myself in my work. I’ve been staying at the office from dawn to dusk, only going home to shower and sleep before waking up and doing it all over again.Avoidance, they name is Alyssa.

At least by keeping myself busy, I cantryto not think about the giant mess that is my life right now. Or the fact that I still can’t get hold of Mom, and she’s not returning my calls or messages. Both are very unlike her and since Iknowshe should be back from her honeymoon by now and after everything we’ve found out about her new husband in that time, I’d love to touch base.

I’m at my desk reviewing the cover proof for the new magazine’s launch issue, contemplating sending my mother an email, when loud, rapidly approaching voices interrupt my thoughts. I lift my head in time to see my assistant, Carrie, rushing through my office door with Gavin and two of the company’s security guards following behind him.

“Ms. Jacobs, I tried to stop them but—” she says hurriedly but is interrupted by a smarmy-looking, Cheshire cat smile wearing Gavin.

He stands in front of my desk with his arms crossed over his chest and a satisfied smirk on his face. “You’re no longer CEO of Jacobs Publishing,” he says before turning to Carrie. “And you’re fired.”

I shoot to my feet, my fury hitting hard and fast. “Gavin, you cannot waltz on in here and fire anyone. I’m the CEO, not you.”

“Youwere, Alyssa, my dearest stepdaughter. But as of an hour ago, you are not.”

Carrie gasps in shock, and my mouth drops open as I glare at the man.

“What are you talking about?” I whisper loudly, fear and anger warring inside of me, locking me in place.

“My wife and I share assets, Alyssa. Which means everything that is hers is now mine. Therefore, I now have the power to take over operational responsibility of Jacobs Publishing which I am doing, effective immediately.”

“You can’t—”

"Ican, and you know it, Alyssa,. This is absolutely possible. And Iknowyou sought legal advice about this exact eventuality."

I grab hold of my desk and lock my knees, gripping the wood so tightly my fingers are white. My entire body is vibrating with anger and I desperately try to stave off the shock and despair threatening to overcome me.

I reach for my desk phone. “I’m going to call my mother and we’ll just see what she—”

The dial tone goes silent, and I look up to see Gavin’s fingers pressing down on the base.

"Your mother won't help you, Alyssa. She completely agrees that you have your whole life ahead of you and are far too young to have the responsibility of a big company such as this weighing heavy on your shoulders," he explains, condescension dripping from every word. "This is a good business decision. And I know you'dhateto disappoint her, especially since you said yourself that you’ve never seen her so happy. You even gave me your blessing to marry her,remember?” His smile is wolfish and not at all friendly, and it takes everything in me not to make a scene and punch the grin off his face.

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