Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
I twist to face him, Talon holding me to his rigid body. “He’s beyond a boyfriend. But before he loses his mind, we need to finish this up.”
“He drove up on a motorcycle. You hate motorcycles.“ The stupidity keeps coming.
“I do not, I find them erotically sexy.”
“You hate anything daring! I tried to go skydiving and you denied it.”
“Because I’m scared of heights, you dumbass.”
“Your whole life is about structure and safety.”
“My control is thin,” Talon growls.
“But I’m close to getting answers, baby.” I turn on the saccharine.
“Finish up, I want him out of your space.”
“Jesus, listen to him. He’s like a—”
“Caring, possessive, overbearing, neanderthal?” I finish for Joseph.
“Exactly, are you okay?”
“I’m perfectly in tune with all of it by now. But we are addressing my new security system that wasn’t discussed.” I raise an eyebrow at Talon.
“He put cameras on your house without your permission. That’s illegal and invasive.”
“Normally, that may apply. But with Talon, it’s a love language. He’s quite protective.”
“Are you brainwashed?”
“No, Joseph, I’m not.”
“But look at him, he’s not your type.”
Fucking judgmental asshole. How dare he?
“I can’t look at him right now because every time I do, my insides nearly explode and my brain focuses on one thing. Since I have to deal with you, and sex on the sidewalk is considered public indecency, gawking at him isn’t smart.”
“Fuckin A, Lo.” Talon’s voice is loaded with heat.
Focus on the issue at hand, Willow!
“As I was saying. Let me put this all together. I was swamped with school, stressed out about the changes in my life starting a Doctorate program, and you found solace in my sister?”
“Can we discuss this in private?”
“Not on your damn life.” The bitter ferocity in Talon’s tone is a clear indication this needs to speed up.
Joseph scowls at him and then turns his attention to me. “It wasn’t like that. It was gradual.”
“Who made the first move?” I repeat my inquiry, and Talon’s grip is almost painful.
“It was mutual.”
“Oh, for God’s sake, Joseph, man the fuck up and answer the question. Out of all the women in the world to cheat with, you chose my sister. Don’t spare my feelings now.”
“I don’t remember. We both crossed the line. After it happened, I knew what I’d done was unforgivable.”
“Why not break up with me then, instead of stringing me along?”
“I was confused and hurt. Our relationship was crashing and you kept choosing school over me. You and I were falling apart. Rylee listened. She understood what I was feeling. The more time we spent together, the more we had in common. She supported my career and encouraged my ambition.”
My ears ring and I shake my head, wondering if I heard him correctly. “She supported your career and encouraged your ambition? Do you fathom how idiotic and ironic that sounds?”
He realizes his mistake at the same time a low rumble vibrates from Talon. “Princess, he’s out.”
“One more minute, baby, this just got fun. When did you decide it was time to let me in on your affair?”
He gulps, his face paling. “We didn’t set out to hurt anyone. Gradually, we fell in love. That’s when I knew to end things.”
“And a week later you stood in my family home with my sister?”
“It was Rylee’s idea to come out to the family. She thought it was best. Obviously, that backfired.”
“Backfired?”
“I’ve lived with regret every day. It shouldn’t have come out that way.”
I should be pissed, enraged, devastated; instead, a sense of harmony settles over me.
And pity.
Joseph Wynn was conned, and he has no idea. The polite thing to do would be to accept these answers and send him away. But I’m not the same woman he knew. The disgrace I endured deserves justice.
A sense of liberation courses through my system.
“Our first Christmas together, you gave me a diamond necklace. Rylee was jealous. My birthday, you took me out of town. Rylee was jealous. That night of your promotion dinner, you chose one of the hottest spots in Nashville, regardless of my schedule. Rylee knew she had a shot. You say she understood you were feeling neglected, but that’s not true. Rylee has never been neglected in her life. My family bent to her will more than was healthy because she was the baby. She’s a spoiled brat who didn’t play well with others. She gets what she wants no matter who or what gets caught in the crossfire. Which is why she set her sights on you. It was easy. I had something she wanted. You chose her, humiliated me, put a chink in my family, and enabled her behavior by proposing. I’m over it, have been for a long time. You are marrying my sister. No big deal. Why are you here?”
Joseph pales as the realization sinks in. He glances at Talon, then me. “I postponed the wedding. Rylee isn’t who I thought she was.”