She comes to a stop and frowns. “Becky, isn’t that Demi’s dress?”
Becky smiles but rolls her eyes. “Yes, but it’s not like she’s ever gonna wear it.”
Her mother sighs. I know Becky is her favorite because she never hid that from anyone. Becky was her mini-me in every way. Demi may look like them, but she never had that desire. She was forced. But that doesn’t stop her from wanting Demi to give in to their ways.
“Just be careful with it.” She places her hands on her nonexistent hips. “And put it back where you found it afterward.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
BECKY
HE TOOK ME to Austin Stonelake. I’ve never been here before, but I’ve heard of it. It’s just as fancy as they say. Dim lighting with white tablecloths and folded black napkins. There’s a vase at every table with a single rose in it. It immediately reminded me of our dinner at his sister’s house that night. It must be a good omen.
We’ve already had our appetizers and are currently finishing our main course. It’s been awkward. We’ve been quiet, but I’m not sure what to say. And I don’t think he has much to talk about.
I lick my lips and take a deep breath. “I was in Collins last weekend.”
“Oh, yeah?” he asks, not bothering to take his eyes off his plate.
“I saw your father.” That gets his attention.
He drops his fork and looks up at me. Slowly, he lifts his black napkin and rubs the corners of his mouth. “And?” His voice has gone cold.
I knew it would. His father is the last thing I want to talk about, but if it gets his attention … “He misses you.”
He snorts at that. “Doubtful.”
I lower my eyes to my plate. “He said he’s been calling you.”
“And I’ve been ignoring him.”
“Why?”
He takes a drink of his water and sets it down. “Since when do you care about my father? You never have before.”
Honestly? I hate that man. He always tried to use Deke. He had Deke’s life mapped out for him from the moment he was born, but Deke didn’t care. That was the problem Langston had. His only son wanted nothing to do with him or his plans to take over the world. Deke always had that ability on his own. Deke and Langston both know it.
I shrug. “I don’t. I just thought you should know.”
“Thanks,” he says dryly before picking up his fork and getting back to his meal.
The rest of dinner went by slow and silently. We didn’t speak, and I hated it.
Things aren’t going how I wanted them to. He was supposed to see me in my dress, take it off, and make love to me. I can work with that, but this? I don’t know what to do. Things used to run smoothly between us, but now nothing but secrets and lies hang in the air, choking us with every breath.
We pull up to my house, and I pause when he brings the car to a stop. I haven’t asked him why he’s driving Austin’s Range Rover. I’ll ask her tomorrow. She won’t lie to me. Not like Deke will. I lick my lips nervously, trying to think of an excuse to get him to come inside, but he turns the car off.
We make our way inside silently. All the lights are off, and I know my mother is already in bed. She goes to sleep early ’cause she starts her day before the sun ever rises. I make my way up the stairs slowly, and he’s right on my ass.
We enter my room, and I flip the light on. He makes his way to the end of my four-post bed and sits down on the peach satin comforter. I watch him unbutton his cuff links and roll up his sleeves. He wore a black button-down and black slacks, making him look so much older than I know he is. This moment feels as if we’re a married couple coming home from an anniversary dinner. Our kids at the sitter. And an endless night of me and him rolling around in our bed.
My mouth goes dry at the thought of him touching me. It’s been too long. Deke always has had this hold on me. No matter how many lies I told him, I loved him. And I know he loves me just as much. It’s just gonna take a little push on my end.
“Would you like anything to—”
“No,” he interrupts me, standing.
I swallow the knot that forms in my throat when he reaches up and undoes the first button on his button-down.
Why am I so nervous? Maybe because he knows the real me. No matter what I tell him now, he’ll see right through me. And that’s terrifying.
“Stop,” he orders.
“What?” I blink.
He comes to stand in front of me. His hands go to the hem of my dress. He grips it in his fingers and slowly pulls it up my thighs. “Thinking.”
“Deke.”
“Shh,” he whispers, bringing the dress up and over my hips to expose the black lace thong that I wore just for him. He used to love it when I wore lace. It’s a pair from my mother’s line.
“Undo my pants,” he commands.
My hands go to his black belt, and I undo it quickly. I pop the button on his slacks and then the zipper. His right hand slides into my hair, and I whimper when he tilts my head back. I stiffen, afraid he may rip my throat open with his teeth. Just because I want him to love me again doesn’t mean I trust him.
“Tell me,” he whispers before peppering my neck with feather-like kisses.
“I miss you,” I say, knowing exactly what he wants to hear. It’s the same thing he told me the night he kissed me in Cole’s kitchen before we went to Silence.
“How much?” His left hand slides between my legs, and he rubs my pussy over the thin material. I’m already wet. Have been all night.
“So much,” I pant.
“Tell me to fuck you.”
My heart beats quicker at his words. He knows I don’t like the word fuck when used in reference to us. I know Deke has a dark side, but he can be the gentlest lover. He can make you feel loved and not used, but clearly, tonight is about him. I should have suspected it would go down this way. He’s still mad at me, and he’s gonna make me grovel before he gives me what I want.
“Fuck me.” I choke on the words, but I feel him smile against my neck.
He’s gonna win this round because I need him to think he has me right where he wants me. Enjoy it, Deke. It won’t stay this way for long.
DEMI
I pull up to my mother’s house and get out of my car. I frown when I spot Austin’s Range Rover parked in the driveway. What is she doing here this early? It’s a little after eight a.m. Doesn’t she have to take Lilly to school? Maybe she’s already dropped her off and came over here to pick up Becky to hang out for the day.
I enter the house, not caring about going unnoticed. My mother is already at work, and by the five texts she has sent me, she knows I didn’t come home last night and that I’m running late to school. I just haven’t cared to open them up to read them. I make my way up the right staircase but slow my pace when I hear Becky’s door creak open. What’s she doing up this early anyway? She stays up late and sleeps in, which makes me question why Austin is here even more.
I get my answer the very next second. She leans up against the doorframe, and Deke stands in front of her, his massive size filling the doorway. He has his right hand on her hip and his left in her hair. She smiles up at him like a fucking schoolgirl. I reach the landing and quit walking completely, but I don’t release the railing. I grip it so tight my knuckles are white.