Page 173 of Tempting Fate

As she pulls away, I move with her.

Try to follow her.

With steady hands, Lily extricates herself from my clutches. “The saddest part of all this is that I still love you. Probably always will.”

“I love you, too. More than you’ll ever know.”

“Then it’s a shame my love will never be enough for you. I just hope that you and your pride are happy together.”

When the door closes behind her with a soft click, the ground tilts, reality smacks me upside the head, and I drop to my arse on the floor. I pushed Lily away to save myself, even as I told myself it was for her benefit. Made flimsy excuses for breaking her heart that didn’t stand up to a skerrick of scrutiny. Lied to myself that I was hurting Lily to protect her. Only it turns out, she didn’t need my protection. All she needed was for me to stand next to her without judgement while she slayed her own demons.

35

LILY

When I pull into the driveway, I find Slash sitting astride his Harley inside the open garage. Not sure if he’s coming or going, I grimace, then avert my gaze from him as I park in my spot. Once stationary, I switch off the engine. Bang my forehead against the steering wheel three times. Curse the fact that men exist.

Can you imagine a world without men?

God. The possibilities are endless.

No more grunts masquerading as communication.

We could venture outside at night without pepper spray.

I would get used to eating pussy eventually, I’m sure.

Although I know I don’t really mean it, the idea of a man-less world perks me up a bit. Until I realise that it’s a pipe dream. Still, after months—no, years—of aggravation caused by possessors of XY chromosomes, I’m ready to take the veil or accept Nadia’s offer to experiment with her.

“Not tonight,” I pray out loud when the kickstand of Slash’s Harley scrapes along the concrete floor. “I can’t deal with both of them in one night.”

The epiphany I had while Zeke kept me trapped on the dresser haunts me. I need time to deconstruct it. Space to weigh up the implications. Yet, the sound of knuckles rapping against my window alerts me that my prayer is going unanswered. Slash is choosing tonight to break his three-month streak of avoiding being caught alone with me.

I roll my eyes.

Of course he is.

The universe always gets the last laugh.

I really should be used to it by now.

Fucking men.

“Duchess?”

I throw myself against my seat then hit the button to lower my window. “What do you want, Slash? I’m kinda busy having a meltdown here.”

“Over Venom?”

Rolling my eyes at his obvious jealousy, I reply sarcastically, “He is on the list.”

After a soft sigh, Slash pulls the car door open and squats down to my eye level. “Am I on that list?”

“You don’t have to be.” The tentative smile I give him wobbles off my face as the leash I have on my feelings breaks. “I want us to go back to normal, but that won’t happen when you’re actively dodging me. I’ve driven you out of your own home, and I don’t know how to fix it when my money’s been stolen by Dad.”

“Fuckin’ hell. I had no idea.”

“How could you? I barely see you, and when I do, you act like we hardly know each other.”

---