Page 1 of Sinful Temptations

Chapter One

The sky outside had grown dark, gearing up for another storm and matching the cloud that had settled on me since my mother sent that photo. I’d never seen her like that, all gaunt and frail.

Mother had always been the life of the party, usually smiling. Even when she had been angry with me, she’d yell, then follow that up with a smile, signifying an end to the fight.

Like that would have made things better.

I jumped at a blaze of lightning streaking across the blackness. Grabbing my wine glass and phone, I strolled outside. The tiny balcony barely fit one chair, but that was all I needed. London was gray. The sky. The buildings. Even the trees looked gray.

It was the perfect setting for my tumultuous mood.

I gulped a huge mouthful of wine. It was usually my favorite drop, but today the bitter liquid stung my tongue and throat as I forced it down.

My phone buzzed, startling me. Sitting, I breathed in deeply, praying that the message was from Zali or Roman before I flipped the screen over.

It was Mother—with another photo. I didn’t open it. Instead, I stood, wine glass in hand, staring out over the rooftops. For four years, I’d managed to keep her from my life completely. But she had said she’d found me because of some stupid photo on Facebook.

I frowned.

How was that even possible? My phone number was never listed on my profile.

My brain skidded to a halt.

Mother had mentioned Vacation Dreamz. Because of that stupid tag on Facebook, she’d found out where I worked. She must’ve contacted the office. I bet fucking Bruce gave her my details.

I wanted to scream.

I gulped my wine instead, letting it burn all the way to my stomach.

I’d been careful. Oh, so careful. The last thing I needed was my fucking mother crawling her way back in. Yet here she was, sending me another photo.

I returned to my seat, staring at the phone.

I didn’t want to open it. But it was like watching those rotten social media posts where they show mistreated animals . . . and as much as I knew it was going to be hell to see, I couldn’t help but look. It was one of the reasons why I’d stopped using Facebook.

And because of my mother’s fucking stalking.

Unclamping my jaw, I clicked the photo button.

It took me a second to realize it was a breast scan showing a large white mass with tendrils spreading out from it like poisonous jellyfish tentacles. The message below it said simply, ‘here’s your proof’.

But was it proof? Mother was notorious for her lies. She’d fooled many men into her bed with deceit and bullshit.Dozens of people had given her money because of her convincing dishonesty.

Me included. Many times.

After the last ugly incident, I’d vowed there and then that I’d never speak to her again.

For four years, I’d succeeded. It was supposed to be forever.

A fat raindrop hit my knee, and I turned my gaze skyward. Two jagged forks of lightning streaked across the sky.

It represented the debate raging through my mind to perfection.

What should I do?

Return to Australia to be with Mother for her dying days?

Or finish out my visa in Europe and explore more of her and her stunning men?

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