Page 91 of Dirty Temptation

What does the Montgomery family think of me disappearing like that?

And the Dufort’s?

I just ran away.

I’m almost certain some of them knew I was sleeping with Atlas and those same people know he’s getting back with Harlow.

I can never face them again.

Not until I’m married with three kids, own a home with a picket fence and two SUVs.

Which is complete bullshit.

Maybe I’m not made for relationships? Not everyone needs to be married and in love. Being single is a thing. Many are very happy with other things in life instead of a man—or woman. It’s not the 1950s for goodness’ sake.

And so the crazy goes on and on as I lie in my bed staring into the darkness.

I think I do want to be in love one day and walk down the aisle like Payton did today. More than that, I want the kind of love I see between her and Knox. I want to walk down the beach hand in hand like Atlas and I did and chat about life.

Dumb Atlas.

Lying, cheating...you don’t know for sure.

I want to lie in a man’s arms and feel his protection and love. To be supported and cared about. To love and care and support him right back.

To know that I am his number one.

I know I’m scared.

I know Steve broke a part of me that I can never get back. And I know it’s up to me to patch it up and trust someone again.

Iknowall these things.

I just don’t know if I can do it or how to do it. More than that, I don’t know if Atlas is someone I can trust. His words didn’t match his actions.

I only want you.

Yet I find out he was sneaking around talking to his ex all weekend. If I’m going to step out of my scared little bubble, it needs to be with the right man who deserves my trust.

Sadly, Atlas Montgomery is not him.

I ignore the buzzing of my phone and close my eyes tighter as if it’ll make the world disappear.

Tomorrow is a new day. I have a business to run and need to tell Greg I’m not the girl for him.

One day Mr. Right will show up. One day.

CHAPTER TWENTY

ATLAS

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Our chopper lands on the lawn of my father’s house in Philadelphia the next afternoon and we climb out and head into the house.

“Let me get the champagne,” Ward says, dropping his overnight bag on the floor.

It doesn’t stay there long. One of his employees gives him a smile in greeting and takes it upstairs.

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