Page 11 of Yearn

I was thrown off by the question and the serious glint in Elle’s dark eyes. Daisy tilted her head and seemed just as interested in my answer. The hot words of denial formed on my lips, ready to fire. Yes, I was serious about Max. I could picture him as my husband, building a fabulous life together filled with passion and travel and glamour. Conquering the city hand in hand. He was the type I’d always dreamed of marrying because he fit my lifestyle, would always cater to my needs, and wasn’t afraid to tell me his feelings.

Yet…

I paused, my mind flashing to the scene that continually haunted me, mostly at night.

We’d all been partying at one of Max’s friends’ houses—a ritzy townhouse on the upper east side. I’d been looking for the bathroom upstairs, wanting some privacy, when I heard noises coming down the hall. Of course, I should have kept walking. I knew someone was having sex, but feeling giddy and tipsy, I’d quietly snuck to the room and peeked through the half-closed door.

Then froze.

Adam had some woman pinned against the wall. His hand fisted tight in her hair, holding her neck at a vulnerable angle while he dragged his teeth across her collarbone. Her dress was bunched above her thighs. His knee pinned her legs open, and his fingers were buried inside her. She moaned and begged, herhips writhing as he worked her, pumping in and out with a ferocity that bordered on violence.

“How bad do you want it?” he taunted, his voice like rough gravel. “You like my fingers in your hot little pussy?”

“Yes,” she moaned. “Please…”

“Gotta do better than that. Beg me. Beg me to fuck you and make you come like you need.”

She practically sobbed, arching up, caught in chasing her orgasm. My entire body throbbed and I was instantly drenched. I pressed my hand against my mouth to keep quiet, unable to break my gaze from the erotic scene.

“Show me what a good girl you can be.”

Then he removed his fingers, shoved down his pants, and threw her to her knees.

Without missing a beat, he guided her head to his cock. “Suck.”

And oh, God, she did. She went at him like she was dying for a taste. His fingers dug into her scalp and moved her exactly the way he wanted, and I was caught between outrage, shame, and an awful wicked desire to be the one in her place.

I had to get out of here.

His face tight, he urged her on with dirty words and I sensed he was close.

I had to get out of here.

Beginning to ease back, suddenly, Adam’s head swung around.

I gasped against my palm. His dark eyes were both wild and completely in control as he stared back at me for long seconds, holding my gaze.

His lips tilted in a smug smile.

Then he came.

Spinning around, I raced back down the hall, frantic to get away from him and the scene I’d witnessed. Shamed at my ownhunger for his depraved actions. I ran from my demons and the knowing look on his face I despised and flung myself right back into Max’s arms.

And swore I’d never, ever think of it again.

Adam never mentioned it. A part of me wondered if it was just a dream or a fantasy I’d spun while I was drunk. He never taunted me or even hinted he’d seen me that night.

But I knew it had happened. I knew that too many nights passed where I woke up among the twisted, damp sheets, my body burning, and wanted to weep in desperation.

Because Max could never give me that.

Re-focusing on my friends and how they waited for my answer, I knew I could never tell them the truth. It was too complicated to figure out, and telling them about the intimate scene with Adam? I’d D.I.E.

“Yes,” I finally said. “I do see a future with Max if I can be sure he’s trustworthy.”

They nodded, obviously relieved. “He loves you,” Elle said again, squeezing my hand. “You both need to sleep off the alcohol and actually talk it out. Tell him how you feel without yelling. Guys shut down if you lose your temper.”

I snorted. “Is that what you do when Coop fucks up?”

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