Page 31 of Deceit

“You and I are nothing alike.”

I nod in agreement on that when my eyes snag on something. A perfectly shaped red pair of lips are pressed against his neck, just barely visible past his collar.

“Seriously? You couldn’t even wash off your whore’s lipstick before you picked me up?” I scoff.

Asher looks in the rear view mirror, turning his head so he can see his neck before he shrugs. He is clearly unbothered.

“Someone’s gotta suck my dick and I know it’s not gonna be you.”

Embarrassment flushes through me at his callousness and I grit my teeth together before speaking.

“Let me out.”

He keeps driving, blatantly ignoring me and I lose it. I take my clutch and begin smacking his arm with it, shouting over and over again.

“Let me out! Let me out! Let me out!”

“Ow, fuck! Stop,” he snaps, as he tries to continue driving while holding back my arms.

In desperation, I do the only thing I can, and I sink my teeth into his wrist. He lets out a rough curse and yanks his arm away from me before whipping the wheel to the side. We pull over with a screech as he turns to face me, a wild look of rage in his eyes.

“Get the fuck out!”

“Gladly,” I shout with a toss of my hands, pushing my way out of the car and onto the pavement in the next second.

I’m barely out of the car before he takes off, the door slowly lowering as he speeds down the road. Good freaking riddance. Letting out an irritated breath, I shake my head before looking around. Damnit. I don’t know where I am, and I don’t know where I’m going. Even if I order a ride, it’s not like my driver is going to know where Putnam Manor is.

My heels begin clicking against the paved road as the sun dips low, bathing the city in darkness. I’m not sure what direction to head in but straight seems like a good bet, at least for now. Maybe I’ll just call my father. He won’t be happy, but maybe he’ll take his anger out on the one that rightfully deserves it– my manwhore fiancé.

Several cars pass me by, veering uncomfortably close before one slows down altogether. A rush of fear pangs through my body as I subtly look over my shoulder. The passenger window rolls down before a familiar voice calls out to me.

“Skyla?”

My head whips around to see Ronan watching me with a pinched look. In the next moment, he’s shutting off his car andjogging around the front of it to stand beside me. His eyes roam over me from head to toe, heat licking at my skin in their wake. When his blue eyes settle on me, they’re practically on fire. I watch as he closes them, squeezing hard, before seemingly shaking off whatever he’s thinking as he looks at me with concern.

“What are you doing out here?”

I roll my eyes and shake my head.

“Asher took off.”

“He just left you,” Ronan asks sharply, blinking slowly like he can’t be hearing me right.

“To be fair, I told him to let me out when I saw the smeared lipstick on his neck,” I shrug, with a defeated sigh.

Ronan doesn’t say anything again before I speak.

“It’s an arranged marriage, obviously we don’t love or even like each other, but I have a problem with arriving at an event on the arm of my supposed fiancé, who is donning another woman’s lip shade. It’s disrespectful and embarrassing. It looks like I’m not enough to hold a man’s attention. I just—”

A large hand cups my own, his thumb brushing against my knuckles before stopping on the ginormous rock on my left hand.

“You’re more than enough. Asher is rebelling and taking it out on you. It’s not fair but I hope you know it’s not personal.”

For some reason, his words help a little, I guess. Maybe I’m too much of a people-pleaser, hardwired to crave the acceptance of those around me. I’m sure my life would be easier if I didn’t care what anyone thought of me. I’m still working on that part.

“C’mon, we’re going to be late,” he says, as he rests his hand on my lower back, ushering me towards his car.

I nod and accept the gesture before sliding inside. The familiar scent of leather and something musky and delicious wrapsaround me as he slides into the driver’s seat. He gives me a small, almost reassuring smile before taking off down the road.

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