Page 61 of Taste of Addiction

Sophia nods and then looks up at him with the saddest puppy dog eyes. “I’m so thankful you’re in my life to protect me. You always do. I’m scared.”

“I know, Soph,” Graham says softly. “But this will all be over. I just need you to stay elsewhere right now.”

“Why? I’ve been doing exactly what you say, and now you’re kicking me out because of her?”

“Watch your tone,” he warns sternly. “Angie and I have always been together. We were all going along with the ruse for publicity, but—”

“You’re kicking me out.”

Graham’s body tenses at my side as he lets out an exhale. “I’m relocating you. This was all temporary and just for appearances anyway,” he says, brushing hair off his forehead.

“We can all stay here,” she says sweetly.

I cough, trying to cover my shock. She’s nuts.

Graham wraps an arm around me, kissing my forehead. He must sense my heart dropping. “That’s not going to happen, Soph.”

I can’t look a second longer at her pouty face without punching it. I just want to shower and get ready for bed, so I slide my hand out of Graham’s and make my way into the main part of the penthouse to get settled in for the rest of the night. They can figure this out without me being a witness.

I walk up the stairs and make a beeline for the bathroom. I turn the shower on and start stripping off my clothes. I step into the spray and slick my hair back as it absorbs the water. I close my eyes and try to think about anything other than my brain pulsing with the need for a pill—a pill I do not have. How am I going to get through the next twenty-four hours? How am I going to survive the week?

I finish washing my hair and body, then I shut off the water and dry off. Graham’s warm hands turn me and help me to finish the drying process. He grabs my brush from the drawer and runs it through my damp locks to get out the tangles.

“Is she gone?” I ask.

“Against her will, yes,” he replies curtly.

I think he is irritated with me, but his loving actions tell me his frustration is really directed at her. I mean, who walks around in lingerie like she did unless she is trying to make me jealous or gain the attention of Graham? Oh, the nerve of her. Are we destined to always coexist with each other? Or will she eventually piss Graham off and get kicked out of his life for good?

I let out a sigh. “I just need a night of peace.”

“And you’ll get it. How are you feeling?”

I look up into the mirror and catch his eyes. “Like my head is repeatedly being run over by a Mack truck.”

“Have you always gotten migraines or do you think it is just a side effect of taking the pills?”

“The headaches seemed to have come out of nowhere. So, I assume there is a link between them and the pills.” I turn in his arms and hug him tight. “I’m struggling. I never intended to get…” The word “addicted” hangs on the end of my tongue.

His hands wind into my hair. “I know, baby. And I’m going to help you through all of this. You will be okay. We are in this together.”

He guides me into the bedroom and helps me into a pair of pajamas. On the bed, there is a huge snack plate of fruit, nuts, cold slices of meats, and a variety of cheeses. It is like a picnic. I stare at the little plates he set out and the candles he lit on the dresser. It is nearly one in the morning and here he is, trying to take care of me.

“Wow, this is impressive.”

“Let’s have a snack before bed.”

“This is basically a meal to me.”

He smirks. “Well, then let’s have a meal together.”

We take our respective sides, and I cross my legs and settle in against a mound of pillows. I fix my plate, and despite not really feeling like eating, the food looks amazing. On my nightstand, there is a huge glass of ice water, and I reach over to take a few sips. My trembling hand shakes the ice around, nearly sloshing some of the liquid up and over the side of the glass.

“Drink it all. I can get you more,” Graham says. “Staying hydrated and getting something in your stomach will help. Plus, I have this for you.” He pulls out a little tube from his drawer and hands it to me.

I take the bottle and examine the name on the side. Peppermint oil. “Okay?”

“Rub it on your forehead. It’s supposed to help with headaches.”

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