Page 51 of Addicted Lies

“When I met Posie, she asked if I was single.” I laugh. Wow, Posie’s really putting herself out there for me, and I’m kind of grateful for it. Had I known the way to get a leash on my brother was through a woman, I would’ve tried to find him one sooner. Then again, I don’t think just any woman would’ve done—it was always supposed to be Posie.

I glance over at them, admiring their love. Ford’s nowhere to be found, which stirs something unfamiliar within me. Disappointment maybe? I refocus on the man in front of me.

“Did my brother try to kill you because he thought she was hitting on you?” I joke.

He raises his eyebrows, and I know it might’ve not been too far from the truth. “Let’s just say she was quick to clarify that she was asking on behalf of his younger sister. His anger didn’t exactly recede even then. I felt like she’d dragged me into a field of landmines.” I laugh again. I can just imagine it. He smirks as he takes a sip. “To be honest, I didn’t even know he had a younger sister. He keeps that pretty quiet. But when she showed me a photo, I knew I wanted to come and meet you. You’re beautiful, and I thought it was worth the risk of getting my throat slit.” I smile at him.

This Matthew guy might not be all that bad.

But he’s not Ford.

I squash that thought immediately.

“So, tell me more about yourself,” I say, trying to push the man I shouldn’t be thinking about out of my mind and focusing on the one in front of me.

I find myself laughing with Matthew; my first impression of him is he seems funny and kind. And if he’s willing to challenge my brother in any way, it’s a bonus.

We probably haven’t even been talking for ten minutes before we’re interrupted.

“Billie.” I turn to find Ford standing there. He doesn’t acknowledge Matthew; his gaze is intently on me. “I have something to show you,” he says, then turns and walks away. I’m actually gobsmacked that the asshole has this kind of audacity. He tells me we’re nothing but sex, then pulls me away from a man who might be willing and able to offer me more.

Matthew seems confused but stands up.

“I’m sure whatever it is, it can wait,” I say defiantly.

Matthew smiles. “It’s okay. I think I’ve monopolized enough of your time. I don’t want to push your brother over the edge; he looks like he’s about to blow a fuse.” I follow the direction of his gaze, and sure enough, Dutton’s staring at him with the intensity of a lion stalking a gazelle.

“How deep is the friendship between you and Dutton?” I ask.

Matthew chuckles. “Not deep enough for him to let me have you for more than twenty minutes at a time, apparently.Yet.” The last word is full of an intent I don’t want to unpack right now. He leans in and presses a kiss to my cheek.

“It was lovely meeting you, Billie. I’ll make sure to message you. We should do this again, but maybe somewhere more private. If I make it past tonight, that is.”

I laugh and then notice Eli and Jewel walk in. Posie pulls her in for a hug. “Besides, I have some business with your cousin,” Matthew says, then excuses himself and makes his way to Eli. I don’t even want to know who Eli’s targeting with a smear campaign.

I’m tempted to join Ivy since she looks like she’s having the time of her life, but that nagging feeling in my stomach gnaws at me, demanding attention. I shouldn’t be curious as to what Ford might have to say to me, but I am. Part of me wonders if he regrets what he said the other night. Another part of me shouldn’t care. I yoyo with the sentiment, but my feet undeniably take me the direction he went, always curious and unable to control myself.

I hate the power he holds over me. But I hate my lack of control when it comes to going to him more.

Addicted, he’d said. Is that what this is? Am I no better?

Because now I know this isn’t good for me since I’ve started developing feelings for Ford. And yet, I’m walking toward my demise once again.

Hawke comes out from the back, almost barreling me over. He beams with a goofy smile, which is such a contradiction to his blood-thirsty personality.

“Whoa there, little tornado, where you off to?”

I’m about to tell him I’m grabbing something from the back when Eli grabs his attention. Hawke bounds over, and whatever business they’re discussing has them forgetting about me. I head backstage, where the dancers usually get ready, but I don’t see any sign of him.

That’s when the bathroom door opens, and I’m pulled inside, the door closing behind me. Ford leans into me, caging me between the door and his lean build.

He looks pissed, and it sparks my own frustration. He has no fucking right to be mad at me because I was talking to a guy.

“What are you doing?” I ask, trying to remember to breathe because this man does all kinds of fucked-up things to my body.

“I wanted my fix,” he says as his hand slides up the slit in my dress.

His fix. Like a crack addict needs their next hit.

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