Page 63 of Sweetest Revenge

The frown grew deeper.

“I don’t remember seeing you.”

I looked back up at the ceiling.

“I was lingering at the back,” I said. “I didn’t want to get involved in what he was doing there.”

More than that, I found it insulting. How he paraded her around. I had already started the process of getting into business with him and if anything, tying myself to his side at the auctions would have given me even more shit on him.

“Besides buying art, you mean?”

I turned back to her, searching her face.

She didn’t know.

I bit my cheek, not wanting to say anything, but she had me, and she knew it.

“What was he doing, Warren?”

My fingers dug into the sheets.

“Lots of networking, negotiations… marriage shopping.”

“He what?” Addi pushed up, her eyes searching my face for an untruth that wasn’t there.

“It’s well known in our circle. I’m surprised you didn’t know.”

“He wouldn’t… I mean, I would have known… Did he really?” The last part was whispered.

“He didn’t settle on anyone, but Maxwell was a candidate. Ask him if you don’t believe me.”

Her eyebrows pushed together.

“Maxwell?” she whispered to herself.

My hand gripped her arm and tugged her back down to the bed. I was too exhausted and too afraid of what else I might spill.

“Sleep,” I said and turned toward her, my arm looping around her waist. After a moment’s pause, I leaned my forehead against hers. “Don’t think. Just sleep. I know those orgasms took a lot out of you. You don’t have the energy to try and put this together.”

She let out a scoff as redness spread across her cheeks. She turned around but didn’t stop me from pulling her closer.

Her back to my front. Her small body curled so perfectly against mine. Her arms touching mine where I held her.

Addi’s touch was soothing. I craved it.

For a moment, I let myself forget everything that had led her to my bed and just enjoy the warmth of us.

I had planned to mess with her a bit. Let my hands wander. But she was too warm. Too comfortable. Her presence, oddly soothing.

I couldn’t even pinpoint the moment I drifted off.

23

ADDISON

“It’s true, unfortunately,” Maxwell said, his hand coming to lazily bring the coffee cup up to his lips as he looked at the vast backyard on Warren’s property.

My eyes followed his to the fountain where two birds sat, chirping at each other. One jumped into the water, splashing the other, who let out a squawk and flew away.

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