Page 26 of Nitro

“Okay.” She’s staring at me like she’s trying to understand something. The look is gone before I can fully interpret it.

“Sleep. Doc’s coming back to check on you in a few hours.”

I close the door behind me. After I get Tucker back on guard duty, I head toward my bike. I need to take a ride to clear my head. I also need to deal with my dick before I fucking explode. That goddamn red nightie fucked me up. I have half a mind to go back and rip it right off her. The only thing stopping me is that she’d freak out. I can’t do that, so I’ve got to find someplace to be alone to fantasize about all the filthy things I want to do to her.

Chapter 8: Holly

I don’t know what to think about Nitro. Should I even care that he’s sleeping with Crystal? It’s not like he’s mine. He doesn’t have any kind of commitment to me, so I can’t expect him to be celibate. I also need to stop thinking about what it might be like to be with a man like him. I’ve heard about his crazy stunts and about how he likes to take enormous risks. That’s not the kind of man I should be attracted to. But I can’t lie to myself. He’s hotter than hell, which makes being around him almost impossible. When he’s near me, all I can think about are his six-pack abs and that delicious little trail of hair leading down the center of his belly toward his ridiculously huge bulge. I can’t concentrate, which is exactly what I need to be doing right now.

We’re about to leave the clubhouse to file the divorce papers. My heart won’t stop pounding. I don’t know how I’m going to hold onto the back of Nitro when we get on the bike. My hands are so clammy they may as well be covered in Vaseline.

Nitro opens the bedroom door and walks in. I’m still sitting on the edge of the bed, fully clothed, where he left me ten minutes ago. He told me to come out when I was ready. I’m not ready for this. I’m not ready for anything that’s happening to me right now.

“We should leave soon. The clerk takes lunch from noon to one, so if we don’t go now, we’ll have to wait until this afternoon.”

“I don’t know if I can do this.”

“I’ll be by your side the whole time. Your husband won’t be there. I’ve got prospects staked out around the place. They’re looking for him. If he shows up, they’ve got orders to take care of him.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means you won’t have to face him.”

“He could already be inside.” I’m stalling. My heart’s beating so fast I’m feeling faint. If I try to stand, I’ll probably pass out. I don’t want Nitro to see how weak I am inside. “Maybe I should wait until tomorrow.”

“What’s really going on?” He sees right through me.Damn.

“I don’t know.” I fold my hands in my lap and hang my head. “I should be running to file the papers, but I’m all messed up inside. I can’t even explain it.”

“Are you scared?” Nitro sits on the bed beside me and wraps a comforting arm around my shoulders. “You don’t need to be afraid. I’ll protect you.”

“It’s more than that. I want my marriage to be over, but I also can’t believe it’s happening. It feels like a nightmare instead of a dream.”

“That’s understandable. You went into it thinking you’d be married to the love of your life. Instead, you got a monster.”

“Which is infuriating. Why did this happen? Why couldn’t he be normal?”

“Man, if I could answer that, it would change everything for me.”

“What do you mean?” I turn slightly, but his arm never leaves my shoulders. He’s silent for a full minute. It’s like he’sassessing me to see if I’m worthy of knowing whatever’s going on in his head.

“A long time ago, I knew someone who was a monster. He appeared to be perfectly normal on the outside, but behind closed doors, he became something else. Something evil.” His jaw clenches.

“I know what you mean. Jeff was so charming in the beginning. I think that’s why I can’t believe it’s over. What happened to the man I fell in love with?” Tears fill my eyes.

“He didn’t exist,” Nitro says softly.

“How’s that possible? He seemed so sweet. So genuine. So real.”

“It was an illusion designed to trick you into falling for him.”

“He must have thought I was stupid if I could be fooled so easily,” I say bitterly.

“Anyone could fall for a trap like that. Trust me. These predators, men like your husband, they’re expert manipulators. Even the smartest people can fall under their spell. I’ve known a lot of women in the same position you’re in. Intelligent women. Lawyers. Business owners. Women with PhDs. We help men too. Guys who think they fell for the perfect woman, only to find out they can be just as diabolical as any man. Nothing can protect an innocent person from a psychopath who wants to fuck with them. That’s what he did to you for years. He messed with your head. That’s going to take time to unravel, but today, you can take the first step. Let’s go file the papers. You can’t heal until you cut that toxic scumbag out of your life.”

“I guess not.”

“Kitten, you’re going to feel so much better once you get the ball rolling on your divorce.”

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