Page 25 of The Lies I've Told
I’d bared my soul. She’d obviously given nothing but a sliver.
Maybe fate was nothing but a joke.
“I think it would be best if we just started over, you as the guest and me as your hostess. Nothing more.”
I cleared my throat, an obvious attempt to stifle the stabbing wound in my heart she’d inflicted with her words.
“Of course,” I said. “Whatever you want.”
She stood straighter as I made my way toward the door, my knees weak from the effort, my reality beginning to crash in around me.
Ticking time bomb.
No way out.
I barely remembered my trip back to my room, thankful I’d left the door open for Millie on my way to the kitchen earlier. My hands were shaking and I wasn’t sure I could work a lock if I tried.
I stumbled into the room, finding my way to the unmade bed, remembering the peace I’d felt when I woke up beside her.
All of that was gone now.
Staring into the mirror across from me, I let out a shaky laugh.
God, I was an idiot.
Did I really think I could push all of this aside? That one night with an absolute stranger would suddenly make this all go away?
The years of pain and struggling to survive, and now this? My future had just been reduced to nothing but a bunch of test results.
I was alone.
I’d always been alone.
And, in this lonely world I’d created for myself, I’d find a way to survive this, like I had with every other obstacle that had passed my way.
Because that was what I did.
I survived.
“I need a ride into town,” I announced after arriving back into the kitchen just twenty minutes after I left it.
Millie, still looking as hot as ever in that flowery dress that made her legs look a mile long, turned to stare at me, mouth wide open in shock. “Um, what?”
“I need a ride. Into town. Did I stutter? Or was it the accent that made you stumble?”
She’d just finished cleaning the kitchen and preparing what appeared to be a picnic lunch for someone when I boldly announced my demand, causing her to turn abruptly around from the counter to face me.
God, she was gorgeous. Every inch of her skin had been mine last night. Every moan, every—
Stay focused, Aiden.
“I thought we’d agreed this thing between us was going to be strictly—”
“Professional? Yes. It is, which is why, I, the guest, am asking you, the innkeeper, for a ride into town.”
She pressed her lips together, causing me to nearly groan. “I’m not sure that’s exactly part of my duties.”
“What exactly is in the scope of your duties?” I asked, folding my hands across my broad chest.
