Page 41 of The Next Door Billionaire's Deception

If he thinks it’s going to be that easy, he’s wrong.

“Oh, so now family matters to you? Where were you when aunt Hannah was dying from cancer?”

His deep sigh fills the receiver. “I didn’t know. Look, I don’t want to do this. You never gave me a chance to explain –”

“Explain what? Okay. I’m giving you a chance now. Give me one good reason why you left.”

“I … Look, ‘Lissa, a lot of things have happened. But I’m glad you’re doing well for yourself now. I wish you’d talk to me again like you used to. I wish you’d see me as your big brother again.”

“Is that what you called to say? Alright,big brother.Goodbye.”

“Wait, ‘Lissa! Don’t cu–” I hang up before he can go any further.

Damn him. What right does he have, showing up after so long and asking me to treat him like before?

I stop short of tossing my phone to the wall.

Chapter 13

Richard

WhydoesMelissaaffectme this much?

Last night, I stopped short of tucking her hair, as I so often do. I was afraid I’d hold her face, lean in, and bury myself in a deep kiss with her. Afraid she’d give in to me.

Like Friday, five days ago. Memories of that moment still play over in my mind.

I still don’t know what made me kiss her. That night, Melissa was a magnetic force that pulled me closer, till I couldn’t resist the attraction.

“Hey, you gotta take it easy, man,” my gym instructor, Mark says, easing the weight off my hands.

I rub my face with a towel he hands me. I glance at my t-shirt. Soaked, with my sweat.

He takes a long look at me. “What’s got you all riled up?”

“Riled up? What do you mean?” I raise an eyebrow.

“You just went more than fifty times with 40lb weights.”

More than fifty? I could have sworn I've just thirty…

“I’m just, a bit distracted, that’s all.”

“A bit? You weren’t even here anymore!”

I rise from the bench. “I’m fine, Mark. Thanks. I’m gonna go take a shower now. Gotta head back to work soon.”

“Alright. Just take it easy, alright?”

“Sure thing.” I head for the showers.

Thirty minutes later, I’m in my car. I turn on some music, hoping to remove my mind from Melissa.

It doesn’t work. Tapping on the steering wheel as I drive, my gaze turns to a billboard advertising a new kind of body lotion. The model’s smooth skin glistens like polished gold. As the model rubs her glimmering thighs, I conjure up a ravishing image of Melissa’s thighs.

Running my fingers across every curve of hers, and across her legs in particular, turned me on, as I almost reached that point of no return.

Images flash in my mind. Images of Melissa, nude, her silhouette highlighted by votive candles nearby; of Melissa and me, bodies joined in natural harmony.

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