Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 111732 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 447(@250wpm)___ 372(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111732 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 447(@250wpm)___ 372(@300wpm)
Frankly, if it weren’t for this new complication with Marnie’s kid being totally obsessed with me, I’m sure I’d take Marnie back to my place now. I’m a competitive guy, in general, but especially when it comes to my father. I’ve also never met a woman who turns me on, quite like this one. Wild horses couldn’t make me admit any of that to Marnie, though, no matter what honesty she’s requested from me. I’ve only just figured this shit out for myself; I need some time to process it before I speak it into existence, if ever.
I pretend to consider Marnie’s question for a long moment, and finally say what I’m quite certain is a bald-faced lie: “If I’d known in advance, I would have turned you down.”
Marnie grimaces. “Well, in that case, then I’m a despicable person who owes you a massive apology. I coerced you into having sex with me through fraud, basically. Through lying to you by omission, which means you didn’t give me informed consent.”
I roll my eyes. “Let’s not get carried away here. I genuinely enjoyed having sex with you at Grayson’s party. I assure you; I was a very willing participant.”
“No, because you didn’t know something that would have made you walk away.” She looks thoroughly remorseful. “I felt such raw physical attraction to you in that moment, I convinced myself what happened a year and a half ago didn’t matter anymore. I convinced myself there was some kind of statute of limitations on what happened with Alexander.”
“Well, I mean, it has been quite a while now. He’s ancient history, really. He doesn’t own you, any more than any of my past sex partners own me. I think you’re being a bit too hard on yourself here.”
She shakes her head. “No. In addition to everything else, I was selfishly scared to tell you the truth because I thought you’d maybe take that information straight to Alexander’s wife. What if she came after me and accused me of being a homewrecker? What if she left a bunch of negative reviews about my business? In the end, my own self-interests were more important to me than your right to know, and that was wrong.”
“Don’t beat yourself up too hard, okay? And don’t feel anxiety about my dad’s wife. She was one of my father’s many mistresses during his second marriage—and she, unlike you, knew full well my father was married.” I shift my weight. “And who knows? Maybe I’m wrong and I wouldn’t have cared all that much if you’d told me at Grayson’s party. I don’t even speak to my father, so maybe the news wouldn’t have stopped me in that moment, after all. I was pretty overcome with lust for you, if I’m being honest. In fact, now that I think about it, wild horses couldn’t have kept me away from you in that moment.”
“You’re saying that to be kind.”
“No, I’m saying it because it’s true. I realize that now. Nothing would have stopped me in that moment, other than you telling me no.”
Marnie flashes me a look of brazen lust. A look of pure heat that sends arousal surging inside my veins and tingles skating across my skin and into my dick. Shit. I didn’t intend to let her off the hook that easily. My intention was to torture her for as long as possible—to let her stew in her guilt and regret. But when she sounded so genuinely apologetic, instinct took over, I guess, and I felt the urge to protect her. To lessen her suffering.
Something passes between us. We’re clearly reaching a truce of some kind here. A nonverbal agreement to lay down our swords. And the effect on my body is indisputable. I want her. More than ever. Physically, anyway. Every bit as much as I did in that home gym at Grayson’s birthday party. But considering what she’s clearly identified as her relationship goals, combined with the fact that I’m currently standing in her daughter’s fucking pre-school, it’s very clear to me she’s off-limits to me now. But not because of her history with my fucking father. On second thought, that’s not really as big a deal as it felt, when she first told me about it. No, it's because if I indulge myself in the pleasures of Marnie’s body again, things are going to get messy and complicated in ways I’m not ready or willing to take on.
“Ta da!” Ripley shouts. This time, there are four little kids standing before Marnie and me—a ladybug, a cow, a clown, and a princess.
Marnie and I compliment the kids’ costumes, and as they scurry away for another round, two more kids join their group in Dress-Up Corner, eager to join in the fun.
“Why is everyone so much bigger than Ripley?” I ask. “Is she a brainiac who started preschool way early?”