Filed To Story: Filthy Beautiful Lies Book PDF Free by Kendall Ryan
“I recall you saying that you liked having something of your own – living away from home and being independent for the first time,” Colton says.
I remember the conversation well. It was one of the first times we sat down to a dinner prepared by his chef in the quiet dining room. I spoke too freely, bared too much of myself. But something in me likes that he remembers it with such detail. Not that I’m surprised, Colton exercises such authority over every facet of his life, of course he remembers.
“And I think you know that I liked having you here,” he admits.
I nod in silent acknowledgement.
What is he saying? We can’t possibly continue dating, if that’s even what we were doing. He’s married. And he lied to me about it. Can I even trust him?
“And I know Kylie would love for you to come back to work with her.”
“Colton?” I ask, finally, my brows pinching together.
“There’s no reason we can’t remain friends.”
“Friends?” My voice comes out too high as the shock of his suggestion whips through me.
His dark eyes roam over my face and he gives a slight nod, his mouth only hinting at a smile.
I have no idea what game he’s playing at, but friends? Is that even possible for two people so attracted to each other?
As if reading my thoughts, Colton continues. “There’s no reason this needs to come to an end, Sophie. I enjoy your company, and I think you feel the same. You can continue living here, we can take things between us slowly while I sort out my past and see where this goes.”
“And our arrangement?” I ask.
His impish grin lights up his entire face. “Friends, as in no sex. Our agreement is off.”
My belly twists as I realize I am no longer a hired sex slave, and an unwelcome sense of disappointment startles me. “I’m returning the money then.”
“The money is yours. I never wanted to pay for sex, Sophie. I just didn’t want that asshole bidding on you at the auction to go home with you. You were too good, too pure and beautiful to belong to him.” His admission takes my breath away. I feel helpless and out of control and I want to cry.
“I’ve spent a good chunk of the money on Becca’s treatment, and I have no way to repay you, but the rest I could return to you,” I stammer.
“First off, I would never accept repayment. Had I known Becca before all this started, I would have gladly paid to enroll her in the experimental treatment program. And I’d never expect you to return the money.”
“I don’t feel right keeping the remainder of the money.”
“It’s yours to do with what you wish.”
This conversation is like a game of ping-pong and my brain feels fuzzy. “So how would this work?” I ask, shocked to see I’m actually considering it.
“You agreed to give me six months,” he reminds me.
“I also agreed to give you my virginity,” I add.
“But I didn’t take that.”
“No, you didn’t,” I agree. A fact that I’m painfully aware of.
“Are you still intact?” he asks, his tone raspy and deep.
A warm current zips through me, flushing my cheeks and soaking my panties. “Of c-course.” My voice is hoarse and Colton’s dark eyes roaming on mine make it impossible to speak clearly.
I see the vein throb at the base of his throat. “Good girl,” he admonishes.
I’d waited twenty-one years, did he really think I’d just thrown it away with some random guy in the two weeks we’d been apart? Why do I sense this is all some carefully crafted ploy to keep me here in his bed? “Where will I sleep?” I ask.
His mouth turns down just a fraction. “Wherever you like.”
“A guest room I suppose,” I say more to myself than to him as I think of his strange proposition.
“If you prefer.”
He’s being so amiable, so accommodating. The change is refreshing after the emotional hell he’s put me through. I’m still unsure about what exactly he’s proposing and if he really expects me to remain living here for the next six months, but for some strange reason, I don’t hate the idea. We watch each other in silence for several moments, each of us digesting what it would mean for us to be just friends. My heart hurts just thinking about it. It would mean I couldn’t touch him, I wouldn’t feel the heat of his body pressing adamantly against mine. I release a little sigh. “If you’re set on me keeping the money, I assume I’m free to spend it however I wish?”
“Of course you can,” he says.
“Then I’d like to donate it to your charity work in Africa.”
A slow smile uncurls on his lips. “Okay then.”
***
I’d only come to Los Angeles to gather my belongings from the mansion and get closure from Colton by listening to whatever it was that he wanted to tell me. Instead, I find myself moving my clothing from his master closet into a guest room down the hall that smells of lint and furniture polish.
The bed is dressed in shell blue linens and the furniture is modern, clean lines in white enamel. A large mirror hangs on the wall and decorative sconces flank either side of the cream upholstered headboard.
I pull open the white gauzy drapes shading the large picture windows and look out at the pool below. A cool shudder passes through me and I wrap my arms around my middle. I have no desire to be anywhere near that pool and I snap the curtains closed, blocking it from view. Just seeing the crystal blue water sparkle in the sunlight brings on a fresh wave of pain and humiliation at the memory of Stella’s cold glare and icy tone as she informed me, in no uncertain terms, that she was his wife. The word wife -in relation to Colton- doesn’t resonate. Especially coming from that woman’s mouth. I could never see him with someone like her. They just don’t fit. It makes me wonder if I even know him at all. An even better reason to remain friends while I figure that out. I want more with Colton. I want back that raw feeling of sexual energy that flows so easily between us whenever he’s near -but I will settle for friends – for now, as we navigate this bumpy road we’d found ourselves on.