Page 40 of Cinder & Secrets
“Is thatallI am to you?”
“No.” She shakes her head, her eyes seeming to take on a mischievous twinkle. “You’re also really,really, good in bed.”
“So what I’m hearing is, you’re using me for sex.” I chuckle low.
“Do you have a problem with that?” She drags her teeth across her bottom lip in a way that has me eager to call for the check.
“Not a single one.” I clear my throat, shifting in my chair as my cock stirs to life.
I open my mouth to say something else, my words disappearing on my tongue when a familiar voice reaches my ears.
“River Parker. I thought that was you.”
I glance up just as a slender brunette with big brown eyes stops next to our table. My chest tightens at the sight of her.
“Annie.” I force an easy smile to my lips despite the fact that I feel like someone has just taken a dagger and ripped open an old scar that took way too long to heal. “It’s been a long time.”
“Five years.” She rocks back on her heels, her hands knotted nervously in front of her. “How are you?”
“I’m well. And you?” I try desperately to seem unaffected by her sudden and unexpected appearance.
“I’m pretty good. I’m actually in town visiting Mom and Dad. They’re just over there if you’d like to say hello. Jared is with them. I’m sure he’d love to see you.”
The fucking nerve... Anger seeps through my posture, making my shoulders go rigid.
“Thanks, but I’m a little busy at the moment.” My eyes meet Charlotte’s.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Annie acknowledges Charlotte with a curt nod, her gaze narrowing in on the redheaded beauty sitting at the table with me. “Annie.” She holds out her hand.
Charlotte stares at it like it’s a snake that’s poised to strike.
Instead of taking the hand she offers, Char reaches across the table and takesmyhand. I could fucking kiss her.
“Charlotte. River’sgirlfriend.” She gives me a knowing look as if to sayI’ve got you, seeming to read the situation perfectly.
Annie is an op. The enemy. The only girl I’ve ever loved, therefore, the only one who’s ever broken my heart. And fuck did she. More like she ripped it out of my chest and impaled it with the point of her high-heeled shoe.
I haven’t seen her inyears, but the sight of her standing here still brings back so many memories, memories I’d soon rather forget.
Like walking into my friend’s house to find her bent over the back of his couch while he fucked her from behind, for starters.
I shake off the thought, turning my gaze back to Annie, who draws back slightly, her friendly façade slipping.
“Last I heard, River doesn’t do girlfriends.” She throws it like a dagger, but it just bounces off the target and flops to the ground.
“I wonder why that is,” I grind out, my smile anything but friendly.
I wish I could say the sting of her betrayal didn’t still hurt like a bitch, but fuck me, does it ever. The only reason I’m even still sitting here is because of Charlotte. If I were with anyone else, I would’ve exited the building as soon as I saw her face.
“Well, things change. As you can see. Thanks for giving him up. I won’t be as foolish. Especially with what he can do with his tongue.” Charlotte looks straight at Annie and slides her own tongue dramatically across her lower lip and then winks.
She fucking winks. And it’s all I can do to contain the laughter that bubbles up in my chest.
This woman...
Annie balks, her mouth falling open in surprise.
“Real winner you got here, Riv,” she snips at me.
