Deceiving (The Watcher Series Book 2)

by Rhiannon Jean

  The Watcher Series Volume Two:

  Deceiving

  By

  Rhiannon Jean

  Cover Concept: Rhiannon Jean

  Cover Photo: Aboriginal Design Photography

  This series would not be possible without the help of some amazing people.

  Thank you to my sister for being as much of a grammar police woman as I am;I am truly grateful for your love, your support, and your attention to detail

  Thank you to Carrie, Liz, Rachel, Michael, and Hilary for reading and re-reading everything to make sure Lily and Gabriel’s story is the best it can possibly be.

  Thank you to everyone who has spread their love for Lily and Gabriel to the world, especially my Facebook family.

  Thank you to my cats, Moe and Dickens (and now Munchkin) for constantly presenting me with challenges, such as deciding to write or pet you.

  Thank you, thank you, thank you to my photographer, Aboriginal Design Photography, for making my concepts become beautiful cover photos.

  Thank you to my husband for putting up with my moodiness, my never-ending desire for chocolate, and for sharing our only computer with me.

  Finally, thank you to all of you for reading my work. I hope that you find Lily and Gabriel’s story as delightful to read as I find it to write. You are all super awesome and have helped to make my dream a reality.

  Prologue

  “Just because something isn’t a lie does not mean that it isn’t deceptive. A liar knows that he is a liar, but one who speaks mere portions of the truth in order to deceive is a craftsman of destruction.” - Criss Jami

  I knew there was something different about Gabriel, but what that something was, I couldn’t be sure. At first he was quiet and mysterious, almost a shadow. I barely even knew he was there. But then the sun came out, revealing more of him to me. As the minutes and days ticked by, I began to need him as much as I needed air to breathe. I wanted to know him inside and out, but his secrecy made that impossible. There was something about him, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on, that was dark and almost lonely. But, as I’ve learned in the past, looks can be deceiving.

  Chapter 1

  I looked up and saw his wedding band lying next to his set of keys. All of a sudden I felt dizzy and nauseous. I ran to the bathroom and the contents of my stomach were out in a matter of seconds. Once I had reached the point of dry heaving, I sat on the bathroom floor, wiped my mouth off with some toilet paper, and starting sobbing again.

  “Goodbye, Lily. I’m with Katie. Move on, because I have.”

  Six years of my life were wiped away with a goddamned Post-It™ note. If this were an episode of the Sex and The City, I’d be on a 3-way call with my friends and planning a great night out in a matter of minutes.

  Unfortunately for me, this was definitely NOT a TV show. I was a hot mess: raccoon eyes, snot coming from my nose, breath smelling like rotten garbage, and my new clothes were wrinkled and wet from the tears. I took a deep breath and tried to pull myself together. Somewhere deep down I had seen this coming, I was even slightly ready for it, but I was nowhere near prepared for how he had ended it. In my mind, we would sit down and explain that we had simply fallen out of love with each other, hug it out, then go our separate ways. Kind of like that scene in “You’ve Got Mail” where she tells Frank she’s not in love with him anymore. They have a glass of wine, have a laugh, and they go their separate ways. Nowhere in this break up fantasy was there a Post-It™ and his wedding ring on my vanity.

  I got up from the floor, splashed some water on my face, and quickly brushed my teeth. I went to the fridge to grab some sparkling water and chugged it down. Sighing, I looked around our apartment, illuminated only by the refrigerator light. I knew I couldn’t afford this place by myself, especially having cut my hours to go back to school. I placed the water on the counter and closed the fridge.

  I knew it; I just knew it. He HAD been out late with Katie. He had given me so much grief about how much overtime he was working, telling me it was for “us”, and that he wanted to give us a better life. I had gobbled his lies right up, so intent on him being my one and only, that I had ignored the signs that I wasn’t his one and only. Why the hell was I so trusting of everyone? Was I truly that desperate for love? I felt so stupid. Feeling the tears about to start pouring again, I put face in my hands. I just needed to go to bed.

  I walked back to the bedroom, the bed seeming so much bigger now that it was only the cats and me. “It might be time for a new place”, I said aloud to my kids. They were both asleep on the bed, unaware of anything amiss. I took off my new outfit and went to put it in the hamper in the walk-in closet. Most of Ryan’s stuff, save for a few pairs of pants and some shirts, was missing. The motherfucker was fast; I’ll give him that. I closed the closet door, pulled out some PJs from my dresser and got dressed for bed. I went to grab my makeup remover to get the last of the night off my face when I heard my phone vibrate. Oh shit! I had totally forgotten to text Gabriel. Grabbing my makeup remover cloths, I rushed to dig my phone out of my jacket pocket. Sure enough I had missed several texts from him.

  “Did you make it home Miss Lily?”

  “Beautiful, don’t make me worry, please let me know if you got home ok.”

  “Alright hon, I’m coming to find you if I don’t hear from you in 5 minutes.”

  Oh gosh, that was three minutes ago. I texted him back immediately, “I’m sorry, I got sidetracked when I got in. I’m home safe.”

  “Please don’t do that to me again”, came his response.

  “Do what?”

  “Make me worry.”

  “I’m so sorry, forgive me?”

  “As you wish…are you ok?”

  “I will be,” I typed.

  “French toast still sound good for breakfast?”

  I smiled and in that moment I was so grateful for this new person who had entered my life. He hadn’t pried, he didn’t ask a million questions, yet I could tell he cared. He still wanted to see me first thing in the morning. I started to feel a little better.

  “Absolutely”, I responded.

  “Until then, sweet dreams beautiful.”

  “Sweet dreams, Gabriel. Oh and Gabriel?”

  “Yes?”

  “Thank you…for everything.”

  His response was a pair of lips blowing a kiss at me. Which of course made me think about our kiss earlier. Suddenly very tired, I sighed once more. Turning on my fan I climbed into the bed that the cats had been keeping warm for me. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to miss Ryan or miss Gabriel right now. All I knew is that I was back on my own after six years and I had no idea how to take that first step into my new life. I closed my eyes, took a few deep breaths, and went to sleep.

  Chapter 2

  I woke to my alarm at 7am, slapped the snooze button, and rolled over. Then I sat straight up, the events from last night flooding back into my brain. My eyes were swollen from crying and my mouth felt like it had fur in it. My head had a dull ache right between my eyes and I was in desperate need of water. I trudged out of bed and into the kitchen to get water and went into the bathroom. Catching sight of myself in the mirror, I let out a loud gasp. I looked like death’s uglier, older sister. I started the shower and waited for it to heat up. Looking at myself in the mirror again, I took note of what had become of me: my rounded cheeks from one too many comfort cupcakes, my worry lines that had gotten deeper and deeper in the last two years, and my hair, which was currently a rat’s nest. I began to hate myself a little in that moment, wondering what Katie looked like. I wondered if she was younger, prettier, and thinner. Tears threatened to start again so I jumped into the show
er to wash them away.

  I stayed in the shower until the water ran cold. Getting out slowly I towel dried my hair, put on my ratty yoga pants and my favorite hoodie, and climbed back into bed. I was too tired and too puffy to be out in public. I didn’t want to talk, my stomach was still grumbling, and all I wanted to do was sleep for a few days until the pain had dulled. I sent Gabriel a text telling him I wasn’t feeling well, that I had to cancel, and that I’d text him later this week. Looking like death warmed over, I knew that I wasn’t ready to face him. I didn’t want to talk about Ryan or how he had completely ripped the rug out from under me last night. I didn’t want to expose this ugly side of myself to someone so beautiful. I needed time to mourn alone. I needed my fur-balls and my covers and my bed.

  I turned my phone off and went back to sleep. I dreamt of long hallways with no exits. I dreamt of green eyes and alleyways and sad songs. The sun was just beginning to set when I awoke with a start to someone was pounding on my door. I briefly wondered if I’d forgotten plans with Emma, but realized it was Sunday. This was her crafting day and no one bothered her on Sundays. I stumbled out of bed, hoping it was just a neighbor with a package of mine. I wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone or let anyone see how much of a mess I was. I blew my nose and called out, “Just a second.” I threw on my fluffy, hot pink robe and checked my face in the mirror. ‘It’ll have to do’, I thought. I fixed my hair into a sloppy ponytail and opened the door. Six feet of angry male greeted me.

  “What the hell, Lily?” Gabriel said quietly. I stared at him, unsure of what to say.

  He continued, “You’ll text me later this week? What gives?”

  I shrugged, “I’m not feeling well…I didn’t want to get you sick.”

  “Seriously?” he retorted, “You expect me to believe that bullshit?” I looked down at the floor. He had seen right through me. He had known me for a day, yet he knew me better than my husband. My ex-husband. I looked up at him with tears in my eyes.

  “I didn’t want you to see me like this,” I whispered.

  “Like what, Lily? Human?”

  I nodded, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand, “Ryan left last night. For good. For another woman.” His anger immediately faded and he stepped closer to me.

  “Your husband.”

  “Yes, of 2 years. Well we’d been together over 6, but only married for two. I had suspected he was seeing someone, but I didn’t want to believe it. I...I...I came home to a note on my mirror telling me he had left me for another woman…” I trailed off, thinking I had sprung too much on him at once. In my grief, I didn’t notice he hadn’t asked, he had merely stated the words ‘your husband’.

  He pulled me into his arms and said, “Jesus Lily, I’m so sorry. He fucking left you a note?” I nodded into his chest, the tears starting again at the mention of the note.

  “He left his wedding ring and cleared out his stuff while I was at the club last night.”

  “What a fucking piece of shit. What a fucking coward! He obviously had little respect for you to begin with!” he exclaimed. This made me cry harder, knowing full well everyone had been right. I had been blind and now I was alone.

  “Oh honey, it’s going to be ok. You’re better off without him. The world is full of cowards like him who feed off beautiful souls like yours.”

  I pulled away slightly, wiping my nose on my sleeve. “See this is what I didn’t want you to see. I just met you. You shouldn’t have to deal with this. You can go and I won’t be upset, I promise. I’ll text you later this week and you can see me when I’m normal again,” I rambled on.

  He put his finger under my chin and tilted my head up, forcing me to look into his eyes. “Miss Lily, I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me, or don’t you know how a stalker works?” This made me snort and smile and his eyes lit up. I put my arms around his waist and hugged him tightly.

  “Thank you for stalking me,” I whispered.

  He kissed the top of my head and laughed quietly. “Would you like company?”

  “Are you allergic to cats?” I replied.

  “Lily, you have a thing or two to learn about stalkers.”

  “What?”

  “Of course I’m not allergic. I know you have to two cats, which you adore. I also know that your fridge is full of healthy food and that you’re in desperate need of Ben and Jerry’s and pizza right now. I’m going to run to the store, grab some cookie dough and coffee buzz and I’ll be back in a bit. What I don’t know is, do you already own the Twilight series, or should I pick it up as well?”

  Holy fuck…

  Chapter 3

  “I…I…I own it,” I said quietly. “Gabriel?”

  “Yes, beautiful?”

  “H…h…h how do you know all of this?”

  “I have my ways, let’s just leave it at that, for now.”

  “For now?” I replied.

  “Someday I will share my secrets, well some of them.”

  “I look forward to it,” I smiled.

  “Ok gorgeous, I’m off to get junk food. Need anything else while I’m out?”

  I shook my head and looked up at him. Should I kiss him? Do I hug him again? He stared back at me for several seconds, just taking me in. He smirked that signature smirk then took pity on me and kissed me on the cheek. He walked down the hallway and I closed the door. I needed to clean up the apartment and myself before he came back. Before he returned, I managed to pick up the random debris, vacuum the kitty litter, and light some candles. After washing my face, I put on some cuter PJs and fixed up my hair a bit. I didn’t have time for much more, as I heard a knock on the door as I was turning on the TV.

  I opened the door to his smiling face and stared at him as he looked me up and down. I began to blush furiously when I saw the look of lust in his eyes. I’d always read about that look, but I’d never seen it until now. That look was dangerous and could make a girl forget all her troubles. Smiling back, I licked my lips nervously.

  “I’d keep that tongue in my mouth if I were you, Lily.”

  “W…w…what?” I stammered. Stepping back, I let him in and closed the door behind me. I had turned around to show him into the living room, when he came forward, crowding my space and backing me up against the door. He set the bag of junk food down, took my face in his hands and lifted it up so that I was staring into those green eyes. He brushed his thumb over my lips, softly and slowly.

  “I said, I’d keep that tongue in my mouth, if I were you. And if you keep looking at me with that look in your eyes, I can’t be held responsible for what I do next.”

  I continued to stare at him, swallowed hard, and nervously licked my lips again, catching myself a little too late. A deep sound, almost animalistic, escaped his lips and he crushed them down onto mine. He kissed me roughly, pressing his lips hard against mine, then lightened the pressure and began nibbling and lightly licking my bottom lip. I no longer had the strength to resist him and finally gave in. I parted my lips slightly and he smiled against my mouth. I began kissing him back with everything I had. I licked his lips, nibbled his bottom lip, and caressed his tongue with mine. My arms went around his neck and his went around my waist. We made out for several moments, just reveling in each other’s taste. After a few minutes, he still had me pressed up against the door, so I had to turn my head to finally catch my breath. He rested his forehead on my temple, breathing heavily.

  “Wow,” I finally breathed out, “Now that was stunning, and I didn’t have to sing in front of a crowd.”

  He smiled against my temple and replied, “Yes sweetheart, it most certainly was. And I’m sorry, but I couldn’t resist those perfect pink lips of yours.”

  “The ice cream is melting,” I giggled. Yep, I giggled. Me, a 35 year old, soon to be divorced, hot mess. What was he doing to me?

  “Then I suggest we eat it,” he said. I didn’t want to move, so I waited for him to step back. I was too warm, too comfortable in his arms. “Gorgeous, you’re going to
have to move first, cuz if you don’t, I’m just going to kiss you again.”

  I smiled and sighed, “OK, but only because it’s a sin to let Ben and Jerry’s melt.” Breaking the spell, I stepped to the side, and went to grab the ice cream, two spoons, and a dishtowel then led him into the living room. I had also grabbed a blanket, in case cuddling would ensue. Hey, a girl could dream.

  He looked around at the seating arrangements and asked me if he could sit next to me. I plopped onto the couch, lifted up the blanket, and patted the cushion next to me. He kicked off his boots and folded his tall frame into a comfy position next to me. I covered him with the blanket, handed him a spoon, and opened both pints.

  “How did you know which flavors?” I asked