by Monica James
“It’s not until late next month,” she replies, brushing it off.
“The thirtieth, to be precise,” Rachel adds, sipping her wine.
Madison narrows her eyes playfully at her mom.
“Remember when you were younger; all you wanted for your birthday was to go to Rome?” Sebastian reveals while slicing through his meatloaf.
“It was?” Again, this is news to me.
“Yeah.” She shrugs. “It always looked like such a nice place to visit. And I’ve heard their biscotti are to die for.” Her teasing grin hints at the first time we had biscotti together at Dolci’s, the first time I actually felt like a gentleman and not a complete scoundrel.
I’ve missed those feelings, and I want to relive them. With that thought in mind, I declare, “Then it’s settled. For your birthday, we’re going to Rome.”
Maddy laughs, but her humor catches in her throat when she sees I’m dead serious. “No. I can’t accept. That’s too much.”
I shake my head, as I won’t hear otherwise. “Nonsense. We’re going, angelo. All you need is your passport and a suitcase. I’ll take care of the rest.”
“Dixon—” But I silence her with a smug smirk that tells her this is a losing battle.
She turns to look at Rachel. “Mom!”
But she only raises her hands, not taking any blame for spilling the beans.
These pleasantries have almost made me forget Juliet is sitting across from me—almost.
“Since you’re so generously offering trips to Rome, what’s one more? I pack light.” She teasingly laughs, appearing to be joking, but I know better.
I turn slowly, fixing my annoyed stare on her. “Three’s a crowd.”
“There are some circumstances when three can be fun.” She cockily grins, while I turn my lip up in disgust.
“Well, this isn’t one of them.” Maddy nervously sips her wine, but I make no attempt to hide my contempt for her stepsibling.
I can’t believe I actually liked fucking this woman once upon a time. Her blonde hair sits in a harsh bun, exposing her sharp, pointy, annoying features. Her body, baby bump aside, is not at all feminine and soft like Maddy’s. Not to mention she’s a right royal bitch who has me wishing I was neutered every time I look at her.
I must have been fucking nuts.
In no way, shape, or form do I find myself attracted to her, and if I could erase all memories of her, I would. But sadly, I can’t. She’s just a reminder of what a jackass I am.
We go on eating our meal, keeping the conversation light. Whenever Juliet speaks, I ignore her or whisper into Maddy’s ear. Most times it’s trivial things like, ‘How do you like the wine?’ or ‘This meal is delicious,’ but I make sure to stroke her leg, or graze my lips over the shell of her ear. I do things that’ll make her blush or squirm. Things that’ll make Juliet turn her own shade of red, but not the happy kind.
Who knew annoying her would become my new favorite pastime?
“Who’s ready for dessert?” Rachel singsongs while I brush my fingers dangerously close to Madison’s delicious heat.
“I know I am,” I whisper. Her soft intake of breath has my very interested cock stirring and doing push-ups in my pants.
Just as I’m going to concoct a lame-ass excuse that’ll give Maddy and me the escape plan we need, Rachel asks, “Maddy, can you help me work the new coffee machine? Sebastian says it’s too high-tech for him.”
Sebastian laughs, playfully smacking his wife on the ass as she heads for the kitchen.
Maddy looks at me with nothing but apology in her eyes, but I smile, kissing her quickly on the lips. “Lucky you packed your PJs.”
She leans into my mouth and whispers, “I didn’t.”
I almost choke on my excitement while Maddy smugly rises. My gaze falls to her lengthy legs and very vivid images of those legs spread open before me invade my brain. I need this woman on my tongue and in my mouth this instant.
But I play it cool and stand up also, as I have no intention of being in a room with Juliet for longer than I have to. “I’m just going out for a smoke.”
“Okay. See you soon.” She leans forward and kisses me briefly on the lips. It’s too brief, but it’ll have to tide me over for now.
Sebastian is talking to a non-enthused Juliet about the baby, while I excuse myself and head outside. I can feel her eagle eyes on me the entire time.
Walking down the paved path, I decide to take a tour around the grounds, as I have no idea how long Maddy will be. Tonight hasn’t been too painful, but I suppose it’s only just begun.
As I pensively smoke my Marlboro, I look out into the vastness, the murky blackness of the lake hiding the secrets of what went on here. This house holds so many secrets. Ones I wish I knew. And others I wish I didn’t.
“I’m going to make all your dreams come true.”
And just like that, my peace shatters and I’m surrounded with clamor. “You’re going to run away from home and join the circus?” I bluntly reply, not even bothering to turn around.
“You don’t mean that.” Her shoes crunch over the pebbles, indicating she’s getting closer and closer—which is my cue to move the fuck away.
Without a second thought, I openly reveal, “I have absolutely no qualms about running you over with my car.”
Her floral smell, a scent I used to crave, catches on the light breeze and fetches so many memories—memories I wish I could dig out of my brain. But I can’t.
“Why are you being so cruel?”
I take a long drag before replying, “What can I say…you bring out the best in me. You always have.”
She ignores my insolence. “You’re not serious about Pollyanna, are you?”
“If you’re referring to Madison, then yes, I’m very serious.” I keep my back turned because the sight of her makes me sick.
“Dixon…”
The moment I feel her hand on my shoulder, I spin around and snarl, “Do not touch me.”
She appears taken aback by my hostility. “What the hell is the matter with you? There was a time when you actually enjoyed being with me. Enjoyed fucking me,” she adds, running a sharp fingernail down my arm.
I feel as if she’s slicing a knife through my flesh. I slap her hand off of me. “I plead insanity for that period of my life.”
Her face twists in confusion. “I must have been fucking nuts to touch you voluntarily.” Watching her mouth drop, I add, “As interesting as this little catch-up has been, I have better things to do—like not look at you.”
I butt out my smoke and attempt to shove past her, but she stops me. “You seem to be forgetting our little secret. A certain secret which could destroy your career.” She smugly folds her arms across her busty chest, challenging me.
The action infuriates me further, and what little resolve I have left explodes. “You know what—” I lunge into her face “—tell whoever you want.” I spread my arms out wide. “I don’t care anymore. I’d prefer that than being blackmailed into being your little gopher boy.”
I’ve caught her completely off-guard, and it’s a sight to celebrate. But my celebration is short-lived.
“I’ll tell your precious angelo,” she threatens, verbally shitting on my term of endearment.
I narrow my eyes. “Go ahead. Actually, you know what? I’ll tell her. That option is far better than what you propose I do.”
The frantic pounding of her carotid pulse reveals that she’s either frightened or, God forbid, turned on by our exchange. “And what exactly is that?” she asks, licking her lips quickly.
“I have no fucking clue! Ten days ago you corner me, and you know what happens when you corner a rabid dog?” She shakes her head, her chest beginning to rise. “It bites.”
Her hand flutters over her throat. “I’m quite accustomed to your biting, Dr. Mathews. I recall every single one.”
Pinning her with my glare, I state, “Get out of my way before I act on impulse and drown you in that lake.
” I’m surprised when she calmly steps aside. But I don’t waste any time getting away from her.
“Oh, by the way.” Her self-righteous voice, however, stops me in my tracks. “Did you hear the good news?”
“You’re moving to Africa?”
She disregards my snide remark. “Dylan will be moving in with me next weekend. I know it’s sooner than everyone expected. Shall I ask sweet Madison to help us get settled?”
And there it is—the clincher. The one thing that she’ll always have over me.
Unluckily for me, she’s the only person who can keep Maddy’s bastard brother away from her, and she knows it. I couldn’t give a damn about a tarnished reputation, but a tarnished Maddy—I’ll do anything to stop that from happening.
I turn slowly, taking three deep breaths before I speak. “So help me God—if either of you touch her, I’ll end you both.”
Her lips tip up into a wicked grin. “I don’t think you’re in a position to be making any threats.”
Charging over to her, I grip her upper arms. “That isn’t a threat. It’s a promise,” I affirm, shaking her roughly.
My actions only stoke her depravity. “Ooh, I like it when you play rough.”
“This isn’t a joke. It’s my life. It’s Maddy’s life you’re fucking up because of some damn game you’re playing.” I can’t help myself and squeeze her biceps harder, hoping she’ll see reason.
But of course she doesn’t. “I’m playing the game you taught me.”
I drop my hands, disgusted, because she’s right.
She taps her lip, cocking her head to the side. “You know, your devotion is really commendable, but I call bullshit. I think if I were to tell the innocent Maddy about your after-hours activities with your patients, she wouldn’t be so eager to hop on the first plane with you to Rome. I think she’d drop your man-whore ass instantly. I also think, deep down, you do really care about your career. If the media or your colleagues got wind of this, you’d be ruined. Everything you’ve worked so hard for would be destroyed. We both know you won’t tell Madison, Dixon. I call your bluff.”
That…bitch.
“What do you want?” I grind out between clenched teeth, hating that she’s right.
With an air of confidence, she states, “You know what I want.”
Just her insinuation of what she has in mind turns my stomach. “Well, that’s not going to happen, so what’s option B?”
She scoffs, appearing annoyed that I’m still fighting her. “This isn’t a game show. You play by my rules—otherwise, you lose.”
How can she think I will ever come out the winner when she’s got me by the balls? “I already lose if I participate in what you propose I do!”
She waves off my concerns with a sweep of her hand. “Oh, stop being such a cry baby. You’ve turned soft. But I know—”she strides forward and cups my dick“—how hard you can be.”
Swallowing down my revulsion, I choose to be frank. “So, what…if I fuck you and become your little bitch, you’ll keep that psycho away from Maddy?” I try to breathe past the pain of her fondling my balls.
She nods as her massaging strokes get harder and harder—unlike my cock. “Yes, and not to mention your secret will remain under lock and key.” She motions to her mouth while throwing away the invisible key. “No one has to know what a man-whore you really are. You can go on playing happy families with Little Bo Peep, and she’ll be none the wiser that you’re fucking for her freedom. And yours.”
I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about my freedom. I’ll happily pay for my sins if it means sparing Maddy the pain of ever seeing her brother again.
I know it’ll shatter her. She’s finally found a place she can call home. A place she feels safe, where she doesn’t feel the need to lock her bedroom door at night. But if that maniac moves into her building, it’ll drag up the past and I know it’ll ruin her.
But I won’t be Juliet’s personal blow-up doll, and I will figure out another way. No matter what, I refuse to be driven to sin by this woman, who only wants me because she can’t have me.
This isn’t about physical gratification, it’s all about control.
So for now, I’ll let her believe she’s won. “Fine,” I snarl, pulling out of her grip.
Juliet smiles a winner’s grin. “Did I say Dylan was moving in next week? Silly me, these baby hormones are making my brain mush. I meant he was thinking about it but I told him no. I mean, I wouldn’t want to live in sin.”
I can’t help but laugh a bitter, sarcastic snicker. “It’s a little too late for that.” I drop my eyes to her belly.
She cups her swelling stomach proudly. “Well, technically it’s our sin, not Dylan’s. I’m trying to make amends for my past, to wipe the slate clean with my husband-to-be.”
I run a hand through my snarled hair, yanking at the longer locks. “There aren’t enough lifetimes for either of us to make amends, Juliet.”
She purses her lips, appearing to digest my statement. “I suppose you’re right.” She steps forward and runs her pointer down my cheek. “In that case, pick me up Saturday morning.”
I slap her hand away. Although I don’t want to meet her anywhere, I can tell by her resolve that this isn’t optional. “You do realize you live in the same apartment block as Maddy, right? That’s not going to happen. If I’m to play along with this charade, then we’ll do it my way.”
“Fine then. You choose the location, and I’ll do the rest.”
Thinking of an area Madison rarely visits, I state, “Meet me on the corner of Warren Street and West Broadway, Tribeca.”
She happily nods. “I love it when you get all controlling. It shows me that underneath this boring, pussy-whipped exterior lies the man who fucked me until I forgot my own name.”
I turn my head away, ashamed.
Juliet steps closer and I close my eyes, sickened by what she says next. “You need to find him again because that man is the real you, not this neutered little bitch she’s turned you into. One way or another, I’m going to help find that man because deep down…we both know you’ll like it. You’re addicted to sin, Dixon. We both are.”
Just as she raises her hand and attempts to stroke my cheek, I hear an uncertain voice behind me which tears out my heart.
“Is everything all right?”
I quickly latch onto Juliet’s wrist and drop it by her side. She smirks.
“Yes, everything is fine.” I pull my shit together and turn around to face a baffled Madison. Before she has a chance to question me again, I suggest, “Shall we go in?”
She looks lost, confused, and angry, but nods.
“I’ll be right in,” Juliet singsongs smugly behind me. “I’m just going to call Dylan. He was going to drop past, but I’ll tell him not to bother.”
I close my eyes for the briefest of seconds, but remain calm. Madison, on the other hand, looks weak at the knees at the mere mention of her brother. Wrapping my arm around her quivering shoulders, I lead her away from the scheming whore who is far smarter than I took her for. This deliberate ploy is to demonstrate who’s calling the shots. How easily she can break everything I care for.
“Are you sure everything is o-okay?” Maddy asks in a small voice as we walk toward the house.
“Yes, everything is fine.” I tighten my hold around her.
“What did Juliet want?”
My dick still aches from her touch. “Nothing important. Are you ready for dessert?” I ask, needing to scrub every trace of her off of me.
She subtly shrugs out from my hold. “I’ve lost my appetite.”
Before I can question if she’s all right, she steps inside. I follow blindly a second later, taking my seat and engaging in small talk, but all I can focus on is what the hell I just agreed to.
Have I just sold my soul to the devil?
4
The Truth, and Nothing but the Truth
DIXON
The next day I’m irritated, impatient, and hig
hly strung.
Thanks to basically being caught red-handed with Juliet, Madison asked me to take her home, complaining of a headache. I knew she was lying, but who am I to judge?
That’s all I’ve been doing.
Contrary to what Juliet thinks, I am not addicted to sin. I’m no longer that man thanks to Maddy.
Riddled with guilt, I reach for my cell.
How’s the head?
It’s a lame attempt, but I need to know that she’s still talking to me.
Fine. Her clipped response just told me to go fuck myself.
I need to fix this. Let’s do something fun this weekend.
I’m thankful when she replies, Like what?
I don’t know. You choose.
Spending Sat through to Sun with you sounds fun to me.
Usually, her reply would have me happier than a pig in shit, but now I feel like a complete asshole.
I can’t Saturday morning, but Saturday evening and all day Sunday, I’m yours.
What’s going on Sat morning?
I groan while typing out my bullshit reply. Nothing important.
I get a simple Okay in return.
I’m ruining my relationship, but I’m doing this for Maddy, I remind myself.
I’ll pick you up around 4? I’m still staring at my phone ten minutes later, awaiting her reply.
I thump my forehead against the desk just as Ms. Vale knocks on my door. “Dr. Mathews. I have the coffee and Advil you asked for. Oh dear, are you all right?” she asks when she steps inside my office.
“Fine. Just leave it on my desk, Ms. Vale,” I reply, not even bothering to raise my head. Her cautious footsteps reveal she’s approaching me as she would a caged tiger. “Will there be anything else?” I ask when those footsteps aren’t directing her back toward the door.
She clears her throat. “I, just…I’m sorry to pry, but are you okay?”
“Never been better.”
She doesn’t believe a word, but she doesn’t press. “If you say so but…” She unexpectedly pauses. “You may want to change your shirt before Chad arrives.” She then whispers, “You’ve got last week’s tuna salad on the front right pocket.”
