Traced: Bryton & Roya (Oak Springs Book 4)
Page 13
“I could show you...” His voice trails off in my ears as the scent of familiar cologne hits my senses. Oh my god, no. Not here. “...Okay?”
“Aimee,” My eyes flutter closed, the sound of his deep voice makes my body hum, even after all this time. It shouldn't be this way, he's not supposed to be able to affect me like this anymore!
I notice Tim's eyes locked on the man now beside me. Because he couldn't just stand behind me could he? Oh no, he had to come to the side of me so that his gorgeous body is almost pressed against me.
Bastard!
“Kory,” I reply without looking at him.
“Who's your friend?”
I give Tim a, I'm sorry, look before answering Kory. “This is Tim. Tim this is Kory.” I watch them shake hands and exchange pleasantries, which to me is just insane. But then, Tim isn't to know the extent of my relationship with Kory. Hell, no one knows anything about us, he made sure of that.
I'm not really a big drinker, I never have been, apart from one or two nights when I was younger, but right now, as I down this wine like it's water, I'd say I'm pretty much on my way to being smashed.
“So, how do you two know each other?” Who said he could sit down?
“I'm just a tourist who saw a pretty girl and asked her out. This is actually our second date.”
“Is that so.” It wasn't a question. Nothing much ever is with Kory. He's all about facts. I guess that's the lawyer in him.
Our eyes lock hard and firm the second I look up at him, and yes, I instantly regret it. Everything I try to suppress where this man is concerned always hits me hard each time I look into those emerald eyes of his. I wish I could stop it, I wish I could just turn it off and pretend I'm fine, but I can't. I'm not like him, he walked away from me and never looked back. It's kind of a slap in the face how he always acts like we're friends of old. Like nothing ever happened between us.
If only.
“Does your husband know you're on a date with another man?” I should have expected him to say something like that. I should have, but I didn't, and I'm sitting here wide-eyed with a thumping heart.
No one knows about my husband. And when I say no one, I mean no one. Not my parents, my friends, no one. It was a stupid mistake that cost me my heart. A stupid mistake that wrecks a tiny piece of what's left of my heart every time I see him and allow him back in.
“You're married?” Tim's tone is one of shock. Can't blame the guy. But then, he never asked if I was married, to begin with.
“Separated.” I smile at Tim. I do not want him to think I'm some kind of cheating slut. I am not. “My ex-husband is a jerk, a jackass. A very selfish, self-centered asshole, and not worth even thinking about, much less talking about”
He gives me a curious look as if he's not sure whether to believe me or not. But I seriously speak the truth. My ex-husband is all of that and much more.
I need a word with you.” There's no, “Can I have a word with you, please?” Just, I need. Well, he can fuck off if he thinks I'm going anywhere with him. “Now, Aimee!” Kory says while getting out of his seat and standing tall and proud. Like some huge werewolf right before he turns. All boring eyes of emerald green with burning embers smack in the middle. Chest heaving like a starving beast ready to pounce on his prey. And that goddamn hot, fit, tight, muscle-clad body of his. There's no way I can go anywhere with him and not want to jump his bones.
“Not tonight, Kory, I'm busy.”
“It wasn't a request, Aimee.”
“The lady said she doesn't want to go with you. Maybe you should respect her wishes.”
It's nice of Tim to stand up for me like that, but Kory isn't the kind of man to back down from anything. I know it will be easier to just go with him.
“It's okay, Tim,” I smile reassuringly. “I'll just be a few moments. If I don't go he'll just make a scene. It's easier this way.”
“Why? Who is he?” His eyes move over me to Kory and back again.
“The jerk husband!” Kory snaps while grabbing my arm and dragging me to my feet.
Available and Coming Soon Books By Lucy Rinaldi.
The Safe Series.
The First Three Books In This Series Should Be Read In Sequence. The Books That Follow Are Standalone's. But Can Be Read Alone.
Silent: Thane & Libby
Quiet: Thane & Libby
Louder: Thane & Libby
Devoted: Aston & Felicity
Addiction: Blaine & Nickole
Fixed: Bradford & Gabriella
Honor: Preston & Blue
Always: Blair & Lilah, A Safe Prequel.
The Kids From The Safe Series Will Be Appearing In Their Own Stories As Grown Ups Very Soon ;)
Rift: Ana & Tanner.
Truth: Ed & Casey
Trust: Evan & Krystal
Hardcore: Andrew & Melissa
Sacrifice: Grace & Trent
Tracked: Harmony & Brock
Fact: Lincoln & Tammy
The Skeleton Series, Parts 1, 2, 3 & 4 The Finale.
Skeleton Spinoffs
Yours: Lauren & Giovanni
Forbidden: Hope & Xavier
Roman Angel: Giannah & Harley
Forever: Emma & Brayden
The Archer Series: Out Now
Believe: Benton & Sara
Hero: Brandon & Jenna
Lost: Nate & Raine.
Caught: Chance & Paris
Coming Soon In The Series:
Hidden: Kirby & Nevaeh
The Twin Series:
Shattered: Jason & Maisie
Revenge: Blaise & Maddie
Fortunate: Warner & Victoria
Coming Soon
Diamond Snakes MC
Shepard: Prez
Stryker
Tank.
Hammer.
Jet: VP
Hawk.
Draven.
Wrench.
Roman.
Trace.
VJ.
Oak Springs Series:
Dancer A: Chase & Emilee
Scarred: Hudson & Callie
Caution: Enzo & Paige
Traced: Bryton & Roya
Torn: Kory & Aimee
Standalone's Coming Soon.
Beyond The Fire: Bryan & Lyric
Haunted: Drew & Natasha
Fallen: Hunter & Evie
About The Author.
Lucy Rinaldi was born in Birmingham, England, in the 1980's. She has lived all over the world in places including New York, California, Italy and France. Lucy began writing fiction in her early teens after meeting a soldier in a London coffee shop, where he shared his army adventures with her. Lucy was so intrigued by him and what he was telling her that she began to write down his adventures. Lucy wrote them as memoirs and to this day they have pride of place on her bookshelf.
Lucy often finds inspiration to write from those around her. Lucy finds people and their lives fascinating. Lucy is also an avid reader of Adult Romance. She hasn't read one male lead that she hasn't liked this far. Lucy has one or two favourite authors at the moment, authors who write stories where she can lose herself within them. Lucy fully believes that books are our escape from the world around us. Books are a place where we can lose ourselves in someone else's imagination, a place where it's not wrong to believe you're the one finding the happy ever after with the one person who understands you better than anyone else.