Forgotten Truth (The Forgotten Series Book 1)

by Wine, Virginia

  “Seriously? Where was the conflict when you were rolling around in my sheets? And now you’re all professional? I think my father will appreciate this little update. You can go straight to hell.” Camilla looks at me. “Oh and, honey, this is your future.” With that, she storms out and slams the door.

  Clayton looks back and forth at both of us. “This just keeps getting better,” he says, before turning and walking out the door.

  I absorb this disruption, especially the rolling around in the sheets comment. Not to mention her remark about this being my future. She just awoke my deepest fear--to be just another notch on this playboy’s belt.

  “Bryer.” Nathan walks towards me. I’m looking at the floor. When he reaches me, he takes both my hands in his. “I’m so sorry, babe. I wish you never had to hear that. Talk to me.”

  “Nathan.” I take a much needed breath. “Confronting your past isn’t easy. But I understand why she’s upset. You’d be a difficult man to let go.” I speak with as much confidence as I can muster. “I would fight for you too, but to be honest, it does bring up some insecurities.”

  “It’s over with her, Bryer. It never really began.” Nathan keeps his eyes on me. “I’ll handle my father.”

  He shrugs like it’s no big deal, but I know differently. This will upset his father.

  “Let’s go back to your place and take it easy,” he says. “I know it’s a work night, but we both need this.”

  I agree.

  We shower and change quickly in our separate locker rooms. Not long after, we arrive at my doorstep as he takes the key from my hand and opens my door.

  “Go on, babe.” He guides me in with his hand on my back.

  After taking my hand, he sits me in my favorite corner of the couch and slides in as close as possible. He puts his arm around me and continues to hold my hand. His thumb moves back and forth over my knuckles, soothing me, comforting me.

  “Bryer, what we have is based on honesty. There’ll be no lies.” He pauses and I’m suddenly nervous. “As you know, Camilla and I have a past. I was honest from the very beginning about the fact that it was casual.”

  I nod.

  “But I also knew she wanted more. I should have stopped it, but I didn’t.” He drops his head. “It didn’t mean anything.”

  “It doesn’t surprise me that she’s still holding on.”

  “I’m only with you, Bryer. I’ll fix it. Can I just hold you for a while?”

  I nod and our bodies melt into one another.

  Scenarios go through my mind. Is what Camilla said something I should worry about? Will I be the next disaster after he has his fun?

  “I hear you thinking, Bryer. Don’t doubt us.” I look into his beautiful blue eyes. “Trust me. I won’t let her come between us. You mean too much to me.” He smiles and kisses me. “I had a completely different ending planned for tonight, babe.”

  “Ditto.” I kiss him and we hold each other.

  All it would take is one move on his part and I’d be willing to move this to the bedroom, but he’s holding back, trying not to fix everything with sex. Maybe that’s a good sign.

  As he leaves, he holds me at the door. “I’ll call you soon. Don’t over think this.”

  “I’ll try.”

  He kisses me again and then he’s out the door.

  ***

  ~Nathan~

  THE CALLER ID flashes. Father. I answer the phone and I don’t get a chance to say hello.

  “Nathan, I just got a disturbing call from Montgomery Hayward. You were training his daughter, Camilla?”

  “Clayton’s training her now. Remember, I mentioned it at dinner the other night?”

  “But what you neglected to tell me is that you were seeing her. Camilla was under the impression you had a committed relationship. She’s distraught over you breaking it off.” Disappointment rings clearly in his tone.

  Sonofabitch.

  “Dad, it’s complicated, and that’s not exactly what happened.”

  “I would never pry into your personal life, especially when it comes to women, but this is different. You’ve put me in a precarious position with a colleague. He thinks my son is a playboy who just used his daughter and broke her heart.”

  “Dad, I’ll fix it.” This is just fucking great. “I never misled her, and to be honest, she wanted more than I did.

  “You have some work to do, son.”

  “I’ll end this on a professional note.” I try to maintain my composure. Camilla is a fucking mess.

  “I don’t want another call from Montgomery.”

  “I understand.” I sigh after I hang up.

  ***

  LATER, I NOTICE a missed call from my Uncle Mac, but I text him back, since I’m in no mood to talk.

  Nathan: Sorry I missed your call uncle. What can I do for you?

  Uncle Mac: Hi buddy. You free tomorrow? I need to give you some info.

  Nathan: Sure, I can manage noon at the coffee shop?

  Uncle Mac: See you there.

  I arrive early the next day, grab a black coffee, a water, and choose a seat in the back. Only a few minutes pass before Uncle Mac walks in. When he notices me, he’s all smiles. What a great man. I always liked his laid back, easygoing style. Then the world hands him this? Life is so fucking unfair.

  “My boy. So great to see you again.” He reaches out to shake my hand and his firm grip doesn’t surprise me.

  “How are you, Uncle Mac?”

  “Good. The doctors try to consume more of my time than I’m willing to give, but I’m adapting.”

  “I’m sure it’s all in your best interest. Is there somehow I can help?”

  “Now that you mention it, I have a board meeting set up and I wanted you to attend so you can meet some of the key players. We have several satellite offices that will be conferenced in.”

  “Of course. I’d be happy to do that.” Though I’m still a bit confused about what my role will actually be.

  “Does the middle of the week work for you?”

  “I can work that into my schedule. Is there anything I should do to prepare? Maybe research the company?”

  “Hop on our website and check out the ‘About Us’ section. That’ll give you the basics.”

  “Easy enough.”

  “I have some paperwork for you to go over. My attorneys will help you. There’s some red tape involved.”

  I shake my head, feeling uncomfortable over how relaxed he is despite the reality he faces.

  “I’ll handle it, Uncle Mac.”

  “We have time to make it legal. I just want to prepare you. So, if you have questions, I can answer them now, or in the next few months.”

  “I know I’ll have questions,” I say, trying not to show sadness.

  “I expected that. There’s so much to tell you, but all in good time,” he says. “I have to cut you short today. Another doctor’s visit I didn’t expect, but I’ll see you soon.” He gets up to leave and, as I stand, he embraces me. “You’re a good man, Nathan. Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself. Oh, and never negotiate with a woman. You’ll lose.”

  I laugh, and, with that, he’s gone.

  ***

  DAY BY DAY, my walls slowly deteriorate. That I can let Bryer in so easily is a surprise. I’m not the same man I was. She’s changed me. I need her so much. I need to hear her voice, touch her daily, but I also don’t want to scare her away.

  So call stupid. Pick up the phone.

  “Girlfriend speaking,” she answers.

  “You don’t say.” I smile.

  “All true, plain and simple.”

  “A thought crossed my mind.”

  “Go on.” She’s playful.

  “I thought I would come by tonight.”

  “Like a slumber party?”

  More like fucking your brains out, but I’ll keep that to myself.

  “Seriously?” She makes me laugh.

  “Hey, don’t knock it till y
ou try it.”

  “I suppose that’ll work.” I sigh.

  “Don’t panic. I won’t be braiding your hair.”

  “Okay then. See you tonight.” I hang up, wearing a grin ear to ear.

  I’m not complaining. This is what I want. I know it now.

  ***

  “COME IN,” Bryer says.

  “You don’t have to tell me twice. I missed you.”

  “Missed me? Which part?” She smiles as her eyes twinkle.

  “I have a list.”

  With my hands full, I lean in to kiss her.

  “Smells good.”

  “You have no idea,” I say. “It’s from my favorite Italian place.”

  “Is that right? You went all out, did you?”

  She’s wearing black Nike workout pants that stop at her knees and a white tank with no bra. A breath catches in my throat.

  Well hell. Change of plans.

  “Can dinner wait?” My breathing grows faster and my cock hardens.

  “Sure.”

  “Come.” Taking her hand, I lead her into the bedroom. I stand her against the bed and she waits for my next move.

  In one quick sweep, I take off my black t-shirt and throw it on a chair. “Now you.”

  She doesn’t move.

  “You’re distracting.” She reaches for her white tank and slowly takes it off.

  Jesus.

  “You don’t know what you do to me,” I say. “Who knew I could get to this place?” Staring at the vision in front of me, I watch her shimmy out of her black pants. In only her lace panties, she’s so beautiful I’m afraid she isn’t real.

  For fuck’s sake.

  My eyes focus on her full breasts and her hardened nipples. Her smile is gone, replaced with hooded eyes that appear to be filled with lust.

  While my gaze never leaves her body, I fumble with my jeans, which are soon thrown on top of my shirt. I’m left standing in my black Calvin’s, my arousal obvious.

  “I want to touch you, taste your tattoo, run my tongue over it,” she says with lust in her voice.

  “Don’t let me stop you, baby. My body is all yours.” I want her to do exactly that.

  She presses her body against mine and runs her tongue over my tattoo while rubbing her hands over my chest. Anxious for each touch, I become a full-blown inferno.

  “Get on the bed,” I order as I slide my Calvin’s down to the floor.

  She climbs on.

  “You’re so tempting, woman.” To the point of madness. “Look at me and slide those off.” I pant as I watch her expose herself to me. “Fuck. You are my sex fantasy.”

  “Do you want me to talk dirty to you?” she teases.

  “Will you?”

  She giggles. “I can play with myself.”

  “Actually I was thinking about riding you hard, sassy.” I’ve never played like this with anyone in bed. What a turn on.

  I reach for a condom that is sitting on her nightstand. All my emotions strike at once. I start to stroke myself before I put it on. “I could come all over you right now, choices, choices.”

  “I love this part of you,” she whispers.

  As if those words were gasoline on fire, I drive myself into her in one swift motion, taking her breath away.

  “Oh God!” she gasps out. “Don’t stop. Harder.”

  I slam into her again with such force I have to reach up and put my hand on the headboard for leverage.

  “Sex machine.”

  Part of me is amused, but a huge part of my ego has just been stroked. “As you can surely see.”

  This only ignites us both when she realizes I’m serious.

  My eyes meet hers. “Come with me, baby,” I tell her as I continue to hammer into her. I’m so close now it wouldn’t take much to throw me over the edge. “Hold on, baby.” I rise up on my knees, raising her hips so that I’m feeling her in all the right places.

  “Oh, Nathan! God it’s too good. I’m going to come,” she screams, and with that we explode together for what feels like forever.

  I finally slow down and hold her while I support my weight. Kissing her neck, I say, “I can’t believe I get to touch you.”

  “Nathan, I’m yours.”

  I kiss her tenderly, knowing that this was yet another step into unknown territory.

  “I’m starving, woman.”

  “I’ll feed you now that I’ve had my way with you. You grab the pizza, I’ll get the drinks. Meet me on the couch.”

  “Bossy little thing, aren’t you?”

  “Nah, you know you want it.”

  “Damn, woman, now I’m easy?” She knows I am.

  We spend the next two hours on the couch talking and eating. I don’t want to leave her. She has a piece of me now. She calms me like no one ever has. So I stay the night and hold her in my arms.

  Chapter Thirteen

  ~Bryer~

  I’M AWAKENED BY the smell of coffee, my phone chiming, and a few aches from last night. Remembering makes me smile. After grabbing my robe from the back of the door, I follow the scent.

  I find a half-full pot of coffee and a note. Coffee first. After adding cream and sugar, I take a sip then pick up the note.

  Bryer,

  Good morning. I didn’t want to wake you, but I made coffee before I left. Did you know you drool when you sleep?

  What? I do not… I’m catapulted back to the middle of the night. I barely woke, but I heard Nathan cry out in pain--the gut wrenching kind of agony where you know this is earth shattering. Then he drifted back to sleep when he rolled over, and I wrapped my arms around him. I shudder at the thought of how long this has this been going on, yet he doesn’t remember a thing.

  I continue reading.

  But that didn’t stop me from watching you. My imagination went wild. Looking forward to seeing you very soon. You’re mine.

  Then watch out, baby!

  ~N

  xxx

  On the way to the gym, I call Gen.

  “Hello.” She sounds groggy.

  “Gen, it’s eleven. Are you still sleeping? How late did you stay out?”

  “Late.” Her voice sounds muffled. She must have her face buried in the pillow.

  “Was there a male involved?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Oh, I can’t wait to hear about this one. Is he a keeper or catch and release?”

  “Keeper.” she mutters.

  “Really? A keeper? Well pick a day next week to meet me for a drink. I want to hear all about it.” I’m happy for her.

  “K.” She yawns.

  “I’ll let you go. I’m heading to workout. Love you, girl. Bye.” I hang up, sparing her the effort it would take to say bye.

  As soon as I walk through the door, I scan the gym for Nathan, or at least Clayton, but no one is out by the desk or in plain view. So I head for the lockers and fill up my water bottle on the way. But I’m distracted by a familiar voice. His voice, and I smile.

  “You have to understand what it was.” Nathan’s voice drifts from down the hall, becoming clearer.

  I freeze. The door is cracked open enough for me to see Nathan leaning back on his desk with Camilla standing between his legs.

  Her arms rest on his biceps, and Nathan allows this. I stand in shock, needing to see this play out.

  “I never thought of it that way, Camilla. I’d never tell you it meant nothing, but it didn’t mean what you wanted it to mean,” he speaks sincerely but doesn’t see me.

  “I know it’s only been a couple of weeks” she says. “There’s no man who could fake those emotions or the way you took me with such passion. The way you fucked me anytime, any place, even here on this desk.” She wraps her arms around his neck and he hugs her back, and that’s when our eye’s meet.

  Instantly he makes distance between them. “Bryer.”

  I don’t even realize I’m walking away until he runs after me and grabs my arm, forcing me to face him.

  “Don’t!” I yell and at
tempt to jerk out of his hold, but he doesn’t allow it.

  “We were saying our goodbyes.” He’s panicking, and his death grip on my arm never ceases. His fingers dig into me.

  “Our goodbyes? That’s rich! It didn’t look or sound that way to me, Nathan. You’re hurting me. Let. Me. Go.”

  He looks down and slowly releases my arm. “Please don’t go, Bryer. Let me explain.”

  I walk out the door in shock, needing time to think this through. Should I let him explain, or trust what I saw? When I turn back, Camilla is leaning on the wall outside his office with the biggest smirk on her face. I know she’s a manipulative bitch, but Nathan’s a fool to jeopardize us over her. I don’t want to deal with this right now, so I do what I do best: I run.

  ***

  MY PHONE IS blowing up, so I turn it off.

  I head back home and change into my fleece comfy kitty PJ’s. They’re a gift from Gen. She calls them my happy jams, but I don’t feel very happy at the moment.

  This feels like a cold blade to the heart and way too close to when Cash betrayed me, triggering all the pain back from when he cheated. All the memories flood my mind. He swore to me nothing was going on between him and his co-worker, but the facts were there, and once trust has been destroyed, what’s left? Nothing.

  I can’t keep the tears from flowing. My life was just turned upside down. Now I question how both of these relationships could become so similar. Are all men like this? Unable to commit to one woman? Why the fuck isn’t one woman enough? I wanted to believe Nathan was different. I wanted to trust him. I wanted it all, but he couldn’t give me all. The pain is very real.

  I won’t put myself in a situation where I’ll end up heartbroken again. Fuck, I’m already there. I spend the night under the covers reading my favorite romance novel, pretending this is how it could be. His arms around her, their lips touch, it all reminds me of him.

  Waking with the book underneath me, I find the covers are a total wreck. I feel like I’m sitting in a pile of rubble from the explosion of my heart. I must have tossed and turned all night.