by Marian Tee
Moving away from the window, she returned to her seat, her gaze unseeing. Life as she knew it now trailed past her eyes. Everyone looked up to her. Everyone. She was beautiful, sexy, intelligent, and with wealth of her own. Men had literally begged to have a chance with her, so why, dammit, why couldn’t Nik see the same thing they did?
Why did he want that woman more than Miranda?
They were both sluts in their past, and at least she had poverty and her stepfather’s beatings to push her into the life she had carved out of herself. What reason did Daria have? She had slept with all those men because she had wanted to be richer than she already was?
Why couldn’t Nik see Miranda was the better person for him?
Slowly, Miranda pulled her drawer open and took out the bottle of pills she had purchased last night. One would knock her down, two or three could kill her if she didn’t receive immediate medical help.
She placed the bottle on her desk and reached for her phone. She sent a text to Danny. She waited and counted the minutes, and when it was time, she calmly uncapped the bottle and took three pills.
****
Unlocking Daria’s front door with his own key, he had only taken one step inside the apartment when his mistress launched herself into his arms.
“What the—” Laughing, Nik managed to keep his balance even as Daria’s arms and legs went around him.
She was kissing him before he could ask himself what was going on, and Nik had no trouble allowing himself to be distracted.
When Daria pulled away, she pressed her mouth to his ear, whispering, “Take me.”
Just two words, and Nik went up in flames.
He didn’t waste any time. He settled her on the dining table, and she simply lay there, watching him with seductive eyes and an even more seductive smile as he got rid of her shorts and her panties.
“Do you want to be completely naked?”
She shook her head. “Can’t wait that long,” she said huskily.
Lust rippled down his body. “Good,” he rasped. “Because I can’t wait either.” Unzipping himself, he took out his cock, already fully erect, and wetted it by lining the slit between her folds.
Daria started to writhe. “Come inside me now, please.”
He acquiesced but only allowed the head of his cock to enter her body. He thrust in and out of her like that, tormenting both of them.
Daria moaned, her legs parting until they fell against each side of the table. “Nik, please,” she begged.
“Not…yet.” He increased her torment, playing with her clitoris while he continued with his little thrusts.
Daria’s head fell back. “Oh God, please…”
He pushed his cock all the way in.
Her moan turned into a scream.
Grasping both legs by the ankles, he kept her legs wide open while he started pummeling into her with his cock. Each thrust drove the table forward, inch by inch, until the opposite edge of the table struck the wall behind. But Daria didn’t seem to notice, and Nik simply didn’t give a damn.
The feel of her body taking him all the way in was intoxicating. There was nothing like it. He had fucked so many damn women in his life, all of them skilled in the art of fucking, but none of them had felt this good. None of them could ever compare to the beautiful liar crying out his name over and over.
“Nik, harder,” she begged.
He gave it to her, unable to stop himself from obeying her command. He shoved his cock into her as hard as he could, and she came apart with a scream, her eyes dilating, her entire body jerking.
The image of Daria reaching her orgasm did it for him as well, and with a guttural growl, Nik’s hips jerked as he shoved his cock into her pussy as fast and as hard as he could. A couple of thrusts was all it took before he, too, was spending himself, throwing his head back as he filled her pussy with his cum.
When the last shudder faded, he opened his eyes and saw Daria watching him. Pulling away, he tore a sheet of paper towel from the counter and wiped himself clean. After, he did the same for Daria, ignoring her protests about doing it on her own. When she was clean, he helped her dress and the moment she was back on her feet, Nik leaned down to kiss her, his tongue driving in for the sweet, drugging taste of her mouth.
Nik lifted his head.
“You kiss super good,” Daria mumbled.
“And you’re no doubt flattering me for a reason.” He squeezed her bottom. “So what is it?” Because now that his cock was no longer in control of his brain, Nik knew that Daria’s sexual ambush had to have a reason.
“I don’t know what you mean…” She pouted.
The pout still did it for him, and scooping her up in his arms, he stole a kiss from her mouth before bringing her to the couch.
When he was seated, she curled readily in his arms, her head on his chest.
“Well?”
She started playing with the buttons of his shirt. “I know we’re supposed to go out tonight, but…”
Nik frowned. “But?”
“Is it okay if we stay here instead? An emergency at work – a former client – came up and…”
He nodded. “You don’t have to explain. I get it.” He cupped her chin. “That’s really it?”
Daria blinked at him innocently. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Precocious little vixen,” he said in Greek.
She jumped off his lap. “Even if you don’t admit it, I know you’re saying something bad about me.” She glared down at Nik. “Right?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He mimicked her tone perfectly. In front of him, Daria glared harder, but they both knew it was a losing battle she was fighting. And it was.
She burst into giggles. “I hate that you’re getting too good at that.”
It was his favorite sound, her giggles, but Nik knew he would never admit it to anyone. Nodding when Daria excused herself to go to the bathroom, he took his phone out immediately, which had been vibrating in his pocket the moment he had arrived at Daria’s apartment.
When he saw it was Miranda’s friend Danny calling, he answered right away.
“Thank God you finally answered.” Danny was babbling. “Miranda told me not to bother you because it’s a Friday, whatever that means, but…” Danny’s voice became hoarse. “She tried to take her life, Nik. You have to come here. She’s in bad shape.”
****
After giving her eyelashes one last brush of mascara, Daria leaned back and studied her face in the mirror.
Dramatic makeup? Check. Windproof hairstyle? Done. Hot little black dress? Owning it.
Satisfied, she left the shower and headed towards the bedroom door, intending to surprise Nik. Earlier, she had begged off going out, lying about having so much work. But actually, she had baked a cake for him, and it was to celebrate their second month together.
But when she opened the door, she was the one surprised instead, catching Nik on his way out.
“Nik?”
Nik stiffened at the way Daria’s voice shook. Forcing himself to turn around, he met Daria’s bright gaze and said curtly, “I’m leaving.”
“But Fridays are mine—”
He cut her off. “I received a call from Miranda’s staff. She’s in the hospital and under suicide watch.”
Some of her pain faded at the shock of his words. Why did Miranda try to kill herself? What if she was just faking it?
It was on the tip of her tongue to ask, but Nik’s gaze suddenly narrowed on her and he said flatly, “Don’t disappoint me by being a bitch.”
Daria paled. She had always known that her time with Nik – especially the last few days – was like living in a glass house that could shatter at any moment.
Just one stone cast in her direction, and all of it would disappear. She had known that, but she had never imagined it would be Nik casting the stone.
“If you’ve nothing else to say…”
Daria knew she should have n
othing to say. If she wanted to keep their arrangement the way it was, the smartest thing to do was let Nik go, graciously, and wait for him, just as graciously, to come back.
No texts, no phone calls, no demands.
Miranda was in the hospital. She was on suicide watch. The gracious thing to do was to let Nik be by his fiancée’s side.
But…she had never been gracious, had she? And she heard herself say, “Fridays are mine. You promised.” But what she really meant was - Please just tell me you’re coming back. That was all she wanted.
Nik couldn’t believe he was hearing such selfishness from Daria. Goddammit, why was he even surprised? She was the woman who had dated and dumped twenty-eight fucking men, the last man always richer than the other. That was the Daria he lusted for, and he had better remember it.
Throwing her a look of disgust, he said harshly, “I’m going.”
Daria caught him before he could turn away. “Nik—”
He yanked his arm away. “Grow up, Daria,” Nik snapped. “Acting like a child’s only cute once or twice. If you do it all the time, it’s pathetic.” The way Daria flinched in front of him told Nik that he had been unnecessarily cruel, but he didn’t allow himself to apologize.
The past weeks, she already had too many things going for her, Nik told himself. It was only right she was taken down a peg or two. Daria had to remember that at the end of the day, the woman whose finger had his engagement ring was the one who mattered more to Nik.
Daria badly wanted to cry but even though she was convinced this time she had a right to, she still fought to keep her tears in check. Even if she did deserve to cry, she wouldn’t – not for this. She still had some pride left, dammit, and she was tired – so tired of being punished.
Nik’s phone started to ring.
Before he could answer it, she asked quietly, “Are you ever going to forgive me?”
Incredulity flashed in his eyes. “Are you fucking kidding me? You want to ask that now?”
“When can I ask it?” she burst out, “when you told me that I can’t ever speak of the past—”
“Well, now’s definitely the fucking worst time,” Nik gritted back. “My fiancée’s in the hospital—” He broke off, his struggle for restraint evident as he swung his gaze away from her.
She wanted to say more. She wanted him to say more. But instead she saw Nik reaching for his phone and answering it.
Her stomach curled, and she felt it, that sick, painful sense of certainty, of knowing her heart would crash.
“Miranda.” Nik’s tone was incredibly gentle. “You shouldn’t be on the phone, darling.” He had never talked to her like that. “There’s nothing for you to worry about. I want you to rest now, and when you wake up, I’ll be by your side.”
When he ended the call, Daria warned shakily, “If you go through that door, I won’t ever take you back.”
Nik didn’t answer.
As he walked past her, Daria panicked. “I mean it!” Her heart froze when Nik stilled just as he reached the doorway, his hand on the knob.
Without looking back, Nik said icily, “You’ve forgotten something apparently. Threats like that won’t work when you’re just a cunt.”
He stepped out before she could answer, but when he was outside her door, Nik was unable to move. Seconds passed before he realized dully that he was still here because he wanted…
He wanted to make sure he hadn’t hurt her too much.
As soon as the truth hit him, Nik forced himself to walk away.
Goddamn. Beautiful. Liar.
Why couldn’t he just fucking forget her?
Chapter Nine
Miranda’s suite in the hospital was luxurious by most standards, with cream-colored walls and paneled wood flooring. Unfortunately, the monitors and IV stationed next to the bed, connected to Miranda’s body through various tubes, ruined the sight.
Danny let him in and left right after with a nod, giving them privacy that Nik wasn’t certain he wanted.
A silent, pale-faced Miranda watched him approach. Taking the seat next to her bed, he said quietly, “I came here as soon as I heard.”
“I told Danny he shouldn’t have called you.” Miranda’s voice was weak.
“He was right not to heed you.” Nik shook his head. “Why did you try to take your life?”
Miranda looked away. “Because I couldn’t take it anymore.”
He stiffened. “Miranda—” He had a feeling he knew what she wasn’t going to say, and he didn’t want to hear it.
Miranda’s eyes filled with tears. “I love you, Nik. I didn’t mean for it to happen, but I do.” She mustered the strength and courage to reach for Nik’s hand and wanted to cry in relief when he didn’t let go. “You always knew, didn’t you?”
Nik didn’t answer, his handsome face expressionless.
A painful laugh spilled past her lips. “You don’t have to pretend,” she whispered. “I tried to deny it for a long time, but the more I saw you with her, the harder it became to lie to myself.” She took a deep breath. “But you see, I couldn’t stop myself from hoping. I knew that because you felt guilty for not feeling a thing for me, you let me get away with so much. You gave me so many things, and I took it all because I thought…” A self-mocking smile touched her lips. “I thought, eventually, you’d learn to love me. But you didn’t.”
Whatever hopes she had remaining then were crushed when Nik carefully pulled his hand away. He looked at her, his eyes still not as bright as they were when he was gazing at Daria. Those eyes already gave Miranda her answer, but it still hurt when she heard him say flatly, “I didn’t. I can’t.”
She shook her head wildly. “But you fell in love with her.”
The truth in Miranda’s words fell on his brain like acid, but he didn’t allow himself to answer. Why bother when they both knew that it was something neither of them wanted to hear?
“You can’t lie to me,” Miranda cried out. “I’ve known you for a long time, and even if you don’t want to admit it, loving you has made me understand you more than you think I do, and I know – I just had to see your face, and I knew. You loved her!”
Next to her bed, the monitors started beeping.
Nik stood up. “I can see I’m only agitating—” He broke off as the door opened, worried nurses filing in, Danny following behind them.
“Just tell me please,” she begged before the nurses could make Nik leave. “If you care for me the slightest bit, please tell me, how can you love her knowing the kind of person she is? She fucked them for money. You told me yourself, Nik. She wasn’t poor like I was. She didn’t not have a choice like me. How can you love her and not me?”
One of the nurses reached Nik. “Sir, I must ask you to leave.”
Nodding, Nik didn’t look back at Miranda as he turned away, didn’t let the sound of her sobs stop him from leaving.
Danny suddenly blocked his way. “You can’t leave her like this!”
“Your friend is better off without me.”
Danny was enraged at the way Nik’s voice was devoid of expression. How could he bear to leave when Miranda was so obviously suffering?
“So you’re going to leave, just like that? You’re going back to your mistress like someone didn’t try to kill herself over you?” The desire to avenge Miranda’s heartbreak consuming him, Danny heard himself say, “Go back to her then. Just know that bitch’s the reason behind this. Miranda went to her, you know.” All lies, but Danny couldn’t stop himself. All he knew was that Nik and Daria didn’t deserve to be happy while Miranda suffered. “Miranda told her she wanted you back because she was so depressed, and that bitch laughed at her face. She told her she could go to hell because she already has you following her like a dog!”
****
“This is such a bad idea, I don’t even know which word to use to describe how bad it is.”
Ignoring Yanna’s unusual lack of optimism, Daria continued to drag her smallest suitcase out of the close
t. “He needs to learn his lesson,” she said stubbornly. “This is the way to do it.”
“If you really wanted to talk to him last night, why didn’t you just call him and not be passive-aggressive with your text?” The iPad, propped next to the TV on the console, showed Alyx rolling her eyes as she spoke.
“Because.” Daria pressed down on the handle to extend its length.
“Well, that explains a lot,” Alyx said sarcastically.
“Shut up.” Daria debated whether or not to put actual clothes inside the suitcase but decided against it. This was all a farce, anyway. Turning to face her friends again, she said determinedly, “This is going to work.”
“No, it’s not,” her friends protested in unison.
“I’m not hearing you.”
“From what you’ve told us about Nik, I’m afraid he’s just going to be furious that you’re playing this kind of game with him,” Yanna revealed worriedly.
“It’s going to work,” Daria insisted. “I just don’t think Miranda’s the type to kill herself out of depression, okay? I think it’s her way to keeping him with her. If you guys ever meet her, I know you’ll think the same thing – she’s too strong to kill herself. This is all just a ploy—”
“Fine,” Alyx interrupted. “Let’s say you’re right about the other girl. So what? That gives you a reason to do something just as elaborate to deceive Nik into thinking you’re leaving—”
“I have to do something, okay?” Daria tried not to sound desperate even though that was how she really felt. “I can’t lose him again. I love him—”
“Then tell him that—” Yanna’s voice broke off at Daria’s unexpectedly bitter laugh.
“He won’t believe me even if I say that. He thinks I’m a liar and a slut.”
Alyx said gently, “So another lie’s going to convince him he’s wrong?”
She didn’t have an answer to that, and a second later she didn’t have the time either. Her doorbell had rung. Nik was here.
