Grand Lies (The Promise Duet Book 1)

by JC Hawke

It’s her.

  “Fucking tell me, Vinny!”

  “Cara Langer.” He steps forward, pulling a sheet of paper from the file. “She bought the studio a week previous to you meeting her. She changed every detail that could trace it to her and put it in a different name. Honestly, I don’t know how I missed it.”

  My head spins, my eyes pinching tight as I bring my hand up to my forehead.

  How has this happened?

  “Cara. She owns Nina’s studio?”

  “I’m so sorry, Mason.”

  Fuck! I link my hands behind my head and turn my back to Vinny.

  She can’t be there. I can’t have her there.

  I grit my teeth, closing my eyes as pain slices through me. “Sell it.”

  “What? You can’t sell it when it doesn’t belong to you.”

  “I can and I will. I can’t have it linked back to Nina. Imagine how it would look. Have it put on the market for a quick and quiet sale.”

  “No.”

  My head snaps around, my eyes wild as I try to control my anger. “You’ll fucking sell it!” My fist comes down on my desk, and he recoils. Shame fills me, but I don’t stop, too far gone. Everything is too far gone. “You think you can stand there and tell me fucking no, Vin? I pay you to do a job, so prove to me you can do it,” I spit.

  “She would never forgive you, you know. Dancing is her life.”

  My heart throbs. Actual physical pain that runs deep in my chest. “What choice do I have?” I say at a loss. “I can’t let her be connected to this. I won’t allow it.”

  “You’re making a huge mistake. You want to sell her studio, then you do it yourself.” He shakes his head at me, placing the sheet of paper back on the desk. His fist clenches white against it, and I know there’s no persuading him.

  “George, get me Lance Sullivan,” I say through the intercom, rolling my tongue over my teeth as my knee bounces in agitation.

  “On it now, boss!” George buzz’s back.

  The keys to the Audi hit my desk, followed by the set of keys that belong to everything I own. “That’s me, Mase. I’m done here.” Vinny leans in, and my nostrils flare, my eyes burning as I stare down at the carpet, unable to hold his eyes.

  My chin trembles and I clench my jaw to stop it.

  “Sixteen years, and I have never been more disappointed in you.” He rights himself, then leaves my office, not looking back.

  “FUUCKK!” I roar, my chest rising and falling as I try to control my emotions.

  Picking up the mug off my desk, I launch it across the room, shattering the glasses and jug of water laid out across the coffee table. Not satisfied or feeling remotely better, I walk over, flipping the table with my foot and smashing it to pieces.

  Everything was too good, too easy.

  I should have known.

  “Lowell? What the fuck, man?” Lance mutters as he steps into my office, eyeing the mess. “What’s going on?”

  “Cara—she’s here in London. Fucking find her or find me someone who can.”

  “What? Is she fucking stupid?”

  “Turns out she isn’t as stupid as we once thought.”

  23

  Nina

  The sun is out in full force when I leave The Elm, so even though I am cutting it fine, I opt to walk instead of calling Vinny. I pull the straps of my vest top off my shoulders as the warmth seeps into my skin.

  Mason seems to be ignoring my messages, and I refuse to ring him. I’d rather save that argument for later. I can’t believe he just walked out when he said he would be there. I thought he knew that it was for my benefit just as much as his—I wanted him there. He told me that Joey had an allegation made against him in the past, but I never pressed him on it. He said it never came to anything, but somewhere in the back of my mind I wonder what happened.

  I felt like I saw a completely different side to Joey today. If I’m being fair, then that’s all I can judge him on. He seems harmless.

  With the sun on my back, I head off in the direction of my studio, ready for my last session of the day with my girls.

  Once in the studio, I set the mats up for the girls and make sure everything is ready for my class, then I go to the office to find the note Erin said she left me.

  I scan the desk and move the files, but nothing shows up. I will have to ask Henry later, but there’s no way he would have come up even if he found it.

  “Girls, you do that in two weeks’ time, and you will be taking home the trophy. That was insane!”

  “We will, you mean,” Bethany, the eldest of the group, calls over at me.

  I smile, pulling her into my side. “I’m proud of you, girls. Honestly, this past year you have come so far. I’m feeling quite emotional.” I start to flap my hand in front of my face as the girls all stand awkwardly watching me. “You guys head out, don’t mind me. We have a session Friday now. Don’t overdo it at the gym, okay?”

  As always, the girls help me to put the mats away before leaving. I’m just packing up my things when my phone rings.

  It’s Mason.

  A gut feeling tells me not to answer. I don’t know if I have the energy to fight tonight. But I relent, accepting the call and bringing the phone to my ear.

  “Nina?”

  “Yeah, I’m here,” I tell him, resting my back against the piano.

  “I’m sorry about earlier. I wanted to be there, but Elliot needed me at the office, and I’ve been flat out ever since.”

  I roll my eyes even though he can’t see me. Does he think I’m stupid? “You can just say you didn’t like the fact I was with Joey, you know. Not that there is any reason for you to be jealous. You knew what you were walking into, Mason. He was just positioning me, and it was the first time he touched me the whole session.”

  “He fucking touched you?”

  I bite my tongue, my eyes zeroed in on a small mark on the floor. “Uh, yeah. You seemed pissed when you left—jealous.”

  “I had a shit day, Nina. I’m not jealous.” I hear him blow out a breath. “Things are just a little crazy here at the minute.”

  Shit.

  I feel bad. Maybe I read him wrong earlier. He sounds so stressed. “Do you want me to come to you? I’m finished for the day.”

  “No, get yourself home. I’ve booked you a cab, but it’s not until five. I can rearrange it for earlier?”

  “No, five is fine. Where is Vinny?” I ask.

  “Taken a week off.”

  I frown, but it transforms into a surprised smile. “Surely not on holiday?”

  “Yeah, I suppose. He didn’t say exactly, just that he needed some time.”

  “Well, yes, I can get a taxi. What time will you be home?”

  “I’m not sure. Hopefully not too late.”

  “Okay.” He stills sounds off, and I wonder if he is being honest with me about Joey. “I love you,” I tell him.

  “I love you too.”

  I smile, pleased that we are okay.

  With half an hour until my taxi, I plug in my phone and make the most of my time. I press play on Ella Eyre “We Don’t Have To Take Your Clothes Off” and let my body move around the studio. No routine or thought, just my body moving like it was made to, along with the beat of the music.

  When I’m done, I lie back on the studio floor, my chest rising and falling as the music cuts out, and I’m surrounded by nothing but silence. I close my eyes, smiling between my heaving breaths, welcoming the calm and solace my little studio brings me.

  I never feel quite alone here. It feels like home.

  Mase

  I stand at the bottom of our bed, watching the rise and fall of her chest. How do I get into bed with her, knowing what I’ve done?

  I couldn’t come home right away. I sat in my office until every last person cleared out of the building, and then I sat some more, too afraid to come back here and look her in the eye.

  She’s about to lose something I know means more to her than anything else.

 
; What if my reasoning isn’t enough?

  Stripping down, I pull back the sheets and climb in behind her, my gut twisting with every glance in her direction.

  Why does she have to be so good?

  So pure?

  She stirs, and I freeze, my eyes closing as I slowly slip down under the covers, careful not to touch her.

  She settles again, and I scrub at my face, feeling more confused than ever.

  I stare up at the ceiling, feeling sick to my stomach.

  I have no idea what time it is, but something warm and wet is wrapped around me. Lifting the covers, I find her on her knees between my legs, my cock buried deep in her throat.

  “Baby?” I murmur, pulling back the covers and stroking down her cheek.

  It’s still dark out, but I can see the soft glow of the sun on its way up. I’m surprised I slept at all with the guilt that’s festering in me.

  “Hmmm,” she hums around me, and it has my balls drawing in tight.

  Shit.

  I pull out of her mouth with a pop, leaning down and lifting her at the waist to pull her up the bed, placing her under me.

  My brow dips low as I look down at her, my chest feeling like it’s caving in.

  “You were late home,” she whispers, her hand twisting into the hair at the nape of my neck.

  With no idea what to say to her, I lean down, pulling her bottom lip between mine and seeking out her tongue. My hand moves between us, sliding into her pyjama shorts.

  “Angel,” I moan, finding her wet and ready.

  Sitting back on my heels, I hook my fingers into her shorts and pull them down her legs until they’re completely off, and like the devil that she is, her legs instantly drop to the bed, baring herself to me.

  “Yours,” she promises.

  I shake my head, feeling like a fraud. Leaning in, I give her exactly what she wants because it’s all I have to give right now.

  I dip my finger into her heat, brushing over the spot inside that I know drives her wild. “Mase,” she whimpers.

  My body moves up over hers, nipping and sucking at her stomach, then to her breasts—both getting the same amount of love and attention. Kiss, suck, bite, kiss, suck, bite.

  She convulses on every bite, squeezing my finger as her core throbs. “You like that, baby?”

  She rolls her hips but shakes her head.

  I pull my fingers out of her, taking her face in my hand. “No? I need words, Nina.”

  I have a firm grip on either side of her mouth, but not enough to hurt her. I wait for her to tell me what she wants, but she doesn’t.

  With my fingers still wet from her pleasure, her tongue peeks out, gliding along the length of my pointer, tasting herself.

  She holds my eyes, and I know she is on a different level right now. Daring me to join her.

  “Make me yours,” she mutters, her eyes hooded.

  I frown, not understanding. A twisted smile takes over her face, and she flips, giving me her ass.

  “Nina,” I groan, resting my hand on her lower back. She is fucking perfect. I run my hand down over her until I’m cupping her.

  “I need you.”

  Goddammit. How do I deny her when she is all I need, yet nothing I deserve?

  I bring my middle finger to my mouth and wet it before dropping it to her ass, teasing her entrance with slow circles.

  My cock strains between us.

  She pushes back, trying to increase the pressure, and it sends me wild. “Nina,” I hiss, needing inside.

  I push the tip of my finger in, and she groans.

  Fuck.

  I lick my lips, looking up at the ceiling as a layer of sweat coats me.

  I don’t feel in control, my need for her too much.

  Slowly I sink my finger the rest of the way, right down to the knuckle. She pulls away from me on a sharp intake of breath. “Oh, god!”

  I give myself two long pumps; my eyes fixated on the way she tightens around me. I slowly slide my finger out of her, letting my cock fall heavy into the line of her ass.

  “You want me here, Pix?” I ask her.

  “Yes,” she pants.

  I roll my neck, stretching the muscles as they coil tight in anticipation.

  “Fuck.” I adjust my knees on her bed as I slide my cock into her pussy, and she contracts around me, coating me like I needed her to.

  I pull out and smooth over her hips, line myself up, then push into her.

  She moans, deep and throaty, dropping her head to the bed, and I freeze with only the tip inside her, my eyes squeezing tight as I start to see stars.

  “Nina,” I bite out.

  “More! I. Am. Yours.”

  This fucking woman!

  “Look at me,” I demand, grasping her neck and angling her face towards me. “Why?”

  Lust-filled eyes find mine, but I can’t read her. She is someplace else right now, and I have no idea why.

  Why tonight? Is this the universes way of fucking with me?

  Her lips part, ready to say something, but my conscience won’t allow it.

  Not being able to bear her words, I push the rest of the way into her as I bend forward and take her lips with mine.

  “Mase!” she cries out, dragging her mouth away from mine.

  I squeeze my eyes tighter, focusing on anything but the feel of her or the delicate moans that fill the room.

  My chest heaves as my arousal starts to grow.

  “You feel incredible, baby.” I breathe across her shoulder.

  “Make it good for me,” she begs.

  My hand wraps around her front, the pads of my fingers teasing her clit.

  “Yes!”

  I feel her convulse, and I can barely stop the tremor that racks through me. I hold my breath and think of anything but where my cock is.

  She’s too tight.

  “Nina, I’m going to come.” I roll my hips, needing the friction, but knowing it will all end if I move.

  “Uggghhh, no! Don’t stop.”

  I start to move inside her whilst continuing my assault on her clit. Her body trembles, and I flatten my finger to keep her spasming around me.

  “Fucckkkk!!” I roar, pushing myself to the hilt as her orgasm draws me in further, and it’s all I can take. I grasp her hips and let her have it, unleashing everything I’ve held inside since walking through the penthouse doors.

  She takes it all, every bit of me, right down to the remnants of my tattered soul.

  I fall to her back as I release inside of her, dropping my lips to her neck as my chest heaves.

  “I’m sorry,” I mutter, quiet enough that she won’t hear.

  Nina

  Last night was important. I gave Mase something I’ve never given anyone before, and I hope it shows him that it’s only him—he is all I see.

  Joey doesn’t matter, and I am his.

  I thought he would be in a better mood this morning, but he was still quiet. He told me he is busy in work, but I don’t know if I believe him, especially with everything that happened yesterday.

  The girls called this morning and asked if I could do lunch today. Scarlet and her dad are in the city again, and I knew it would be nice to make it up to Scarlet for bailing on them the other day.

  I enter The Elm and spot the girls around the sofas. Ordering a coffee, I grab some sugar and make my way over to them.

  “Sorry I’m late girls, it’s been one of those mornings.”

  “Better late than never,” Megan tells me, and I can tell she is in a spunky mood.

  “I had to go register for the showcase. It’s ridiculous the rigmarole that I had to go through, and the lady on the reception was a complete bitch. Nowhere on the damn form did it say I needed my fucking passport. Some people just have a shitty manner.” I huff, dropping my bag down and falling onto the sofa, grateful for the cushion under me.

  I’m a little sore.

  Megan frowns at me. “Who shoved a stick up your ass?”

  I choke on
my coffee, spraying it out all over Luce and the table.

  “Hey!” Lucy cries.

  “I am so sorry,” I say, taking the napkin that Scarlet holds out to me.

  A bright smile washes over my face as my eyes drop down the length of her. She looks her usual vibey self today. Her lavender hair is set in perfect curls, her face lightly made up, and she is wearing ripped mom jeans with an off the shoulder tee.

  “Okay! Spill it,” Megan says, intrigued.

  “Just not all over me.” Lucy glowers as she blots at her face, trying her hardest not to ruin her makeup

  I eye Scarlet, not sure she would want to hear it. I never hold out on my girls, but this is different.

  “Don’t hold back on my account,” she tells me.

  “I can’t.” I laugh, not being able to say it out loud.

  “Don’t act a queen about it, and then not tell us.” Megan tuts, watching me.

  I eye her, shaking my head. “It’s bedroom stuff. I’m sure Scarlet doesn’t want to hear it.”

  “Cover your ears,” Megan tells her.

  “Oh my god, you did anal!” Lucy shrieks. My eyes go wide, and I snap my head to her. “You literally had a stick up your ass; it’s why you sprayed me.”

  I drop my head into my hands. This is a nightmare.

  “Wow,” Scarlets says in shock.

  “No! Did it hurt?” Megan asks.

  “Wow,” Scarlet says again, her face paling.

  “Nina, you are so brave,” Lucy tells me, wide-eyed with a hand on my arm.

  “I am so fucking brave,” I agree, welcoming my friend’s pity.

  “Brave? Anal isn’t brave, you little butt slut.” Megan laughs. “I had a friend who had a slip of the dick once, literally no warning, one minute they’re fuckin’, the next, all the way in.”

  “Holy shit, accidentally is different! Imagine not expecting it, and then BAM! All at once. Poor girl.” Lucy shivers.

  “Wow,” Scarlet mutters for the third time. I think we’ve broken her.

  “Scarlet, I’m so sorry,” I tell her, trying to hold back a smile.

  “It was a Tuesday yesterday,” she says, staring at the table. She lifts her eyes to me and raises a perfectly groomed eyebrow “Who does anal on a Tuesday?”