Absolute Power (Absolute Power Duet Book 1) by Jeana E. Mann

Author:Jeana E. Mann [Mann, Jeana E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781943938421
Published: 2020-06-29T18:30:00+00:00

Nine

Jagger

In the morning, I try to sneak into the house without Emeline seeing me. I go in the kitchen entrance, shoes in hand, and tiptoe down the hall toward my bedroom. Two steps from the door, my progress comes to a halt when she steps out of the bathroom, her hair wrapped in a towel, freshly showered. Her gaze sweeps over my clothing—or lack of—before meeting my eyes.

“Hey,” I say, keeping my tone light and airy as I breeze past her, ducking my head to let my hair hide my face.

“Jagger.” Her footsteps follow me into my room. “Where are your clothes?”

“Um, I spilled something on my dress, so Cash gave me a shirt to wear.” As soon as the lie passes my lips, the guilt is overwhelming. I hate lying to her. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to grab a quick shower and I’ll meet you at the store.”

“Yes, I mind. What happened? I was worried sick.” From beneath the screen of my hair, I catch a glimpse of her expression. The reproach on her face almost brings me to tears. I can’t keep up this charade for long. “A guy drops you off in his dress shirt and no panties, and you’re acting like it’s nothing. I need details.”

“Look, I promise to tell you everything, but right now, I need a hot shower.”

Her heavy sigh fills the silence. “Okay, but I’m going to hold you to that. Clean up and then I want the whole story. All of it,” she adds, sternly.

“Promise.” I grab my robe from the hook in my bedroom then step into the bathroom, close the door between us, and lean back against the cool wood, relieved to be alone for the first time since Cash picked me up last night.

In front of the mirror, I unbutton the shirt, pausing to draw in the scent of his cologne still clinging to the linen.

“Hey, Jag. I left my phone in there. I’m just gonna grab—”

Before I can stop her, Em opens the door. Under normal circumstances, this wouldn’t be a big deal. We’ve lived together for a long time. This morning, however, I’m mortified. I grab a towel and try to cover myself, but not before she gets an eyeful of my naked body.

“Jesus.” She sucks in a shocked breath. “What the fuck did he do to you?”

My reflection in the mirror reveals a truth I can’t hide. I shift the towel higher to hide the hickeys on my breasts. Round fingertip bruises dot my thighs and throat. It’s my face that betrays me. My lips are pink and swollen. I touch them gingerly. The brush of my fingertips brings back a rush of memories. I close my eyes, squeezing them tight to fight back the titillating images flooding my head.

“Oh, Jag. Did he—did he—” She pauses to clear her throat. “Do I need to call the police?”

“No. No.” I grab her arm to keep her from making the call. “It wasn’t like that. He didn’t—we never—I mean, it was consensual.

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