An Unlikely Bride by Nadia Lee

Author:Nadia Lee
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-06-07T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

Lucas

The suite Rachel booked is…nice. I suppose.

It’s on the top floor, with large, sumptuously appointed rooms, expensive furniture and silky cotton sheets with stratospheric thread counts. There is also a white grand piano. Why the suite has one, I have no clue. It’s not like people book the place to play.

I flick my thumb over my phone, and it comes alive. I go to the photo app and browse the newly downloaded pictures. Me and Ava. Us at our happiest. When I thought nothing could tear us apart.

I shouldn’t have copied them to my phone, but I couldn’t stop myself from rummaging through Ava’s mobile. It was laughably easy to access, the passcode being her date of birth. I felt like the cliché creepy ex—checking the previous girlfriend’s phone to see who she’s been talking to, who she spends time with…who she might be banging, even though I made sure she’d be so overworked she wouldn’t have time for such things.

My justification is just as pathetic. I haven’t been able to stir myself for any woman. The least she can do is keep her thighs together until I feel my body come to life for someone else.

A tight lump forms in my throat. I want to go back in time.

You’re toxic.

I could demand a meeting, make her honor her bargain, try to convince her that…

That what? I’m not toxic?

I run a hand over my eyes. She won’t buy anything from me. She lies in the hospital because I made sure she had so much work she wouldn’t even have time to pee without worrying about finishing all her tasks.

If I thought I could change her mind about the two of us, I’d do anything. But the test and her words made it clear I’m out of options. I grasp the back of a chair and hang my head. I’d give all my money to invent some kind of X-ray that could show Ava what’s in my heart.

But…that’s just a fantasy. Here in reality, I need to stick to the plan. Marry Faye. That solves several problems. And she’ll understand why I’m not banging her if I make up some bullshit story about leg pain or something.

And then you’re going to live out the rest of your days only half-alive?

No. In time, whatever hold Ava has over me will weaken. Surely I can’t want a woman who has such contempt for me. I have more pride and self-respect than that.

Faye and I had great chemistry before. We can have it again if we’re willing to give it a chance. If she’s unhappy with our marriage after a year, we can always divorce—amicably and cleanly.

My finger hovers over her number. I should call, ask her to come over, wine and dine her, then propose. The ostentatious diamond and sapphire ring in my pants pocket pricks my leg as though to remind me of the Sunday agenda.

I’m about to hit the green button when there’s a knock at the door. Unusual…I haven’t ordered anything…

I open the door and freeze.

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