Within Temptation by Tanya Holmes

Author:Tanya Holmes [Holmes, Tanya]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Virtual Acquisitions
Published: 2014-05-09T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Dirty Little Secrets

SHANNON

____________________________

Snow flurries wafted down like dandelion puffs as I stared out from Trace’s front door window. It was after ten and a party down the street was breaking up. Revelers trickled out, disappearing in either direction along the sidewalk. A few stood near the curb to catch a smoke, while others piled into cars that sped off into the shadows.

I sank my forehead against the glass. Trace had asked me to stay because we had unfinished business. Twenty minutes ago, he’d gone upstairs—to take a cold shower, no doubt. Now that I was alone, without him to distract me, dueling thoughts and emotions filled my mind.

There was guilt, of course. Fear made an appearance too. Even more compelling and amazing was a feeling that had no name.

In the span of two hours, the world I’d known had vanished, replaced by something fearsome and incredible. Trace and I had gone farther than I ever had with Darien. Not only that, but I’d cheated and enjoyed it. And it wasn’t my first infidelity. Truth was, I’d been cheating in my heart long before this. Every word, caress, and whisper had been hardwired into my mind, and I’d replayed them, over and over.

What happened at The Slam Dunk should have warned me away, but I’d just come back for more. Even worse, I wanted Trace’s hands on me again.

I’d never been physically unfaithful. Not once. The shame of it was eating me alive.

The steps creaked beneath Trace’s weight as he descended the stairs. When he loomed behind me, keeping his distance, our eyes met in the window. “Come up with any answers?”

“No,” I said miserably, turning to face him.

Clean-shaven, he’d changed into a tan crew neck. His shower-damp hair bore evidence of a finger comb. On the surface, he looked relaxed, but when I peered deeper, I saw a hidden storm raging behind his hazel eyes. Strange, but I drew comfort from it. At least I wasn’t alone in this.

When the staring got too hot, I twisted away. “It’s time for me to go. I can’t think around you.”

“What’s there to think about? I want you. You want me.”

I flopped into a chair and fished a brush from my purse. “It’s not that simple.”

He stood over me, arms folded. “What else is there?”

“Really, Trace.” I raked the brush through my hair. “Why can’t you believe I love Darien?”

He looked away in thought. Minutes passed before he spoke again. “You remember that talent contest? I ditched driver’s ed and caught the bus in the rain so I could see you perform.”

I crammed the brush back into my purse and frowned. Talk about a left field surprise. “Yes, why?”

“Who else came to watch you dance?”

My gaze fell as the memory pierced my heart. Mother had been nursing a hangover; Father was too busy building his corporate empire. No one bothered to show but Trace.

“Harrison never came to any of your recitals,” Trace said.

I stared into my lap as the memory cut into me again.

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