POV: Rory
Scott and I woke up and readied ourselves for the day. Scott wore a double-breasted suit and wingtips. He looked handsome in his suit, but he had a heavy cough he couldn’t seem to get rid of.
“Are you alright?” I asked as he rolled his bags out to the car and lifted them into the trunk. I adjusted the car seat to my height and changed the angles of the mirrors as Scott settled in the passenger seat.
“I’m fine,” he said, still coughing.
I lifted my hand and touched the back of it to his forehead. He pulled my hand down and linked his long fingers through mine.
“I said I’m fine. We’d better go before I’m late.”
“You mean they won’t hold the flight for you,” I teased, trying to lighten his mood. He’d been in a funk since the dinner with Zeke.
“You know I’m using the jet, but I still like to be on time for these things.”
“I know.”
I didn’t like that cough. I wondered if he was coming down with something. I wanted t
Rory’s POV As soon as our eyes met over Zachary’s shoulder, Nicola ushered him away. I didn’t follow them. I was still in shock from what I saw.He’d betrayed the best woman I knew, and how awful I felt for my friend. I wanted to cry for her, but I knew she’d eventually be all right.The major issue I was having with my newfound knowledge was whether to tell her what I’d seen. I knew what I wanted to do, but sometimes having a friend tell you that kind of news made the person want to punish the proverbial messenger. I would want to know immediately, but I couldn’t say the same for Zoe.I continued to shop for my items, all the while trying to figure out what to do. I was indecisive about this, but I’d feel betrayed if Zoe knew and didn’t tell me.What to do? I kept thinking, as I mindlessly looked through the sales racks and pulled items in my size and my favorite colors.While I was looking through the lingerie section, Nicola caug
Scott’s POV By the time I got home, I felt like utter crap. My head ached, my body ached, and I was hot one minute and cold the next. The entire time I was away I shivered with the covers on, and then I threw them off, sweaty and overheated.My mind was in a bit of a fog, and my body felt limp. I was so glad to get home that I didn’t know what to do. I had the driver take me directly to the Villa Rory and I shared. I barely got through the door before I crash-landed in the bed.I’d hoped I’d find Rory home. I came home early from my business trip because there was no way I could work like this. My mind was muddled, my ribs hurt from coughing so much, and I couldn’t breathe without having to blow my nose every two minutes or so.I thought of Rory’s worry over me before I left. I remembered her lips on my forehead and my lips. I wondered if she’d gotten whatever plague I seemed to be carrying, and decided to fly back home to see how she was.
Scott’s POV The sheets where Rory slept were cold to the touch. The cool sensation and the knowledge she’d already left for the day made my eyes snap open. I stared at the indent in the pillow where her head had laid and sighed.Rory asserted her independence. She didn’t shout and roar it to the skies, but her subtlety wasn’t lost on me.In the mornings, Rory was gone. She left something for me if she knew I liked what she’d made, and left a note telling me to have a good day, or reminding me to eat breakfast if she didn’t leave any.She left the coffee pot ready for me. All I had to do was flip the switch and I’d have fresh coffee. I stretched and contemplated our new way of being together.She didn’t need me half as much as she used to, and now, I felt adrift. While I respected her autonomy and felt she was rational and above board, I wanted her to need me.I did love her ability to be responsible, rational, and clear-headed. I co
Scott’s POV By the time Mom and I came back to the kitchen, Rory was fully dressed and wiping down the counters as if I hadn’t just had her up there with her panties on the floor ready to devour her like dessert.I grinned at her over Mom’s shoulder. Her eyes were wide, and her cheeks were slightly flushed, but that could be attributed to the lingering heat in the kitchen from the cooling oven.“Oh, hi, dear,” my mother said. “I’m Josephine Harper, mother to this heathen.”“I’m no heathen,” I said, but I couldn’t withhold my chuckle at her.“I saw the woman’s eyes widen, Scott,” Mom said. “There’s no telling what you were doing behind my back.”Rory laughed and held out her hand to Mom. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Harper.”“Oh, child, just call me Josie.”“Yes, ma’am,” Rory agreed.“None of that ma’am business. You’re Scott’s girlfriend.”Before Rory could voice her opinion on the subject, I pulled her close
Rory’s POV I was getting excited about the way things were going in my life. Since Josie’s visit, Scott seemed more preoccupied. I figured it had something to do with his vast business network. I knew Josie had slowed down and she occasionally helped Scott with things, but I wasn’t worried.If he wanted to talk to me about it, he would. For now, I had my own career to deal with. I wanted more for myself, and I was bound and determined to get it.“You’re doing well. You’re nearly finished with your credits. You’re reaching your goals,” Tiffany said as we started our meeting. “What are your future plans?”“I’m not sure yet. I’m still apprenticing at the gallery.”“Have you thought any more about studying abroad? I think that would be an excellent opportunity for you and your career.”I shook my head. I wasn’t ready to leave my life in Phoenix behind just yet. I wanted to live here and see where my relationship with Scott was going.
Rory’s POV “What gave you an inkling that I’m Antony’s daughter?” I asked Scott when he brought up the idea that I could be.“There are too many coincidences. I, for one, don’t believe in them, and what makes you think you can’t possibly be his daughter?”“I had parents, Scott. I know people have said that I don’t look like either of my parents, but I’m pretty sure Mom would’ve told me if I were adopted or something like that.”“You have to admit, most people look like at least one of their parents.”“I’m certain Hannah’s my mother. While lookalikes are common, I assure you I’m not Anthony’s daughter.”“I’m not,” Scott retorted.“What are you implying?” I asked.“I’m not implying anything. I’m just saying there’s a lot of evidence pointing to you being Antony’s long-lost daughter. Don’t you want to know for sure?”“I am sure,” I said, adamant in my convictions. Mother wouldn’t have carried on such an extensive s
Introduction“I want to see a picture of you in stockings.” I read the text that popped up on my phone screen with anticipation. Another followed. “Yeah, follow my lead and slide your finger into your…” I obeyed, sliding my finger beneath my waistband. The man on the other side with the note "Dear" sent me another message. "Did you miss me?" After a while, I replied with just one simple word: “Yes."I was happy when I received the five words below.“I want to fuck you!”****Months Earlier*Rory's POV“Feeling nervous?” Justin’s familiar voice whispered in my ear.“Are you out of your mind?” My hushed voice was much harsher than his. “This is Needy’s place!” “Who cares?” He reached for me, catching the hem of my shirt between his fingers. I dodged his next move, narrowly escaping his wandering hands that were ready to slip under my clothes. Even at that moment, the sounds of the party downstairs pumped into the room. Footsteps echoed outside and my heart starte
Rory's POVAs I made my way back to the party, it was nearing 1:00 AM. I couldn’t believe I’d spent two hours at the hotel with… Nope, I was not going to think about that or Scott. When I approached the house, I noticed most of the cars that had been there were gone with just a few stragglers here and there. The front door was locked, but I wasn’t worried. Needy knew I had the back way into her house memorized.Letting myself in through the garage door, I slipped through the trashed house and up to Needy’s room. She was in there with several friends who’d been at the party, and it looked like they’d all fallen asleep wherever they could get comfortable in Needy’s huge room. I grabbed a pillow and blanket off the foot of Needy’s overstuffed bed and made myself comfortable on it with her like we usually did. Enveloped in the darkness and silence, I was alone with my thoughts.Had I really given myself up to a stranger? That was completely unlike me. Technically, it wasn’t a st