Chapter 1
If you want to marry into a family where your almost-father-in-law lives, how do you go about enticing him?costs There's a lot of p**n and not a lot of solutions. By the time it's all said and done, I'm on my own.
This is how I came to be standing on his front porch in the middle of January, long beyond the traditional visiting hours, dressed in a short red dress and thigh-highs. When I knock on the door, my hands are trembling, and it's not only because the cold wind makes my clothes feel like a thin blanket.
He is awake, despite the late hour. As the door opens and he steps inside, I find myself unable to take a deep breath. Shane. It's the guy who was meant to be my future father-in-law up until a few days ago. It's funny how unexpected changes may occur so suddenly. Or it's just not that humorous. To put it bluntly, I do not feel like laughing right now.
A tall, broad-shouldered guy with enormous hands and a dash of salt and pepper in his hair, he fills the entrance. He's well into his 40s, making him at least twenty years my senior. A scowl forms on Shane's gorgeous face as he realizes what's happening. “Lisa? Where have you been hiding out?
Let's have a chat; I'd like to hear from you. My teeth are chattering so much that I have to tighten my jaw. It's possible that I should have opted for the trench coat instead. Then, at least, I could wear a coat.
William, thankfully, never keeps me waiting. He makes room for me to pass and keeps the door open. When the heat finally kicks in, it makes me shiver all over again. Perhaps I wouldn't feel as chilly now if I hadn't spent so much time waiting outside to build my nerve.
To ask, "What did he do?"
Eventually, I close my eyes and give up on attempting to restore sensation to my digits. What's up?
"You jerk, son. To what end has he put himself into this predicament? He takes hold of my hand and brings it up between us. My left ring finger is noticeably bare. William frowns as he glides his thumb across his bare skin. All of a sudden, the cold has nothing to do with my chills, and everything to do with want.
This is just one more thing that shows how my connection with Max wasn't firing on all cylinders. Jeremy's father is a freak who can do more with a flick of his thumb than Jeremy could ever hope to accomplish with his whole body. However, Jeremy and I never had anything except polite, nice s*x, so I was surprised to see him having s****l relations with his secretary. But I don't think he was doing it with the women that came before her.
I'd rather not discuss it more at the moment. After four days of sobbing and yelling at my girlfriends, I'm about to start crying again if I bring up the time I caught Jeremy f*****g his assistant like the greatest goddamn cliché eve
However, it is not the purpose of my visit
In all honesty, my primary motivation for being here is vengeance, with pleasure coming in a distant second.
“William.” I carefully utter his name. To this day, I still refer to Jeremy as "Mr.Brandon," even though we've been together for almost a year. This separation was important; it served as a constant reminder that I would always think of him as the father of my lover. For the first time in two years, I look up at him and allow all the feelings I've been suppressing and repressing wash over him.
I have ignored a lot of things over the last two years.
William's black eyes widen, then go heated, and he shuts down, closing himself up tight as a reaction. Still, it seems he can't help himself as he swipes his hand over my exposed ring finger one again. "Explain what took place," I said.
The two of us are finished. I wish my voice didn't catch all the time. There will be no turning back, no crossing over to Go, and no taking the $200. This is it; it's finally over.
He gives my hand a tight squeeze and a slow nod of agreement. I think it's safe to say that "you could use a drink.
I need around 10, but one will do for now. In any case, at least he isn't trying to have me evicted. I take it that's a positive omen? I accompany him to the kitchen and observe as he peruses the bottle contents of the liquor cupboard.
His attention to me is minimal. This is really mind-blowing, right?
“Yes.” Obviously he can't forget about my beverage. I'm willing to wager that if pushed, he can recall my birthday along with a number of other information that most people, including my ex, have trouble keeping straight.
Nonetheless, William isn't like the average person
As he meticulously prepares a drink for each of us, the warmth seeps into my skeleton. I'm at a loss for what to do with my hands once I no longer need them for warmth, and the pleasant warmth is a stark reminder of how little clothing I'm really wearing. My dress is so short that just just reaches the tops of my thigh highs, and apart from my garter belt, I'm not wearing anything below it. I have on a provocative and revealing outfit, but William hasn't given me a second glance since I stepped in.