Not Mine (Not Mine Series Book 1)
Page 17
It’s been almost a week since Lawson told me he was leaving his wife. I hadn’t believed him. I thought it was another ploy to get me back into bed. It worked that evening. I don’t know how I let my logic evaporate when I am with him. Ted saw us. Of course Ted had seen us. We’d left separately but there was no mistaking what had been going on. Stacey has kept her silence. I don’t know whether Ted has told her to do this or whether she is indifferent about the whole thing entirely.
Ted grilled me and I was too weak to lie; there’s been enough lies. I told him the truth. I could see the disapproval all over his face but he didn’t say a lot. He warned me that what Lawson says and what Lawson does could be two very different things. Ted said the words aloud that I had feared.
Lawson had wanted to see me most days; he couldn’t keep his hands off me but there was no mention of him leaving his wife again. I’d already realised I loved him. I was too far gone and we both knew it. It would seem that I did have a moral compass somewhere or maybe I wanted to back him into a corner because by day five I told him I didn’t want to see him again until he’d told her. It was beyond difficult getting out the words but I knew they had to happen. I didn’t see him for a day and now he floors me by appearing here with his wife.
I don’t know what this means. Will he tell his wife or is he here to make me jealous? I should know Lawson. I should know what he’s likely to do but I can’t predict him; not anymore. The pain is unbearable watching them together but I know I deserve it. I wish I knew what they were saying.
It’s been almost seven days and during that time Chloe has delivered a healthy baby girl; Savannah. She’s gorgeous and I smile as look down at my phone at another photo sent through of her precious baby girl. I have got to call around there again tomorrow. I can’t stay away.
I put my phone back in my pocket. They’ve reached me. The journey from the restaurant to the bar seemed epically slow. I take a deep breath. I have no idea what to expect. I fear I am about to be humiliated which would be no better than I deserve. What if they are staying together and his wife is about to have it out with me?
My palms are sweating. I rub them down my trousers but it doesn’t make a difference. I made my choices and it’s brought me here. I have to see it through. I love him but I still have no idea whether he loves me.
I’m out of time. I wanted this. I wanted this but I’m a coward and I didn’t want to see it through.
The elegant woman stands before me. She’s stunning. Her blonde hair is highlighted but looks natural. She’s wearing a dress which I know is designer and she’s carrying herself with such grace it makes me want to cry. Why would look twice at me when he has someone like her? We look about the same age. She might be a year or two older; I can’t tell. We look like polar opposites and the only link tying us together is the man standing next to her.
I keep my eyes fixed on her. I can’t help it. She deserves some respect from me. I wronged her and I have to show her I know this. I hate this.
‘You’re her,’ she says to me as she assesses me.
I don’t know what to say so I nod my head. I glance at Lawson but he’s giving nothing away. Lawson’s wife closes her eyes briefly and lets out a deep breath. When she opens her eyes she looks directly at Lawson.
‘Pack your bags,’ she tells him.
Lawson watches as his wife turns away and leaves. I should feel lighter. I got off easily. I should feel lighter but I’m being pulled further into the dark. I got what I wanted; Lawson. The guilt residing in the pit of my stomach will not ease up. I have him. Lawson is finally mine so why do I feel like I have still lost?
Lawson turns to me and looks as if he is about to bolt. ‘I love you Avery Potter.’
As the words are uttered he turns and leaves. What the fuck is going to happen now?
* * *
Thank you for reading Not Mine. I hope you enjoyed the first book in the Not Mine Series. Find out where Avery and Lawson’s journey takes them next in Not Hers. Please feel free to leave a review.
‘I knew from the moment I met him I had to have Lawson Ace. He was dangerous. He was taboo but that only added to the appeal. I’m not an immoral person but my actions say otherwise. I chased after what I wanted and what I wanted was not mine. Lawson Ace is the epitome of perfection. He could make me feel things from a single look. I knew he was different. There was something missing and the void had been filled the first time I touched him. It was illicit and wrong but that wasn’t going to stop me but I have him now. He is mine... so why has my anxiety grown instead of dissipated? He’s mine but now I have to keep him.’
Books by Emma Evans
The Experience Series:
The Mexican Experience
The Devonshire Experience
The Italian Experience
The Woman Series:
The Other Woman
Another Woman
The Woman
The Other Man
The Trust Series:
Trust in Him
Broken Trust
Extract from The Other Woman...
Prologue from The Other Woman
As I ride up on the elevator to the fourth floor of the building I have been working at for the last nine and a half months I feel the familiar feeling of anxiety which has been part of my daily routine for the last week. At first I thought the cruel words and sly remarks would die down but as I step off the lift and numerous sets of eyes fix their gaze upon me I know I have not been forgiven and without doubt it has also not been forgotten.
I hear the word slut whispered not so subtly as I pass. I don’t even need to turn to see who has made the remark. It’s the common feeling most people who work here have. Just three little words changed everyone’s perspective of me and although I feel isolated and alone I can’t say how I would have reacted if it had not been me in this situation. But it is me and I have been kept up at night until the early hours of the morning for the last seven days wondering how I managed to get to this place.
Three little words have made my life a living hell but I cannot feel sorry for myself. I feel ashamed of my behaviour and I deserve the taunts I am receiving. I know this but I don’t know if I am strong enough to continue as I am. I hear the not so quiet whispers about what I have done and I might as well be wearing the letter ‘A’ around my neck as a permanent reminder of my shame. The Scarlett Letter holds too much irony and is too easy for the simple minded to make comparisons. My name doesn’t help the situation and again for the countless amount of times I have thought this during my life I really wish my parents had thought of a different name for their daughter. I’m a cliché but I am a cliché with a name to fit the situation. I hate my name more than ever right now.
Only a few more steps and I will make it to my desk. Out of habit I find my eyes turning in the direction they really have no business in turning. An angry set of eyes greet mine and my mood plunges further. He’s not there. I don’t know whether to feel happy or sad but I turn away from the hostile face which used to be so warm and friendly.
I take my seat and freeze when I hear that familiar laughter which causes my skin to tingle and my dread to go to a whole new level. He’s laughing. What could he possibly be laughing about? Hope surges through me and I find myself back on my feet. Only he has the ability to make my morning shame disappear.
I peer around to locate where the noise is coming from and find myself fixed on that perfect face which enchanted me from the very beginning. His easy smile seems so carefree, as though the last week has not occurred. How can he shake it off so easily? His smile broadens from the company he is in and I find my palms come over all clammy and my heart rate shoots up so high I’m surprised I am not struggling for breath.
My feet involuntary find themselves walking in his direction. My mind is blank and I have no idea what I am about to do or what I am about to say. I look at the man I love so much that my moral compass evaporated a long time ago. I stop in front of him and it is onl
y then he notices me. I vaguely register the gossiping has stopped. Three little words hadn’t made life a living hell; my actions did. The three little words sealed my fate. I am that cliché. I am the other woman.
About the Author
Emma Evans began her career in the media over ten years ago before giving in to her passion of writing. Her debut novel The Mexican Experience was released in 2016 followed by the Woman series and The Devonshire Experience. The Trust series was published a few months ago.
Thank you for purchasing my novel. Please feel free to leave a review.