Ricochet (Addicted #1.5)

by Krista Ritchie

  He grins. “When it comes to you, I am.” He kisses the outside of my lips. I love and hate when he does that. “Just so you know,” he whispers, “I’d love nothing more than to fill you again. I’d do it a million times a day if I could.”

  “I know,” I murmur.

  He brushes my sweaty hair off my face.

  And I inhale a deep breath. “I’m just glad you’re home.” I have Lo back. That’s all that should matter right now. Not a round two or a three, but just him present, on the road to being healthy, and in love with me. That’s all I should need.

  I can’t wait to reach that place. I just hope it’s attainable.

  He relaxes next to me, and I rest my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat while he runs his hand through my hair. This is nice.

  I almost drift to sleep, but the chime of a cellphone snaps my eyes open. “Whose is it?”

  He reaches over onto my nightstand. “Mine.” He flips the cell in his palm, and I crane my neck over his shoulder and see a text box.

  I know your girlfriend’s secret. – Unknown

  I shoot up, fear snapping me cold. Did I read that wrong? I snatch the phone out of his hand, and he grabs it back.

  “Lil, calm down,” he says, trying to shield the screen from me as he types a reply.

  “Who is that?” I’ve been so careful. I’ve never told anyone I had a sex addiction other than Lo, and now Rose, Connor, and Ryke. Did they let my secret slip to someone else?

  I bite my fingernail, and Lo clasps my hand while texting with the other. His eyes flicker to me, narrowing in disapproval.

  When the ping sounds again, I basically climb on top of Lo so he can’t hide the message. I read quickly.

  Who the fuck are you? – Lo

  Someone you hate. – Unknown. Okay, that does not narrow anything down. Lo’s enemies from prep school and college are numerous and vast. It happened when he retaliated against all the people who thought they could bully him into submission.

  Lo tries to push me off, but I have my arm wrapped around his neck, close to choking him, so he lets me be. We’re still naked, but I’m too frantic to be aroused.

  Fuck off – Lo

  “That’s your response?” I say, wide-eyed. “You’re egging the person on.”

  “If you don’t like it, then you shouldn’t be reading my personal texts or spidering me like a koala bear.”

  True.

  And lose out on all the money the tabloids will pay me when I tell them Lily Calloway is a sex addict? …Never – Unknown

  I blink. Reread the text. And gawk. No.

  “Lil,” Lo says, shutting off his phone. “It’s okay. That’s not going to happen. Look at me.” He holds my face in his hands, forcing my eyes to his. “That’s not going to happen. I won’t let it. I’ll hire someone to go find this asshole. I’ll pay him off more than he’ll get from the tabloids.”

  He’s forgetting something. “You’re broke,” I say. His father took away his trust fund because he dropped out of college. Lo hasn’t spoken to him since he left for rehab. He’s alone and poor and all my money is tied up with my family. And they don’t know about my addiction either. I’d rather not tell them. Ever.

  His features darken, remembering. “I’ll think of something else then.”

  The shame that my family will feel if they find out—the hurt and disappointment—I can’t bear to even think about it. A female sex addict? A slut. A male sex addict? A hero. How much will I tarnish my father’s company with the news? Sure, not a lot of people outside of our social circle know my name or who I am, but could this make tabloid news? Why wouldn’t it? Lily Calloway: daughter of the founder of Fizzle, a sex addict and a whore.

  It’s juicy enough to satiate gossip columnists everywhere.

  “Lo,” I say as tears threaten to fall. “I’m scared.”

  He hugs me, drawing me close. “Everything is going to be okay. I’m not going anywhere.”

  I hold onto his words and repeat them over and over, hoping that will truly be enough.

  ...To Be Continued

  ADDICTED FOR NOW

  COMING NOVEMBER 2013

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  The overwhelming support for Addicted to You propelled this book into its final creation. What was first supposed to be a short novella turned into so much more because of your enthusiasm for our work. So first, we’re thanking all of you: readers and friends. For taking this wild, emotional journey with Lily and Lo.

  We also have to thank all the bloggers who helped us promote Addicted to You. I’m not sure the response would have been even half of what it was without you all. Krista and I would love to name you personally, but honestly, there are just so many. As book bloggers, we knew the community was supportive, but the amount was just above and beyond what we expected. Thank you so, so very much.

  A big thanks goes to our family for reading the series, most importantly to our mom, our aunts and cousins. Without your constant praise, we might not have mustered the guts to share this sensitive work with the world.

  And for anyone who suffers from an addiction or has experience secondhand that has thanked us, we thank you for reading. Someone recently said how people call it tragic when celebrities die from addiction, but they mock those that are currently suffering. We hope that this speaks to some people. We know it’s not for everyone, but we do appreciate even reading this far.