Scarlet Unleashed
Page 20
“What is it?” Q questions as he looks up from his cellular.
“I-I thought I heard something, but I guess it was my imagination,” I reply before I press into Q’s side. I look over my shoulder before I search the room again. Nothing. Later, I toss and turn while Q snores next to me.
The next morning, we fumble our way through awkward morning sex. My lady bits are totally amazed, however. No matter how much I try to forget David’s voice—the more I replay his words—the more I question if I should return to my meds.
Q lures me into taking a shower with him, and with every single stroke from his growth, I’m compelled to forget David. I cling to Q for dear life as he makes up for our awkward morning sex.
Once we’ve finished, dressed, and gathered our belongings, we hold hands while we exit the hotel room. I’m stunned when I collide into the last person I ever expected to see.
“Scarlet.” Olive is much too chipper.
“Hi, Olive. How are you?” I’m polite, but I need coffee and hope that this conversation will be quick.
She shares that she acquired a new job as a pharmaceutical rep and has even started dating again. I’m amiable and make sure to congratulate her on her stupendous news. The moment Olive questions if I’ve kept in contact with Dr. Blantz, a small-framed golden-haired woman steps out from Olive’s room.
“Are you ready, babe?” her voice is too nasal and almost repulsive.
“Babe,” Olive says as she gestures toward me and Q.
The small, nasal, pixie turns to face us, and for a moment, I’m petrified when flames flash within her ebony-colored pupils.
“What-up, bitches?” she snaps when she notices Q and I gape at her.
I glance at Q and notice his wide-eyed stare. He gives me a gentle elbow nudge, and with hesitation we straighten up. Then, the strange female greets us with a snide, “I’m Ivy.” Her name induces a tidal wave of memories to plow through my mind. It has to be a coincidence.
My lack of actually ever seeing Ivy, the woman that destroyed David, reminds me that this person could just be any Ivy. Nope, this is a total coincidence. But those flame eyes foster my inner-skeptic. Q notices my deep reflection and opts on introducing himself.
Olive, Ivy, and Q carry on a mildly awkward conversation before we finally say our farewells. As Olive and Ivy walk away, Ivy lures my attention to her gaze. A horrific knot in my throat forms as my mouth grows dry when Ivy’s eyes become nothing but flames and she puckers up to send me a kiss. My mind halts when I feel it—as if someone had kissed my lips.
“What did you say, babe?” Olive questions Ivy as they turn the corner.
“Oh, nothing, baby!” Ivy responds as she gives me a wink before they walk out of my sight.
“Everything all right, babe? You look like you’ve seriously had a stroke.” Q stands in my line of vision. The corners of his eyes wrinkle as he searches my face for life.
“That was odd,” Q says to no one in particular as we stroll toward the checkout desk. I’m silent while Q and Ian, the hotel clerk, rattle on about something I don’t bother to pay attention to.
First David, and now Kate is in Ivy? I need my meds.
Q and I walk hand-in-hand until we detach as we approach my Tacoma.
“Yes, you can drive,” I say before Q can even ask.
Once I’m inside my Tacoma, he lets out a small chuckle and shuts the door.
David’s voice and Kate’s new vessel leave me mute and stunned. I’m not that talkative while we make our trip home. Q interrupts my frazzled thoughts by questioning how I knew Olive and Ivy. I share that Olive worked with Dr. Blantz, and that Ivy’s name struck a bell, but I don’t actually know her.
“Hmm. So, do you want to plan our move?” Q questions as we walk into Violet’s home.
“Move?” Violet squeals from the kitchen. “Where do you plan to take my sister?” she snaps in dismay as panicked wrinkles form on her forehead.
Roman places his hand on Violet’s shoulder, then soothes her, “Violet, Scarlet is a grown woman and Q is an adult, too—sometimes. Right, Q?” he jokes as he wiggles his eyebrows. Q rolls his eyes in annoyance, so I give his back a soft rub.
Violet lets out an exaggerated sigh as she throws her arms in the air. We follow her around the kitchen island and are astonished by the Italian feast she’s prepared. Fettuccini Alfredo with grilled chicken, house salad, and what smells like tiramisu.
Roman retrieves two bottles of house red to pair with our dinner. After we’ve had our fill of food, and two more bottles of house red, Violet and I steal a moment to ourselves while Roman and Q talk Naples High sports.
“So, you’re seriously moving?” Her sorrowful eyes beam at me like round circles of sadness. “You’ll just…leave me—for another guy?” she whines. She’s not drunk, but the wine has her tipsy.
“Maybe,” I respond with hopes to end this conversation.
She lets out a deep sigh as she idles toward the dirty dishes. Once the washer is loaded, she turns to me and offers, “Maybe we should all move? We might as well. We could finally sell BDR!” She beams with excitement.
I feel my face wrinkle with concern. “But what about your book store?” I question.
“Someone out-bid me,” Violet states in a reluctant tone. She lets out another sigh of frustration, then whispers, “A move from Naples would be wonderful.”
She hiccups/burps in my face and then laughs hysterically at her rudeness. Violet calls for Roman, and for a moment I’m left alone in Violet’s kitchen.
Where would we even move to?
“What’s up, gorgeous,” Q says as he enlaces his arms around my waist. Gorgeous? David, if this is you please, just move on.
“Never,” David whispers into my ear.
Oh, Lord, help me. I’m losing my damn mind.
“Scarlet? Are you all right?” Q probes as he nudges for me to face him.
“Yeah. Yeah. All is well,” I lie as I force a smile.
He wraps his arms around my waist as he rattles on about our pending move. My heart is in for the move, but my mind is absent as a result of being consumed by the thought of David being in the room. How will I move on if he’s still with me?
Note to reader:
Thank you for purchasing, Scarlet Unleashed. If you enjoyed it, please share and recommend Scarlet Rodrick Novels to others by providing an Amazon review and posting to my FB Like page. Also, keep an eye out for future Scarlet Rodrick Novels, and so much more.
Warmest regards,
Krihstin Zink
Acknowledgements
Thank you to my family and friends who encourage me to continue as a writer. A special thank you to Wendi and Justin Temporado from Ready, Set, Edit. My books sparkle and shine because of you two. Also, a special shout out to Indies InDesign for my kickass formatting.
Alisha Cole you’re a phenomenal author friend. Annie Boylan, you just amaze me. And, last but never least, thank you to my Facebook group of fav readers, as well as my fan group—all of your support means more than you’ll ever know. I hope nothing more but health, happiness, and abundance to all of you.
Xoxo.
KZ
About the Author
Krihstin is a wife and mama. When she's not with her loving family, she's writing or promoting her work. You can follow and get to know her on Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. This bio is purposely short because KZ is not a narcissist.
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