Double Betrayal (Surviving Book 3)

by Frost, Ada

  “What, are you kidding? It’s at least five miles to your place,” she said, scandalised, making me laugh.

  “I know, but I can do extra tomorrow. I think last night’s workout counts some.” I kissed the tip of her nose. I rolled out of bed feeling the happiest I had for a long time.

  I returned home, showered, and waited for Will to pick me up for our first official date, and true to his word, exactly an hour after leaving me, he knocked on my door. I willed the giddy butterflies to bugger off. It’d been a long time since I went on a date. I was happy with the set up I had of one night only. But with Will, I couldn't get enough of him. Every time his lips pressed against mine, I needed more; my body craved his touch. I knew in my heart I was setting myself up for a huge fall, but I couldn't resist him.

  “I’m stupid, aren’t I? I'm breaking my promise not to let another man into my life,” I said to my reflection in the hallway mirror. I released a nervous breath and headed for the door.

  I opened it and my lungs stopped working. Suddenly, I couldn't breathe. The black motorcycle boots, leather trousers and jacket wrapped around Will’s sexy-ass body was too much. I sucked in a breath when I started feeling lightheaded.

  “Wow. Turn around; I need to see your arse.” His deep chuckle made me blush, because I no longer wanted a day out. I wanted to unwrap my leather present.

  “Here.” He handed me a parcel. I stumbled, not expecting the weight of it.

  “What is it?”

  “You can’t ride on my bike without proper protection.”

  I frowned and started opening the parcel. Inside was really cute and sexy looking motorbike gear, complete with boots.

  “How–”

  “I called Lou. I knew you would fight me on it, so now I’ve bought it, you can’t object.”

  “I can’t afford this, Will,” I said, dismayed. This month was incredibly tight; that’s why I’d had to pick up shifts with Phil. It was embarrassing to admit I struggled financially, so I liked to treat it as doing Phil the favour.

  “I didn't ask you for money. It’s a gift.” He scowled at me.

  “But –”

  “I can afford it. And there is no way my woman is riding on a bike without the appropriate gear. Got it?”

  My woman – shit, I was in trouble.

  “Okay.”

  “Go put it on.” He placed his hands on my shoulders and turned me around.

  “We could just stay here and I could ride you instead?” I said hopefully, looking over my shoulder at the bulge in his tight trousers.

  “Disappear, Emily. I refuse to have sex with you today. This is about getting to know each other.” As I started to walk away, he slapped my arse. “Hurry.” I yelped and giggled as I ran up the stairs, berating myself for sounding like a giddy school girl.

  I opened my package and gasped. The outfit, if that’s what you called this thing, was gorgeous. Once I was dressed in the creaky leathers, I stopped at the top of the stairs and glanced down at my man. When he turned to look up at me, his mouth dropped open.

  “I totally look like a Mighty Morphin Power Rangeeeeeeer,” I sang, making him laugh. “We are going to look like a liquorice allsorts going down the motorway.”

  He laughed as he asked, “A what?”

  “Well, you’re all in black and I'm all in white; it’ll look fab flying past people.” I made a childish zooming noise.

  “You, pixie-girl, are slightly insane.”

  “Only slightly? I need to work harder. I used to be a lot insane.” His arm banded around my waist and pulled me to him. His lips descended on mine and I forgot all about leaving. I wanted to strip him of his biker gear and make good on the promise to ride him instead.

  “Outside, Emily Richards.”

  “Okay, Mr Senior.”

  I locked the house and followed him to his bike. The chrome glistened in the sun and the contrast of the black leather seat and black petrol tank was so sexy. My cheeks heated when I remembered the last time I straddled the monster machine. My breasts were pressed against the cold metal as Will –

  “I love that memory, too,” Will said, placing a helmet on my head and fastening it. “It’s one of the best in my life, that and the Mustang. But then you on a granite work surface –”

  I placed my finger over his lips. “You have to stop or I will strip you here and fuck you raw, baby. I’m not joking; a woman can only take so much.”

  He threw his head back and roared in laughter. My lips turned up in a smile, seeing the free emotion escape him.

  He jumped on the bike. “I’d say ladies first, but I want to make sure it’s safe for you.” He lifted his helmet and the leather groaned with the stretch against his huge frame. It was like the Hulk squished into hot black leather. And I didn't give a damn what he said, tonight we were definitely having sex, preferably with him still wearing his jacket and nothing else.

  “You were right, the ride here was stunning. What a place to live.”

  “I know, isn’t it perfect? Whitby is one of my all-time favourite places. I love it here. Izzy spends hours on the beach when we visit.”

  We stripped our gear off and Will put it in a compartment at the side of the bike that I didn't even realise was there.

  He threaded his fingers through mine and covered his eyes with shades. Jesus, the man kept making it harder to resist him. We walked through the crowds and I spotted more than one woman ogling Will, but he paid no attention to them.

  “Which way? We can go down toward the pier and get some fish and chips, or we can go across the bridge toward all the little shops and the Abbey. Although I’m not sure I will make the steps.”

  “I’m starving; can we eat first?”

  I laughed at his pained expression. It wasn’t even lunch time, but I guess he didn't get the size he was without food.

  We walked along chatting about miscellaneous things; his work, my work, the beauty of the town we were meandering through. It felt so natural walking along hand in hand with him, like we were two people in love. It terrified me thinking that way, feeling the way I was. I was in emotional freefall and I had no idea how to stop it. A group of young guys came walking toward us. Will immediately put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me to him, making me smile at his possessive move. I nudged my elbow into his side, gaining his attention.

  “That wasn’t necessary. I think you peed on my leg a while back to warn them off.” I smiled to show I wasn’t serious. “No one notices little old me.”

  He dipped his head and pressed a chaste kiss to my lips. “Trust me, every man—single, married, young and old—takes notice of the woman on my arm. I'm just letting them know she’s mine.”

  “Am I now?” I tried to keep my voice neutral and not show the screaming wild excitement I was feeling inside.

  “Well, I’m not sharing and I’m not letting you go, so I’d say that qualifies.”

  “And what if I disagree?” I didn't.

  “I’ll change your mind.”

  Alrighty then, glad we got that cleared up.

  We sat on the far end of the pier watching the boats and people wandering about as we ate our dinner. Will had wanted to take me to a restaurant, but when you come to the seaside, you have to sit outside with your chip shop goodies in paper and eat with your fingers, fighting the noisy seagulls. It’s the only way.

  “So, Izzy isn’t your kid?” he asked whilst stuffing a big piece of battered fish in his mouth.

  I shook my head. “She’s my twin sister’s daughter, but I’ve raised her since the day she was born. Well, Jack and I have. He has her at weekends and my sister is supposed to have her Monday to Friday. But as you know, she lives with me.”

  “Why? I mean, she calls you mom?”

  “It’s a habit I’m trying to break her out of. She started calling me Mummy-Emmy after one of the kids at school said she was weird for calling her mum by her real name. No one at school knows she lives with me, so while her friends and strangers are
around, I allow her to call me mum, but when family and real friends are around, she knows the rules. I know it sounds confusing, but for all intents and purposes I am her guardian. I do the ‘mum’ things; I just didn't give birth to her. School rings me if there is any problem. I pay for everything. I send away her nightmares. I wipe her grazes when she falls. I watch all her school plays and attend parents’ evening. I do everything for her. You saw, Rhea can’t even be arsed to turn up for her birthday party. And Izzy is terrified of her.”

  We stayed silent for a while.

  “And you and Jack? I take it all this brought you two closer together.” My stomach did an excited little flutter at the false nonchalance in his voice. I hoped it was fake. Particularly seeing as he growled Jack’s name.

  “More like tore us apart.” I screwed up my empty packaging and turned away from his intense green eyes.

  “How so? Because he looks at your sister with nothing but contempt, but you–”

  “He was my fiancé when Izzy was conceived,” I blurted to stop his probing. I was sure my dinner was about to make a reappearance. I closed my eyes, fighting the pain slashing through me. I’d spent years burying the pain of finding them together, the gleeful look in Rhea’s eyes when I opened the door and the absolute horror on Jack’s face when he realised which twin was in his bed, currently sitting on his cock. Yeah, it was hard to believe, but apart from a tiny birthmark under my ear, we are identical. Very few people knew us apart and Rhea had on more than one occasion dressed exactly like me to seduce my boyfriends. I anticipated the inquisition and pained questions, but what I received shocked me so much I nearly fell from the bench. Will wrapped his arm around me, pulled me into his side and kissed the top of my head.

  “His loss is my ultimate gain, pixie-girl.” His soft words spoken into my hair made tears well in my eyes. I fisted my hands in his shirt and snuggled my head against his chest. We stayed there in each other’s arms, completely silent, watching the sea playing on the shore and white clouds dancing through the clear blue sky.

  One downside I found of being a passenger on a motorcycle was you couldn't fall asleep. We had walked around the tiny boutique shops, eaten our weight in Justin’s chocolates, and I’d bought a shitload of trinkets for Izzy from her favourite little shop near the Abbey. But my favourite thing of all? That was a tiny little rock Will found on the beach. He polished it with his shirt and handed me it to throw into the sea. We were seeing who could skim stones and make the most bounces. I managed a whopping three before it plopped into the murky water. Will, on the other hand, was an expert – the show off. But my tiny pebble was coming home with me, my secret memento of a perfect day. I hadn’t had one in such a long time. I wanted a little reminder, just for me.

  I pressed against his back as he wound the bike through Snake Pass and up the long hill. I tightened my hold on his chest, never wanting to let go of him. I closed my eyes, realising somewhere along the line I had taken more from our times together and knew when he left he would leave behind pain and a little hole in my heart. I wanted to chastise myself for being so weak, but he was a man no woman could refuse. He was perfect, and perfect always ended in pain for me. But at least this time I was prepared.

  As we reached the brow of the hill and the road straightened out, Will slid his fingers through mine, holding me just as tightly. My heart beat wildly, thumping a soft rhythm against his back. I wish I didn't have a helmet on so I could listen to see if his heart was pulsing at a high rate, just like mine. I knew the sensible thing would be to pull back and mentally put some space between us. Physically it was impossible on the back of his bike, not unless I wanted to land my arse on the Focus tailing us. But with Will, my senses evaporated. It was like he walked in the room and my brain said, ‘Right, babe, I need to take a holiday from the boring shit you live day in day out’.

  I slid one of my hands free of his and drew it up his stomach and inched my fingers into the opening just below his clavicle. I wanted to feel his heart. As if understanding my intention, he detached his hand from mine and slid his zipper further down, giving me better access. He was warm and so incredibly hard it made my skin tingle with heat. When my tiny hand rested over his chest, I closed my eyes. A smile played across my lips. His heart was beating frantically. He was as affected by me as I was him. I pressed so close to him, we were almost one entity. I wanted to wrap my legs around him and never let go. He claimed I was his; well, he was mine. It had been six years since I last allowed a man to affect me and take anything I wasn’t willing to give. But this thief in biker leathers had snuck through the blockade undetected and stolen my heart. I was royally fucked!

  When the rumbling of the bike stopped, I missed the sexy sound immediately. If there was one sound in the world I loved, it would be the sound of his Harley. In truth, listening to the roar of such a machine wasn’t simply enough. It was an experience of the senses; you felt it in your bones. I didn't know anything about makes or models; I just appreciated the beauty and sound they made.

  Will waited for me to climb from the back of him before he dismounted. He moved my hands away from the helmet straps and unfastened them before slowly pulling the helmet off. My hair must look fabulous, darling, being blown about on the pier and tangled into the helmet. He ran his fingers through the tangled mess, as if fingering strands of silk.

  “I love your hair, Em; it’s like pure gold.”

  I smiled and stood on tiptoes to kiss his chin; I couldn't reach his lips without him bending to meet me.

  “I’ve enjoyed today so much.” I looked up at his face and he stared down at me. I couldn't gauge his reaction at all. His fingers ran over my cheek and lips, as if memorising the touch. He remained silent as his green eyes darted from my lips to my eyes to my hair. He was mentally categorising me, and a sick fear pooled in my stomach. Will felt my change. He knew I was falling and he was going to say goodbye; I just knew it. He was doing what I did best – running.

  “I’ve never had so much fun as I have today. Being with you…” he paused as if he knew there was a line being crossed. He looked up at the sky, as if gaining strength from a higher being. I could only stare at his profile. I, too, was memorising his handsome face; the dark golden stubble on his chin, the thickness of his bronzed neck. The perfect pouty bottom lip I wanted to bite and suck. His shining emerald eyes and perfect smile. He was my giant dream come true.

  Two jewelled eyes bore down on me. “How do you make me feel this way, Pix? You’re under my skin and I can’t get you out.”

  I opened my mouth to reply, but he smothered my lips with his. Taking what was his, devouring me. I tangled my tongue with his and moaned when his hands slid into my hair and pulled gently. The bite of pain and deliciousness of his tongue was overwhelming. I slid my aching core against his thick thigh and rocked against him. I could feel his ever-growing attraction against my hip. His hands ran down my body until his mighty palms cupped my bottom and pulled me to him.

  “Em, you little vixen, I said no sex tonight.”

  I giggled, burying my face against his neck; I had to taste his sinful skin. Darting my tongue out to taste the hollow at the base of his neck, I ran it up to his chin before nipping. “This isn’t sex.”

  “Everything with you is sex, Emily; do you know how my body craves you? I’ve never had an addiction before. You’ve possessed me, you little pixie, with your magical–”

  “Vagina?”

  He chuckled, the sound a deep call to my needy sex.

  He smacked my butt and pushed me away slightly. “No sex, not tonight. I want to see if we have more than just sexual chemistry.”

  “Life is all about chemistry.”

  “But I want more. I’m not the casual sex type,” he said decisively. I stumbled back, aghast at his blunt admission. Since when did men lay it all out like that? Or was my lust riddled mind taking his words the wrong?

  “Don’t mistake me, Em; I’ll make my intentions clear. This thing was a one-night stand
. It wasn’t supposed to go anywhere, but I can’t let you go. I intend to keep you. I’m giving you space to accept how we will proceed. But be sure of one thing: no man will ever touch what is mine again. And you are mine. I will allow you space and time, but run and I will chase you, and mark my words, I will catch you.”

  Okay then!

  I had literally lost the ability to speak, so I answered the only way I could. I smashed my mouth against his, climbing his trunk of a body, trying to convey I wanted exactly what he was demanding. It was his and his alone. He walked toward my house, taking large purposeful strides. My stomach somersaulted in eager anticipation of the delights ahead. But when he placed me on the porch and stepped back, I stared at him, dumbfounded.

  “No sex,” he growled. My eyes roamed down to the awkward and quite frankly painful looking bulge. My poor baby needed to be unleashed.

  “Get in the house, Emily, before I fuck you against the door.”

  I grinned wickedly. “Maybe that isn’t such a bad thing.”

  He stepped toward me, caging me against the door. His body radiated a fierce energy. “Little girl, do not tempt me. Open the door, go inside, and lock it. I’m not fucking around.”

  I glanced up into his molten eyes. They had turned so dark they were almost black. I wanted to taunt him, make him crazy enough to forget this ridiculous idea of no sex. But then his quietly spoken plea made me obey.

  “Please, Pix.”

  I nodded my acquiescence and slowly turned to unlock the door. I silently slid inside, and with one final glance at him, I closed the door. I had no clue why he had suddenly halted our physical desires, because I was in no doubt as to his attraction to me.

  “You look like shit.”

  “Thanks. Lovely to see you too, brother,” I growled. My little buddy toddled toward me with his ever-present blanket and pacifier. He didn't have any clothes on, just a diaper. “Hey little guy.” I knelt down as his sleepy little legs stumbled. I caught him and cradled him against my chest.