Deceitfully (Sinfully Series) (22 page)

“You asked her?”

“Yep. Sure did.” He hopped up on the island and had a seat. I tried to remain calm, but something was off. “I had to. She kept going on and on about how you had it all and how she was wasting her time since I was never going to put a ring on her finger. So, I asked and she said yes. The only problem is that she’s not going to put out until the wedding, which is complete bullshit.” His words were slightly slurred and with each word, he became more enraged.

“Make it a short engagement then.” I laughed, hoping it would lighten his mood.

“Oh, I tried. She’s still stuck on your fucking boyfriend though, I think. Said she wants to make a big announcement and have an engagement party and that we had to invite both of you. I get inviting you, but him? She still talks about him, compares me to him. It’s bullshit.”

This was news to me. I knew she had a thing for him and had manipulated him, but damn. I thought she just wanted what I had and to make me miserable.

“I’m sorry, Dylan. Truly, I am. Why don’t I call you a cab and you can go talk to her? Maybe negotiate some pre-wedding terms in the bedroom.” I reached for my phone on the counter, and he grabbed my wrist, yanking me toward him.

“What the fuck, Dylan?” I snatched my arm back and rubbed my red wrist.

“Nu-uh. If I can’t have her, I’m going for the next best thing.” He jumped down and pushed me against the sink, pinning me there with his hips. His breath slithered down my neck, and he rubbed his arousal against me. Tears ran down my face as I remembered all those years ago when I was forced to be with a repulsive man.

“Fuck. You,” I spit in his face. Rage boiled up under my skin and survival skills kicked in. I wasn’t weak anymore.

“Since you asked so nicely, don’t mind if I do.” Dylan reached down for his pant buttons and I head-butted him as hard as I could, smiling when I heard the crack from his now broken nose. “Dumb bitch!”

My forehead throbbed from the impact, causing me to blink a few times as pain radiated over my head. I’d deal with the pain later; I still needed to get away.

“I’m not second best, and you’re a worthless piece of shit!” I screamed. A knee to the balls effectively brought him to his knees, and I ran out the door, looking for somewhere safe call the police. I rambled off my address and what had happened, but I couldn’t tell you what was said on the other end of the line. I was shaking as I dialed Tate’s number next.

“Baby?” I asked through sobs.

“What’s the matter?! Are you okay?” Tate asked in a panic. I sat on a curb; my arms wrapped around my knees and laid my head down. I needed him more than ever.

“Please come get me?” I sobbed again, feeling the tears hit my arms. I meant to say more, but I couldn’t get the words to come out. I couldn’t move. I was scared to look around me. I heard voices near me, but they weren’t going to help. They’d ask questions that weren’t any of their business.

“I’m on my way, sweetheart. Are you safe where are you at?” I could hear him grabbing his keys and a door slamming. Lifting my head up just a little, I could see the two police cars in the distance and my neighbor who was walking toward me.

“Yeah. I’m safe now. I need you.” All I could think about was him being there to protect me and hold me. The sirens grew louder and I think he could hear them through the phone.

“Shit. Five minutes. I’m already in the car. Stay on the phone with me, baby. Talk to me.” His voice was rushed but calm.

“I was strong. He didn’t win,” I mumbled out without thinking.

“He? Who, baby?”

“It doesn’t matter now. I just need you.”

“I’m proud of you. You’re my fighter. Forever and always.”

The policeman was walking up to me and I felt rude being on the phone. “I’ll be outside, Tate. Please come find me. I have to go talk to them.” I put the phone on the ground, not at all ready to relive what had just happened in my home.

The police officer was sympathetic but thorough, making me give every detail I could remember and giving me his coat when he noticed I couldn’t stop shivering. If he only knew it was from the memories and not the temperature.

It wasn’t long before Tate got there and the police left with Dylan in the back of a squad car. His blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit, and they said they had to book him.

I couldn’t go back inside my place. Not right then, at least. Tate understood and drove me over to his home and got us settled into a hot bath. He was so gentle and understanding about it all even though I’d barely muttered a full sentence to him. He knew exactly what I needed and words weren’t necessary.

“I’m so ready to get out of this town. I never want to be a victim again. I never want to feel powerless.” I had relaxed into his body, my head resting on his chest as he gently rubbed his arms over my body. He hadn’t meant for it to be sexual, but all I could think about was him making me forget about what almost happened.

“I wish I could have been there. I’m so thankful he didn’t get any further than he did, but the fact that you were in that position to begin with, that he disrespected you that way? It’s unfathomable how any man could do that to a woman.”

“He’s marrying her. What a fucked-up marriage that will be. I pray they never procreate because having them as parents are a sure way to ensure therapy will be needed for their child.” I felt his stomach vibrate in laughter, and it was nice to know he was always on my side.

“Well said.”

I moved my ass slightly from side to side, hoping he’d take my hint. Even with how the day had gone, I wasn’t going to let Dylan ruin another minute of it. Tate’s groan and roaming hands told me exactly what I needed to know.

I reached for his hand and positioned it between my thighs. His fingers began moving between my folds and began circling my clit.

“Is my girl greedy?” His tongue came up and flicked against my ear. His breathing had changed into a deeper, more desperate rhythm and his cock was growing behind me, poking my ass pleasantly.

“Always.” I spread my legs to allow him easier access. After a moment of playing with my clit, he pushed two fingers inside me, and I gasped at the fullness. His fingers were exquisite, but I needed him inside me more than I needed air to breathe.

Positioning my feet firmly on the tub, I lifted up and waited as he slowly directed himself into me. Our moans filled the air as he slowly made love to me, guiding me up and down with one hand on my hip and the other rubbing my clit. I ground into him each time he filled me and it hit my G-spot perfectly.

“So good, baby. I’ll never get used to the feel of you surrounding me.” He kissed my neck and shoulder, showing his love for me. Before long, I felt his hard cock grow even harder, and I couldn’t hold back from the impending orgasm. He felt too good.

“Right there. Fuck, Tate,” I moaned as I came. His rhythm became more erratic as he pummeled himself into me, coming deep inside me.

We laid like that for what felt like hours, our breathing slowing down and matching each other’s. He brought me to his bed and whispered how he’d always be there for me and how San Diego would be our future together. I fell asleep with his warm arms around me and hoped that over the next few weeks, everything would fall into place.

I WOKE UP TO THE doorbell ringing, followed a few seconds later by Sophia’s screeching voice yelling at me. “You bitch! How could you?!” I moaned as her steps grew closer and her screaming continued. Waking up to my sister’s wretched voice was something that would soon be in the past.

Stretching, I opened my eyes when I felt Tate missing from the bed. And my clothes. I quickly covered up just as she threw open the door, hitting the wall with a loud bang. It was too early to deal with her, but Tate was right behind her telling her to get out of his home. He was livid but stayed silent.

I could have fun with this.

“Tate, baby, would you mind grabbing me one of your shirts? I think we left our clothes next to the bathtub last night,” I said in the sweetest voice the morning would allow.

That earned me a grunt and foot stomp from Sophia. I smiled at the small win. Tate tossed me a t-shirt, and I slipped it over my head.

“You’ve ruined him! If this stays on his record, he’ll be disbarred! Plus, when word gets around to my students’ parents that their teacher is engaged to a criminal, how will that look? Don’t you ever think about others?” Sophia spit out in such a condescending tone that the look on Tate’s face was of pure shock. He hadn’t seen this side of her yet.

Sadly, I was immune to it. She’d done this for years, and it didn’t hurt me anymore. She was in such an alternate reality that she really believed she was innocent in all her schemes. I was damn sure the only reason she became an elementary school teacher was to give the impression that she could be the sweet, bring-home-to-mom, good-natured woman that high society would love. If people could only see her behind closed doors.

“Think about others? Really, sis? He tried to rape me! All because you stopped putting out, by the way. Your fiancé tried to assault me, and you’re upset with me? Oh, I’m so sorry I look like you and since he couldn’t be with you, he thought he’d try with me. I’m so sorry I put that thought into his head. It
must
have been all my fault. You dumb bitch. Get the fuck out of here! I’d like to spend the rest of the morning with someone who really does love me.” I stood and walked toward the door, waving her out. My ass was probably showing, but at this point, I was standing my ground without a care about her.

I looked over at Tate, and he gave me a questioning look, asking if he needed to step in. I gave him a wink, and he knew I needed to settle this between siblings.

“Oh, he did not. Maybe Dylan had a few beers, but you must have seduced him. I mean look at you?” She eyed my outfit up and down.

“You’re at my boyfriend’s house and you woke me up! Yes, I’m going to fuck him, and yes, I’m going to look like this after waking up next to him. We love each other. What Tate and I have? It’s normal!”

“Slut,” she said as she looked at her manicured nails.

“Really?” I asked her incredulously.

“I should have given better hints. None of these issues would have been a problem then,” Sophia said with a snicker.

“Hint to what?” Tate chimed in, anger laced in his tone.

“Victor. He had mentioned it one night that he hated the cool kids in high school. Except me, of course. We had an agreement.”

“What? I assumed you fucked him, but what did you get out of it? Drugs? Money?” Tate crossed his arms over his chest, highlighted how strong and in charge he was.

“His daddy is the principal of my school. He said he’d make sure my job would always be safe in exchange for a few nights here and there. One night, he mentioned how he was planning some sort of revenge. We chatted about who would be on his
list
. I should have added both of you,” she said without a twinge of guilt. As she spoke the words, bile rose up in my throat but I was frozen.

She knew about the attack? I had thought it was a random act of rage, but now I see it was calculated. She could have prevented it all.

“Cylas?” Tate whispered, his head bowed low.

“Yep,” she replied with a pep in her voice. She sounded proud.

Tate walked out of the room, leaving me alone with Sophia. I’d never ever hated someone so much in my life. I wanted to scream at her, attack her with my nails, and make her bleed. She took away people’s loved ones without mercy. She didn’t deserve to live.

I walked out without saying a word, leaving her alone in his bedroom. The need to be with Tate was stronger than speaking another word to my sister. I was done with her.

I slowly walked into his living room but noticed the patio door was open and he was leaning his arms against the railing. The amount of hurt and anger radiating from him could be felt before I even stepped foot outside. I wanted to take it all away from him. He didn’t deserve this.

“I called the detective who we spoke to after the reunion. He’s on his way over. I know she’s your sister, but she deserves to be behind bars for what she just admitted to. The saddest thing though is how she showed no remorse. I can’t fathom having a soul so dark,” he said quietly and all of his fire, all of his confidence, had been drawn out of him. He sounded like the shell of the man I loved.

“I agree with you. She’s always had that dark side to her, but she used to hide it better. I’ve slowly seen it take over though, and while she can play nice and act like the perfect elementary school teacher, she has no respect for anyone. I can’t help but feel guilty that I didn’t know and didn’t do more to help her. When we were younger, she wasn’t this bad. Or maybe I just didn’t want to believe it.” I didn’t know what I was saying anymore. I did hold a certain level of guilt, though. She was my family, and I had no idea that she was capable of such pure evil.

“This was never on you. Sure, she’s your sister, but she isn’t your responsibility. She makes her own choices, and it’s clear she doesn’t have a moral bone in her body.” A few minutes later, we heard a knock at the door and Tate let the detective in. I hadn’t even given a thought to keeping an eye on Sophia’s whereabouts.