Page 169 of The Grand Duel

“Lis…Baby…” My orgasm roars through me, body jerking under hers as she moans above me, shamelessly, sexily rubbing herself over me until she’s coming right along with me.

My cock is still hard when she hastily slips off me. I frown, my heart pounding in my ears, in my chest, as it works up and down to pull the air back into my lungs. “Fuck.”

I feel the bed dip and reach for the blindfold, lifting it, and catch the back of her as she heads for the staff door. “Lissie,” I say in a rush, jumping from the bed, knowing it will lock the second it closes.

My stomach twists when she pulls it shut behind her.

THIRTY-ONE

Lissie

Istep off the curb when I see the Land Rover through the traffic, knowing it’s easier for Scott if I go to him. As I pull open the door, I steal a rush of air into my lungs, quickly plastering a semblance of a smile onto my face.

My eyes lock with Charles’s, and my façade fractures.

They hold, for how long I don’t know, and then I drop them, fighting to keep the smile there. “Good morning,” I say to them both, my heart pounding.

“Good morning, Lissie,” Scott says back.

Charles stays mute at my side, his finger tapping his knee.

The last thing I want to do right now is talk—it’s why I haven’t replied to his text messages—so I welcome his silence.

No matter how awkward it feels to sit beside him now when things are so up in the air between us, I have to put it aside.

I grew up pretending the world around me was fine while it felt like I was falling apart inside. Pretending that we were as happy as we looked—it’s what I’m good at, so I’m not going to let my emotions or a man get the better of me now.

I close my eyes briefly and let out a lungful of air, willing my mind to leave last night—and the fact my sister is currently spending time with the two people I vowed never to let into my life again—well alone.

When I open them again, I catch Scott eyeing his boss in the rearview mirror, his gaze flicking between the road and the back seat as if a bomb has just climbed into the car and is about to go off.

I’d love to toe the professional line with the man at my side with dignity, but after last night, it seems we both suck at it.

“Much planned for the weekend, Scott?” I ask, trying to defuse his worry.

He continues to look between Charles and the road. “Camping. We’re heading down south for the weekend.”

“Of course, with your children.”

He nods, smiling at me.

“Have you been?—”

“Drop us off at Macca’s, please, Scott,” Charles says, interrupting.

I turn my head towards him.

“Now?” Scott asks, perplexed.

Charles looks across at me, lips thinned and face like stone. “Now.”

I frown at him. “Don’t do that,” I tell Scott as I give Charles a look and shake my head. “What are you doing?” I whisper.

“We need to talk. I’m not leaving this for another day.”

“Right now?”

His gaze drops to my mouth. “Yes.”