Deceived by Thayer King Read Free Book Online

to dry it. “I want to go home.”
    “It’s late. Stay the night. I’ll take you home in the morning.”
    “I don’t—”
    “I’ll sleep in the guest room. You can stay here.”
    Finally, she nodded. “Thank you.” She was exhausted, and she needed a shower. He gathered his clothes off the floor. When he was gone, she went into the adjoining bathroom and stripped down before stepping into the shower. With numb fingers, she turned on the water. First cold then hot water pelted her as she stood frozen beneath the spray.
    She could barely wrap her mind around all that had happened in the last hour. Jerome had betrayed her. Their relationship of almost a year was over. That much was certain. “That rat bastard,” she rasped, her hands balling into fists. She wished he were here. The need for violence burned away some of the numbness. She scrubbed herself quickly and got out of the shower.
    Wrapped in a thick, fluffy towel, she went back into the bedroom. Her purse was on the floor by her bag. She pulled out her cell and called Jerome. The call went straight to voice mail, which meant it was either turned off or he was avoiding her. She didn’t bother leaving a message. She was too angry and the words tumbled over themselves in her head.
    She opened her suitcase and stared at the contents in dismay. She didn’t have anything appropriate to sleep in. She’d picked the frilliest items from the store. Finally, she fished out a T-shirt and shorts. Dressed, she slid between the sheets. She buried her face in her hands as she thought of the possible repercussions of tonight’s events.

Chapter Five
     
    Aidan watched Janelle come down the stairs with slow, precise movements. He winced, accepting the blame for her predicament. She must be pretty sore. Her pussy had been so tight, but the instant he was inside her, he’d lost his head, riding her hard, trying to get as deep inside of her as possible. Having her in his arms was better than his fantasies. And she had been so responsive to his touch. To learn that she’d thought he was Jerome the entire time was soul-crushing.
    He gave the pot of grits that he was tending one last stir before removing it from the heat. He cleared his throat. “I made breakfast. And there’s fresh coffee.”
    “I’m not hungry.”
    “It’s a long ride. You have to eat something.”
    “I’m not a breakfast eater. I’ll just have coffee.”
    He got her a cup and filled it for her. She sat at the table. He gave her sugar and cream so that she could prepare it any way she liked. Once he had his bowl of grits and his coffee, he settled in the seat opposite her. He watched as she went heavy on the sugar and the cream. He noticed that she studiously avoided his gaze. She was embarrassed. He hated that. She had nothing to be ashamed of.
    He cleared his throat. “There’s nothing I can do to make up for last night, but if you need me for anything, I’ll be there for you.”
    “Please, let’s not discuss that anymore.”
    He’d probably blown any chance he had for more with her and it made him even angrier at himself and that asshole Jerome. He ate mechanically, not tasting any of his food. When he was done, he cleaned up the kitchen. Janelle went upstairs and came back down with her suitcase and purse. He’d never removed his bag from the car. He’d been that eager to be with her.
    He accepted her silence, but after driving for an hour, he couldn’t take it anymore. “Are you hungry now?”
    “A little.”
    He pulled over and bought her lunch. Once they reached Charlotte, he had to ask her directions to her home. He carried her bag up for her. Not knowing what else he could say to comfort her, he turned to leave.
    “Aidan, wait.” He paused with his hand on the knob. “I-I’m not on anything. Last…I’m clean, but I can’t use birth control. I have a horrible reaction to it. I don’t know…”
    He finally grasped what she was trying to tell him. She might be pregnant. His