Into the Flames (Out of the Ashes #2) by S. M. Lynn Read Free Book Online Page A

when I first started my internship with Ark Holdings, Carmichael’s corporate office, at the beginning of the year. 
    “No, Tracy.  It’s fine. I understand.  I’ll take it.  Please hold all my other calls and visitors until I let you know otherwise.”  Taking a deep breath to prepare myself, I picked up the phone.  “Lauren Carmichael.”  I said in my best go fuck yourself voice. 
    “Lauren, baby, I know you know it’s me.  That bitch out front surely would have told you.  I’ve been trying to reach you all morning.”  My eye roll is audible. 
    “First off, I don’t want you speaking that way about my assistant.  Secondly, Dean, I told you after what happened last night, I can’t continue to see you.  I left the ring so there’s really nothing left to discuss.  I don’t know what else you want me to say.  You hurt me; I mean physically hurt me and your words…  I just can’t even think about what you did and said right now.  It’s all too ridiculous to think you could behave that way toward me, the woman you supposedly love.  I don’t understand what’s going on with you.  You never used to be like this.” 
    After a long pause, Dean finally speaks, “Baby, please I know I hurt you and I’m so sorry.  I didn’t mean it.  I just get so crazy when I see you with other guys or see other guys with their hands on you.  I’m sorry.  I lost control.  Truly it wasn’t even you I was angry with.  It was that bastard you were with at the coffee shop.  Placing his hand on your arm all the time, smiling at you.  Just thinking about it makes me want to rip his head off.  Please, baby, forgive me.”
    “Dean, you have to realize how ridiculous all this is.  We were having lunch, discussing work.  Nothing more. I’m going to have to meet with my colleagues and discuss business.  It’s going to happen and there is nothing I can do to prevent it.  Why can’t you understand this?  And if you had done or do anything to Brad, well I can’t think about that either.  I feel like I don’t even know who you are anymore.”
    “Baby, just have lunch with me today so we can talk.  I’ll get some take out and bring it by your office.  I just need some time with you.  You’ve been working so much since we got back from our weekend.  I just need you.  Baby, god, how I need you.  Please.”  I knew if he was standing in front of me now I would see his features distorted with sorrow, his eyes pleading with me to forgive him and give him a chance.  Dean had been so wonderful, always the perfect boyfriend; he was patient and always made sure I had what I needed, up until our engagement that is.  We were approaching our three year anniversary and he proposed just a few weeks ago after my graduation.  Our first few days engaged to one another were confusing to say the least but then there was last night. 
    Last night was a whole different ball game.  If I was confused about the first time we were intimate, last night had my head spinning so badly I was afraid it would come off my shoulders.  He was in such a rage.  Yelling at me about knowing what I had done with Brad, grabbing my arm, practically throwing me to the floor all the while telling me what a whore I was to let another man touch me and fuck me.  How could Dean not understand?  He was my first, my only; I never wanted to be with anyone else like that and I loved only him.  I was so blindsided.  We had never had problems like this before.   But something about Dean had been off since our return from my graduation weekend.  With everything going on at the company, I just hadn’t paid much attention to it.  Maybe it was just his way of crying out for me, for help; his need for me.
    “Dean, I get that I’ve been busy.  I’m sorry.  I just don’t really know what there is to talk about.  I love you but you can’t act like that.  You can’t treat me like that.”
    “Lauren, please, baby, I need to see