Lover's Roulette by E. L. Todd Read Free Book Online Page B

hung up on you. After we fooled around, I felt guilty because I had a girlfriend. When I was with Scarlet, I knew the moment meant nothing to her. I could tell. There’s no doubt in my mind that she loves me, but she doesn’t love me in a romantic way. It might be different if you weren’t in the picture. I knew she was so in love with you that my feelings were misplaced. Instead of going down a path that was doomed, I decided to move on with someone else. That’s when I met Monnique, who I’m madly in love with, would rip out my own heart just to make her happy, and the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. That’s the story. It’s over.”
    I nodded. For some reason, the revelation made me feel better. I always suspected it and knew Scarlet was oblivious to it. The confirmation that I had been right the entire time gave me some satisfaction. I wasn’t sure how to explain it. “You don’t feel anything for her anymore?”
    “I may have cheated on my ex, but that isn’t my style. I’ve always been a monogamous man, always honest and true. Monnique is the only woman in my heart. I think Scarlet is an amazing person, a perfect woman, but she doesn’t hold sway over me. I look at her and see a friend, a family member. When I look at Monnique, I see my whole world. When she looks at me, I see the same feeling on her face. So to answer your question, no.”
    “Okay.”
    “Can this be our secret? I don’t want Ryan to know either.”
    “I’ll take it to the grave.”
    “Thank you. So we’re cool?”
    “Yeah. Thanks for telling me the truth.”
    “Scarlet has told me a lot of things. Would you like to hear what she said about you?”
    I nodded.
    “When she first moved her e, she said she couldn’t imagine being with anyone else for the rest of her life. She didn’t want to date anyone, talk to anyone, do anything. She didn’t even go out with us because she didn’t want to meet anyone. After you came back, she told me you were the best sex she ever had, better than me, and that was because she was madly in love with you, something she would never feel for anyone else as long as she lived. It’s always been you from the first day I met her, and even after all the shit we’ve been through, all the crap you did to her, it’s still you. Her love in unconditional. I don’t know what you did to win that girl’s heart, but it’s yours forever.”
    “I know it is.”
    “So stop hating me.”
    I laughed. “Okay. I’ll stop.”
    “And if Scarlet knew the truth of my feelings, she would stop talking to me. I’m trusting you not to tell her.”
    “She wouldn’t do that.”
    “Yes, she would. She fights for our relationship because she believes we are purely platonic, which we are, but if she knew I ever had feelings for her, she would sever the relationship because it wouldn’t be fair to you, that she so close to someone who wanted her to be more than just a friend. So please don’t tell her.”
    The realization hit me. If I told Scarlet the truth, I could get rid of Cortland forever. I wouldn’t have to see him anymore and think about what he did with Scarlet. It would be a weight off my shoulders and something I wouldn’t have to stress about. No longer would I have to look at his face and think about him being with Scarlet—my fiancé.
    But I loved Scarlet. I always put her first. I knew she loved Cortland and needed him in her life. She had such a horrific past and I knew this new family healed those old scars. As much as I wanted to throw Cortland under the bus just to make myself happy, I couldn’t do that to her. I had to do what was best for her. “I won’t say anything.”
    Cortland nodded. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
    “What?”
    “I figured th e first thing you would do is tell Scarlet so you could get rid of me.”
    I smiled. “It crossed my mind.”
    “And why aren’t you?”
    “Scarlet’s happiness is always more important than mine. She goes first.”
    He