Reckless Exposure by Anne Rainey Read Free Book Online Page B

fantasies being fulfilled.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Can you tell me you’ve never fantasized about doing certain things with Lucy?”
    “Sure, but I know she would never go for it.” Trey arched a brow. “She might, especially after you prove to her that you can lock your alpha beast in the cage for a night.
    She’ll be forced to trust you in the same way you’re trusting her.” Trey had a valid point. But if he chose to take Trey up on his offer, he took the chance of losing Lucy to the other man. On top of that, it would also permanently change their relationship. There would be no going back for either of them. Did he dare risk it?
    “What do you really have to lose?” Trey asked, as if reading his mind. “She’s already said she’s leaving. Give her a reason to stay.
    Give her your complete trust.”
    Rand knew Trey was right and it sucked. “She does think you’re hot,” he blurted out.
    Trey laughed. “Glad to hear it.”
    Rand shouldn’t smile, but for some reason he was beginning to feel less threatened by Trey. He’d seen men try to get in Lucy’s pants, hundreds of times. It always set his teeth on edge. But Trey made it clear he wasn’t looking to take his place.
    “If I do this, I wouldn’t want there to be any misunderstand-ings,” Rand warned. “It would be for one night only. No coming back for more later.”
    “Of course.”
    “And you leave right after. I don’t want Lucy embarrassed.”
    “Give me some credit here. I’m not a complete ass. I would never hurt Lucy.”
    Rand stepped up to the counter and took the last few swigs of his beer before saying, “Come over tomorrow night. I’ll let Lucy know you’re there to hang out. We’ll see how things go. We let Lucy choose how the night ends.”
    Trey nodded. “What time?”
    “Be there at seven.”
    “Okay.”
    Neither of them said another word. Rand let himself out. As he headed to his own apartment, one question kept running through his mind.
    What the hell have I just agreed to?

    Reckless Exposure: Chapter 4
    Lucy had spent nearly ten minutes staring at the door after Rand left. The stricken look on his face would forever be etched into her mind. She hadn’t meant to hurt him. She loved him, more than she ever thought she could love anyone. Why couldn’t he love her back? The phone rang, pulling her from her morose thoughts. She went to the end table and picked up the cordless.
    “Hello?”
    “Hi, sweetie.”
    Her throat clogged with emotion. Her legs gave out and she dropped onto the couch. “Mom.”
    “What’s wrong? And don’t say nothing. I can hear it in your tone.”
    It was always that way with her mother. She knew when something wasn’t right. “Rand and I had a fight.”
    “You told him you wanted to move out?”
    She’d already poured out her worries to her mother. She’d surprised Lucy when she’d sworn Rand would do the right thing and marry her. “Yeah.”
    “Honey, this may be hard to hear, but I think you’re misjudging him. I don’t think he’s quite the wild daredevil you think. Are you certain he doesn’t love you?”
    Lucy hated having to say it aloud. It just seemed to hurt worse.
    “He cares about me, probably more than he’s ever cared about a woman. But I don’t think he loves me.”
    “I’m so sorry, honey. Maybe you need a break. You should come home for a few days. It might help to clear your head.”
    “I can’t right now. I can maybe get away in a few weeks, when Thanksgiving break comes up.” She sniffled. “But I need to deal with this on my own. I can’t run home every time something doesn’t go my way.”
    “I understand, but I’m here if you want to talk or cry. Okay?”
    “Thanks, Mom.” She heard the doorknob rattle. “I need to go.
    He’s back.”

    “All right then. Have patience, Lucy. It’ll all work out. You’ll see.”
    “I love you,” Lucy said.
    “I love you too.”
    They ended the call just as Rand came through the door. He