Shattered by Love by Dani René Read Free Book Online Page B

my nose, I shut my eyes. The lie turns my stomach. This isn’t any job, this one will change my life and I’m not sure if it will be for better or worse. My voice is thick with emotion and he will hear it in my voice.
    “Look, Jayce, that woman is ingrained in your fucking soul, there’s no way around not letting it fuck with your head. Both of you are going to get hit with emotions long buried. If you love her, then you need to tell her why you left. The truth needs to fucking come out, or you’re both going to live with this shit your whole life.” My gaze lifts to my bedroom window as Luke’s words sink in. I know he’s right, and it annoys me.
    “I’m supposed to tell her I left because her father threatened me?” I question incredulously. How can I tell her that because of her father’s conniving ways I walked out on her? I let her go.
    “Yes, you should. Honesty, is your best option. Jayce, she loved you once, she probably still does.”
    “And if she doesn’t?” The tightening in my chest as the words leave my mouth suffocates me. Not knowing if she loves me is killing me. He’s right; I have to talk to her.
    “Jay, you knew her better than anyone, better than her own father did. Do you really think she didn’t love you?” The ache that the thought brings on renders me speechless. Memories of her smile, those sparkling blue eyes, her sweet giggle all surround me, squeezing my heart till I am gasping for breath. “Jayce.” Lucien’s voice snaps me out of the tunnel of memories assaulting me like a wave knocking a surfer from his board. It’s gripping me and pulling me deeper under the swell.
    “I know. No. I mean, I know she loved me. But that’s just the problem. It was years ago. I am older, so is she and five years is a long time. I left her. I threw her out of my apartment.”
    “Yes, it’s been too long. Grow a pair and talk to her. Make things right, if you don’t, you’ll never be able to move on.” I swing my legs off the bed and push off it. Stalking to the window, I take in the ink sky.
    “What if I don’t want to move on?” My voice is rough. His sigh is evidence enough that he’s frustrated. He is trying to help and I am being a dick.
    “Then don’t. I can’t force you to, but you have to realize, you’ll end up alone for the rest of your life.” The line is quiet for a long time and I think my best friend has hung up on my sorry ass, but then he continues. “Jayce, I want you to find what I have with Cass, and I know it will never be Kenna. And you know how I know that?” He doesn’t wait for my answer to continue. “Because you’re still in love with Ivy. You always will be.”
    “Yeah. I have to go.” Before he can give me more shit, I hang up and head to the studio. Uncovering the canvas I worked on the previous day, I tug off my tee and pick up my palette. It’s messy with colors smudged together, the acrid scent of turpentine is rife and I take a deep breath. The smell never fails to calm me. Memories haunt me as I gaze at the faded blue on the canvas in front of me.
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    “ I vy , sit still, baby.” It’s the fifth time I needed to tell her that. She’s adorable because I know how difficult it is for her to be still. Her glare is cute, and her groan doesn’t go unnoticed. We’re in the studio with the blinds drawn. The dim light of dusk shines through the slats and onto her beautifully languid body.
    She’s dressed in a pair of white panties and nothing else. Her incredible breasts heave as she huffs her frustration. Taut, pink nipples tease me as I appraise them from my stool at the easel.
    “Flash, my back hurts.” The soft whisper of her voice sends a shiver down my spine. I love when she whimpers. She’s draped over an onyx chaise longue and the arch in her back is exquisite in the dying light. Her long blonde hair hangs over the edge, fanning against the velvet. She’s a silhouette, but I know every inch of her perfect body.
    “Lie back