Page 37 of Break Me Gently

Zach

I hated the way Amber tried to pull away from me. Then she raised her head and held it high.

“Hello, Alisha,” she said.

Alisha studied us both, her gaze flicking back and forth until it became obvious. Her jaw slackened, eyes widening as they met mine. I saw the vicious look settle in before she spoke.

“You’re fucking your sister,” she sneered, before her eyes cut to Amber. “And you. You sick little bitch. I saw how you used to look at him.”

I released Amber and stood, stepping out from the booth to tower over her.

“And I should’ve seen what a nasty little bitch you were. You haven’t changed at all,” I said, staring at the two-inch-thick layer of makeup caked over her face. “You know exactly why I was with you.”

We’d used each other, back when we ran in the same popular circles. Alisha had quite the reputation with the guys. I hadn’t been any better back then—seeking physical connection with anyone I could get my hands on.

Amber moved to stand beside me, resting her hand flat against my chest.

“You’re both sick freaks,” Alisha said, her lip curling.

The disgust was written plainly across her face. She glanced between us, then took a step back, putting distance between herself and whatever she thought we were.

“Wait until I tell the others,” she said, before turning away to wait for her order, heels clicking sharply against the tile.

“Well, that wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be,” Amber said, watching Alisha’s retreating back. “I think Mum and Luke might take our news better than I anticipated.”

“Everyone should have your level of delusion,” I muttered.

“What?” she asked, sitting down again. “She knows damn well we aren’t related by blood. She can tell whoever she wants.”

I studied her for a moment and decided I loved her delusion. It was better than her feeling bad about the past, or reacting badly to Alisha’s foolish commentary.

The waitress arrived with our drinks just as I sat down. I watched Amber’s lips tighten around her straw before she sucked, and I was already counting down the days until the next visit.

Alisha picked up her food, but her eyes stayed on us as she left. I could handle her vitriol. I didn’t want Amber anywhere near it.

I lifted my phone and switched my status from single to in a relationship, tagging Amber Rayne. Then I took a selfie, our milkshakes visible in frame.

My future wife. Mrs. Amber Rayne.

Tagged Amber.

Hit post.

I set my phone down and watched as Amber got her notification. Before she could check her phone, the waitress arrived with our food. Her phone was forgotten as she reached for the condiments.

She began discussing university options as she picked up a ketchup-coated sweet potato fry. Her healthy choice.

It wouldn’t be long before we could live together. No Luke, no hiding from Isabella, no weird bitch stalking her.

Amber had stopped talking and was expecting a response from me.

“Yeah,” I said, nodding with a smile, and she continued to chatter, only pausing when she had a mouthful of burger.

❧ ❧ ❧

She leaned back and stuck her belly out before patting it. That sexy little paunch bulged until my dick began to harden.

Such a pity she was on the pill now.