Read Online Lies That Bind by Caitlyn Willows - Free Book Online Page A

was, taking her back into the home where they’d lived, the bedroom the three of them had shared at the end of the upstairs hall. The reminder of all they’d lost.
    Rex’s steps faltered inside the house. As much as he wanted Tessa, he couldn’t do this, not here. He set her on her feet. She turned into his arms without pause, pressing her palm over his aching heart.
    “Not here.” Tessa skimmed her fingers down until they reached his, then linked their hands together.
    So, she felt it too. At least she hadn’t said no.
    “Agreed.” He swept his keys off the junk table in one hand. “We’re going to my place.”
    “Good.” Hands still linked, Tessa pulled him outside and straight toward the vehicle.
    * * * *
    Relief seeped into Tessa’s veins. She wanted to remember crawling into that big bed upstairs all nice and snug between Rex and Tyler. Wanted to remember the laughter, the meals, the plans. Will readings and harsh words had usurped the fun times, stealing the afterglow of sex with Rex.
    Did those same thoughts run through his mind? Considering the guarded look in his eyes at the mere prospect of taking those stairs, Tessa would say yes. Their biggest argument—their only argument—had been in that room. Their silence now said it all.
    Rex drove the big vehicle around the back of the inn, then down the narrow oyster-shelled roads to the rainbow of bungalows at the far edge of the area. They’d turned what would have been nondescript little boxes-on-the-hillside buildings elsewhere into palettes of color. No two were the same. The different colors helped disguise the sameness of the design. Each one was cozy, with all the basic amenities of home. Attached carports provided the image of protection for vehicles, and Rex’s little red sedan was parked next to a bright yellow-gold bungalow. A shaded porch on the east side protected it from the morning sun. Another patio out back contained a barbecue grill with table and chairs. All in all, a little home away from home, or in this case…home.
    The interior of each square house was simple as well. No hallways, pocket doors to the bathroom and both bedrooms, and the kitchen was a straight shot back from the living room with only a breakfast bar as a divider. Maximum comfort in a minimum amount of space.
    “When did you get them finished?” she asked.
    “About six months ago. Tyler and I used the life insurance money Mike left us.”
    Tessa had refused her portion outright, leaving it to be divided among Rex, Tyler, and Derek. She was glad to see their portion had gone back into the business.
    “When did you and Tyler move out of the ranch house?”
    “The day you left.”
    She didn’t try to analyze the why of it. Everything had changed that night. Trying to scale that obstacle now? Too much water under the bridge. Too much distance. Too much time. Too much everything. All the sex in the world wasn’t going to fix the hurt. It certainly wasn’t going to change anything.
    “Furnished?” she asked as Rex came to a stop behind his car.
    “The ones for rental are. But Tyler and I put our own stamp on our houses.”
    She wondered how Derek felt, being suddenly deserted by all of them. More guilt. Derek had been a people person. Then he’d suddenly been alone.
    Rex brushed his hand over her thigh. “Come on. Let’s get out of this heat.”
    Their seat belts clicked in unison. Heat poured in when the doors opened. Air-conditioned comfort never sounded so sweet.
    “I gotta say, sex outside in the August heat really takes it out of a person.” A kind way of telling Rex she wasn’t up for more right now, not with all the memories running through her head.
    “I can remember a time when it didn’t bother us at all.”
    That made her laugh. “And the mosquitoes that went with it?”
    Rex winced. “Older is better. But apparently not smarter.” He twisted to face her. “I didn’t use a condom. I’m so used to not having to do so with us.”
    “It’s