Read Online Love's Deception by Adrianne Byrd - Free Book Online Page A

bit disappointed that you’ve decided to grow a heart. Frankly, I think it’s about time.”
    “Please, I’m not in the mood for a speech.” Carissa groaned as she exhaled. “I don’t mean to be rude.”
    “Well, you’re doing a damn good job of it.”
    Carissa’s frustration mounted. “I’m thirty-twoyears old, Auntie. When do you think you’ll stop advising me how to run my life?”
    “Excuse me for trying to help.”
    Silence trailed Helena’s curt tone and Carissa buried her head in her hands. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
    Helena shrugged. “Well, I do. And it sounds to me that you do, too. The question now is when are you going to come clean with this Nathan character.”
     
    Exhausted, Nathan arrived at his apartment in the center of downtown Atlanta with the idea of grabbing a quick shower and a nap. But no sooner had he eased inside the door than the sound of running water stole his attention.
    Someone’s taking a shower . His brows furrowed as he looked around. He was in the right apartment, he concluded. He moved farther into the room. Whoever was in the bathroom had apparently made themselves at home. The scent of freshly brewed coffee drifted throughout the apartment.
    He peeked into the kitchen to see dishes piled in the sink and magazines scattered across the counters.
    The shower cut off and Nathan’s attention turned toward the bedroom. A familiar feminine voice began singing and he knew instantly who his uninvited guest was.
    Nathan stood with his arms crossed and waited for the bedroom door to swing open. When it did, the singing stopped.
    “Hello, India.” His gaze quickly took in her wet, ink-black hair and flawless honey-brown complexion. She was still as beautiful as he remembered.
    “Nathan. What are you doing here?” She tightened her hold on the towel wrapped around her body.
    “Don’t you think that you should be answering that question?” He watched as she swallowed hard and shifted her weight nervously.
    She stood staring at him as if dumbstruck.
    He waved his hand in front of her face. “Hello?”
    “I’m sorry. I know I should have checked with you about staying in here, but I knew you rarely came to Atlanta this time of year, and I guess I was afraid that you would say no.”
    “You were right.” He walked away. “How fast can you move out?” he asked with his back to her. The memory of her betrayal resurfaced in his mind.
    “So it’s just like that? You’re just going to throw me out?”
    “India, it’s over. It’s been over.” He faced her, but then looked away when her eyes glossed over. “Don’t do this,” he warned.
    “Why can’t you forgive me? I made a mistake. And for that you’re willing to throw away a five-year relationship?”
    “Will you please put some damn clothes on,” he yelled. “I can’t think with you dressed like that.”
    She stepped forward. “Maybe I don’t want you to think. It seems like every time you go off thinking I’m the one that ends up getting hurt.”
    “Funny. I seem to remember your lies hurting me.”
    She took another step forward.
    “It’s not going to happen.” His glare stopped her in her tracks.
    A long painful silence enveloped them before Nathan spoke again. “This is the last thing I need. I can’t deal with you right now.”
    She recoiled as if he’d slapped her.
    “You’re a hard man, Nathan Edwards. And you can be quite unforgiving, too.”
    “Is that what you think—that I haven’t forgiven you?” This time he moved to close the gap. “I forgave you a long time ago. The problem is I can’t forget.”
    India looked deep into his eyes and lifted her hand to caress his face. On her finger, the engagement ring he allowed her to keep sparkled. “I know you still love me,” she whispered.
    He nodded. “I won’t lie to you. I do still care for you. But I can’t build a life without trust. And the woman that I marry I need to be able to trust