Read Online Second Lies (The Second Life Series) by Jessica Cruz - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Jessica Cruz
Ads: Link
subject. Contrary to what I said, I wasn’t interested in hearing about anyone else’s relationship woes. “Did you see that thing over there?” I walked over to this elaborate piece, gliding across the floor in my black stilettos. Garrett followed behind me, just a step or two away. We stopped at this gargantuan metal statue constructed of poles and cords. Randomly placed light bulbs flashed, and multicolored fabric was weaved in and out of openings throughout the piece. “I don’t get how this is art. It’s just a mess of things.”
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” his statement made me flinch. Was he referring to me? Trash, fuck, that’s how I felt, a thrown out, used, dirty piece of trash. Garrett didn’t pick up on my thoughts. He gulped down his drink, grabbing two more from a passing waiter. He urged. “Keep up.”
It was a challenge that I was all too happy to accept. I grabbed a drink from him and relished in the bubbles dancing down my throat. He watched with pure amusement, and then joined me. I had to admit that this was fun. I had spent so many parties drinking by myself as a pitiful mess that any company was welcome… even Garrett Holden’s.
We continued to drink until the point where the waiters legitimately knew not to be too far away from us. We laughed obnoxiously at amusing artwork and made inappropriate jokes about other attendees. Garrett gave me the courage to talk sports with a certain struggling, Philly quarterback who, despite some bad press, was actually a pretty cool guy and even posed for a picture with me, which I immediately uploaded to several social media outlets. It was the most fun I’d had in a long time. So much, in fact, that, for the first time in a long time, I didn’t notice the ache in my heart.
“Picture?” A photographer asked.
Before I could answer, Garrett grabbed me by the waist and pulled me against his body until I was molded against him. His hands were sprawled out against my hips like he couldn’t resist touching me. His chin nestled against my hair. He smelled divine, a mixture of spices and pheromones. It was enough to intoxicate me, raising a sensual smile to my lips. The photographer snapped a picture, and I was sure I looked like I had just been thoroughly fucked.
Even after the photographer left, Garrett just held me there for second. I pulled myself out of his grasp and gulped. Maybe it was all the champagne, but my head was feeling clouded. Garrett was looking divine. He was funny and observant. Fuck, he was making me confused. Michelle was pregnant with his second child. She was his wife. There was no way I could let myself feel a damn thing for him.
“Adriana?” He touched my arm, spinning me around, so I was forced to face him. “I’m sorry. I’ve been drinking.” He scratched the back of his neck, a look of concern crossing his eyes. “Can I take you home? We should call it a night.”
Without another word, I nodded my head. Garrett took the lead, being very careful not to touch me unless necessary. As we made our way outside, he hailed a cab and put me inside, walking around the other side and taking the seat next to me. I frowned, looking at him in confusion. Did he get the wrong impression?
“You’ve been drinking. I just want to make sure you get in okay. That’s it,” he answered my unspoken question.
Relief washed over me. I called to the cab driver, “The Hollander on 16 th and Arch, please.” The cab driver took off, and I relaxed into the cloth seat. I closed my eyes, giving into the alcohol and my luxurious buzz.
“Did you have fun?” Garrett asked, filling the silence with pointless questions.
A grin captivated my lips. I opened one of my eyes and peeked in his direction, “Actually, yes, for the first time in a long time, I did have some fun.”
“Good,” he moved a little bit closer to me, enough so I
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” his statement made me flinch. Was he referring to me? Trash, fuck, that’s how I felt, a thrown out, used, dirty piece of trash. Garrett didn’t pick up on my thoughts. He gulped down his drink, grabbing two more from a passing waiter. He urged. “Keep up.”
It was a challenge that I was all too happy to accept. I grabbed a drink from him and relished in the bubbles dancing down my throat. He watched with pure amusement, and then joined me. I had to admit that this was fun. I had spent so many parties drinking by myself as a pitiful mess that any company was welcome… even Garrett Holden’s.
We continued to drink until the point where the waiters legitimately knew not to be too far away from us. We laughed obnoxiously at amusing artwork and made inappropriate jokes about other attendees. Garrett gave me the courage to talk sports with a certain struggling, Philly quarterback who, despite some bad press, was actually a pretty cool guy and even posed for a picture with me, which I immediately uploaded to several social media outlets. It was the most fun I’d had in a long time. So much, in fact, that, for the first time in a long time, I didn’t notice the ache in my heart.
“Picture?” A photographer asked.
Before I could answer, Garrett grabbed me by the waist and pulled me against his body until I was molded against him. His hands were sprawled out against my hips like he couldn’t resist touching me. His chin nestled against my hair. He smelled divine, a mixture of spices and pheromones. It was enough to intoxicate me, raising a sensual smile to my lips. The photographer snapped a picture, and I was sure I looked like I had just been thoroughly fucked.
Even after the photographer left, Garrett just held me there for second. I pulled myself out of his grasp and gulped. Maybe it was all the champagne, but my head was feeling clouded. Garrett was looking divine. He was funny and observant. Fuck, he was making me confused. Michelle was pregnant with his second child. She was his wife. There was no way I could let myself feel a damn thing for him.
“Adriana?” He touched my arm, spinning me around, so I was forced to face him. “I’m sorry. I’ve been drinking.” He scratched the back of his neck, a look of concern crossing his eyes. “Can I take you home? We should call it a night.”
Without another word, I nodded my head. Garrett took the lead, being very careful not to touch me unless necessary. As we made our way outside, he hailed a cab and put me inside, walking around the other side and taking the seat next to me. I frowned, looking at him in confusion. Did he get the wrong impression?
“You’ve been drinking. I just want to make sure you get in okay. That’s it,” he answered my unspoken question.
Relief washed over me. I called to the cab driver, “The Hollander on 16 th and Arch, please.” The cab driver took off, and I relaxed into the cloth seat. I closed my eyes, giving into the alcohol and my luxurious buzz.
“Did you have fun?” Garrett asked, filling the silence with pointless questions.
A grin captivated my lips. I opened one of my eyes and peeked in his direction, “Actually, yes, for the first time in a long time, I did have some fun.”
“Good,” he moved a little bit closer to me, enough so I
Similar Books
