Duplicity 2 (Duplicity New Adult Romance) Read Online Free

“It’s not really that simple, is it? Don’t forget you’ve still got Sarah to think about.”  
    Shaking my head, I turned away, but Nick caught me by the wrist and turned me back to face him. His grip was gentle, but firm.
    “Don’t do this, Holly,” he implored. “If this is going to work, then we need to be honest with each other.”  
    My heart flipped, and my face flushed. He was right, I had to tell him the truth.  
    “Okay, so here’s the thing.” I faced Nick head on. “There’s something I haven’t told you.”
    “Go on.” Nick’s voice was slow, measured. Was he expecting some sort of bombshell? “I’m sure we can work it out.”
    Could we? Could we work it out if I told him that I had cheated on him? Would he still want to make a life with me after Sarah was gone? Or would he walk away and go it alone? When it came down to it, I couldn’t risk it. That was before I knew that I might be pregnant. All I wanted was for us to make a life together in New York. I wanted bright lights and the big city. And most of all, I wanted my name on a plaque, on a corner office door:
      Holly Martin. Senior VP  
    So, of course I chickened out. Who wouldn’t?
    I snapped back to reality, my response honest but incomplete.  
    “I can’t live with you Nick. Not in your place. I’m sure your condo is truly amazing, but it can never be my home. I’m sorry, I had no idea that’s what you wanted. I just can’t do it. It’s yours and Sarah’s. It would be like living in someone else’s shadow, don’t you see? I’d be better in my own apartment, at least until things settle down.”
    Nick reached out, his hand stroking my cheek. “Oh, Holly. It’s me that’s sorry. I was selfish not to even consider that. I totally respect your feelings. We’ll find you somewhere more suitable. In fact, I have an idea. Just let me call some friends. Please, can you forgive me?”
    I moved back in close to Nick, and let him stroke my back. And I swore to myself that I would whatever it took to never hurt Nick, ever.
    But karma’s a bitch and it has a funny way of biting you in the back, as the pregnancy test on the table reminded me.
    The sound of the buzzer broke my thoughts, and I made my way to the intercom. I wasn’t expecting anyone. Ha, it’s not as if I had any friends who might pop by. And Nick had a key.
    “Hello?” I called into the box on the wall.
    A man’s voice replied, crystal clear through the ancient speakerphone. “Holly? I need to speak to you. Please open up Holly, it’s urgent.”
    I stood, motionless, holding my breath. Adrenalin coursed through my body as I ignored the sound of the intercom. It was a long time before the buzzing stopped. Then, the only sound was the thumping of my heartbeat.

     

CHAPTER FOUR

    This sound of his footsteps echoed on the wooden floor. I lay in bed, still, as I heard him approach. The apartment was in darkness, silent apart from his tread, and muted noises from the street outside. I had closed the window earlier, but the air conditioning was stuck on high and now it was too hot.  
    The luminous clock reading displayed 01.08AM. I had tossed and turned for hours, in and out of sleep. The sheets were twisted around my lower body, and despite the time of year, I wore just a long camisole due to the heat inside.  
    I sensed him enter the room. I lay motionless for a few moments. Neither of us spoke. I turned to watch, but in the dark could only make out the shadow of his silhouette in the doorway. A few more steps forward, clump clump clump, until he was standing at the opposite side of the bed.  
    It was a small room, any smaller and the king bed would have touched both walls. As my eyes adjusted, I could see him a little better now. He removed his jacket and lay it over the rail at the foot of the bed. His shirt was just tight enough to showcase his rippled chest.
    He started to unbutton his shirt and I was mesmerized, a sexual stirring awakening my body.