Riveted (Art of Eros #1) Read Online Free

emptiness and loneliness filled her despite their company. The information about Brock’s infidelity didn’t surprise her, but still hit her hard, only confirming what she didn’t want to believe. She lacked in the sex department, not being anyone’s dream lover, that’s for sure. Taking a deep, cleansing breath, she tried to rid herself of the disappointment of not being enough for her husband. Latching on to the despair only weighed her down, grounding her to insecurity and inadequacy. Even though it was in the past, old reactions were hard to break. She needed to find a way to push past the wall to find some freedom.
    “How do you know it wasn’t his fault?” Raquelle demanded with her hands up in the air. She took no prisoners in the sex department...or maybe she did, tying them up and beating them for good measure like some dominatrix. There’s an image.
    “I don’t know. I don’t want to talk about this anymore today. What are you two up to, anyway?” She just wanted to be left alone to wallow in what was left of her pathetic life. Her marriage had been an illusion on so many levels. She didn’t want to face it, but if she was going to come out the other side with some understanding, then she needed to accept everything that happened.
    “Raquelle decided we should go deep-sea fishing. She saw some cute guys signing up for the trip in the lobby. You know how she is, the free spirit and all.” Leigha rolled her eyes. “Do you want to come with us?” She already knew the answer.
    “No, you go ahead and catch dinner. I’m going to stay here and get some drawings done for some upcoming shows. I’ll see you later.” Her words came out on a strangled choke as she tried to cover up the pain that bubbled to the surface. The combination of being a failure in her father’s eyes and a failed marriage weighed on her chest.
    Leigha leaned over, brushing away a stray wavy strand of hair from Mara’s forehead, pushing it behind her ear.
    “I don’t want you to spend too much time thinking about the past because that’s where it needs to stay. Focus on the future and where you’re going. Brock isn’t worth another minute’s thought.” Leigha could be so tender and understanding, knowing just what to say.
    “Well, I always thought he was a total pig. You never should have put up with his bullshit.” Raquelle announced as if it was all abundantly clear.
    God help the man who ends up with that woman. Let him be strong. If she only knew how much of a pig Brock really was, she’d probably go nuclear.
    But Mara’s well-rehearsed response was, “Can we talk about this later? You two need to go catch something.” Her faint smile told them she wouldn’t be persuaded.
    Leigha and Raquelle strolled through the pristine beige sand to the pier, leaving her to not think about her former life. Yeah, like that was going to happen. The whole encounter with her sisters left her numb, empty, and emotionally detached. The only bright light in her life lately had been Mac. He’d sparked something in her she didn’t quite understand. She would have liked to know more about his dark yet tender and protective qualities, an intriguing combination, drawing her to his flame.
    She woke up that morning thinking about the wonderful Scotsman. She stared down at her hand that had the physical memory of their connection. Mara’s body remembered the tingling sensation at his touch as well as the loss of comfort and safety when he left. She felt so alive with him. He gazed at her as if he were studying the marble statue of Venus. For the first time in her life, a man had made her feel beautiful just by looking at her. Brock, the so-called husband, certainly didn’t make her feel attractive in any way; actually, quite the opposite. She had a hard time stopping his negative recordings; his words still assaulted her heart and soul.
    Disappointment lingered because she never had a chance to thank Mac for helping her through the