Secrets and Lies Read Online Free Page A

let’s get out of here.”
    Nodding, he leads me toward the door. On the way out, I pass Beth’s table and grin. “You lost.”
    She gives me a huge grin. “Yeah, but you hit the jackpot.”
    I did, didn’t I? He’s hot, funny, shy, and artistic. He’s my dream guy. For only one night, he can’t be anything less.

CHAPTER 4
    We drive to a hotel down the street and before I know it, we’re tangled together in a dark little room, his lips on mine. My heart keeps telling me I’m cheating on Matt even though my brain reminds me that we’re over. Since I’m not a cheater, I understand why Beth was telling me to do this. If I wanted something with this guy, he’d have to live up to Matt in every single way.
    Gasping for air, he breaks the kiss and sits up a little bit. We’re lying on the bed, side by side. Pushing up on an elbow, he looks down at me. “I never got a chance to ask your name. I’m—”
    I press my fingers to his lips¸ “No names. Say anything you like. We can do anything we want without worrying about tomorrow. There is no tomorrow for us.” As I speak, I slip the shoulders of my dress off and the bodice crumples around my waist, revealing my bra. The black lace fabric is sheer, and I know he can see right through it. It took a long time for me to be comfortable being naked in front of Matt, but I don’t have time to feel timid with this guy. My mystery man’s eyes darken as I slip out of the dress and lay back on the bed. The matching panty covers my front but showcases the curves of my ass.
    His eyes drink me in, but he hesitates. Something flashes across his face, but I can’t tell what it is. Regret? I wonder what ghosts are plaguing him right now, and I wonder if they’re as strong as the memories of Matt that keep wandering through my mind. I have to do this. I can’t let Mystery Man back out, and it feels like that’s what he’s about to do, so I take things a step further. I sit up and unhook my bra. Reaching behind me, I pull it off and hold it between two fingers before dropping it to the floor, my eyes locked on his face as I do it. The lights are on, and this is so weird for me, but I do it anyway. I can’t even fathom the person I would be if I didn’t hate my body, if I didn’t scold myself for every excess ounce of fat. I can’t imagine a world without those checks to guide my decisions. I’d be someone else, and in the moment I am.
    Mystery Man is sitting up, so I crawl over to him and swing my leg over his lap, straddling him. He sucks in air as I settle in place. My pulse is pounding in my ears and I try not to consider what he must think of me, what he must think of what I’m doing. I think he’s beautiful. From the look in his eye, I know he wants me. His hands slip up my sides, feeling my ample curves, and then back down again. He cups my butt and pulls me to him, his lips crushing down on mine. The kiss grows hotter as our tongues tangle in my mouth. I spread my hands on his chest, tugging at his shirt, trying to get it off. We break apart long enough to pull the fabric over his head and then he presses his bare chest against me. I feel his warm skin and toned muscles slipping against my breasts.
    Matt didn’t have this guy’s muscles. Each one is so perfectly defined that I want to lick him from head to toe. I trace my fingers over his arms, feeling the strength in them, while the pulsing between my thighs increases. He’s hard beneath me, so when I start to rock my hips he moans into my mouth through our kiss. Breaking apart, I rise up and press my breasts to his face. Mystery Man wants me, but he’s holding back. I can tell because when I do it, he stiffens and the hesitation is there again.
    “Kiss me, baby.” I moan the words and drag my nipples across his stubbled jaw. Before I get far, he reacts. His lips part and he takes me in his mouth, sucking my breast and flicking my nipple with his tongue. Oh, God, it feels good! Matt didn’t do it like