Bound Hearts Read Free Page B

promises about anything. She knew all he was looking for was a good time. In return, he showed her how much fun he was.
    In bed.
    No where else. No dinner dates, matinees, or any social events that would indicate there was any emotional component to their relationship. Because no such relationship existed and never would. Missy knew the score of their game. She willingly offered everything he needed and in turn, he provided the pleasure she enjoyed.
    He couldn’t keep calling on his favorite and ever increasingly present fantasy every time they were together. It felt like a violation even though he’d never requested monogamy from Missy or offered her his.
    For the last few months, there weren’t any interludes with Missy in which the blonde wasn’t present, completely front and center. At least in his mind. His eyes wouldn’t remain open because it was too much an intrusion on his fantasy. A fantasy he’d been clinging to lately both with Missy and when he was alone. He was reaching the point where he had to fantasize Missy was someone else in order to become hard and stay that way. Someone who he knew he had no business thinking about and had done his damndest to ignore no matter how hard she made it.
    However, Calleigh Stuart evidently had different ideas. She had been making overtures for the last year that he’d systematically ignored, hoping she’d eventually get the hint, a novel position for him to take with an attractive woman who was clearly interested. He never denied himself anything offered by a woman, especially not when it was offered so readily. Calleigh was a consenting adult, and yet, he’d pulled back. She had no idea exactly who she was dealing with. Her come-ons were akin to Goldilocks inviting the Big Bad Wolf in for porridge. Except his brand of porridge was a whole lot darker and more painful than what she would expect.
    Driving home on I-5, he decided it was time to move on from Missy.

Chapter 2
    The following Sunday, Calleigh called Mary and then jetted over to her apartment for a long overdue evening walk. She was dying to discuss how Mary’s dinner with Michael had turned out. As a thank-you for participating in College Career Day, Mary’d invited Michael over for dinner. Calleigh wouldn’t be satisfied until Mary disclosed every last detail about the night. The nuances of the conversations. Mary’s outfit. Whether she’d chosen her diamond studs or her turquoise sun catcher earrings; the only jewelry she ever wore. And maybe she’d be able to work in her own Tide connection along with her feelings about David, a subject she’d intentionally avoided bringing up with her best friend for the better part of a year.
    She texted Mary to announce she was outside waiting while she stretched her calves and rotated her core, working out the new kinks that had accompanied the arrival of her thirtieth birthday. The fading fall sunlight filtered through the trees that lined Mary’s street. Couples strolled hand in hand traveling to or from dinner, while joggers avoided collisions with errant toddlers intent on remaining in front of their frazzled parents. No more than two minutes after sending the text, Mary and Max joined her on the sidewalk in front of Mary’s apartment building.
    “Hey you,” Mary said as Max, her beloved yellow lab, pulled her down the steps to promptly brush his nose on Calleigh’s yoga pants.
    “Hey yourself. Hi, mister. I think you know I brought you something.” As Max nosed his way up and down the side of her leg, she withdrew a heart-sized dog treat from her jacket pocket. Max practically jumped at it once it entered his field of vision.
    “You are too good to him. You know that, right?” Mary said, a slight laugh lighting up her comment.
    “Max deserves to be spoiled. And what exactly are you talking about? I’ve never known you to not make sure Max gets a treat after every single walk and even after every time you let him out.” Indeed, Mary spoiled the