31. Tessa

31

Tessa

W hen I wake up, it's later than usual. Harry and Chloe are still asleep. I lie on my back for a few moments, thinking back over the events of last night - or rather this morning.

Enzo's voice in my head tells me I'm a slut and what the hell was I thinking getting it on with Cin, but I tell that asshole to shut the fuck up. I'm not slut-shaming myself. Yes, it's really dumb to get involved with a man like Cin. Not only is he hot as hell, but he's fully admitted to sleeping with a gazillion women. With any other guy, that kind of backstory would put me off. Have me running to the hills.

But I'm starting to like Cin. Everything he said and did last night felt genuine.

I believed him when he said I was beautiful. Not that I think I am beautiful, but he obviously sees something I don't.

Even if this was a one-time-only thing and we never touch each other again, I don't care. He gave me an amazing orgasm, which I needed, but also a boost to my confidence. Which I arguably needed more.

Do I want more? Hell yes. I won't turn him down if he makes a play for me again.

I'm done fighting my attraction to Cin. Stella's been telling me for months I need to sack off Enzo and find a guy who treats me like a goddess. Cin might not be Mister Right, but he's definitely Mister Right Now.

And there's Madden. I have no idea what to make of the dynamic between him and Cin, or how I feel about my attraction to my broody protector. I don't know if he feels the same way about me, but it doesn't matter. I'm not greedy. One guy is enough.

The loaner phone buzzes from the nightstand and I reach out to grab it before it wakes the kids.

Kade: Is there anything you need from your house? I got word the landlord is looking for new tenants.

My heart drops and my good mood dips. I should have expected this. Enzo rarely paid the rent, and only when I nagged him about it. With me gone and him in the wind, the rent is now behind by at least two months.

I suppose I may as well let the place go. There's no way I can go back there anytime soon, and it was a shithole, anyway. Once the shitstorm I'm in clears up, I'll look for something in a better neighborhood.

Me: Clothes for me and the kids. My passport.

Kade: Nothing else?

Me: No.

All I have are my clothes, the kids' clothes, and a couple of old paperbacks. The rest of my stuff got stolen a few months back when I was at work and Enzo forgot to lock the door when he went out.

Or so he said. I never did get the full story. I just came back to an empty house and no tech devices. Thank god I had my Kindle and phone with me or they would have been taken too.

Kade: I'll pick up what I can later and drop it off this evening.

My heart skips a beat. Is Kade coming back here? I assumed I wouldn't see him again.

Knowing he'll be here by tonight gives me a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Will he guess what Cin and I did last night?

Cin is bound to say something. After all, they are brothers, so presumably they talk about stuff, like women.

The thought of them discussing me - and laughing about it - makes my skin crawl. I don't think Cin's the kind of guy to kiss and tell, but I don't know him. Not really.

Enzo seemed like a straight-up nice guy until he wasn't.

My stomach clenches painfully, and my good mood fades. I'm not sure I want to leave my room anymore. What if Cin and Madden are out there right now, talking about me? Like guys do.

I've heard guys in bars trash-talking girls they've fucked. It's disgusting.

Harry stirs and opens his eyes. "Mommy? Is it breakfast time?" He scoots over the bed and climbs on top of me.

I sigh. There's no way I can hide in there all day, so I may as well do the walk of shame and get it over with.

"Come on, let's get ready and go find food."