Page 64 of Lie With Me
“You don’t know me. I’m not who you think I am. You’ve made up this version of me in your head that’s based on sex and lies, and I guarantee you only feel this way because I’m helping you live out your sexual fantasies without judgment.”
He looks away from me with a glower, huffing out a sharp laugh. It ruins the beautiful angles of his face as it creases in harsh, angry lines. “No offense, but do Iseemlike a novice in the bedroom to you?”
Frowning, I shake my head, not understanding his question. “What?”
“Yeah, maybe there aresomethings we’ve done that are new to me, but you act like I didn’t have sex with anyone between you and Emily. I did, Viv—a lot. I was just selective with who I spent my time with. So, your idea that I’m obsessed with you because you’vetaughtme all I know is kind of condescending.
“You keep saying that I don’t know you that well, but let me tell you something, Valentina. I love everything Idoknow. I love the way your fingers tighten in my hair and how your knees press against my head when you’re coming on my tongue. I love how your skin feels against mine—so soft, like silk—and how you fit perfectly against my body. I love that I know you prefer dark chocolate to milk and that you absolutely hate the white stuff. And that you can order dinner in and not have to ask what I want because you already know. I love hearing my name on yourlips and that they always taste like strawberries and cream. But most of all, I love the way you look at me. Youseeme and accept every part of who I am. And I hope that by now, you know I accept you for whoyouare.”
Tears prick my eyes, and I do my best to blink them away so I don’t smear my makeup. All the right words are coming out of his mouth, but I know he doesn’t understand the severity of them, because he doesn’t truly accept me for who I am. He can’t, because I haven’t given him those parts that make it impossible for us to be together. He’d expect me to quit my job if we actually tried to give this thing between us a real shot, and he has no ideawhyI can’t do that.
He pulls me close, and I lay my head on his shoulder. “Just think about it, Viv.”
I already have. And there’s no way it can work.
“Thank you for the lovely evening, Margo. It was beautiful, really.”
Nearly everyone has left the party. Jackson and Ginny went home almost an hour ago because she was getting tired, and the only reason we’ve stayed this long is because Margo wanted us to help say goodbye to the guests, since it wasourparty after all.
“It’s the least I could do. We will have to get together to discuss the big day now. The Plaza justgot a last-minute opening for April. I may have already booked it,” she says quickly, looking anywhere but at me.
“Mom, you know Lenni wants a small wedding,” Tripp stresses as he fixes her with a stern glare.
Strangely, even though Ididsay that, her actions don’t bother me. I’m beginning to learn that meddling is just Margo’s way. “Yes,small.So, maybe unbook it, please.”
She lets out a long sigh. “Can we just wait just a little while? In case I’m able to persuade you otherwise?”
Shaking my head, I hold my arms out to hug her before moving to embrace Weylan. “My mind is already made up—something small and intimate with our close friends. No paparazzi, no big newspaper spreads, just simple. Those are my only conditions.”
I’m thankful Tripp doesn’t like being in the tabloids as much as Jackson does. The last thing I need is for my face to be splashed all over the papers. Not that anyone at home reads the New York City gossip and high-society columns, but I don’t want to take my chances of anyone finding out where I am.
Getting involved with a millionaire is theworstthing I could have done for my situation—but at least I’m involved with one who doesn’t care about all the glitz and glamor. Now, if I can only get Margo to drop her plans for a huge wedding—it’s not like we’re going to make it that far, anyway.
We say the rest of our goodbyes, leaving after weset a time for Margo, Ginny, and me to discuss wedding dresses.
“Do you wanna come back to my place? Or will you finally let me come up to yours?” Tripp asks as we wait for his car to pull around.
Placing a hand on his chest, I press up on my toes to kiss him firmly before I step out of his arms. “You aren’t going to like what I’m about to say.”
He groans, scrubbing a hand over his face as he asks, “What is it?”
“I think tonight went really well, but I also think it was good for us to spend some time apart this week.” My stomach begins doing backflips as his expression falls. “I think we should spend this week apart, too. I picked up a ton of shifts at the restaurant, and I have to go to Jersey for Carmela?—”
“Why are you always going to Jersey for her? And why are you pushing me away again?” he interrupts, taking a few steps forward to grab my hands. “Don’t do this, Valentina.”
“I’m not doing anything. We can still talk. It’s not a big deal. It’s healthy for our situation.”
“You said you’d think about giving this a real shot,” he exclaims after looking around to make sure no one can overhear us.
“You asked me to think about it, but I didn’t reply, Tripp. There’s a difference.” I try to keep my words from sounding harsh, but no matter how I word it, I know he will take my decision as a slight against him.
He frowns, just like I knew he would. Cuppinghis cheek, I guide him to look at me. “It was so good on the balcony, wasn’t it? I challenge you not to touch yourself until we see each other again. Think of it as a game.”
A defeated smile pulls at his features, knowing he doesn’t have a choice in the matter, just like I know he won’t push the issue if I say it’s what I really want, because he’s justthatgood of a man. His driver pulls up to the curb, and Tripp opens the back door for me, ushering me inside as he asks, “And what’s my prize going to be?”
Grinning up at him, I lift my shoulder with a slight shrug. “What do you want?”
He holds my stare as he tells his driver to take me home and informs him he’ll call for another car. Once the man raises the partition, Tripp leans down and grasps my chin in his hand, laying an open-mouthed kiss on my lips that almost makes me want to pull him into the car and just take him home.