Read Know Her, Love Her: Daisy & Belmont, Book ONE for Free Online Page A

head.
    “Let’s get you home,” Adrian says, offering me his hand.  
    I frown.  
    “It’s okay. Maya sent me to your rescue,” he says.
    I search for her face around the fire pit. She shows me a thumbs-up, and I take Adrian’s hand. It feels strange to be close to him. He still wears the same loud cologne that used to make me nauseated whenever I had one too many. His hand is still too soft. It could be the drinks, but I feel his fingers massaging my waist as he helps me up the wooden steps that lead away from the beach.
    “I’m glad you and Maya made up,” he says.
    “Me too.” I look to see if we’re closer to my front door.  
    “I heard you’re divorcing the gigolo.”
    “Belmont’s not a gigolo, and you know it.” My stomach is queasy.  
    “Once a gigolo, always a gigolo.”
    “That’s just like saying once a cheater, always a cheater. And you cheated on me.”
    “A mistake I’ve had to live with.”
    “Let’s not talk about this anymore.” I feel as though this conversation is going in the wrong direction.
    “I miss you though,” he says.
    To say that I miss him would be a lie. “I meant what I said. I’m happy you and Maya are together. Lord knows it wasn’t going anywhere with us.” I give an uncomfortable chuckle.
    “Is that what you think?”
    “That’s what I know.”
    “I thought what we had was pretty good until I messed it up.”
    “Ha! You did?”
    Now there’s no doubt that he’s feeling me up. His hand is clearly clutching my hip. I’m caught in a cloud of confusion. We make it to my house and stop at the foot of the steps to my door.  
    “Okay…” I sigh and take a giant step away from him. “Good night.”
    I turn my back, and he grabs me. I can feel his knot bump my butt.
    “I didn’t want to give you up,” he whispers.
    “You know what? It’s all water under the bridge.”
    “How about I come inside so we can talk some more?” He breathes against my ear as his hand slides up my sternum.  
    “Adrian, take your hands off me,” I say, enunciating every word.
    “Just one more time.”
    I break out of his clutches and raise a hand. “Stay.”
    “Damn it,” he mumbles and rubs his head anxiously. “Are you going to tell her?”
    “No way.” Once again, I enunciate. “Just don’t ever touch me like that again.”  
    I take a deep, steadying breath and walk up the steps. I take my key out of my fanny pack, open my door, and close it without giving him a second look. I engage all three locks, drag myself upstairs, and groan as I fall facedown onto the bed.  

    I wake with a stop. Did Adrian try to have sex with me last night? I sit up. My head is swimming, and it’s chilly.  
    My cell phone chimes, and I swipe it off the nightstand. It’s probably Maya. I meant what I said—I would never tell her what Adrian did. It doesn’t matter because he’s never experiencing any part of me. What a tool.  
    “Hello,” I say without looking at the screen.
    “Hey.”
    I go rigid. “Belmont?”
    “Did you call me yesterday?”
    I summon all my strength and hop into my big-girl panties. “She told you I called? I didn’t think she would.”
    “Did someone answer my phone?”
    “Yes. A woman.” I trot out of the bedroom and down the hallway to turn on the heater.  
    “What did you want?” he asks.
    “Forget it. I have a flight to catch.”
    “What did you want?” he persists.  
    “Nothing. I forgot.”  
    He’s silent.  
    “Belmont?”
    “I’m here. What have you been up to?” he asks.
    “Hanging out with family and friends, and doing a little work in the process.”
    “Is your flight to Chicago?”
    “Yes.”
    “What time do you land?”
    “I don’t know. I’d have to check my ticket.” I’m so pissed, I can feel the steam shooting out of my ears. He would never know by my tone though.  
    “Then check it.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I want to see you.”
    I take a deep breath. “You’re such a selfish