Read Lies in Love for Free Online

someone else to rely on when they can’t stand on their own
two feet. I have no need to rely on anyone but myself.”
    “Wow.”
    Landon
didn’t say anything else, which surprised her. He didn’t
have some witty rebuttal or a reason why she was wrong, just wow .
She knew she wasn’t getting off that easy. “So as you can
see, I don’t need you to come over here and do, whatever this
is. Thank you for the drink but you’re more than welcome to
leave.”
    “What
if I don’t want to leave?” His voice sounded sincere. It
scared Talia to death.
    “Why
would you want to stay? I’m clearly not up for whatever you’re
looking for. You’re wasting your time.” She suddenly felt
sweat form on her hands and she couldn’t make herself look him
in the eyes any longer.
    “Believe
it or not, I’m enjoying your company. I want to get to know
you, if for no other reason than because you intrigue me.”
    Talia
flushed. He was wearing down her resolve and she couldn’t stand
it. She hated that she’d said as much as she had. He had no
right knowing those things about her. During a pregnant pause between
them, Camey arrived. An exceedingly pleasant smile was plastered on
her face.
    “Hey,
Talia, who’s this?” She only turned to glance at Landon
briefly, his charms evidently not affecting her.
    “No
one,” Talia muttered, hardly loud enough for Camey to hear.
“It’s late and we have a big day tomorrow so I think I’m
going to go.”
    “But
it’s still early. I don’t think Sara’s ready yet.”
Camey gave Landon an inquisitive gaze before looking back at Talia.
    “It’s
okay. I’ll catch a cab.” Talia moved to stand but Camey’s
response stalled her.
    “Wait,
I’ll go with you. Just let me get the girls.”
    “No,
you guys stay. I’m sure Reina hasn’t gotten her fill of
Wade just yet. I’ll head home alone.”
    “Absolutely
not. I’ll go with you. Just let me tell the girls we’re
leaving. I’ll make sure Sara doesn’t leave Reina here
alone.” Camey’s eyes flashed to Landon and then back to
Talia. “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.”
    She
didn’t give Talia a chance to respond as she raced back
downstairs, leaving Talia to endure a couple more minutes of Landon’s
company. Feeling her resolve had returned, she sat up a little
straighter in her chair and stared him down.
    “You’re
really going to leave?” Landon looked offended.
    “There’s
no reason to stay. The conversation was lackluster
at best.”
    “You’re
intimidated by me.” He wasn’t asking.
    “I’m
not.” Talia quickly turned away, knowing in that moment there
was no hiding the truth from him. He knew what she was about and it
scared the shit out of her.
    “You
are.” He scratched his hand across the stubble on his jaw.
“You’re trying to hide from something and you’re
afraid I might unravel what’s hidden beneath this persona
you’ve built.”
    Talia
couldn’t understand why he had to dig, why he couldn’t
just leave well enough alone. “Stop. You don’t know
anything about me and I wish you would stop presuming you do. Just
leave it alone. Leave me alone.” She jumped up from her chair
and raced for the stairs, running into Camey at the landing.
    “Where
you going so fast?” Camey steadied Talia as she wavered.
    “Are
you ready?” Talia snapped. She had to get out of the club. She
had to get away from him .
    “Yeah.”
Tilting her head, Camey looked first at Talia, then over Talia’s
shoulder.
    “Petal,
wait.”
    Talia
began her descent down the stairs, sensing Landon’s nearness.
She was done trying to shrug him off. Realizing she hadn’t
taken a full breath since he sat at her table, she hurriedly left him
behind, rushing outside where the air was lighter, praying she’d
be able to breathe easier.
    Once
outside, the cold wind battered her, knocking her against the icy
wall. She stood waiting to see who would join her, speculating that
Reina and Sara couldn’t be troubled to