Read Loving My SECRET (Corrigan & Co. Book 10) for Free Online Page A

it up, I see that it’s got a
mermaid style shape, and yeah, I’m in love with it. There are black
heels with those distinctive red soles, and some black rose studs for
my ears. On the bed next to them is a printout for two tickets to a
ball benefitting a Fargo arts organization.
    “ It
was the only ball I could find on such short notice. I know it won’t
be as glamorous as the one in Vegas, but it still counts as the first
one I’ll have a date for. I mean, if you’ll be my date.”
    “ Why?”
    “ I
can’t bear the thought of hurting you over something I have control
over.”
    “ You
have control over everything you do to hurt me, Matt.”
    “ I
don’t want to hurt you. Ever. That’s the last thing I want to do.
It’s what I’ve tried to avoid for all these years.”
    “ By
throwing other women in my face, and treating me like I’m nothing?”
    “ I
just want you to realize I’m not a good guy, and move on. It’s
what’s best for both of us. You have to know you’re not ‘nothing’
to me, or anyone else.”
    “ Okay,
so you want me to fuck you out of my system. Got it.” Not that it
will work—I’ve valiantly tried for more than 10 years. I haven’t
gone crazy, but I’ve been active.
    He
growls. A full on sexy animal growl. “I don’t want any man
touching you.”
    “ You
can’t have it both ways,” I tell him with a sigh. “I can’t
‘move on’ but still just sit around waiting for your random booty
calls.”
    “ You’re
right. I know you’re right. I can’t give you what you need,
Reina, and I want you to find someone who can. For tonight, just this
one night, will you be mine? Please.”
    I
can’t imagine a time when I won’t be his. Even if I can never say
it out loud, I belong to him. Always have, and always will. I can
take this night for myself, though. Take what he’s offering. “Yes.
As long as you belong to me, too. If I catch you in some bathroom
with another woman, I swear to God, I’ll kill you.”
    “ I’m
yours, Reina. The night is yours.”
    I
don’t kiss him, although I want to. I need to see that he means it
first. Words are pretty, but actions are beautiful. I need some
beauty from him, and then I’ll kiss him—and more. For right now,
I shoo him out of the room and get dressed. The gown fits
perfectly—thanks Stella—and I feel special in it. There’s no
other word I can think of. Just special.
    Most
of the night passes in a blur. We get our picture taken by the local
press when we walk in, and Matt leaves me for a moment to go and talk
to them. I’m not sure if he’s asking him to hide the pictures or
make them go viral. I don’t really care. Even if no one else knows
that Matt brought me here, I know, and that’s all that matters.
    Once
we’ve dined and danced, Matt leads me back to our limo. It takes us
only a few blocks away to a brick building with a neon sign. I raise
an eyebrow, and he laughs.
    “ There’s
no fancy 5 star digs here, Princess. You’re looking at the best I
could find for you.”
    My
eyebrow drops along with my mood. Everything was going so well, and
then he had to call me by that stupid nickname, and assume that I
cared about how fancy a hotel room he got us was. I just wanted a
bed. “It’s nice to know that even after the romantic night you
planned for me, your opinion of me is still so low. Am I at least
level with the gutter now?”
    “ Rei,
I didn’t mean it like that. Shit.”
    I
lunge for the door as soon as the driver opens it, and hold my skirt
up as I sprint inside. I can hear Matt behind me, but I won’t let
him embarrass me any further.
    “ Hi,
I need a room,” I tell the woman behind the front desk.
    “ No.
We already have a room. It’s under Corrigan.”
    “ He
may have a room, but I need one of my own, please.”
    “ You
do not need another room, Reina. I know I pissed you off, and I’m
sorry.”
    The
woman looks between us and then smiles at me. “I can get you a
room. I just need your