“As soon as he can get a flight.” He grinned.

“No private plane for him?”

“It’s a surprise.” Tarquin grinned. “No one knows except me and well you now.”

“Oh, wow. Why is he coming back?”

“That’s for me to know and you to find out.” He grinned and flicked his blond hair. “I’ll see you later.”

“Yeah, okay.” I nodded and walked back to the room wondering why it was such a secret. However, Sebastian soon left my mind as I wanted to know what Violeta had gotten me. I ripped open the box eagerly and my jaw dropped when I saw a vibrator in the box that looked very similar to the one Xavier had given me. I dropped it on the floor and ripped open the envelope and read the card slowly.

Lola,

I heard about your fun last night with Xavier. Just thought you should know that you’re not the first girl he’s taken to the club with a vibrator. It’s a fetish of his. The one in the box is the one he gave me when we were together. Yes, I’m the girl he was dating that broke his heart. I moved on to bigger and better. I’m sure you’d agree that Casper is a much better looking man. Unfortunately, Xavier is still a bit upset and jealous that I left him. I suppose that’s why he proposed to you and brought you to the club. Only thing is, that doesn’t make me jealous. Just sad for him and sad for you. Next time you feel like taking a ride, it might help you to remember that there have been many other riders before you. And some of us were treated to gallops, not trots.

XOXO

Violeta

I read the letter twice unable to believe what I was reading. So Violeta wasn’t Sebastian’s ex, she was Xavier’s ex? I suddenly felt like everything was clicking into place. Was Xavier using me to make Violeta jealous? Was that the real reason he’d brought me here to Romerius? I sat on the bed with the letter in my hand and read it again and then ripped it up into little pieces and lay back and stared at the ceiling waiting for Xavier to enter the room.

***

His View

I knew as soon as I opened the door that Lola was still upset. I hadn’t thought she was going to react so badly to Richard being married. Though, it made me admire and respect her more. Lola was the girl I didn’t think existed any more. She was the sort of girl I would want to meet if I believed in love.

“You okay?” I asked as I turned the light on and she sat up. Her face was red and blotchy and I could tell that she’d been crying. “What’s wrong?” I frowned as I walked over to her. “You’re not seriously crying because of Richard and Charlotte are you?”

“No. I’m not crying about that.” She gave me a look that was void of emotion and I froze in fear.

“Then what’s wrong?”

“You used to date, Violeta?” She spat out. “You used to take her to the club?”

“How do you know that?” I stepped forward.

“She sent me the vibrator you gave her.”

Fuck! I should have known Violeta would do something like that.

“Don’t you have anything to say?” She jumped up with her finger pointed at me. “How could you?”

“How could I?” I could feel my blood starting to boil. “I can do what I want. Yes, I used to f**k Violeta, what concern is it of yours? That was my past, Lola.” I knew I sounded angry, but I was filled with fear. Would Lola leave me now? The sudden emptiness that hit me at the thought scared me.

“I met her and she was rude to me and you never even told me.” She glared at me. “I thought I was—”

“You thought you were what?” I cut her off. “Haven’t I told you many times that this is not real? We’re not really engaged, Lola. I’m not your Prince Charming. We both know this is about our chemistry together. This is about the sex.” I said bluntly as I stuck the knife into her heart. I could see the pain in her eyes as I spoke, but I was doing this for her as well as myself. I didn’t want her to think I was someone I wasn’t. I couldn’t make her happy. I could never be the man she wanted me to be. I’d already brought her here under nefarious situations. If she knew everything, she would hate me. I knew I should tell her everything. I knew I owed her the truth. The complete and utter truth. But the fact of the matter was; I was scared. I didn’t want to lose her, not yet. Not now. I couldn’t let go of her. I knew that I was losing her with my words, but I didn’t know how to stop hurting her. I didn’t know how to warn her to stay away from me, without having her leave. I didn’t want her to leave. Not yet. I ignored the voice in my head that told me, not ever.

“I know we’re not engaged for real.” She retorted back at me angrily, the fire back in her eyes as she glared at me. I stared at her beautiful face and felt my heart crying out for her. I was so confused. I didn’t even know what I was thinking or feeling anymore.

“I’m sorry though.” I grabbed her hands. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I should have told you, but I wasn’t sure you would want to know about my past.”

“I don’t know that I would have wanted to know either, but Violeta made sure that I did.”

“I’ll speak to her tonight.” I frowned, angry that Violeta was playing her old games again. Yes, we’d been lovers and yes, I’d enjoyed being with her until I’d seen how manipulative she was.

“Tonight?”

“At the ball.”