Then There Was You(92)

The sultry sound of his voice and the heaving sound of his breath as he reached the apex of his own pleasure was enough to push me over the edge. One final thrust of my fingers against my pulsating center sent me barreling over the cliff. A heavenly quaking of ecstasy surged through my body, followed by blissful, billowing shockwaves. The endorphins coursing through my body made me feel intoxicated, relaxed and content. I fell limp against my mattress, enjoying the moment of sublime tranquility.

A quiet sigh escaped my lips. I felt sure the sound of my satisfied moan sent Chris over the edge because he groaned in response, a deeply satisfied and exhilarating sound, followed peaceful, subdued breaths.

“That was amazing, Salem,” he breathed.

I stirred from my semi-lucid state. “Mmhmm.” It was all I could muster.

“Sleep well, baby,” he whispered.

I think I said goodnight. I wasn’t sure.

All I knew was that I woke up the next morning with my phone on my pillow. “Whoa. That was intense,” I whispered as I grabbed my phone and plugged it into its charger in a rush to get to the shower.





I was scrolling through posts on my favorite social networking website when a picture leapt off the screen and sucker-punched me in the gut.

The caption read:



Watch out, ladies! By the looks of it, Chris King is on the prowl!!!



I could have brushed it off if it weren’t for the picture of a half-naked girl on Chris’s lap with her tongue down his throat juxtaposed by pictures of them entering a hotel room together. My chest tightened, and my stomach clenched. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. My brain couldn’t remember how to tell my lungs to inhale. I felt dizzy.

What? Why?

I immediately slammed my laptop closed, staring at the wall. Numb.

I should have known better. I knew the lifestyle he led. I knew that every girl was vying for an opportunity to pounce on him. His endless access to alcohol and drugs… Dammit… I knew better!

The heat of my anger shot through me like a rocket launching into orbit. Sucking a breath, my nostrils flared and my chest tightened. How could I have been so stupid?!





Chris called later that night. “Hey, beautiful,” he said, the sound of his voice nearly caused me to lose my nerve.

Strengthening my resolve, I chose to skip the charades. My voice was hoarse from all the crying I’d done all day. “Tell me what the pictures didn’t say.”

There was a hesitation in his voice before he spoke. “Salem, I… I don’t know what you’re—”

“Chris, tell me what the pictures didn’t say,” I demanded, praying for an explanation, anything other than the obvious.

Chris was silent for several seconds.

The lump in my throat grew too big to swallow and tears sprang to my eyes. “Please, Chris,” I pleaded, sounding more desperate than angry. “Please tell me what those pictures didn’t say.”

“Nothing,” he said quietly.

And there it was—the knife to my heart. “I didn’t think so,” I barely whispered. My body felt numb. My mind went blank. The weight on my chest was so heavy that I could barely breathe.

He sighed, “I’m sorry, Salem.”

“Don’t apologize,” I said sharply. This is my fault. He’s a freaking rock star. I knew better! I knew better than to get this close to him. It was only a matter of time before he’d get drunk one night and start thinking with the head in his pants instead.

Pleading desperation filled his voice. “Please, let me explain—”

“What’s there to explain?” I replied bitterly, hating that I sounded like the jealous girlfriend when we hadn’t even established what we were. I guess I just assumed when he told me he loved me that I meant something to him. “You said it yourself. The pictures tell it all.”

Groveling, he begged, “Oh god, Salem, I’m so sorry. Please, Salem, hear me out. I was so fucked up. Please understand… This isn’t easy for me, you know—this life.”

My seething anger got the best of me. “No, I can’t imagine life as one big ass party every minute of every day.”

Just then, as if I’d flipped a switch, his desperation turned to frustration. “You’re wrong about that,” he barked back. “And because you have no fucking clue, I won’t waste any time explaining it.”

“Fine,” I huffed. “Go get wasted and fuck someone else. Enjoy your rock star life. Goodbye, Chris.”

Chris sighed as if he knew I’d never understand. “Whatever, Salem,” he said quietly, withholding something. I couldn’t tell if it was anger, regret, or sadness.