Royal Prick (A Stepbrother Romance #2)(72)

A memory was burned into my mind because of the things that he did to me last night— unimaginable things. The way my body hovered between pleasure in pain, and the words that fell from our lips.

Love.

Four letters.

One word.

A million emotions and I was stuck in love with the man I should have loved least of all. I gave up in defeat, looking for my clothes. Instead I walked over to his dresser and pulled out one of his shirts and slipped it on over my head, figuring I just needed to cover up really quick and slip back in here. I wanted to be here when he woke up.

I slipped from his bedroom as quietly as I could and down the hall toward what

I assumed was the bathroom. Royal and I were so intent on making it to his bedroom that he didn’t even show me this bathroom. I was a foot away from entering it when Royal’s mother noticed me in the hallway. Our eyes clashed. Oh God! She knew. She had to.

She cleared her throat, looking me up and down.

“I’m guessing you’re the one he loves, because if you aren’t I’m pretty sure you should leave,” she joked, and I was confused as to how she already knew when I had just found out myself. Maybe she heard us last night? Shit I hoped not.

My face turned fifty shades of red. I was caught with my hand in the cookie jar. I f*cked this woman’s son in her house last night, and now I was standing in her hallway getting ready to use her bathroom in nothing but her son’s shirt. I was embarrassed. Mortified.

“I….” I stumbled over my words, trying to figure out what to say. What could I say to make this look better?

Hi. I know I’m screwing your son, but can I use the restroom you have here?

“My name’s Olivia, but you can call me Momma.” She smiled at me, and her eyes twinkled. I could see why Mark married her. She couldn’t be any sweeter, and her beauty was remarkable. She had long brown hair and beautiful sea blue eyes. Her body was that of a dancer’s— strong and firm, but slim and eloquent where needed. Looking at her now made me much more curious about her and Mark’s story.

“Hi, Olivia,” I remarked shyly, balancing from foot to foot.

“Why don’t you come out here when you get done going to the bathroom. I want to share something with you.” She sipped from her coffee cup giving me one last look before fleeting back in the direction she came.

Nervous butterflies erupted in my belly. What could she want to talk to me about? Did she hate me too, because my mother was married to her ex-husband?

I went to the bathroom and washed my hands without thought as worry ate away at my insides. You couldn’t tell me you had something to talk about and then walk away like that. What if she told me I needed to leave? Could I, given everything that had happened with Royal last night?

I exited the bathroom and contemplated changing my clothes. Was there a point? I was pretty sure she already knew what happened and it would probably just make it more obvious if I did.

“Oh get in here, girl. I’m not going to bite,” she laughed, and it made me smile. It was such a warm and inviting laugh. I shuffled across the floor and over to the small island. A glass of piping hot coffee was placed in front of me.

“I’m sorry. I’m just nervous. I’ve never done this whole meet the parents thing,” I confessed, taking a sip of the hot goodness. The small sip caused my senses to erupt and my body to shiver. Coffee was so f*cking good.

“Oh, it’s okay, sweetheart. I’ve only ever done it once myself, with Royal’s father.” I bit at my lip wondering where this was going.

“You said you wanted to talk?”

“Yes. I wanted to let you know that I don’t blame you or have any harsh feelings toward you. I don’t think ill of you in light of what happened.” I was puzzled. I mean I know Mark left her for my mother, but why would she blame me?

“What are you talking about?” I questioned.

“I’m talking about Viviana, of course. Everything your mother did to ruin my marriage. The lies and the secrets. You’re aware that your mother claimed Mark was your father when you were born, right? You aren’t, of course, which we all know now. She said she had sex with Mark at a business convention but she didn’t. It was all a trap. She laced his drink so that he would pass out and she could set it up to appear like they slept together.” I blinked and coughed as the coffee that was in my mouth slid down the wrong hole. The liquid burned the entire way down my throat and my eyes began to tear from my coughing. I needed that burn; I needed it because I desperately wanted to scream out loud because of the things my mother did.

“I…” What could I say to Olivia that wasn’t already said? I understood all of it now. Why my mother was so hateful toward me, why her and Mark acted more like roommates than a married couple. Why Royal wanted to hate me and why he really did hate my mother.

“I’m sorry,” I spoke the words with honesty. I was so sorry for the things that my mother did to all of us.

“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t know that you had no idea. I thought Royal would have told you when he found out.” Hurt overwhelmed me. How long did he know? Months or days?

“I didn’t know that she did those things to you and your family. I somehow feel as if I’m intruding now,” I laughed nervously, feeling out of my element.

“You’re not leaving, Noelle.” Royal’s sleepy voice met my ears causing me to jump up out of seat. Coffee sloshed over the rim of my cup.