More Than Lies (More Than #1)(104)

When he saw me walk in to Level, his eyes practically bugged out of their sockets. I instantly knew the dress had the effect I was looking for. Then when I sat in his lap, I could feel the proof pressing into my butt. What I don’t get is why he got up and left. Not just left, but walked off and left me sitting in the seat he vacated.

There’s this uneasy feeling in the back of my mind. I don’t like it, but what can I do about it if he refuses to let me in?

“Taralynn, what’s with the look?”

I glance in Matt’s direction. He’s sitting to my left inside a booth drinking a beer. The guys were already here when Samantha and I arrived. She and Mason are inside the booth too, on the opposite side of him with heads bowed in each other’s direction and talking quietly to each other.

“It’s not me.” I turn my attention back to my bestie. We’ve been getting closer again. He’s been distancing himself from Mandy. I’ve noticed it, but he hasn’t said why. I think that may have something to do with our friendship improving. “Something’s going on with Shawn, has been for about a week now, but I don’t know what. Have you noticed anything?”

“Not really.” He looks at me confused. I know it’s not all inside my head. I know I’m not reading too much into this. Something is way off. I’m not imagining this. “Maybe the guy is just having a bad week.”

“No, Taralynn’s right. I’ve noticed his moods this week.” Mason chimes in, turning to face us both.

“See,” I tell Matt, then turn toward Mase. “What do you think is up with him?”

“No clue. Have you asked?”

“No, not outright.” Okay, not at all, but I was hoping he’d want to tell me. I’m his girlfriend. He’s supposed to tell me if something is bothering him so I can help him work through it. Isn’t that what people in a committed relationship do?

“So, maybe you should.”

He makes it sound so simple. Is it that simple? Maybe it is, but I’m being a wuss, afraid it’s something to do with me.

I grab one of the shots of tequila from the table and shoot it into the back of my throat before swallowing it down. I’m going to go talk to him. I’m going to act like that woman I know I am deep down and I’m going to find out what’s wrong with my boyfriend. Then I’m going to fix it.





“There you are.” Locating him doesn’t bring the relief I was praying for. Shawn is standing against the wall next to the men’s bathroom with his head bowed. I have to get him to talk to me. I know we can fix whatever is wrong, together, if he’ll simply open up to me and tell me what’s bothering him. Keeping me in the dark is freaking me out. Can he not see that?

His head snaps up and his eyes bug for a split second before he masks his expression. He looked guilty for a moment. Okay, Taralynn, stop this. Now you are overreacting.

His eyes grow cold. I don’t like it, but I don’t know what to do. Before I realize what’s happening, Shawn grabs me and pushes me through the door leading into the women’s bathroom that’s directly behind me. When I enter, he swings me around until my back meets the icy cold tile wall.

“What are you doing?” For the first time ever, I’m worried while I’m in Shawn’s grasp. His leg goes between mine where he pushes my thighs apart. His hands go to my waist and he moves in closer. “Shawn.”

“I’m doing exactly what I’m known for doing. I’m going to fuck you in this bathroom.” The way his eyes scan my body is disgusting. This isn’t my Shawn. This isn’t the way Shawn looks at me, and it certainly isn’t the way he treats me. I don’t know who this man is, but I want him gone. I want my boyfriend back. Why is he doing this? Treating me like . . .

“No, you’re not.” I squirm, but he has a firm grip on my waist keeping me in place. “What’s really going on? Why have you been acting off lately? Talk to me.”

“I don’t want to talk, Taralynn.” I hate the way my full name sounds rolling off his lips. I’m not Taralynn to him. I’m Tara, damn it. “I want to fuck.”

“Not in here we’re not. I’m not some whore, Shawn. I’m not having sex with you in a bathroom at a night club.” I push harder this time and he releases me, but he doesn’t back up. Instead he places his arm above me, bracing it on the wall. His body is crowding mine.

“You’re right, Tara. You’re not a whore, and I want a whore.” My chest heaves as I try to suck in oxygen. He doesn’t mean that. “This was never going to work.” He points between both of us. “All I’ll ever offer a woman is a quick fuck.”

“You don’t mean that.” He can’t mean that. We’re great together. He’s said it over and over to me. I’ve seen the way he looks at me in and out of bed. It couldn’t have been a lie, could it?

Has everything he’s told me these last few months been all lies?

“Oh, he means it.” That voice. I hate that voice. I look over to see Holly sauntering out of one of the stalls. She walks toward us. Shawn takes one step away from me. When she gets close enough, she wraps not only her arms around Shawn’s free arm, but practically her whole body, I want to come unglued. There is something inside of me that wants to be freed and wants to hurt her. “You didn’t really think you’d be able to retain this one, did you?” She squeezes on him and he does nothing to stop her. I look up at him silently telling him to push her away. He doesn’t seem to like her being here, but again he isn’t doing shit to make her leave.