Mr Spencer(24)

Not Sheridan.

And now the sick taste of betrayal rests constantly in my mouth.

I feel like I cheated on Charlotte, even though we are nothing to each other.

I hate that we’re nothing.

I hate that I used Sheridan’s body to ejaculate when I was thinking about another woman.

I’ve never done that before to any woman. I’m always completely focused on whomever I’m with. Thankfully Sheridan has gone out of town now.

Regret runs deep in my blood.

What kind of man am I? Imagine if she knew.

I pick up my phone and check it.

No missed calls.





4





Charlotte


Beth curls her nose. “What do you mean?”

I exhale and sink deeper in my seat. We’re sitting on the living room floor after eating our weight in Indian takeout. “Just what I said. He turned up at my work and was being ridiculously gorgeous, so we went out for dinner.” I shrug. “Things went well, and then we came back here. One thing led to another, we started making out, things got hot and… oh, it was so good. Then the very next minute I ruined it by blurting out that I was a virgin.”

Beth is deeply fascinated. “And?”

“And… he left.”

“What?” Beth gasps, her disbelief evident.

“I know.”

“But guys love virgins, don’t they?” She frowns. “I don’t get it?”

“But do they?” I scoff. “I’m twenty-four and I can’t get a man to come near me at all, Beth.”

She rolls her eyes. “Please, don’t insult my intelligence. You get plenty of men who pursue you.”

“Be serious for a moment and face the facts. I’m an ice princess who scares the majority of men away.” I sigh sadly.

“Don’t take offence to that. It’s not you, it’s Edward and everything that goes along with being a Prescott.”

I drain my wineglass because, God, this is depressing.

“And you really liked this guy?” she asks quietly.

I shrug sadly. “Not specifically him, more what he represents, you know? He was fun, naughty, and gorgeous. He’s older, too, and I would never be allowed to go out with him because he’s a well-known player.” I frown as I try to articulate my thoughts. “But… I just wanted to have fun for once. I’m not looking for a husband or anything, obviously. The only thing my family ever sees when they think of a man being with me is him only ever being with me for my money. I want men to be with me because of the woman I am. I want fun, carefree sex, like you get to have. Like every woman should be allowed to have in their youth.”

She nods, her face full of understanding. “Who knew being wealthy was so boring?” She tuts and stares into space.

I refill her wineglass. “Totally.” I pass her the glass. “And Wyatt was being all overprotective and annoying.”

“That’s his job. Don’t blame him for that.”

“Yeah, I get that, but Spencer was different. He wasn’t trying to woo me. He was honest and told me he only ever has friends with benefits. He was nothing but himself, and you know what? It was damn attractive.”

“So, you want friends with benefits now?”

“No. I don’t know what I want, but I know it isn’t this.”

“Hmm.”

I exhale heavily and lie back on the floor. “I just want a fucking holiday away from myself for a while.”

“Dropping F bombs now. You must be serious.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, I am.”

“What do you mean, you want a holiday away from yourself?”

“I mean I wish I was someone else for a while, with a normal shitty job, no money, and every man in the world trying to shag her.” I smile as I imagine a different life where I didn’t have to constantly toe the line. “I want to feel desired and carefree, instead of having guards, Bentleys, Edward, and all the boring bullshit that goes along with being a Prescott.” I exhale heavily.

Beth watches me for a moment, and I can feel her brain ticking. “If that’s what you want, why don’t you get it?” she asks.

“What?”

“Why don’t you change your name and be normal for a while?”

“What do you mean?” I frown.

Her eyes widen with excitement. “And this is the perfect time, too.”

I roll my eyes, here we go.

“You said your father and Edward are away for six weeks, right?”

“Yeah, so?”

“So, why don’t you take some time off from work while they’re away? Why not move to London and go undercover? You could get a shitty job and pretend your name is something completely different.”

“Like what?”

She bites her bottom lip and thinks for a moment. “Lottie Preston. Your friends call you Lottie, anyway.”

“Have you lost your mind?” I gasp, sitting up at once.

She beams at me. “Just the opposite, this is fucking genius. Get a job in a café or a nightclub pouring drinks or something. Nobody will know who you are, and you’ll be treated just like the rest of us. You can run amuck.”

I stare at her, wide-eyed as her idea rolls around in my head. “But what would I tell my father?”