Flirting With Destiny: Aedyn Book 1

Chapter 7

Lauren 

I didn't know what to say. I laid there, staring at the ceiling, trying to come up with the perfect reply that would stop the dreaded inquisition I knew would come next. But it was like Chip had a window into my mind and could read every thought I was thinking. I felt so exposed. Then a cheap lie arose in my mind. "Sorry. I'm not feeling so great. I think it was the food we ate last night.

Sometimes seafood bothers my stomach. It did smell kind of fishy. Maybe it wasn't fresh." I mean we live in the Midwest. There's no sea around here. Maybe he'd buy that story. 

Chip snorted a short laugh. Not the "ha-ha, funny," type, more of the "yea, right" variety. 

 "You've been acting distant. I'm no fool. What's going on?" Chip paced next to the bed and reached for the bottle of water on his night stand. 

"Distant?" 

"Yea, like you got something else on your mind all the time. You're always staring off into space. You take extra-long lunches at work and now, in bed, your mind was somewhere else. You weren't even into it. I'm no fool, Lauren. What's so damn important that you can't pay attention to me when we're together?" He stopped pacing and gave me a piercing look. "Or should I say, who is so important?"

I sat up and got out of the bed so I could turn my back and he couldn't see my face. "I don't know what you're talking about. I told you, I just don't feel well. That's all." 

"Don't pretend with me, Lauren." He put down his water and followed me as I walked around the bedroom, looking for my underwear to put on. I was stalling. I didn't know how to answer him. There wasn't anyone else, except a fantasy, and that didn't count. 

If I went on the defensive and started an argument now that his manhood was challenged, it wouldn't end well, I knew. I had witnessed Chip's rages and his erratic behavior was draining me. Although, from the looks of all the clothing strewn around the room, I must have been feeling pretty amorous toward him last night. 

 My expensive, lace-edged bra was flung over a chair and the matching panties lay on the floor near the door. Glad that I had long hair to hide my expression, I let it fall around my face as I picked up my panties and pulled them on. I was a horrible person, lusting after one man while fucking another. Especially since I thought I was fucking the man of my future children. 

"Tell me," he snarled. "What's going on? What have you been doing behind my back?" 

I contemplated just telling him the truth, be honest with him about my feelings. When I didn't answer fast enough, he snapped, "Look at me when I talk to you." He took my arm and backed me against the door. "Look me in the eyes and tell me that nothing is going on. And remember, I'll know if you're lying." 

Still holding my arm and pinning me to the door, I glanced down at the hand digging into me. This wasn't the time to explain anything. He was too ramped up and he wouldn't even hear what I had to say. "Let go of me. You're hurting me." I demanded. 

His eyes were dark with anger. "Tell me. You've been flirting with someone else, haven't you? Were you getting all turned on when you talked to him? Did he make you wet while you threw yourself at him in public?" 

"No! What the... no..." 

"Don't lie to me." His voice was louder now and angrier. "I went to the sandwich shop, Lauren. Right after you were there. I wondered why you were gone so long and went looking for you. The girl behind the counter told me all about it, how you were talking to some guy. She said you looked like you were having a really good time, talking to him. Laughing. Flirting."