All I had to do was keep telling myself that I was strong and that I could do it. The problem was, I could feel my resolve weakening.
There were too many conflicting emotions going through me.
On one hand, I wanted to believe Tyler. I wanted to believe he would be faithful with me and that we could somehow make our relationship work, even with our disapproving parents. If it wasn’t for his past, I’d probably believe him. He hadn’t given me much reason to doubt him, after all.
But, he did have his past. And our parents did want us apart. And I felt like he was just a rich, eligible bachelor who was looking for a challenge and a reason to defy his father.
After I exited the elevator at the top floor, I walked down the hallway. After a moment of gathering my resolve, I knocked on the door.
The door creaked open.
That's funny, I thought. I thought I locked it.
I stepped in and closed the door behind me. I was about to call out Tyler's name, when I heard talking up in the loft area where his bedroom was.
He must have company.
I walked over to the stairs and paused, listening. Then I heard it. A female's voice.
My heart began pounding in my chest erratically.
Calm down, I tried to tell myself. It could be anyone.
Despite trying to reason with myself and keep cool, I was overcome by a sudden, overpowering urge. I rushed up the stairs as fast as I could and let out a sharp gasp when I reached the top.
I knew it!
My wildly-beating heart skipped a beat at the sight before me.
There, standing before his bed with nothing on but boxers, was Tyler with some pretty blonde girl, dressed in a tight red dress, who was holding his cock in her hands.
You fool! How could you be so stupid?
The room began to spin around me and my breathing became shallow.
I should've known. I should've known. I should've known.
Tyler's expression was one of shock and he was quick to shove the girl away from him. "Victoria, I can explain!”
"Don’t bother!" I croaked. I don't even know how I managed to get the words out. I had a lump in my throat the size of a basketball.
Fighting to keep the tears at bay, I rushed over to the night stand and grabbed my purse.
"Victoria!" Tyler reached out to grab my arm, but I swatted him away, rushing toward the exit.
"Don't fucking touch me!"
"Please—"
I stopped at the top of the stairs, digging in my purse, turning around to confront him.
"I knew from the beginning you were a sack of shit," I snarled. "I don't know how I could've been so stupid to ever believe that you actually cared about me or that you would stop your manwhore ways!"
Tyler reached out imploringly. "It's not what you think."
How cliché. Isn't that what they all say? It's not what you think. Everything I need to know is right in front of me.
In the background, the girl in the red dress watched our exchange with her hands on her hips and an impish smile on her face.
"He does this to all the girls, honey," she purred. "You shouldn't be surprised."
"Shut up, Candice!" Tyler shouted, his face red with rage. He turned to me. "Victoria—"
"Fuck off!" I reached into my purse to make sure my phone was there. I still had his tie . . . that tie. I pulled it out and threw it at his feet. "And you can keep your fucking nasty tie!"
Sobbing uncontrollably, I turned and rushed down the stairs, nearly tripping in the process.
Tyler
I stared at the spot Victoria had vacated long after she left, wanting to go after her but knowing it would be futile.
She'd walked in at the worst possible moment, just as Candice grabbed my junk. I'd never be able to convince her that nothing was going on.
Candice raised an eyebrow in question while eyeing the tie on the floor. “Do I even want to know what the deal with the tie is?” she asked, breaking the silence. "What kind of kinky shit have you been up to, Tyler?"
I turned baleful eyes on her, my chest heaving with anger. "Nothing that concerns you."
Bitch.
Rage blurred my vision. I wanted to wrap my hands around her neck and choke her within inches of her life. I'd never, ever put my hands on a woman in a violent way, but she was pushing me to my limits.
Looking at Candice, I could tell it's something that she probably wanted. She’d love it, in fact. In some sick way, she was feeding off my emotions, getting off on them.
"You need to leave," I said flatly. "Now. Or I’m going to call the cops.”
I saw no use in trying to figure out why she was here or talking to her any further. It didn't matter anymore, and I should have thrown her out the second I saw her. But now, the damage was already done.
"Come on, Tyler," she crooned softly. "You're just mad right now. That girl . . . she was no good for you—"
"Get the fuck out!" I roared.
Candice grew silent in the face of my wrath. For a moment, I feared she was going to stay, forcing me to have to take matters into my own hands.