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Authors: C.E. Black

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BOOK: Shifted Temptations
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"I have really enjoyed our time together," which was a total understatement.

"But...," Jordan said, as Alex looked at him surprised.

I could tell Jordan knew what was coming and his narrowed eyes said he had an argument ready. God, this
was going to be hard.

"But I think it's time for it to end." There, I said it, relieved that it was out, but
by the look on both men's faces I knew it was far from over.

"Why?" Alex asked
, totally perplexed.

"I...I...I just think it's time," I stuttered. "We had fun, but now it's over."

Jordan's stare pierced through me, slicing at my already battered insides. "Yes, we have been having fun, so why do we need to stop?"

I really did not
want to explain, but it looked like I was going to have to tell them something. "I care for both of you, very much," I said hands folded in front me to keep them from shaking. "And I can't keep the no strings rule anymore."

"What do you mean?" Alex asked.

"I mean...," I sucked in a breath as anger began to bubble through my veins. The conversation was getting ridiculous. Can a girl not break up with her lovers without all the questions? Fine, I was going to have to get firmer. They were not going to like what I had to say and maybe the discussion would end sooner rather than later.

My cheeks flushed hot.
"Like I told you, I care about both of you and I cannot do just a physical relationship. I need more."

Alex sucked in a surprised breath and looked at Jordan. That just
pissed me off more. Alex should not have to ask for Jordan's permission, but that was exactly what it looked like he was doing.

"That was the d
eal, Sam." Jordan's voice filled with tension, his jaw ticking. "No strings, remember? There can't be more."

"I know what we agree too," I practically shouted. "But I can't d
o it anymore! What else do you want me to say? It's over."

"Are you trying to tell me you didn't
enjoy yourself?" I flushed as Jordan’s lips pulled up in an arrogant smirked. God, he was so full of himself.

"You know I did, that i
s not the issue," I seethed.

"Then I don't see the problem."

Jordan relaxed against the couch as if that was the final say. My hands balled into fists at my sides. His behavior was extraordinary.

"Of cour
se you don't see the problem. You don’t give a shit that I am the one who would get hurt.
You're
not the one feeling used!" I barked.

I felt insistently guilty for saying what I did.
Alex looked hurt and that was not my intention.

"You really feel that way?" Alex asked softly. "You feel like we used you?"

Before I could answer Jordan spoke up, his words harsh with annoyance. "Come on Sam, you sure haven't been acting like you were feeling this way while we were
using
you." I hated the nasty way he mocked me, but he was right.

"No, I didn't feel that way. I'm sorry I said that, although sometimes..." I looked away tying to gather myself before I broke down in front of them. "When we made love, I didn't feel used, but afterwards and the days in
between...yeah, I did. You have never stayed the night with me, ever."

I held up a hand to stop them from commenting. "I know that was one of t
he rules, but you never just...hold me for very long either. We rarely talk anymore. Remember when we use to hang out and have fun?"

I looked at them hopefully, but neither responded.
I wrapped my arms around my middle, trying to hold it together for a little while longer.

"It's all about sex now," I continued pleading with them to understand. "The only time you talk to me or come over is for that. How should I feel?" I felt tears gather in corner of my eyes and quickly turned to wipe them away before they could see.

I turned back as Alex spoke. "I am so sorry you feel that way," he said sincerely.

"Me too," Jordan agreed. "But we
can't offer you anything more."

I looked at Alex. "He said we, but he can't speak for you." Alex hung his head. That was answer enough. "Then you understand why I have to break it off with you."

Jordan stood up abruptly, his blue eyes flashing, his hands fisted at his sides. "No, I don't understand. We have a good thing going and you're throwing it away for nothing."

His voice was almost a growl and I took a step back. Never had I ever heard a man's voice sound like that, a deep barking growl. He sounded like an animal.

He looked away quickly, realizing what just happened, but I was done. It was time for the conversation to be finished. With my back straight and my face determined, I pointed to the door.

"We are done. Please, both of you leave."

Alex stood up looking at me with a mixture of hurt and anger. My throat went dry and my eyes filled with tears. God, I loved them, anger and all. I didn't want to hurt either of them, but it was best if they just left.

Jordan began to stalk to the door, but stopped abruptly. He was staring toward the kitchen. I followed his gaze then cursed softly. Boxes, packed
full, were sitting on the table, clearly visible through the archway. I sighed heavily. Shit, this was getting better and better, I thought.

Jordan and Alex stared down at me, fire in their eyes. "What
in the hell is that?" Alex asked.

I stood straight and lifted my chin. "Boxes, I'm packing.

"Explain," Jordan barked.

With my hands planted on my hips, I glared at him. "First off, don't talk to me like that. And second,
I don't have to tell you shit."

Nevertheless, I
did feel like they should know. When both men continued to glare, I gave an explanation.

"It's going to
be a bit awkward now that we have broken up, so I am moving out. There is no sense in making each other's lives miserable. It would be best if we don't have to see each other every day."

"No," Jordan said.

"What?" I asked incredulous that he felt he could make such demands.

"No, you are not moving out and this conversation is not over." He pointed down at the floor as he spoke. "This isn't over. When you have calmed down, we'll talk again."

My mouth dropped open. My mind whirled in rage at his highhanded behavior. Then my shoulders slumped. He was not going to walk away and I needed to get out of there. With my head down, I took a deep breath.

I felt my eyes shoot sparks as I looked back up at Jordan.
"You are one sorry, stubborn, arrogant, son of a..."

"Don't," Alex inte
rrupted. "Don't say anything you will regret later, Sam.”

I knew he was right, but I was past caring. The way Jordan completely discounted my feelings
, hurt me more than I had expected. I did not care at that point if what I said caused him any grief.

"Fine, you want a better explanation than how I feel." I nodded "I get that. You don't give a shit. I get that too. And there is a better reason,
” I pointed an accusing finger towards him, “but you are not going to like it, so I suggest you take my advice and leave now."

My hand dropped to my side as
Jordan crossed his arms and planted his feet. He stared me down, obviously not ready to leave and by the looks of it, neither was Alex. His expression was such a mix of emotions I could not tell what he was thinking. Deciding on shock value, I skipped all finesse and just blurted out my secret.

"I'm pregnant."

The silence was thick as both men continue to glare at me. It felt like forever, in reality it was for all of two seconds before Jordan exploded. His face lost the stone like quality I hated and his eyes blazed. It was exactly as I had expected.

"How in the hell did t
hat happen?" He all but yelled.

I
rolled my eyes at the obvious.

His jaw clenched.
"You know what I mean, Sam." Before I could answer, his eyes widened. "You said you were on birth control. Did you do this on purpose?"

My mouth dr
opped open. "Are you serious?"

"Well
, you just admitted to wanting more from our relationship. Maybe this was your way of getting that. Our deal was no children. You knew that." This time it was his finger pointing at me.

I looked at
Jordan in disbelief. His expression was so full of hatred I wanted to sob. Did he not know that accidents happened? Birth control was not one hundred percent. Instead of thinking logically, he blamed me for something it took two people, no make that three people, to do.

I looked over at Alex and about collapsed at the suspicion written all over his face. I stared at him, showing every bit of pain I was feelin
g until he finally turned away.

In all my wildest dreams, I would have never thought our friendship would end in such a disgusting way. I knew my love for them was one sided and I had accepted that, but to see what they really thought of me...to know how little they cared, was excruciating. At that
moment, my body and mind began to go numb. I did not want to feel anymore, I just wanted them gone.

"Yeah," I croaked, my voice dull, but full of sarcasm. "I planned it all. I mean
, it's every woman's dream to get pregnant by two men who don't care about her."

I turned away. I could
not look at either of them and I did not really care what they thought anymore.

There must have been something in my expression,
because Alex's eyes widened and his hand reach out towards me. When I flinched back, he let it drop.

"Sam?"

Ignoring him I said, "Don't worry about it guys. I knew you wouldn't want anything to do with the baby so I wasn't planning on keeping it anyway."

"Oh, really? A
nd what was your plan?" Jordan asked, his words heavy with disdain that I tried hard to ignore.

"I'm having an abortion."

Jordan stared at me for a long time. At first, I tried to see something, some emotion or thought, but I couldn't, so I gave up and gave him blank eyes back.

His breathing sped up and his nostrils flared a little. It was more than unnerving and I began to feel a little afraid, cornered.

I took a step back from him and he growled. My eyes widened and pure fear crashed through me. My heart raced and I swallowed hard as I watched the man I loved shake with rage. At that moment, I knew what it felt like to be prey.

Just as my flight reflexes were about to kick in, he abruptly turned
around and strode to the door. "Good," he said as the door slammed shut behind him.

I almost crumpled to the floor it hurt so badly. I was still a little shaky as I turned to Alex.  He walked slowly over, but thankfully ke
pt some distance between us.

"Sam, let's talk...,"

"No, Alex. I'm done talking. Please leave."

He looked at me for one long moment, his gaze searching mine. I wasn't sure what he was looking for, but in that moment I almost surrendered. I
wanted him to hold me and tell me everything would be all right. I wanted him to love me. I wanted him to want our baby.

I reminded myself that none of those things were going to happen and firmed my resolve. Making
sure to keep my expression empty, I kept my gaze glued to Alex's until he finally nodded and left.

As the door shut with a soft click, my knees buckled. I lay on the floor curled into as tight a ball as I could get and sobbed. I couldn't think of anything except how
bad my chest hurt. Whoever said a heart broke was full of shit, because it felt like it was being ripped from my feeble body.

I
could not allow myself to wallow for long. The movers were coming and I wanted to be out of that apartment before nightfall. I never wanted to see Alex or Jordan again.

 

 

 

~ 3
~

 

Alex

 

"Damn it!"

Alex sighed
, listening as cabinet doors and drawers banged and slammed. Jordan was in one of his moods again and I idly wondered what ticked him off this time.

More cursing came from the kitchen as Jordan yelled,
"Where in the hell is the coffee?"

Shit, I
guessed I was the cause of his temper this time. I used the last just that morning and had planned to go to the store later. Sighing again, I stood from where I had been working at the computer, planning to go talk to him when Jordan burst through the office door.

"Alex, did you drink the last of the coffee?" Jordan barked
.

Hands in my jean's pockets I looked at Jordan as he stood glaring at me and shook my head. The way his temper would ignite at the slightest things was starting to get old and I had begun wonder
ing how much more I could take.

BOOK: Shifted Temptations
10.67Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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