When I Lie With You by Sandi Lynn
“I know. He told me all about your visit. There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you for a while, but then all that stuff happened with Ian and I left for Paris—”
“What is it, Rory?”
“Remember when I went back to Indiana to put closure on the past right before Thanksgiving?”
“Yeah, I remember.”
“Aunt Nancy told me that our father was her boyfriend and that him and Mom slept together one night while they were both drunk.”
“Are you serious?” he asked with concern.
“Apparently, he wasn’t happy Mom was pregnant and took off, leaving all of us.”
“What an asshole. How could he leave his own children?”
“How would you feel if I searched for him?” I asked.
I could tell that bothered him by the way he got up from his chair and pulled a leaf from the tree. “Why would you want to do that, Rory?”
“Because I want answers. I want that bastard to tell me why he abandoned our mother and us!”
Stephen turned around and looked at me. “You always wanted the answers to everything, Rory. I think some answers are better left not knowing.”
I closed my eyes and slowly got up from the table. I walked over to Stephen and looped my arm around his, laying my head on his shoulder.
“He’s our flesh and blood. He’s a part of us and I want to know why he did what he did.”
Stephen wrapped his arm around me and pulled me into him, kissing the top of my head. “If it means that much to you, then find him. But I don’t want to know him and I don’t want you bringing him around me. Okay?”
I nodded my head as I hugged him tightly. Visiting hours were over and it was time for me to leave.
“I wish we had more time,” I said.
“Me too, sis.”
I gave Stephen a kiss and waved goodbye. Even though I knew he was okay and doing well, my heart ached every time I had to say goodbye. Guilt settled in deep inside and I couldn’t stop it. As I walked out the doors of Hudson Rock and over to the parking lot where I parked my car, I looked up and smiled at the handsome man in a dark gray suit who was leaning up against my car.
“What are you doing here?” I asked as I kissed Ian’s lips.
“I came to drive you home. I had Joshua drop me off.”
“How long have you been standing out here?” I asked as I hugged him.
“Just a few minutes. How is he?”
“He’s doing well,” I replied.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart? You look sad.”
I took in a deep breath as I looked into his eyes. “Guilt. Every time I leave here, I can’t help but feel consumed with guilt.”
Ian placed his hands on each side of my face before softly kissing me on the lips. “I understand the guilt, but I don’t think Stephen would want you feeling that way. He knows you had no choice.”
“I know and you’re right. Let’s go home.” I smiled lightly before kissing him.
Chapter 7
Ian
It bothered me that Rory was struggling. Not only about her father, but about the guilt she felt with Stephen. I got up from my office chair and stood in the entrance of the living room, where Rory was playing the piano. Words couldn’t describe the feeling that overtook me every time I heard her play. I walked to the kitchen and poured us each a glass of wine and then set her glass on top of the piano while I sat on the couch with mine. She stopped playing and looked at me.
“Keep playing, sweetheart. I just want to sit here and watch you.”
She flashed me a smile and continued playing. As I stared at her, I remembered the first time I saw her, when Joshua opened the door to the limo and set her in my lap. The pain on her face and the fear in her eyes as she looked at me unleashed a part of me I didn’t know I had. I instantly wanted to protect her. I’d never felt that way with anyone before and, to be honest, it frightened me. That was why I brought her to my house instead of the hospital. I feared that once they took her, I’d never see her again and I wouldn’t be able to protect her. I stared at her intently as her fingers hit the keys, and I watched her lose herself in the music. She possessed such talent and it made her happy. This girl, the woman who made me fall in love with her, was now a vital part of my life.
She finished her song, grabbed her glass of wine, and walked over to the couch. As I held my hand out to her, she gracefully accepted it and sat down beside me. After taking a sip of my wine, I set my glass down and wrapped my arms around her.
“I’ll never get tired of hearing you play the piano,” I said as I kissed her cheek.
“I hope not, because I plan on playing for you forever.” She smiled.
“You better keep that promise.”
I gently sucked her bottom lip as she continued smiling at me. I wanted her. I took her hand and softly kissed each finger.
“I love these hands. They’re very talented in more ways than one.” I smiled.
She closed her eyes and I knew she was highly aroused. I slowly laid her back and hovered over her as my erection was jammed between her legs.
“I need to fuck you, Rory,” I whispered.
“I want you to fuck me, Ian,” she whispered back.
My hand traveled up her shirt and under her bra. Cupping her bare breast, I smashed my mouth into hers, passionately, letting her know how much I wanted her. She wrapped her leg around my waist and returned the kiss with her tongue exploring my mouth.
“Hey, welcome back, bro,” Andrew said as he shut the door.
I broke our kiss and looked over the back of the couch. “Andrew, I didn’t know you were stopping by.”
“I called you a few times, but you didn’t answer your phone. Hey, Rory.”
I got up from the couch and gave him a light hug. “Good to see you, man.”
Rory sat up on the couch and gave Andrew a small smile. I wasn’t exactly sure what was going on with the two of them. Andrew had talked to me a couple of times and expressed his opinion that he didn’t feel Rory was good for me. I basically told him to mind his own business and that he needed to get to know Rory better.
“I think I’ll head upstairs and leave the two of you alone,” she said.
“You can stay, sweetheart.”
“No, it’s okay. Have your bonding time.” She smiled as she lightly kissed my lips.
As I watched her walk out of the room, Andrew poured himself a drink. “Glad you’re back, Ian.”
“It’s good to be back,” I said as I walked over to the bar and poured myself some bourbon.
“I take it things with you and Rory are good.”
“Things with me and Rory are great. I’ve never been happier. You should try it.” I smiled as I held up my glass.
“No thanks. Women just fuck you over at some point and end up ruining your life. I thought you and I were on the same page about that?”
“Yeah, well, maybe we’ve been wrong about that. Rory walked into my life and she changed everything for me.”
Andrew rolled his eyes as he walked over to the bar and poured another drink. “Whatever, Ian. She has you so pussy whipped already that before you know it, you’ll be a daddy and you’ll be shoveling out millions in child support.”
I sighed as I sat down on the couch and glared at him. “First off, don’t tell me I’m pussy whipped because that’s not the case. I love her and she loves me. Second of all, there will be no kids. You know that’s the one thing I’m firm on. There’s no way in hell I’d bring a kid into this world.”
Andrew chuckled. “Really, Ian? You don’t think that little woman of yours is going to secure her future and trap you?”
“No. Rory isn’t like that. She doesn’t care about my money. She cares about me and the person I am,” I said angrily.
“All women are like that and you’re stupid to think otherwise. That girl came from nothing. You took her in and showed her this life and now she won’t leave it. Why do you think she came back with you? An
I shifted myself and took in a sharp breath. Andrew and I had always been close and always had each other’s backs, but I didn’t like him talking about Rory like that.
“You’re wrong, Andrew. Very, very wrong. Rory and I love each other deeply. I love her for who she is and she loves me for who I am.”
“She’s in love with what you represent, Ian. Fuck, get your head out of your ass.”
I shot up from couch and pointed my finger at him. “That’s enough, Andrew. I will not sit here and let you talk about Rory like that. You’re the one who needs to get your head out of your ass and go find someone to love. It’s time to grow up, man.”
Andrew chuckled as he threw back his bourbon and slammed the glass down on the bar. “You’re making a serious mistake, Ian. Don’t come crying to me when she takes you for everything you’re worth,” he said as he shook his head and walked out the door.
I stood there, pissed, enraged, and a little surprised by his attitude. He needed to see and understand that Rory changed me, my life, and my views. She knocked sense into me when I thought I had everything in life figured out.
“Did Andrew leave?” I heard Rory ask behind me.
I turned around and smiled when I saw her standing there. “Yes, sweetheart, he left.”
“He wasn’t here very long.”
“He just wanted to stop by and say hi. He had somewhere to be,” I lied to her.
There was enough tension between the two of them already. I wasn’t about to tell her his concerns and what he had said. As I walked towards her, she gently bit down on her bottom lip. She must have known what I wanted because she had that sexy smile on her face. I wanted Rory Sinclair every second of every day, and I couldn’t get enough of her. She was my girl, my woman, and my partner. I was no longer Ian Braxton, and she was no longer Rory Sinclair. We were now Ian and Rory, a couple, a team, and we were ready to build a future together.
Chapter 8
Rory
As soon as Ian and I got back from our run, we sat down in the dining room while Mandy served us breakfast. I looked at Ian as he picked up the blueberry muffin from his plate.
“Rory, why are you staring at me like that?”
“Do you think—” I stopped what I was going to say and took in a breath.
“Do I think what, sweetheart?” Ian asked.
“Do you think you could go one day without eating a blueberry muffin?”
I sat there, face twisted, waiting for his response. He put down his muffin, took a sip of his coffee, and flashed me that irresistible smile.
“Rory, blueberry muffins are like sex to me. I can never have enough.” He winked.
I sighed because I knew I would forever watch my boyfriend eat blueberry muffins.
“Does it bother you that I eat these every day?” he asked.
“No, not at all. It’s just that after you eat something for so long, you eventually get sick of it.”
“Hmm, well if I ever grow tired of blueberry muffins, I’ll let you know.”
Just as I smiled at him, we heard the front door open.
“Good morning, my darlings,” Adalynn said as she breezed into the dining room.
“Good morning, Adalynn.”
“Morning, Adalynn. Muffin?” Ian smiled.
“God, no. I don’t know how you can eat those things every day.”
As I couldn’t help but laugh, Ian looked at me and raised his eyebrow. I flashed him a smile and turned my attention to Adalynn. “So what you brings you by?” I asked.
“I was hoping that you would come with me and look for wedding dresses today.”
The smile on my face grew wide. “I would love to go.”
“You couldn’t just call her on the phone and ask her that?” Ian asked.
“Ian, darling. I just had to see your beautiful, angelic face this morning before I could start my day.” She winked as she looked at me.
The banter between the two of them always made me smile.
“Well, then. You’ve seen it and now I must head to the office,” he said as he leaned over and kissed me and then kissed Adalynn on the cheek.
“Bye, darling.” I smiled.
Mandy walked over and set a cup of coffee in front of Adalynn. “I’m so excited to go look at wedding dresses. I’ve only ever seen them in magazines.”
“Good, because I’m going to be trying on a lot of them until I find the perfect one.” She smiled as she sipped her coffee.
I ran upstairs and grabbed my purse while Adalynn finished her breakfast. As I took my phone from the dresser, I noticed a text message from Ian.
“I miss you already. Have fun with Adalynn today.”
I smiled as I replied back.
“I miss you more and my fun will begin tonight when you’re home with me.”
“Rory, you’re killing me.”
“Love you, Ian.”
“Love you too, sweetheart.”
I was beaming from ear to ear as I walked down the stairs and over to Adalynn.
“I must say, Rory, you look like the happiest person I know.”
“That’s because I am. I’ve never felt such happiness, Adalynn, and I owe it all to Ian.”
****
I stood in front of the rack of dresses in awe over their beauty. Adalynn was on the other side of the shop, working with a bridal consultant and explaining to her the vision she had for her dress. As I was lost in the world of elegant white, a sales woman approached me and handed me a glass of champagne.
“Thank you.” I smiled.
Adalynn walked over to where I was standing with a smile on her face. “Pretty fancy, huh?”
“Everything is so beautiful,” I replied.
“Have a seat over there on the couch. I’m going to try on the few dresses I picked out and I want your honest opinion.”
“Of course I’ll give you my honest opinion, Adalynn.”
She walked into the oversized dressing room as I took my champagne and sat down on the couch. I pulled my phone from my pocket and sent Ian a text.
“I hope you’re having a great day!”
“I am now.”
I smiled.
“I’m off to a meeting, sweetheart. I’ll talk to you later. Love you to pieces.”
“Love you.”
Adalynn cleared her throat to get my attention, and when I looked up, tears sprang to my eyes when I saw the beautiful bride standing before me.
“Adalynn, it’s beautiful. You look so amazing.”
“Nah, I don’t like it,” she said as she looked in the mirror.
“What! How can you not love it?”
“It’s too much dress. I think I’m going to stick with the mermaid style. All this fluff isn’t me.”
I loved the fluff. I could see myself drowning in fluff and loving it every minute of it. Adalynn looked at me and smiled. “I want you to try this on.”
“What? Are you crazy? I’m not trying on that dress!” I exclaimed.
She walked towards me with a wide smile on her face. “Yes, you are. You’ve never tried on a wedding dress and it’s so much fun. Come on!” she said as she held out her hand.
I sighed as I got up. I secretly wanted to try on the dress. I followed her into the dressing room, where she changed out of the dress and handed it to the sales woman. She took me in the room next to Adalynn’s and helped me into the wedding gown. I stepped outside the dressing room and stood in front of the large three-way mirror. Adalynn came out in a stunning Vera Wang, strapless, mermaid-style dress that was simply made for her.
“Rory, look at you. You look gorgeous. How do you feel?” she asked.
“Like a princess.” I smiled. “I didn’t realize how heavy wedding dresses a
“That they are. Well, what do you think?” Adalynn asked as she spun around.
“It’s gorgeous and it’s you. It’s perfect.”
She walked over to where the veils sat on a beautifully etched glass shelf. She picked one up that was a crown and set it on top of my head.
“There. Now you’re complete.” She smiled.
I gulped as I stood there, staring at myself in a beautiful wedding dress and veil. I remembered when I was a child, I would sit and look at magazines with my mom and sometimes there would be pictures of brides. She would look at me and say that one day that would be me and she couldn’t wait to see me as a bride. My eyes started to fill with tears and I couldn’t let Adalynn see me so emotional, so I went back into the dressing room to change out of the dress and back into my clothes.
“Are you okay, Rory?” she asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just overwhelming, you know. Getting married is something that I’ve always dreamed of and now that I’ve found the love of my life, he wants nothing to do with marriage.”
“That was the old Ian, sweetie. I’m sure he’s had a change of heart since he thought he lost you. I know it’s way too soon, but has he mentioned marriage at all?”
“No.” I softly smiled as I looked down. “We don’t talk about it at all. We’re just enjoying each other right now.”
“And that’s how it should be. You two have your whole lives ahead of you.” She winked. “Now, I think I’m going to buy this dress.”
****
“There you are,” Ian said as we walked through the door.
“Hey, baby.” I smiled as he kissed me hello.
“It’s about time. I thought maybe you went and kidnapped my girl, Adalynn.”
Adalynn looked at him and rolled her eyes. “Keep calm, Ian. You know us girls when we shop.”
“Did you buy anything, sweetheart?” he asked.
“No, she didn’t, but she tried on the most beautiful wedding dress. Oh, Ian, you should’ve seen her.”
When Ian looked at me, I could tell he wasn’t very pleased.
“It was nothing. I was bored,” I said as I put my hand on his chest.
Ian gave me a small smile and walked over to the bar and poured himself a drink. “Adalynn? Rory?” he asked.