False Illusions (False #1) (3 page)

I frown as he gently wipes me up and tosses the cloth on the floor before climbing into bed with me.

Marcus never did that before.

I don’t get to think further on that as his arm wraps around my waist and pulls me against him.

I just had a one-night stand. Holy shit. I just cheated on my fiancé.

It was totally worth it.

My eyes blink open and take in the dark room. This isn’t our room.

I look down to see a tan, tattooed arm wrapped around me. Yoel. Fuck, it wasn’t a dream.

The clock on the nightstand reads five thirty-five a.m. It takes me a second to process before I realize I have to go home.

“Oh shit,” I whisper. Yoel is silently asleep next to me. Damn he’s handsome.

Slipping out of his bed and grabbing my shoes I turn to make sure he’s still asleep. I honestly don’t know what to say in a case like this.

Finding my discarded dress and underwear on the couch, I quickly dress and grab my clutch on the bar.

Once in the elevator I call for a car. Shit, I’m doing the walk of shame. Hopefully it’s early enough that everyone is still asleep. Fingers crossed.

The casino lobby is pretty much dead except for a few gamblers, but they don’t pay attention to me.

I’m clearly paranoid. It’s not until I’m in the cab that I check my phone. I had one text from Chelsea saying to call her in the morning. No doubt she wants an update. I also have a missed call from Marcus, three hours ago. Odd. He didn’t text or call again so I guess whatever he wanted wasn’t important.

I stare at my engagement ring and I should feel horrible, even guilty but I don’t. I feel absolutely nothing. What I do feel is good, alive. But I can’t do it again, after all I’m engaged.

When I let myself in the condo, the light from the sunrise is just coming in through the blinds. I start to make my way to the bedroom when I see Marcus sitting at the kitchen counter. His eyes locked on me and his phone in front of him. Does he know?

“Where have you been, Madison?” His voice is cold. “It’s damn near six.”

I frown. “I stayed with Chels. I thought I texted you. I’m sorry.” The lie comes out easily.

He narrows his eyes. “You didn’t. I bet you were whoring around.”

Without thinking I throw my heel at him, he ducks in time. “I’m not you!” I spit.
I’m just like you.

Marcus stares at me for a second, then stands up and grabs his keys. “I’m out of here.”

I wait until he’s gone before I make my way to the bathroom and start a bath.

Putting on some music, I soak in the hot bath trying to wash my sin away. My hands run through my hair, remembering Yoel pulling it as he took me from behind.

I, Madison St. Cruix, cheated. It was bad, but it felt so good. I would have to make sure I never see him again. Right?

Focused ft. Kid Cudi- Wale

She snuck out on me. I still couldn’t believe it. Sure I know she had to get back to her ‘Fiancé of the Year’, but damn, she couldn’t at least leave a note? A fucking thank you for dusting her cobwebs?

Dominic told me all about Madison, of course he understated her beauty, but I already knew how beautiful she was. I also already knew that she’s engaged. I did my homework. I’m only lucky that I’m old friends with Dominic, who happens to be dating her best friend. It was perfect.

So I wasn’t exactly honest with Madison. I lied last night when she asked what I was in town for. I’m not in advertising, that lie came with no thought. I was shocked to find out the rumors were true, Madison didn’t keep up with her fiancé’s career, or sports in general. She has no idea who I am. This will be interesting. At first this little side mission of mine seemed flawless when I thought it up weeks ago. My trainer Rico told me to get the crazy idea out of my mind, that it was reckless.

Nothing prepared me for actually meeting her last night. I was sure Madison would be a stuck up bitch, but she was the opposite. After her awkward blurting about her being engaged she was actually pretty cool. It felt refreshing that she didn’t know who I was, and even if she did, she wouldn’t have been fazed, but then again I’m sure she would have hauled ass out of the club. I made sure Dominic told his girlfriend not to mention who I was.

I made sure to call my cell from hers last night after she fell asleep. She wouldn’t have given it to me on her own. She probably thinks she’ll never see me again. Little does she know I have plans for her. I had a taste of her and I’m not ready to let go just yet.

“How many miles have you done?” Rico walks up to the treadmill.

I came to the gym not long after Madison slipped out of my bed. I’m a light sleeper, I knew the moment she woke up and freaked out.

“Three.” I squirt water in my mouth.

He studies me. “Did you go out last night? You better not be drinking, El.”

I roll my eyes. “Relax, I’m good.”

Rico narrows his eyes. “Don’t get cocky, being cocky won’t win you that belt.”

I smirk. “Don’t worry, I’m not getting cocky.”

“Whatever kid, three months is going to pass like nothing. You need to be ready when you step in that ring.”

If Rico wasn’t my uncle I would have told him off, but I just roll my eyes and let him talk shit. He doesn’t know that I met Madison last night, he would kill me.

Her grey eyes and pale blonde hair flash in my mind. I regret not kissing her lips, but there will be other chances for that. The Champ had no idea what he had at home and I don’t mind helping myself. I know I’m playing with fire, but I can’t wait to fuck with him in the ring with the truth.

I fucked his girl.

On my mind- Ellie Goulding

It’s been three days and I can still feel Yoel all over me. I shouldn’t even be thinking about him at all. Chels is right, I needed a one night stand to keep me sane in my loveless relationship. During our lunch a couple of days ago I refused to ask about him. Sure he was sexy and laid back, he called me beautiful, but I couldn’t keep thinking about the way he fucked me.

Marcus has been home every night since my little tantrum. We barely speak to each other, except for meals when he proceeds to talk to me about his training. I block it out for most of his rant about his opponent El something. I then tell him about my plans to put my journalism degree to use. In typical Marcus fashion he waves me off.

I wish I could say Marcus and I loved each other at one point, but that would be a lie. We merely tolerated each other. We have been engaged for three years, both of us putting off a date because we both don’t actually want to get married, but I want to please my parents and he wants to reap the benefits of being family.

My phone rings. Speaking of my parents, it’s my mother.

“Hey, mom,” I answer.

“Madison, how are you?” Her voice soft.

I sigh, I guess she has seen the new article on Marcus. He had been seen with some bimbo last weekend.

“Let me guess, it’s just a phase?” Mom has been calling his little escapades ‘phases’.

“Madison, it will all work out, honey. He’ll get this out of his system and he will be faithful after marriage. I promise.”

I roll my eyes. “Seriously. Is that what you think?” I take a breath. “Mom, I don’t want to marry him. I never even wanted to date him.”

“Stop. He’s a good match for you. He just needs to sort himself out,” she snaps.

Mom is team Marcus, where Dad isn’t, but he’s team money and as their only child I have to be the sacrificial lamb.

“Well, as much as I enjoy our chats I have to go be a doormat now.” I hang up before she can scold me.

I look out our living room window, which I find myself doing a lot of. I’m so bored out here, where as in L.A. I actually had a life and always had something to do everyday.

I mindlessly play with my engagement ring when my phone vibrates, I’m sure it’s my mom sending me a story about how I’m being a brat.

I’m surprised when it’s an unknown number.

Unknown: Hello, Beautiful

My stomach knots up, this can’t be who I think it is.

Me: Who is this?

Unknown: You forgot about me already, baby doll? After you left with no goodbye? I’m hurt, Madison
.

Holy shit.

Me: How did you get my number?

Unknown: I have my ways.

I program his name in my phone.

Yoel: I want to see you again

There was no way I could or would see him again. Then why did I just progam his number in my phone?

Me: I’m pretty sure that’s not how one night stands work.

Yoel: Whoever said I wanted you for one night?

Me: The ring on my finger. That night was a mistake.

Suddenly my phone starts to ring in my hands, his name pops on the screen. Great, now he’s calling.

“Baby doll, you know you want to see me again.” His smooth voice greets me.

“I can’t.” But there is no firmness in my voice.

“You can’t or won’t, because we both know you want to.” I can hear the smile in his voice. His sexy ass smile.

He continues before I can shoot him down. “I want to see you tonight. I’ll have a key waiting for you at the front desk. Be here at eight and wear something sexy.” He hangs up before I can respond.

Who the fuck does he think he is? I am not going anywhere. Part of me wants to text him confirming that I won’t be showing up, but I don’t. Dammit, no I will not show up.

I look at the time, it’s almost six and Marcus should be home anytime. What would be my excuse to leave? Wait, am I actually considering this? No!

For the next forty-five minutes I make Marcus baked chicken and steamed veggies, what I do know is that he likes to eat healthy when he’s training.

It’s not until it’s an hour later that I’m pretty sure my lovely fiancé will probably not be coming home tonight.

I dial his number and it rings three times before he picks up.

“Yes, Madison, what can I do for you?”

I hate when he talks to me like that. Like I’m some annoying child.