Free Deceived by Camilla Isles

Alice was done.
     
    “Okay baby,” Alice said and left the room.
    Rose turned on her side and looked at the wall. Unfortunately, sleep wouldn’t come.
     
     
    ****
     
     
    Lexi sat down at her kitchen table with a mug of strong coffee. Eli remained sleeping and she didn’t want to wake him until she had to. She was nervous about today, seeing Carl Richards again. But she was different from the last time they crossed paths. She felt stronger; in fact, she had felt that way ever since she left the corporate office. She wondered how she would react when seeing him again however. Would the old Lexi return, or would the new and improved one stand her ground?
     
    Her thoughts were interrupted when she saw Eli, naked, standing in the doorway. His magnificent physique made her heart flutter.
    “You were deep in thought,” he said groggily.
    “Oh just going over what I need to accomplish today,” Lexi said with a smile. “Join me in the shower?”
    “Now that’s an offer worth waking up to,” Eli replied as he chased her to the bathroom.
     
     
    ****
     
     
    Rose sat in the chair in the office where she’d spent the night. Alice wanted her to come home with her and Blaze, but she declined, preferring to stay close to the club. She didn’t want Alice mothering or suffocating her right now. She had a lot on her mind and she just needed time to think.
     
    The door opened and Dog Breath walked in with a tray. It contained a steaming mug of coffee and some pastries from the bakery downtown. Dog knew Rose had a sweet tooth and she needed to eat something. He sat the tray down on the desk in front of her.
     
    “Hey babe, how you doing,” he asked.
    “Okay,” Rose answered while touching one bandaged cheek.
    “Are you still in pain?”
    “No too bad---just when I smile.”
     
    That brought a chuckle from Dog, as he knew Rose wasn’t the smiling type. His snigger did bring a smile to Rose’s face and she let out an “Ouch.”
     
    “See I told you so,” she said.
    Dog smiled at her and then sat down in a chair facing her.
    “Try to eat something. I brought your favorite pastries, an éclair and crème horns.”
    “Thanks, I’m just not hungry. I will drink the coffee though,” she said while taking a sip.
     
    “Did you know I got patched into the club?” He felt funny about giving good news about himself when she was dealing with such a treacherous blow, but he wanted to get her mind off it, if possible.
     
    “That’s awesome Dog. I’m happy for you.” Rose said, trying to bring back that smile, but try as she might, tears glistened in her eyes. She remembered the evening that seemed so long ago, when she planned on having a great night with Dog and envisioning him being patched in and she becoming his old lady. It all seemed like a dream now.
     
    Dog reached over and grabbed her hand. “Rose, you don’t have to worry about anything, okay. The club will take care of you I promise.”
    “That’s what Eli said too.”
    “See it’s true then. Eli never goes back on his word.”
    “Can he give me back my face? Can the club take away these scars? I don’t think so.” Rose said bitterly. “That’s all I had going for me was my beauty, and now it’s gone too.”
     
    “Rose, you have so much more going for you. Don’t let this consume you.”
    “Get out Dog!” Rose exclaimed. “I don’t need any lecturing about what I need to do or not do. Just leave me be!”
     
    “Okay. Alright, I’m going.” Dog said as he walked out of the office.
    Tears flowed from Rose’s eyes. How will I ever walk out in public again she thought.
    And the more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
     
     
    ****
     
    Making love in the shower took Lexi’s mind off what the day would bring. She was thankful for that and how empowered and sexy Eli made her feel. Eli had left right after, wanting to check on Rose and then picking up items from a new supplier. Lexi didn’t ask questions. That was still