Free Rising Up: Finding Me book 1 by J J Harper Page B

really liked me but needed somebody like me on his arm.  I don’t like to talk about him, let’s just say it didn’t end well."  A shudder runs through her body at the mention of him.
    "What do you mean by that?"  This doesn’t sound good, what is she hiding?
    "Oh, he was some big shot TV star and liked to have long-legged bimbos on his arm for charity galas or premieres, you know shit like that, and he’d go to the opening of an envelope if he thought he could get publicity from it. 
    The problem was, I wasn't bimbo enough and had a brain in my head.  I didn't like just standing around at these stuck up events being ignored, while he felt up or chatted up anybody he thought could further his career."
    I get the feeling that she is holding something about him back, but now is not the time to dig any deeper.
    "He sounds like a real douche bag.  What's his name?"  I'm still stroking her legs as I can tell she's not comfortable talking about him.
    "Jake Williams.  My mother loved him and thought the sun shone out of his arse and that I should be grateful he wanted to be with me.  The main problem was he also wanted to be with other women as well.  So he cheated on me constantly and my mother never believed the stories. 
    I think she had a crush on him, I mean how gross is that?"  I try and keep my description of our relationship to a minimum, the violence and intimidation is not something I ever want to have to think about again.
    This makes me chuckle.  "Was it him that put you down about your body?  I mean was the guy blind?"
    "Yeah, he told me I ate too much, didn't exercise enough, the usual controlling shit."  Sighing, her body leans in to mine, and she wraps her arms around her body protectively, I sense she doesn't want to talk about him anymore, I wrap my arms around her body.
    "Well, since I'm the only guy who gets to see you naked from now on, I know you have a killer body, and I can't want to lay you out and worship it, what do say to that?"
    "I say yes please, sexy man."
    "Good, now I'm hungry again, so shall we make up some lunch?  Hey Lake! Put that fine woman down and let's get them fed."
     



CHAPTER SEVEN
    Imogen
    "I'm knackered Mads.  How can lying on a boat all day being pampered by two gorgeous men be so exhausting?"  I'm stretching out on our large sectional sofa with a large glass of my favorite Pinot Grigio in my hand.  Maddie sprawled on the rug in front of the fire with her eyes shut.  Jake Bugg is singing loudly about lightning bolts from my iPod, opening her eye to look at me I can tell she's been stewing on something.  "What's on your mind sweetie?  I can see the cogs whirring from here."
    "Do you think Lake likes me or is he just passing time because you're with Mason?"
    "I know he likes you because Mason asked him and I asked Mason.  I don't think he has ever had a long relationship with anybody before, but I think if he is beginning to want one, then you are someone he would like to have it with.  I don't think he's going to come in on a white charger declaring his everlasting love for you, but he has said he would like to see where things could go with you.  Why? 
    You don't normally want a full time boyfriend, you like to have fun without too many strings attached.  Have you changed your mind about him and can't be bothered anymore, because it works both ways Mads, don't lead him on just to dump him a month down the line, I mean if after a month you both realize it's not going to go anywhere then fine, but don't play him sweetie, we all have to work together."
    "I know and I agree with you, but I wasn't happy with his charity kiss at the market this morning, it made me feel cheap.  I know my history with men is a bit shitty, and I definitely didn't come here to find a husband, but shit Ginn I want what I see you've found in Mason." 
    I can see tears building up in her eyes.  "Oh Maddie sweetheart, don't cry.  We've only been here ten or so days, who knows