14. A Game of Expectations

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• The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   Epilogue

  [Two years later]My body is slick with sweat, every nerve ending alive and tingling as Ric’s hands explore my skin. His touch still feels new, still ignites a thirst in me that has no desire to quench anytime soon. His lips trail down my neck, making me heave, making me almost lose my mind. I arch into him, my fingers digging into the muscles of his back, urging him closer. His hands roam over my body, tracing the curves of my hips, the softness of my thighs, and the sensitive spots that make me gasp with pleasure. He knows exactly how to touch me—he has mastered the art of how to make me feel alive and desired every breathing moment. His fingers find their way between my legs, teasing and stroking until I'm writhing beneath him, desperate for more.“Fuck, Ric. I love you,” I breathe, squealing. “I love you. I love you. I love you.”“You're so beautiful,” he murmurs against my wet folds before his lips capture mine in kiss so deep, I can’t tell where he ends and where I begin. He s

• The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   89. The End of a Nightmare

  “Elliot Jones’ Empire Crumbles: A Closer Look at the Allegations.”“The Hidden Crimes of a Business Titan: Elliot Jones Exposed.”“Mogul Under Fire? The Double Life of Elliot Jones Revealed.”“The High Price of Power: Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Elliot Jones and His Web of Deceit.”“The Case That Shook the Nation: Elliot Jones’ Alleged Crimes.”Seeing my father stand there, looking helpless, his face tight and red with anger satisfies me in a way nothing else could. Today is the day he falls, and now, he can see it with his own eyes—his empire crumbling. The delusion is gone. Mike’s voice echoes through the courtroom. “I was threatened,” he says, eyes darting nervously toward Elliot. “I kept silent because I feared for my life.”I sit beside Ric in the rows reserved for the trial attendees, my heart pounding. Ric leans in, his voice low and teasing, “I can’t believe this is happening. How did you manage to pull that off?”I give him a sly smile, keeping my eyes on Mike.

• The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   88. A Deal With the Devil

  Getting into Mike's office is surprisingly easy. I thought it would be the most difficult task of all, but now, standing here, I realize just how wrong I was. Maybe it’s because I made it happen—my own actions leading to the lack of staff and security. With investors pulling out, his new business flopping instantly, and even his car gone, I wonder just how deep in debt Mike really is.I look around the office, taking in the bare walls and the lack of personal touches. It’s a cold place. It gives me a sense of satisfaction, knowing how little work must happen here. The only thing I find remotely appealing is the fireplace—if you can even call it that. It’s more of a decorative piece than anything else.The door creaks open, and Mike steps in, freezing as his hand remains on the doorknob. His eyes widen when he sees me, and I can almost hear the gears turning in his head.“Relax,” I say softly. “No need to be on alert. I have a proposition for you.”He doesn't move, his eyes darting aro

• The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   87. My Protector, My Hero

  “High-Stakes Drama: Friend and Business Partner Richard Steward Fires on Business Mogul Elliot Jones in Shocking Miami Lakehouse Incident.”“Ric Steward Shoots Elliot Jones to Protect Alleged Lover, and Jones’ Daughter in Lakehouse Scandal.”“Business Partnership Ends in Gunfire: Ric Steward Wounds Elliot Jones.”“It Gets Very Real and Gruesome: Hear what’s new in the Natalie Jones’ Drama.”“Where does Michael Cooper stand amidst all this? New updated in the chaotic life of Natalie Jones. Here’s everything you missed that shook Hollywood this Spring!”The weeks that follow are difficult. And lonely. I’m thrust into a routine where I spend most of my time surrounded by lawyers, and legal jargons. It’s a lot at once, and I think I underestimated how quickly it would consume me. And with only Meera by my side who is still recovering from the traumatic event that occurred at the lakehouse, I find myself sitting in therapy sessions after experiencing several panic attacks. My days are sp

• The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   86. Done Pretending

  The rain-soaked air clings to my skin as the police car disappears down the road, taking Ric with it. My heart feels like it's been wrenched from my chest, leaving an empty, aching void. I can barely breathe as the reality of what just happened crashes down on me.We can’t stay here. The lakehouse is now a crime scene, and the officers made it clear we need to leave. The words still echo in my head: “This area is now under investigation. You’ll need to find somewhere else to stay.”Meera stands beside me, her face pale, clutching her phone like it’s a lifeline. Matt paces back and forth, still carrying the guilt on his face. I don’t think any of us had the slightest hint of something like this going down on a trip that was supposed to heal us. If anything, it has traumatised all of us beyond repair. But, the truth is out. Dad killed Neil. And he was so close to killing me and Ric…“We need to find a place,” I croak. Even if we could stay here, I wouldn’t, not with the memories of wh

• The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   85. Aiming for your Heart

  Another gunshot goes off, a millisecond later. My eyes fly open, but there’s no sensation of pain anywhere in my body. Instead, Dad crumples to the ground with a cry of pain. Panic envelopes me, muddling my mind. I can barely understand what’s going on around me. “Natalie, are you okay?” someone seems to ask, but my gaze is fixed on Dad, watching him struggle as he clutches his leg that is now bleeding with the gunshot. Then that someone shakes me by the shoulders, drawing me back to reality. It’s Meera. “Nat, please say something!” she urges, tears streaming down her cheeks. “W-What happened?” I blurt out, sounding hysterical, my chest heaving dangerously. Meera points out at the door. Matt stands there with a gun in his hand. When his eyes meet mine, his hand drops, and he falls to his knees, breathing hard. Shaking my head, I yell, “What the fuck just happened?” Meera seems to still be in her senses. She kicks the gun out of Dad’s reach. He continues to squirm, his blood st