My Absence Teaches Better Than My Love

I, Rhea Searle, had always been willful and bold, brushing off consequences and refusing to listen to reason as long as I was happy.

Even after I learned that Asher Kline was the son of Mom and Dad's sworn enemy, I still fell for him and chased him for three years. Besides, our private life was outrageous.

Any place that offered privacy and a thrill, from tents and luxury cars to lounges and studies, became ours. We tried every advanced position we could manage and recorded plenty of risque videos along the way.

Now, hidden on the balcony, Asher held me close and drove into me, hard enough to knock the air from my lungs.

I moaned and whispered, "Go easy."

He lowered his phone to record, his eyes darkening. Then, he chuckled. "You won't feel a thing if I go easy."

I wasn't having it, so I grabbed the phone. "You can film, just not there."

He hesitated, then grinned, teasing, "What, shy now?"

I shook my head, thinking there had to be a line with videos like this.

Asher's smile deepened as he tried to soothe me. "Babe, relax. I'll keep it safe and make sure it never gets out. It's just for us."

His gaze went soft, tempting enough that I gave in before I realized it. He took the phone back, and I didn't stop him.

He thrust hard, and pleasure broke over me. In the end, I closed my eyes and let myself enjoy it, shutting out the camera.

After we finished, Asher walked me back to my room so I could rest. He went to the study to keep working.

When I woke, I went to look for him. Outside the study, I overheard him talking with his best friend, Finn Locke.

"Asher, you're getting out of hand. What you two were doing out on the balcony almost ended up on camera. If our guys hadn't noticed those reporters and chased them off, that steamy scene would be blowing up online right now."

Through the gap in the doorway, I saw conflict flash in Asher's eyes, though his expression looked perfectly calm.

"Let them catch it. If it goes public, maybe it'll knock the Searles down a notch."

"You're still stuck on revenge?" Finn asked.

Doubt flickered in Asher's eyes once again, but his voice stayed firm. "Absolutely."

Finn's voice fell, worry threading his words. "But aren't you taking it too far, using Rhea to get at her parents? Maybe you should drop it and find another way."

Asher grew impatient. He snorted and held his ground. "No. I'm sticking with it. When the time comes, I'll leak those videos of us. Those two old farts will be so furious that they'll choke on their own rage. That's exactly what I want."

Asher's assistant, Carl Snyder, cut in, "Exactly. Mr. Kline went to great lengths to get close to her. He staged that rescue to win her over and take down her parents. If he quits now, everything he's done will be for nothing."

Outside the door, I stared, eyes wide, as shock hit me and pain ripped through my chest. I went rigid and was barely able to breathe. My mind went blank, as if every thought had faded away.

Finn sighed, curiosity edging his voice as he asked, "But you've been with her so long. Don't you feel anything for her?"

Asher said nothing.

I took his silence as proof he cared, until his answer proved me wrong.

"No. I only approached her to get revenge and destroy her family's company."

Finn heaved a long sigh. A few seconds later, he asked, "So, when are you going to release the videos?"

Asher fell silent again, his features tightening as conflict flickered in his eyes. He thought it over, then made the call.

"Her birthday's in two weeks. I'll release them at her party. Everyone's reaction will be priceless once they see those dirty videos."