Chapter 5 #3
The only reason she had finally told Kara what Malcolm and his best friends had done was that she’d needed to explain why she had lied about Virgil.
“Some people will forgive, Kara, but it’s hard for them to forget, even with the best of intentions.
Besides, it was time. You and I had been a sister team long enough. You have Virgil now and--”
“First of all, we will always be a sister team. And yes, I have Virgil but how do you think I feel, knowing that you don’t have anyone?
” Kara interrupted to say softly. “I’ve never met Malcolm Edwards and his friends, and it’s a good thing I haven’t.
At least, for them. You don’t know what I would have done to them if I’d had the chance. ”
Marti smiled. A lot of Virgil Bougard had rubbed off on Kara. The man didn’t accept bullshit of any kind, and since getting married, Kara had gotten rather feisty.
“Pull in your claws, little sister. Malcolm and those guys are in jail where they belong. They’re a part of my past. They can’t hurt me again,” Marti said.
It hurt to lie to her sister—again—but what Kara didn’t know couldn’t hurt her.
“I’ve moved on, and thanks to you encouraging me to seek therapy, I’m in a good place.
” At least she had been until a month ago, but she dared not tell Kara that.
“Does that mean you’re open to dating again?”
“I’ve never stopped dating, Kara.”
“You were dating with a purpose before, Marti. Mainly, to drive the guys crazy, playing them before they could think about playing you.”
Yes, for years that had been her mode of retribution, and her target had been men with reputations as womanizers. She had proven two could play their game and because of it, she’d earned the reputation in Charlotte of being a certified bitch.
It was a reputation that could not be redeemed, so she’d had no choice but to move away and start a new life elsewhere. She’d believed that Montana would be the perfect place. And it had been…until a stalker had made his presence known, intent on destroying her peace.
“Well, I hope you use that time in London to your advantage.”
Kara’s words penetrated her thoughts. “To my advantage, how?”
“Get out and meet people. Maybe even a man. However, be careful. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Marti grinned. “Sometimes I think you forget who’s the older sister. I’m the more experienced one when it comes to men, Kara.”
“I know, but still, I am hoping you meet someone. I’ve heard English guys are hot.”
Marti smiled. Little did her sister know, Italian men were even hotter.
And she had the perfect example of that living just next door.
The kiss they had shared still had parts of her body aching.
She had never been kissed with such passion, raw hunger, and soul-deep intensity.
And she had loved the tongue-tangling exchange a lot more than she should have.
However, his skill and mastery of her mouth had left her no choice.
They would sleep together. After all, his kiss had left her breathless and yearning for more.
Knowing Kara was waiting for her response, she said, “Right now, the only thing I want is rest and relaxation.”
“Of course I want you to get that, too, but I also want you to be happy.”
“I am happy.”
“I want you to be as extremely happy as I am.”
Marti chuckled at the absurdity of that.
Not only was her sister married to a man who loved and adored her and had two beautiful little girls with a son on the way, but she also had a successful career.
Kara owned one of the top PR and image consulting firms in Charlotte and had an esteemed clientele.
“Maybe one day I’ll get there,” she said, though she knew that finding that kind of happiness for herself would definitely be a reach.
“I’m hoping that you do, Marti. Of all people who deserve happiness, it’s you.”
Her therapist had told her that very thing, and although Dr. Jennette Joquoin had helped her get through a lot of her past issues and trauma, Marti had accepted that Malcolm had destroyed any chance of her enjoying true happiness with a man. There would always be something holding her back.
“Okay, you’ve talked my ears off long enough. I need to go to bed and get some sleep,” Marti said.
“Go to bed? London is six hours ahead of North Carolina. Shouldn’t you be waking up and starting your day?”
Oops. She had forgotten about the time difference. She wished she didn’t have to lie to Kara about where she was. “Jet lag is still messing with me.”
“That’s crazy, Marti. You left the States four days ago. I’d think you would be over jet lag by now. Granted, I know you need to relax and all, but you’re in London, one of my favorite cities. Live a little and have fun. Just be careful.”
“I will. I promise. Give Virgil and the girls my love. How is the pregnancy going?”
“The pregnancy is going great. I love being pampered, and Virgil and the girls are laying it on thick.”
“You deserve it. And I will take your advice to get out and have fun.”
“Promise?”
Marti thought about her next-door neighbor. “I promise, Kara. Love you. Goodbye.”
“Love you, too. Goodbye and have fun.”