Chapter 20 — Luke

April was a natural, who would have thought not only at work, on new projects but socially too. I did feel guilty about letting her mingle by herself. Except she had Hayley, who hated these types of crowds so I was confident she was happy being with April. I was happy for April to come, but the idea of introducing her to everyone as my girlfriend just felt too much. It was bad enough mom going on about how wonderful she was. I kept reminding her April and I had only been going out a couple of weeks. Another lie. One thing the Winters family couldn’t tolerate was lies. My parents weren’t happy about the lie I told about Kim standing me up at the altar, until today they still complained about that one.

Why-oh-why did I have to date, then propose to a family friend’s daughter? Let alone, propose to her.

The big mistake, but then again Kim and I had known each other from when we were kids. Nothing had changed about our relationship back then, to when we broke up. She was conceited, racist, a fascist and a bully back then even in high school. She teased and made anyone, and everyone inferior to her, feel like a piece of shit. Me, I was her King. I made her feel the world was safe, but I never wanted a woman like that in my life. No one in my family was like that. The crazy part was none of them liked Kim because they thought of her as nothing but a spoiled brat, though they all tolerated her.

Mom had been relieved. “Thank God, imagine what your children would be like!” She said when the wedding was called off. Then again, she did ask me a million times why I felt the need to date, let alone propose to Kim.

Simply because I saw the vulnerable Kim.

The one would put on a pound and then cry herself to sleep about the idea of not being perfect. Now he had put on a few pounds and it suits her, and she did look hot in the dress, but nothing in comparison to April.

“Time to go Craig. Get the car moving.” I waited for April to join me in the limo so I could drop her at the apartment.

It was late and I wanted a head start tomorrow to go for a run, I hadn’t run in a week and it felt like a month. The best time to go was first thing in the mornings when it was cooler, and I’d been making an excuse to not go every morning lately. Mainly, due to lack of sleep and frustration of working with April without allowing myself to take it past business only.

We headed to the limo.

“I had a good night. It’s a shame, Ed was called in and had to go to the hospital. Are you sure we can’t take Hayley home?”

I shook my head. “No. Dad’s driver will drop her as it’s the other side of town.”

“But it’s not far,” she slurred.

I turned her head toward me. “Are you scared to be alone with me?”

She swallowed, her dark eyes widening. “Yes.”

Her admission gutted me. “Why?”

Did she really meant it or it was the drink talking?

“Because one minute you’re all over me and the next you’re as cold as ice. It’s confusing and frustrating.”

Once, we were alone in the limo, I moved closer to her and did what I’d been craving all day and night. Her lips met mine and it was an open invitation, so I took it and pressed mine against hers. Then I backed away from her, but she still had her head in the same position waiting for me to do more.

It was a bit of a drive back to her apartment and I wasn’t going to give Craig entertainment at the back of the limo. April would have to wait until we were away from prying eyes. I wouldn’t turn cold on her, only hot and give her what we’d both been craving. I couldn’t wait to have her sweet body in my hands and I would make sure I would give her pleasure all night.

I only had one thing in mind, to keep this fake relationship going and be done with her, but I realized more and more it wasn’t an option.

I liked April in a way I didn’t think was possible and I wouldn’t fight it anymore. I would let myself go for once and not worry about the consequences. She didn’t seem the type capable of breaking anyone’s heart, especially mine. That was the real issue with Kim. I couldn’t trust her at all. When we were together, she would go out of her way to make me jealous and even as far as to her indiscretions which I ignored. I should have split up with her a long time ago. Long before I decided to put a ring on her finger. Anyway, it was all in the past. I had to give up holding on to the past, and concentrate on the future, including hooking up with April with no pretense.