King of the Unsightly (Tempting Trickery #1)

Feigning Ignorance

A petite woman with long, dirty blonde hair in burnt-orange shorts and a baggy gray shirt stepped out of the doorway. She was tiny compared to me, like I could fit her into my back pocket or the palm of my hand. Lucien had a type, and she fit it to a T.

She yawned and rubbed her eyes as she glided toward us, unaware I sat right next to Lucien.

“Oh.” The woman peered at me, tipping her head. “Hi, I’m Lynne. You must be ... Addy?”

She grinned, but it faded quickly the closer she got.

She probably noticed my strange appearance. It didn’t take a genius to figure out I went through some shit tonight, but no way would I let some stranger take pity on me.

So I summoned my best customer service voice and softened my expression like nothing happened, like I hadn’t walked twenty miles to get here. “Yes. It’s lovely to meet you. Although, I wish it was under better circumstances,” I laughed, smiling until my cheeks stung.

I gave Lucien a quick what-the-hell look. He never said anything about dating a new girl, and now I felt like an ass for showing up. I thought we told each other everything.

Ah, I was being petty.

Lucien finally opened his mouth and closed it again like he couldn’t muster up the right words.

I gripped my cup tighter and ignored the fact he lied to me. A minuscule lie compared to everything else. So I let the hot chocolate warm me from my fingertips to my stomach with each sip. I almost felt normal—almost. I still carried a gnawing emptiness, but at least the liquid calmed my nerves.

Lucien spoke in a hushed tone like I wouldn’t hear him. “Yeah, my little sister might be living here. I told you during dinner, I believe.” He turned his body to face her and avoided me.

I almost sprayed his kitchen table with hot chocolate as the words “little sister” left his lips.

Confused, I whipped my head to the side and attempted to get his attention, but he had an unwavering focus on her.

Lucien gave Lynne a side smirk revealing his dimpled cheek and she blushed.

Sly bastard . I knew that look. I had witnessed it countless times before. He was feigning ignorance like he could charm his way out of it. And Lynne ate up his lies like they were a four-course meal.

I cringed and wrinkled my nose at his gross display.

“Of course.” Lynne beamed and spun back to me. She twirled the side of her baggy shirt in her hand and grabbed my shoulder with her other, pressing her nails down before she resumed. “I would love it if we could get to know each other, but it seems like you have some things to discuss, and I have work in the morning. So I’ll leave you guys alone. It was nice meeting you, Addy.”

She glided over to Lucien’s side, cupped his cheeks in her hands, and kissed him, deeply. They smiled at each other through locked lips, and she mumbled a sweet good night under her breath.

Lynne leaned back and waved goodbye with a cheerful face. I felt like I had to return it.

She came in and out like a ray of sunshine, and if I were to compare myself again, I was more like a violent storm striking thunder at random.

I didn’t utter a word as I watched her disappear into Lucien’s room.

After the door clicked shut, I turned to Lucien and whisper-screamed, “Little sister? Little sister? I know you didn’t just refer to me as a nun.” I shook my head in disapproval.

How long had they been dating? Why didn’t he tell me? Why lie? A similar tinge of pain burrowed its way into my chest, and I didn’t know what to make of it.

“There’s the Addy I know.” Lucien smiled his dumb, smug smile, and his stupid dimple sprung out. “And you can’t say shit. Unless you can tell me word for word what happened to you tonight?” He lowered his eyebrow, waiting for a response.

Now, I couldn’t find the right words. I gaped at him about to speak but all my words eluded me.

I couldn’t tell him the truth.

I turned my head, unable to hold his intense eye contact.

Lucien laughed and shook his head. His light waves swayed with each turn. “I knew it. Secretive as always.”

Yeah, I was a hypocrite, but I couldn’t tell him that. I was already jobless. A broken disaster of a human being who could only take and never give anything in return. A whirlwind of red flags. I knew it all too well. I didn’t need to pile on more—like how my ex kidnapped me, and the only way I escaped was by mere chance as a freaky lady pushed me off a cliff. How I might have saved a swarm of pixies from a massive spider, and now a talking crow perched five feet from his face, and it wasn’t the first time, nor would it be the last. I would sound insane to anyone if I uttered those words out loud.

“She seems nice,” I spoke, dismissing what he said and expelling the thoughts spiraling in my mind.

Lucien rolled his eyes but still allowed me to change the subject. “She is. I like this one a lot, Addy.”

I scoffed under my breath. Lucien’s nice way of saying don’t fuck it up for him, but I’d say he already messed it up by lying to her about us being siblings.

I squeezed the cup until my knuckles turned white. “Got it.” I had no right to be angry, and he didn’t need to help me. So I stopped myself before I could act any more childish. “I hope this one sticks.” I gave Lucien a clumsy grin.

Lucien nodded, and we didn’t spend any more time on the subject. “I was going to drive you home, but I think it’s best if you stayed the night. I’ll take you tomorrow.”

I relaxed my grip and tapped my fingers on the cup. “Uh, yeah. Sounds good.”

“Good night,” Lucien said, mid-yawn.

“Wait.” I cleared my throat and attempted to sound as calm as possible. “I mean ... good night.”

Lucien frowned without saying another word and nodded.

After a couple hours of no sleep and straight binge-watching romantic comedies, I found myself yelling at the female lead to run, not walk, away from the dark, tall, and mysterious guy attempting to ensnare her with his witty comebacks and devilishly good-looking face. It was a fucking trap, girl. Run.

That’s when I knew I needed to stop watching TV. I was sounding more jaded by the second.

I got up, brushed the crumbs of chips off me I raided from Lucien’s cabinet, and took a shower. And it cleansed all the dreadful emotions away.

I stepped out and dried myself off. I leaned halfway over the sink and splashed my face with cold water. I glanced up at the vanity mirror and took it all in.

It was crazy what a hot shower could do for a person.

My reflection looked more like an echo of my past self. My blue eyes speckled with gold had a glimmer of hope ignited within them like wildfire to an arid forest. I thought they had lost their sheen—their spark—but they were now glowing under the light filtering through the window.

When was the last time I had felt this safe? Where I didn’t have to peek over my shoulder or worry someone or something might be following me. I was constantly on edge, and I didn't realize it until now.

I pulled my phone out of the charger and walked out of the bathroom and into the guest room. Hesitating, I picked up the outfit Lucien gave me off the bed.

The orange and pink stripes with a white collar shone against the black and red plaid comforter; I couldn’t tell which was uglier.

I felt like a person dressed for a kid’s show as I slid on the atrocious brown khakis. I honestly think he chose this as a cruel joke because I knew his taste wasn’t that bad.

I didn’t have to look in the mirror to know my outfit was absolutely ridiculous. I grabbed the crown and outfit the weird little creatures put me in, still in shock my life turned into this, and shoved it in the bathroom trash can.

I swung back to the guest room when a light reflected off the dresser and blinded me.

My jaw dropped.