He Treated Me As Her, I Left For Good

Chapter 1

I, Brenda Reynolds, made the first move when I crossed paths with Charles Gibson for the very first time.

The bar was bathed in dim light. Our eyes locked unexpectedly, and my heart skipped a beat.

I watched his back as he walked away. My feet moved on their own, and I followed him all the way down to the underground parking garage.

He leaned against a Cayenne with its low beams turned on. A glowing red tip rested between his fingers, and slow plumes of smoke blurred the familiar lines of his face.

Something pulled me toward him, and I walked over without hesitation.

He leaned down the next second. His lips crashed into mine, taking complete control. I could feel him nipping at my lips, gently yet firmly. The taste of tobacco spread inside my mouth, making my head spin and leaving me short of breath. Still, I gripped his shirt tightly and leaned harder into this rough kiss.

We spent one reckless night together.

When I woke up, I was alone in the room. A sugar baby contract sat on the nightstand.

I rubbed my aching lower back and propped myself up against the headboard. I flipped through the contract page by page.

I never imagined something like this would happen to me. It was a mutual arrangement—no one was forcing anyone, so I didn't think I had lost out. I tossed the contract right back where I found it.

I'd acted on impulse the night before. I'd followed a stranger home. I was far too drunk, and I could barely tell what was real and what was a dream back then.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. "He's not coming back."