Today's snippet is from Vessel, the second book in the Cutting Cords Series. How much would you give up to try and save a relationship? Five years into their "perfect" union, Sloan is confronted with a life-altering decision.
It
didn’t take
but a minute, and Cole was in my face spluttering in outrage. “Did you have to
be so goddamn rude?”
“Would you have preferred a fucking scene? Honestly, Cole. What were
you thinking? Oh, don’t even bother,” I said tersely. “This entire plot was
orchestrated by your dad, and you played the dutiful son, hoping I wouldn’t
lose my shit in front of an audience. Well, guess what? I’ve said it on more
than one occasion, and in case you need to hear it again, I’m not in favor of this insane plan.”
“Sloan, calm down and let me explain.”
“There isn’t much to explain, is there? You and your parents have
arrived at a decision without consulting me.”
“Please,” Cole said, reaching out for me. I stepped back, hardening my
heart even as he groped for me. I moved left to walk out the door, but I
underestimated his internal GPS, and he pounced in my direction and held me in
place. “Don’t pull away again,” he begged this time, and I had no choice but to
listen.
“I never told you about Noriko because I didn’t know she existed. Mom
and Dad showed up with her tonight and presented her to me like a fait
accompli. I had no say in the matter.”
“What a crock of shit, Cole.”
“It’s the truth, however stupid it may sound.”
“Who is she, anyway? Does she live around here? Does she surrogate for
a living?”
“She’s from
“Where did he find her?”
“I don’t know.”
“How can you not, Captain McKnowitall? It’s a basic question.”
“Sloan, she’s here to help us start our family.”
“Us? You mean she’s here to help your father, don’t you?”
“Sloan, please….”
“Last time I checked, I’m your partner and have equal rights in this
decision.”
Cole frowned, directing his unseeing blue eyes in my direction.
Outwardly, he hadn’t changed in the five years we’d been together. There were a
few more silver strands weaving through the dark mane he kept long at my
request, but his face was unlined and his body youthful and fit, thanks to the
biweekly visits we shared at the gym. He was still attractive as hell, and I
never got tired of looking at him.
“Maybe I would be more open to the idea of a child if our relationship
wasn’t so fucked up.”
“What’s wrong with it?” Cole asked, looking completely surprised.
“We haven’t boned in weeks. Every time I make a move, you push me away.
Not my idea of a healthy relationship. Jesus, Cole. We’ve had problems in the
past, but our sex life has always been consistent and above average.”
“There’s more to life than sex,” he maintained.
“I’m twenty-eight, not sixty. Sex is an integral part of our
relationship. If I had wanted a roommate, I would have married Emily.”
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