 False Hope. False. Book Two. Written by Mellie Rain. Narrated by Sebastian York. CHAPTER ONE If unicorns had a flavor, it would taste like kissing Lily. Her essence is still on the tip of my tongue as I watched the layered response Lily has mastered. Observe her as that beautiful mind works to line all the pieces up and execute the subterfuge, living in two selves, one ever-vigilant, one struggling to stay quiet. For months now I've felt it, sensed it. Now I can taste it too. Lies have a flavor. And God help me, I want more of the deliciousness of Lily. But those lies come with an aftertaste, a bitter acrimony that has an overriding power. My own words ring in the air like a gong as I wait. When were you going to tell me you've been faking the amnesia, Lily, before or after I sleep with you? Sleep with me? She squeaks, the words catching me off guard. I assumed she denied the lying, not talk about my fantasies. You want to talk about that? I choke out, amused and sickened. You've been lying to me for close to a year and all you want to talk about is sleeping with me. You brought it up. She's got me there. How about this fake amnesia bullshit, Lily? How about we talk about that before we discuss getting sweet between the sheets? She blushes. I get hard. This. This is why I should have recused myself from this damned assignment long ago. I knew this day would come. I knew I'd have to call her on the lying. Worse than that, I knew I wouldn't be able to help myself. One kiss, then another, then my hands all over her. And then more. She's torn, I see it. I'm giving her everything she wants, the freedom to tell the truth. Nothing feels better than that when you're trapped. Not even a great kiss. Unless you're a sociopath, or worse, holding a lie for too long is its own torture. Imprisoning yourself is harder than being controlled by outside forces. Duality is inherently draining. How can we be whole and centered when our very survival relies on being split and vigilant? The lies in her eyes are breaking my heart. Before she even says a word, I know she's about to snow me. That's where she's at now. That's who she is now. A liar who lies to stay alive. Can you blame her? But for what I'm about to say to her, do to her, can you blame me? The blush in her cheeks matches the emotion pouring out in her breathless, rapid breathing. Lily still has an answer. Sample complete. Ready to continue?