The Lies Always Told - illustrated version

<p><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)><em>The Lies Always Told is an emotional forced proximity secret relationship millionaire and hurt/comfort small town romance. It is Baker Oaks #4 but it can be read as a stand alone.</em></strong></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>My dad always said that tragedy strikes in threes and I never knew what he meant until now.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>You see I never thought falling in love for Gus Zabana millionaire and most eligible bachelor of our times could happen or would be considered a tragedy but when he is 6'4' perfect dark skin handsome and good in bed there's no much you can do. Did I mention our parents have been friends for forever and that he's older than me? That's the true tragedy.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>But after one night of lingering hands and scorching hot touches he kisses me-hard. He shows me what I've been missing for years and just as exhilarating as the high is so is the crash. I'm trying to balance a new job a new town and my feelings for Gus when my sister announces she's dating his twin brother too. Cue tragedy number two.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>We couldn't possibly tell everyone now that we have been sneaking around for months sharing beds swimming without clothes and traveling just the two of us. Even if he's the funny guy who drives me wild behind closed door making all of my wildest dreams come true (even the ones I didn't know I wanted.)</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>He says he's not good for me until he is. He says he has mastered the art of serial dating but keeps calling me because he wants to see me. He says he's too old until he forgets how much older and even though he is gentle he also has the roughest hands and uses them at the right time.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>But when the third tragedy comes this one out of my control only the bond I share with Gus can pull me from going under the wave. I-Nellie Thompson- swore I would fight to stay afloat but wave after wave crashes becoming a flood of challenges and I really would like to avoid letting them take us adrift.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Could our bond be enough to survive the undertow? Or will it be swept away leaving nothing but the wreckage behind?</span></p><ul><li><strong style=color: var(--__N4QdCheV6mGo#0f1111)><em>Small town</em></strong></li><li><strong style=color: var(--__N4QdCheV6mGo#0f1111)><em>Secret relationship</em></strong></li><li><strong style=color: var(--__N4QdCheV6mGo#0f1111)><em>Mental health rep</em></strong></li><li><strong style=color: var(--__N4QdCheV6mGo#0f1111)><em>Chronic illness rep</em></strong></li><li><strong style=color: var(--__N4QdCheV6mGo#0f1111)><em>Millionaire</em></strong></li><li><strong style=color: var(--__N4QdCheV6mGo#0f1111)><em>Multicultural</em></strong></li><li><strong style=color: var(--__N4QdCheV6mGo#0f1111)><em>Steamy</em></strong></li><li><strong style=color: var(--__N4QdCheV6mGo#0f1111)><em>Care taking</em></strong></li></ul>