Selective/Memory: The "Depth of Emotion" Book 2 (The Depth of Emotion) by DD Lorenzo

distracted with herself, her thoughts returned to Declan. He was under the impression that his newly-found, entrepreneurial focus was what they called drive . It was her opinion that the only destination he had been driving himself to of late was the bottom of a bottle. She sat the lotion onto the marble vanity and placed her hands under her chin.
    Leaning in to smile at her image, she contemplated how such a scenario could work to her advantage. Having integrated herself into Declan’s life, she had exerted more energy than she was accustomed to. She expected that he would have accepted her directly into his bed, but hadn’t considered his physical shape hindering a sexual relationship following the accident.
    Thinking to immediately dismiss him and Aria, having gotten her revenge with the destruction of their relationship, she saw how fragile a mental state he was in and an opportunity arose. An expectation for an even greater amount of satisfaction presented itself when she realized she could take his business away from him with little effort—something that both he and Aria had worked for.
    She should have won an Academy Award for her performance as supportive friend and confidant during her visits at the hospital!
    Barely tolerating the sweetness she mustered, and patience she didn’t know she possessed, she’d remind herself that the end result would be worth it. The most difficult part of the charade was smoothing over his snapping attitude.
    He was a royal pain in the ass!
    Declan had gone through a bit of a personality change— as if she could care to notice! He had a roughness to him since the accident, and she could work with that. Her own father was a cold and unforgiving man, so she had learned very early to deal with this sort of bastard. Declan had grown callous. His hardened attitude was one that she appreciated. She could develop a relationship with him in his new mindset, and she’d convince him that theirs would be a good one. A solid, superficial relationship—one of give and take. She’d give him what he thought he needed, and take from him everything she wanted.
    It would be perfect .
    It was almost laughable how he and Aria were new opportunities for her to achieve more of what she wanted. Declan, of course, was the more valuable for through him she could achieve not only financially, but professionally. Aria—well, the thought of the pleasurable circumstances she could provide made her shudder with delight. Through her the destruction of another human being could be derived through her and the endless ideas of inflicted pain filled her with more pleasure than she thought possible. It went beyond the satisfaction of a sarcastic remark, more thrilling than a sound physical slap, and more delightful than ruining someone’s livelihood or reputation. The sheer rush of pleasure at the thought of Aria’s physical and emotional destruction caused her to slide to the edge of her seat and admire the smile that had formed in her eyes; botox wouldn’t allow it to register elsewhere.
    Declan didn’t know it yet, but a very benevolent client was planning a large, tropical shoot. This was told to her when she slept with a director of the company for which the job was being planned. She was already making mental preparations for her and Mr. Sinclair. Then her manipulations would begin to solidify as she integrated herself into his company and would eventually take it right out from under him. He’d never discount her as someone lesser than him again.
    Yes , she thought as she sat back and stroked her arms, this would prove to be a very good trip .
    Planning the manipulation of Declan and the extermination of that bitch Aria, and she’d enjoy this visit to Hawaii, especially Maui. It was one of the beautiful things of the world—like her.
    Just as she thought of herself in that category, Marisol had an appreciation for the most beautiful things in life—at least, most things. Some things of beauty