Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 75891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
My heart was trying to fly out of my chest, and I could feel myself weakening, almost like giving in. That thought scared the hell out of me. There’s no way I’m giving him the chance to scar me again. It took forever to get over him the last time, and the pain still lingers all these years later.
But it felt so good, I wanted to just let go and enjoy just for a little bit. I knew it would be like this, knew that he’d be the only one to take me out of my place of comfort. He’s like a damn stormtrooper, just breaking down walls. My heart has never felt this full and happy.
Stop, stop, stop, pull back, Jess. I thought he would persist when I struggled against his hold, but instead, he stopped and rested his forehead against mine. For some reason, when our eyes met, our bodies still pressed together, I felt tears gather in mine.
He drew in his breath when the first tear fell and wiped it with his thumb. “Don’t cry!”
“I’m not crying. Who’s crying?” He wiped the next tear and the next, and before I knew it, I was pounding my fists in his chest. Maybe there’s something in this house because I’m almost certain I was losing my mind.
It took me a while to realize that he didn’t even try to stop me, just stood there and let me wail away at him. I bit my lip hard so as not to spill what was on my mind. I was beating the hell out of him because when you think about it, this was all his fault. If he hadn’t rejected me, how would I have ended up with that jackass?
“This is all your fault.”
“I’m sure it is.” Is he patronizing me?
“Are you sure you want me to sleep here? Have you mastered the art of sleeping with one eye open? If not…” I made a slashing motion across my throat and batted my lashes at him again.
“You can give it your best shot. I’m not scared. Now, go take a shower and get into bed. You look exhausted.” You exhaust me, you pain in the ass.
“Are you cursing me in your mind? Just remember, you're cursing your future husband and the father of your children.”
I opened and closed my mouth a few times, but couldn’t find the words. Instead, I stomped off to the bathroom to take a shower and escape this lunatic. Husband? Father of my children? Are all men just sadists?
I took my time in the shower, but what I was really doing was formulating my next form of attack. Crap, I didn’t bring anything to wear to bed, and putting back on the clothes I just took off sounded gross.
I walked out in the towel, pretending a confidence I didn’t really feel. This is the only man to reject me after all. And even though I was long over it and knew my worth, there was still a little bit of doubt and caution in me.
I walked by him to the suitcase that he had placed next to the bed and found a pair of pajamas, some shirts and shorts, my laptop, and toiletries. I think my family is trying to pawn me off. What the hell did they pack so much stuff? I was only staying here one night and not even that.
With my insomnia, he was sure to fall asleep long before me, and I’d use the opportunity to sneak out and go back home. I should hotwire his car just for the hell of it to take me home. The thought of my future escape filled me with relief, and I was creamed, moisturized, and sitting up in his bed with my laptop when he came out of the shower.
“I’ll take the bed, you can take the floor or that couch in your sitting room.” Or you can sleep on the roof for all I care.
“I’ll do neither. Don’t worry, I won’t touch you. But I’m sleeping next to you to make sure you get some sleep. I didn’t notice it before because you’re so pretty, but you have circles under your eyes.” How can he threaten and compliment me in the same breath? Bastardo!
JULIUS
Ididn’t think this through as well as I should have. I was sure I could lie here beside her and not be moved. I’m not a teenager after all, and it’s not like sex was the only thing on my mind. I knew I had a lot of work to do before we got to that; those tears earlier were proof of that. But what was even more worrying was the fact that she’d let them slip.
I know her well enough to know that she’d never allow the enemy to see her at a moment of weakness, and I am very much the enemy in her eyes still. With all of that in mind, I gave her some space to get settled before joining her in bed. I wasn’t kidding when I said she needed more rest.