Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38523 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 193(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38523 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 193(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
I look him dead in the eyes and tell him, “You’re an asshole.”
“That may be true, but I’m also right. I know you love me, and you know I love you too.”
I turn in their grasp and slam my fist on his hard chest as I speak without thinking. “I hate you.”
His hands leave me, and I instantly miss his touch. “How did I hurt you so fucking bad?”
“You treat me like I’m expected to just part my legs for you!” Tears fall as I hysterically yell at him, my back to Owen’s solid chest. “You don’t love me!”
“Don’t tell me I don’t love you!” He tries to interrupt me, but I continue, yelling over him.
“You’re stuck with me!” My face heats and reddens with anger. “You don’t want me as a mate!”
“You’re right! I didn’t want a human for a mate!” His harsh words silence me. I fucking knew it. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t love you.” I shake my head, denying his words. “You can deny me all you want, sugar, but that doesn’t make it any less true. I gave you everything that I had last night and you shut me out.” His voice raises. “You used me.”
“I didn’t use you!” My shoulders hunch and I lower my gaze. “I’m just protecting myself.”
“From what?” he asks as though he can fix it. How can he be so blind?
“From you!”
He throws his hands up in exasperation, looking at me as though I’m the one who’s crazy. “I said I’m sorry!”
“You don’t mean it.” I spit the words out and push against Owen, trying to break from his hold, but he doesn’t let go. I can’t deal with this right now.
“You just want to hate me.” Luke stalks back toward me. “Is that it? Will this be easier for you if you have a real reason to hate me?”
I continue to struggle against Owen, but he doesn’t let up his grip. I sneer back at Luke. “I don’t trust you.”
“You’ll learn to trust me.” His tone changes to plead with me and it breaks down my walls. “Give us time. I know you feel it. What I felt last night was real. I know you felt it.” His eyes plead with me, but I can’t admit it.
“Tell me you feel nothing for me then.” He takes my chin in his hand, the contact calms me and forces me to stare into his eyes. “Tell me I’m nothing to you.” His sad, softly spoken words crack and his pain resonates through me.
My mouth opens, but I look away. His hand tilts my chin again, forcing my eyes to meet his. I pull in a tortured breath and close my eyes.
“Look at me. Look at me and tell me what you really feel.”
“You’re going to hurt me.” Tears fall down my face. I know he’s going to hurt me.
“I promise I won’t. I know I was an asshole, but I promise I’ll make it up to you. I’ll spend every day on my knees making it up to you.”
I hesitate to say the truth. To tell him I love him. If this is real, then I’d be at his mercy for the rest of my life. He could hurt me. He already has and he could do it again. It would destroy me to have him treat me like that ever again. He rests his forehead against mine. “I love you, Emma.” He kisses my lips, pouring his passion and devotion into the tender touch. “I’ll spend my life loving you.”
My hands grip his shoulders as I cry into his chest. “I love you, Luke.” A strangled sob leaves me. “Please don’t hurt me.” Owen finally lets go of me and I fall into Luke’s chest.
“Never baby. I’ll never hurt you again.”
His strong hands run up and down my back as I nuzzle into his broad chest. My heart flutters and my chest warms at his affection. I sigh heavily into his chest, trying to calm my breathing and take in this revelation. I lean back to look at Luke, my Alpha, my mate.
His eyes shine with sincerity. “You believe me now, sugar? I mean every word. Please believe me.”
I nod, feeling that warmth in my chest flow through my entire body.
“Now what’s this about my mate being naughty?” Owen’s hard voice in my ear makes me shiver as my heart stills. I suck a breath in; I don’t know what to expect, but I know he must be pissed.
“I want this to be good for her Owen.” Luke speaks easily over my head. “It’s taken care of anyway.”
I shift uncomfortably. I don’t know what to think about him ending my career. I worked so fucking hard. But now that I’m here. Now that I’m staying…
“Don’t worry, we’ll find something for you that you’ll love, and the Authority, once they are told of our mating, will smooth everything over and find you a worthy position.” Luke answers my unasked question. I know the Authority has power in the industry. More questions fill my mind, but they’re silenced by my mate.