Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 96206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
He was done questioning her and her loyalties because every betrayal he’d believed had clearly been a lie. She really had been trying to protect him.
And what had he done in return? Accused her of deceit, denied her at least half a dozen orgasms, then left her all alone, aroused and shaking.
Fuck.
Now what?
Trees stood and scrubbed a hand down his face. He wasn’t exactly sure what he was going to say, but he needed to see Laila right now.
The hissing of the dungeon door’s seal decompressing brought Laila’s head snapping around. She gathered the blanket tighter around her naked body with one hand and wiped the tears from her eyes with the other. Trees had made his feelings clear. He no longer wanted her. He cared for her now only as the body he had been paid to guard. She had hurt him too much, and she understood. Since she had never once had anything remotely like a boyfriend, what did she know of relationships? Of course she had screwed everything up.
Now she had to face his repudiation. He would separate them in all ways except proximity.
Despite the fact Laila knew his rejection was coming, it was crushing her.
Trees’s big feet were surprisingly light on the stairs as he descended. She sipped more of her water as she watched him appear. First, his boots became visible, then his muscled legs, clad in denim. Next, his narrow hips, followed by his lean, corrugated middle, obvious even through his T-shirt.
Laila’s heart began to race. As always, being near him thrilled her, but this time she feared the harsh words he would use to dismiss her.
When she caught sight of his massive shoulders and the dark tip of his close-cropped beard, she lost her nerve to meet his gaze and bowed her head.
In the past, she had stared down drug lords, murderers, and rapists without flinching because she hadn’t cared what they did. They could hurt her body—and had many times. But they had never touched her heart.
With one sentence, Trees could utterly decimate her.
Suddenly, the half of a protein bar she had choked down earlier churned in her stomach, threatening to come back up. Her heart hammered faster, louder, filling her ears when he loped off the last step and crossed the room toward her.
“Laila?” His gruff whisper twisted her heart.
She bit her bottom lip, trying so hard not to cry. She failed, tasting blood and defeat. God, she’d never felt more fragile in her life. “I am sorry. Please do not say anything. I know you despise me now and—”
“Why the hell would you think that?” He hooked his fingers beneath her chin. She resisted, but he forced her face up.
Laila squeezed her eyes shut tighter, but nothing would hide the fact she was crying. “Do not look at me. I know you are angry, and I bear the responsibility for—”
“Shh.” He caressed her face so softly, his thumb brushing over her cheek, wiping away her tears. “Listen to me. I’m the one who’s sorry. I didn’t believe you. I didn’t trust you. I tormented you for answers. I was wrong.” He kissed her forehead so softly he made her sob again. “Hey… No more crying. I hate that I hurt you.”
She pressed his words into her heart. “Please do not tell me what you think I want to hear. I do not want your pity.”
Trees cupped her face, his touch beyond gentle…but a hint of his other side, the one that had mercilessly strummed her body less than an hour ago, rang in his words. “I don’t pity you, honey. I’m apologizing to you. Now open your eyes and look at me.”
Laila resisted, but everything about Trees compelled her to comply.
Slowly, her lashes fluttered open. He filled her vision, his expression achingly soft, his eyes full of remorse. More tears spilled down her cheeks.
“You believe me?” The question slipped out, and a foolish part of her wished she could take it back. The hopeful, headstrong girl inside her who had faced so much of life alone wanted him forever. But the woman in her—the realist—took over. “Never mind. You do not have to—”
He placed a finger over her lips. “Yes, I do. I’m sorry, Laila. I fucked up. I was an asshole, and I have no problem admitting it. I hope you can forgive me.”
“I-I do not understand.”
“I saw the full video of you and Victor on his phone, including the parts you cut off, so I know what really happened. I know the lengths you went to in order to save me. I’m just sorry I didn’t believe you.”
Laila felt her eyes widen—and hope fill her heart…even as it shattered. “I had given you no reason to. I only meant to protect you, but…”
“I know you did.” His expression gentled even more. “You risked everything to keep me safe, the way you do for your family. And I love you for that.”