Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 678(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 452(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 678(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 452(@300wpm)
“I want you more than I want my next meal. My next sleep. My next breath. But I cannot afford you, Shortbread. Giving in to you just might kill me.”
Feeling my eyes flare, I jerked my face back. “What are you talking about?”
He slid aside, swung his legs over the edge of the mattress, and slipped his pants on with his back to me. “Are you well?”
“I…uh…yes.” I sat up, dizzy. I told myself it was from the sudden movement and not the direction of conversation. “I don’t think I have a fever anymore.”
“You don’t.” So, he’d checked. “Hettie is here. Vernon, too. I spoke to Dr. Reuben. He’ll arrive later tonight to check on you. He recommended an extra dose of medicine to ward off the remnants of illness.”
I scrunched my nose. “It’s gross.”
“It’s medicine.” He reached for the tiny plastic cup, filled it to the line with purple cough syrup, and pressed it against my lips. “Drink it.”
I shook my head, my lips zipped shut.
“Shortbread.”
Another head shake.
I knew if I opened my mouth, he’d tip it in. Not only did it taste expired, it also came with an hours-long aftertaste.
With the cup still kissing my lips, Romeo lowered his nose, tracing it up my neck, along my jaw, and to my ear.
I released a moan, just in time for him to tip the medicine into my throat and whisper, “Swallow it.”
Fair play didn’t even exist in his dictionary, did it?
Frowning, I gulped every drop. “It’s disgusting.”
“Good. Remember the taste, and never get sick again.”
“It wasn’t my fault.”
“Did you or did you not go ice skating without wearing a coat? And don’t deny it. You left time-stamped receipts to the rink in Rockville Town Center on your vanity. Plus, I confirmed with Hettie.”
“Fine. I should’ve layered up.”
He collected his wallet and phone, shoving them into his pocket.
“Are you leaving?” I squeaked, watching him button his shirt.
My eyes missed him so much, they didn’t dare blink.
He shoved his feet into his shoes. “Yes.”
My bottom lip quivered. “But…why?”
“Because all you want is for me to knock you up so you can waltz back to Chapel Falls. And all I want is to bury myself inside you and never leave your bed. You’re a weakness. An addiction. A distraction.”
I flung out of bed. The abrupt movement sent nausea spiraling down my gut. My knees failed me.
Romeo was there in less than a second, righting me in his arms. And still, his gaze remained flat and unforgivingly dispassionate.
I could liquify into a puddle of regret right then and there, at the feet of his Bruno Cucinellis.
“What you’re saying is nonsense!” I pounded his chest, furious. “No part of me wants to go to Chapel Fa—”
“Stop lying!” It was the first time he’d raised his voice at me. Ever. He ripped himself from me, plowing a hand into his messy, ink-black hair. “Stop lying to me, Dallas. I overheard you telling your sister how much you hate me. How you want me to knock you up so you can go back home.”
Oh, no.
No, no, no, no, no.
I couldn’t believe he’d overheard that.
What a disaster.
“Lord.” I tipped my head back, forcing out a laugh. “I lied to her, Romeo.”
“Why?”
“She found out we were having sex. My sheets reeked with the scent of us. I had to make an excuse for allowing you into my bed. I hadn’t confided in her. I’ve never kept a secret from Frankie. She felt deceived and pushed back. She was hurt.”
I never stopped to think he might get hurt, too, if he heard my words. But I should have. Not one of them had rung true.
He arched a brow. “And telling her we were getting along wasn’t a suitable answer?”
“No.”
“Why?”
I sighed. “Because she wouldn’t understand.”
“Wouldn’t understand what?”
That I am in love with you.
With my captor. My enemy. My beast.
“Because we’re complicated, and she doesn’t understand relationships. Trust me, Rom. I don’t want to go away. I don’t want to return to Chapel Falls. I lied to my sister, and I’ll make this wrong a right. I promise you that. But you have to believe me.”
I clutched the lapels of his shirt. If he walked out right now, I knew my life would be over. Or at least, the life I wanted for myself.
He peered down at me. I could tell he didn’t want to believe me. That his overdeveloped self-preservation instincts begged him to guard against another heartbreak.
I couldn’t believe I made him taste betrayal again. The thought sickened me.
“I have no reason to trust you,” he finally said. Deathly quiet.
“I know.” I clung to him.
We were so close, I could smell him. I wanted to drown in him and never resurface.
“Then, why should I?”
“Because I’m asking you to.” I licked my lips. “And because that should be enough.”
His nostrils flared. I knew he didn’t want to give me a chance. I also knew this was exactly why he’d ghosted me.