Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 91164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
His gaze is intent, sharp as a laser. “Be careful, Allegra,” he whispers darkly. He walks me backward to the wall, presses my arm to it, eyes searching my face, hovering over my lips. “My self-control is not infinite. Don’t think you’ll be safe if you try to use me to get to him.”
“I’m not—”
“Don’t lie to yourself. Don’t lie to me. You told me you wanted me to be like I was that night. Well, like I told you, that’s not a one-way street.”
I look up at him, studying his features. He’s beautiful, without a doubt. But he’s not Cassian.
“All the men in my life have been liars. Have wanted something from me. I don’t want him to be one of them,” I finally say.
“Have you considered telling him that?” he asks.
“I can’t trust him.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. He’s probably one of the very few people you can trust. You should trust. He nearly lost his mind when you were gone. Do you know that?”
“He did?” I ask, trying to ignore the skip of my heart, the fluttering in my belly upon hearing the words as if I were a teenager in love.
“And, if you want my advice,” Jet starts, walking toward the door as he pulls his shirt on. “Tell him,” he says as he pulls the door open. “Because I think most of the people in his life are liars too.”
“Most of the people in whose life are liars?” Cassian asks, hand out as if just about to knock, stopping short when he sees Jet, then me.
22
CASSIAN
Jet pulls his shirt the rest of the way on, casual, like he isn’t even a little surprised to see me. Allegra on the other hand goes from oh shit, to collecting herself, to reminding herself she’s angry. She folds her arms across her chest and glares.
“What’s going on in here?” I ask, turning from Allegra to Jet and back.
“I came to get my notebook,” Allegra says after clearing her throat.
“Is that so?” I turn to Jet who shrugs his shoulders.
“I’m as surprised as you. I’m going to get some food before the show.”
“It’s not a show. It’s my brother’s funeral,” Allegra says.
“Whatever. Excuse me.”
I put a hand on Jet’s chest, blocking him. “I’m beyond tired of having this conversation with you.”
Jet looks down at my hand, then back up at my face. Chuckles. “It’s not me you need to have the conversation with,” he says, and shoves past me, shoulder butting mine as he goes.
I look at Allegra, noting that the ring I gave her, which she accepted, is still on her finger. That’s a good sign. I close the door behind me.
She holds the notebook between herself and me defensively, matching my forward steps backward until she’s at the wall. I stand close enough our bodies are touching. If it’s space she wants, she’s going to be disappointed.
“You made your choice,” I say.
“What are you talking about?” she asks stubbornly.
“This.” I hold her hand up to show her my ring. “I’m talking about this.”
“You lied to me.”
“I omitted to tell you.”
“Same thing. If we’re going to talk about this, we’re not going to split hairs.”
“You know what? You’re right. We’re not. Would it make you feel better if I admitted I was wrong?” She is clearly not expecting that, so I continue while I’m ahead. “Well, I had my reasons, but you were right and I was wrong. I should have asked you.” I admit, it’s hard to say, but if it’s how I’m going to get through, if she needs a little groveling, well, I’m going to do it. My pride is nothing. I know what’s important, what matters. I’m looking at it. At her.
I hold my hand in front of her, show her my matching ring. “This ring, Allegra? It means something to me. It better mean the same thing to you.” The truth of those words is in my bones.
She searches my eyes, blinking rapidly when they fill up. “It’s not like that with Jet and me,” she blurts.
“Could it be?”
She shakes her head. “Maybe I wanted to make you jealous.” The way she grits the words out, I know it’s hard for her to admit.
I grin, take that notebook and toss it aside to weave my fingers with hers. “I should spank you for wanting to make me jealous.”
Her cheeks flush red and she looks at me through lowered lids, the shade of her eyes like my favorite brand of whiskey. I bend my head and kiss her, her lips soft and warm and yielding. Our kiss deepens and when I release the lock of our hands to take her waist, her hips, she wraps hers around my neck. I lift her up and she hooks her legs around my hips.
I’m hard as I hold her, her back against the wall, one arm around her waist as I undo my slacks. When she hears the buckle of my belt, she draws back, breathless.