Part 19 (1/2)

I made my bed and curled up on my side. I wanted to cry, but more so, I wanted to punch him. How dare he treat me like this? And to make matters more upsetting, I still didnt know what had happened at the meeting.

Somehow I fell asleep. I guess all the stress had taken its toll. I was in that place where I wasnt fully under, but I was relaxed and floating. Then I felt a hand on my arm and I freaked.

Jesus, Layla, I yelled as she jumped to her feet and took a swing at my face. f.u.c.k.

She moved fast. I hadnt expected that reaction.

Luckily, she connected with my ear and not my nose. I held onto her arm as she struggled.

Let me go, she snarled.

I did and moved to hit the lights. Now that the room was illuminated I saw she was sitting on the back of the sectional, rubbing her upper arm.

What the f.u.c.k? she asked as I moved closer.

I was coming to check on you. I didnt like that she was still rubbing her arm.

You didnt need to. She shot me an angry glare. Christ, you scared me. The look she gave me was still a little fearful.

You took a swing at me, I said, frowning I was asleep. You snuck up on me. Her eyes turned angry, which was an improvement from scared. Id take the lightning flashes over the haunted shadows anytime.

I dropped my a.s.s to the coffee table facing her. Look, Im sorry about how I sounded earlier. I wanted to apologize.

She looked at me, like she was trying to see into my brain. Fine, now can I go back to sleep?

Apology not accepted.

I thought youd want to come back to bed, I said, not liking it one bit that she would prefer to sleep alone.

No, Im fine out here. She slid down to the seat.

Look, I apologized. I said through gritted teeth. My fuse was short tonight. That was the reason Id wanted to hold her off earlier. Id felt like it would only take a tiny spark for me to blow and lose control.

You did, and now you can go to sleep. She shook out the blanket, ignoring me.

You arent going to make this easy are you?

She let out a loud sigh. Look, Forde”

I didnt like the sound of that. I had a feeling about where she was going to go, so I cut her off. Just come to bed, Lay.

No, I will not come to bed with you, Lucien Forde. Im not going to be with a man who shuts me out. She got to her feet and moved away from the sectional. Never again.

I followed her down the hall and back into our room. Now this I could work with. Location, location, location”and she was nearing the bed.

She started stuffing clothes into a tote bag. She then headed to the front door.

This wasnt a game anymore. Where the f.u.c.k are you going?

Ill call Tony to come get me. Theyll let me use the sofa until I can make other arrangements. She pulled her phone from her purse.

I smacked the phone from her hand.

Hey, she sputtered as it went airborne.

I yanked the bag from her hand and pushed her against the wall. You arent going anywhere, I growled.

Wrong. Im not going to stick around when you dont want me here. Her eyes were slitted in anger.

I didnt say I didnt want you here, I shouted in her face. f.u.c.k. I was losing my s.h.i.+t.

Oh, the whole dont touch me thing was an invitation to stay? To crawl into bed with you? she asked sarcastically.

I moved in closer and dropped my voice as I spoke directly into her ear. Tonight, the meeting was tense. I came home on edge, feeling dark, like I wanted to do some damage, inflict some pain. I didnt want that to spill over onto you.

She jerked her ear away from my mouth and turned her head so that we were face to face. Her brow was furrowed, and her mouth has partially open.

I watched her process my explanation. She was breathing hard as she opened and then closed her mouth a couple of times”like she wanted to say something but couldnt find the words.

My rough edges might come out if we f.u.c.ked. I dont have a lot of control tonight as you just witnessed. I dont want to scare you, or worse, hurt you. I didnt want her to ever see that side of me.

G.o.d, her eyes were so expressive. I watched them change from angry, to confused, and then finally, they flared with heat. What the f.u.c.k?

Who says I wouldnt be into that?

Her voice had gone low and raspy. I felt her body relax against mine, and it sent a thrill through me. I didnt know what to say.

I need to know whats going on, Forde. When I dont, I start thinking, and then I get upset.

I nodded. That made sense.

Brian kept so much from me. A good relations.h.i.+p works only if theres transparency. All of his secrets, I sensed them, but I never asked. I cant be like that again. I wont be. Her gaze searched mine. You have to talk to me. The good and the bad, even the dark. Just tell me. I promise I wont run. Its when Im stuck in my head that I panic and feel the need to rabbit. She dropped her eyes for a few beats. I knew it was difficult for her to give that much away.

I dont like the thought that I hurt you, that I could hurt you. Not when she was being open and giving herself to me, like every time we had s.e.x.

She met my eyes. Lucien. Her voice caressed my name. The physical stuff, I think Id like.

The look she gave me was pure invitation, and my c.o.c.k went hard.

Its the emotional stuff that rips at my heart. Theres a big difference.

I got it. Lay, I whispered as my mouth lowered to hers.

How we made it to the bed, Ill never know.

I intended for the kiss to be gentle, a promise that Id made to myself once Id heard what shed shared, but the second our lips met, the kiss turned into something more. Hot, hungry, wild.

I half carried, half dragged her to the bedroom. She was trying to tear off my shorts. Her hands were everywhere, as were her lips and her teeth.