Page 30 of Shattered Vows

“If you don’t want me here, just say it. I’m only here because you said I could stay and sort myself out, figure out what I want to do with my life. But if I’m not welcome, tell me.”

“You should go. You should.” Our angry eyes test one another. Who will fold first? But the energy shifts, and tensions rise. His touch loosens on my elbow as an ache forms between my thighs. “But that doesn’t mean I want you to.”

“I—” I want to feel him just once more, damn the consequences.

Our bodies lean in. I try to prepare myself for him to shove me away once more, but he tugs me into his sweaty body, and his lips fall to mine. The familiar taste of him seeps through my body as his tongue roughly pushes into my mouth. Acting on instinct, my arms wrap around his neck, pressing our chests together, separated only by the thin fabric of my shirt and cotton bra.

Kol groans as his hands slip around my waist and move lower to squeeze my ass and pull me into him. His hard length presses into me. I gasp. The space between my legs hums with pleasure.

Everything between us disappears—our past, the promises made and broken, the animosity and hurt. All of it evaporates, and there is only us.

The feel of his tongue against mine. My hard nipples pressed into his heated chest. The stubble under my hand as it crests over the back of his head. Every sensation feels magnified and perfect. I melt into our kiss, wanting more. I don’t even know what, just… more. Whatever he’ll give me.

But as quickly as the kiss started, it ends.

Kol pushes me away, and I stumble back, eyes wide, the fingers of one hand pressed against my swollen lips.

His eyes are now filled with horror. “Don’t ask me about last night again.”

Mortified by the switch in his demeanor and how easily I gave into the kiss, I rush from the room.

Why did he even kiss me if he was so disgusted afterward? Was it just a way to shut me up so I wouldn’t ask any more questions? God, that man is so cruel.

I suck back my tears and continue toward the kitchen. I don’t understand why he got so weird about me asking about last night. I don’t understand why he kissed me. I don’t understand why he seems to even want me here. I don’t understand any of it.

“Are you okay?”

I blink at the sound of a female voice and come out of my daze. I hadn’t even realized that I’d stopped in one of the many sitting rooms in the communal part of the manor.

Anabelle walks toward me with a concerned look on her face. “Are you okay?”

“Sorry, yes, yes. I’m fine.” I give her as big of a smile as I can muster.

When she reaches me, she rests a hand on my shoulder. “You don’t look fine, Rapsody. What happened?”

The genuine concern on her face brings the tears new life, but I somehow push them back. “I just got into an argument with Kol. Sort of. I don’t know if you could even call it that.”

She frowns. “What about?”

Maybe Anabelle knows something about whatever was going on last night. She probably would, right? I mean, she’s married to the eldest Voss brother.

“I asked him what was going on here last night. I saw some people with masks leaving the side of the house.”

Her hand drops from my shoulder, and she winces. “Oh.”

“Do you know what was going on? Why would Kol be so upset with me for asking?”

Anabelle sighs. “That’s something you need to discuss with Kol.”

“But I tried, and?—”

“I’m sorry, Rapsody, but I can’t discuss this with you.” It’s a small consolation that she appears to actually feel bad.

“Right. Okay, I get it.” I walk past her without saying another word.

Message received loud and clear—I’m not one of them. And I’ll never be.

The first tear leaks down my cheek.

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