Page 72 of Reluctantly His

There was something powerful in that.

His need to mark me with his seed, to have me walk back into my father’s house with Reid’s come still drying on my thighs, made me feel… not dirty, but different.

Like I had a secret.

I knew I was changing and on the precipice of something great, even if no one else knew. A new chapter in my life was beginning, and I belonged to someone who wanted me for me, not for what my father could provide.

And frankly, after finally being brave enough to stand up for myself, I deserved the luxurious bubble bath.

I couldn’t wait to see Reid again. I wanted to show him that I could be his good girl and I would fight to be his.

Actions spoke louder than words, and I needed to show him how I wanted to be his.

I thought about telling him my plan when he dropped me off, but he was already so angry, and I couldn’t risk disappointing him if I wasn’t strong enough to go through with it. I couldn’t bear the idea of disappointing him.

It didn’t matter anymore.

He was escorting me to the charity gala, and on the way there, I would explain everything. Then I would play my heart out for this event, talk to Ginnie, and figure out what my next moves were.

Covering the bruises on my face took far longer than I had planned. And by the time I was ready to go to the event, I was running about five minutes late.

I ran downstairs, my cello in hand ready to meet Reid at the front door.

I couldn’t wait to tell him about my plan.

I wanted to see that look in his eyes, the one that said, ‘You are mine, and I am proud of you.’ He was going to call me his ‘good girl’ and whisper dirty things in my ear, and then after the charity, he would take me back to his place and reward me for being so brave. But he wasn’t there.

Instead, waiting for me was a different man, dressed similarly to how Reid did in solid black, with his sidearm barely covered by his jacket.

“Ms. Manwarring,” he greeted me with a friendly smile. “My name is Hunter. I will be escorting you tonight.”

“Where is Reid?” The abruptness of my question was rude, but I didn’t care.

Hunter rubbed the back of his neck while looking behind me, above me, and to the side. Anywhere but my face.

“He had something come up and asked me to fill in.”

He was lying to me. I could see it in his face.

He was lying, and he didn’t want to be.

Which meant he was covering for Reid, who just didn’t want to be here.

My heart, which was so full of hope and excitement just a few seconds ago, deflated.

Tears stung behind my eyes, and my stomach clenched.

I wanted to run back to my room and throw up, then cry.

I wanted to call him and demand to know why.

But I was a Manwarring, and I had an obligation.

I gave Hunter a gracious smile and prayed he didn’t look too closely, or he would see the pain behind it.

“Okay, well. Then we should be off,” I said.

Hunter nodded and offered to take my cello case as we walked to the car.

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