Page 115 of Reckless Vow

I close my eyes and bow my head before I take a deep breath. It’s not very fortifying, but being around Brook throws me off my game. “Okay, I don’t think you’d like the answer.”

She huffs. “Why don’t you tell me? Because you don’t trust me?”

I drop the coffee bag, beans spilling across the counter, and round the island. This shouldn’t have triggered me, but fuck her taunting.

She steps back, hitting the table. I drop my hands to the glass surface on each side of her, caging her.

“Trustyou? I don’t trust myself around you. Ever since you waltzed into my life, I can’t find peace of mind.”

My lips are so close to hers. Just an inch and we’d kiss.

No fucking way.

“I didn’t waltz into your life. You waltzed into mine. With a proposal, no less.”

“You needed my help.” I smack the tabletop with my palm, making her jump.

Stepping back, I run a hand through my hair.

I don’t know what we’re even arguing about. But I’m losing control, and I don’t like the feeling. I hate it.

Frustration and irritation pulse in my temples. Why the fuck is everything so complicated?

“Where did you go? Is there someone else?”

I snort. “No.”

“So why are you sending me away?”

I shake my head.To protect you. To save you. To save me?

“How did you get this ring?” She raises her hand, wiggling the fingers in front of my face. The ruby catches a sun ray from the window above and sparkles with red vengeance.

Fuck. “I had it made.”

“That’s obvious. But there is no way this ring was made in the time between the unexpected proposal and our wedding. How did you have an engagement ruby?”

“I had it made a long time ago!” I grab her hand, closing my palm over the ring.

Her eyes widen, and I can practically see the comprehension setting in. Yes, my obsession with Brook runs long and deep. Too deep.

I had it made when I made my first million. I never understood why. It’s not like I was planning to seek her out.

Okay, perhaps I was. I’ve fucking carried it with me ever since. A therapist would have a field day with this.

And this is why she needs to leave. I can’t think when she’s gone, but I’m a complete idiot when she’s around.

“Why?” she croaks.

Her hand is so small in mine, the ruby burning a hole in my skin.

“Stop the interrogation. You fucking know why.” I drop her hand and rake my hair again. This is what she does to me. I want to pull my hair out dealing with the onslaught of feelings. “What do you want from me, Brook?”

She raises the hand I’ve just dropped to her chest, holding it by her heart. “I want you to talk to me. To tell me where your head is. We’ve both been seeking closure, but—”

“There is no fucking closure for us, Brook. You might be on the other side of the world, hating my guts, fucking assholes that don’t deserve you, but there is no closure. You will always be a part of me. Whether I like it or not.”

“Clearly you don’t.”

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