Page 71 of Rough Ride

“I think you need to leave,” he said without turning around. He was sipping whisky and said it just like he could have said they were expecting rain. No big deal. You need to leave.

She looked at him, irritated that it hurt her to hear the words. She had been through this before. Not exactly this, but something similar. Finding your Dom and fiancé fucking his personal trainer was a little different. Still, the rejection was the same.

This hurt more, even knowing what was behind it. He was trying to protect her and she would not have it. If she left, he lost everything. It would give whoever was doing this the result he or she wanted. She would feel like a coward.

She wanted to pick up one of the massive books in the library and hurl it at his head. “I’m not leaving.”

He turned and gave her a narrowed look. “Didn’t you hear me?”

The coldness in his voice turned her blood to ice. “Yeah, I heard ya.”

“What did you not understand about it? I don’t want you here. I want you gone.”

“Seriously?” She snorted trying to hide the pain that was now ripping her heart to shreds. It seemed so easy for him, and maybe it was. Maybe she had been the one to think there was more to their relationship than just submission and sex.

“I think I have the final say on who stays and who goes.”

“I might be your sub—was your sub—but I don’t have to listen to you outside of the bedroom.”

“Really? I think I run this ranch.” He stood and set down his whisky.

She walked closer and looked at him. Crysta was trying to hide her emotions. It was amazing that the words hurt her more than anything in the world.

She crossed her arms, more for protection than for warmth. Tears were burning the backs of her eyes. She blinked.

“I think we both own this ranch, and I’m not leaving. Even if you are a fucking ass, I can’t let you lose it. Joe wanted you to have it and I will be damned if I leave. I can, however, avoid any time with you.”

She turned to leave, knowing that any second she was going to cry in front of him. She would not do it. Giving him that satisfaction was a little too much for today. She might not have a lot, but she had her pride.

She was at the threshold when he grabbed her by the wrist. Before she knew what was happening, he’d backed her up against the wall and was nuzzling her neck.

“I’m sorry.” His mouth touched the tender skin just beneath her ear. “Babe, I’m so sorry. I went a little crazy. For a second there, I thought the blood was yours.”

Crysta closed her eyes and tried to ignore how wonderful that made her feel. She shouldn’t be happy he was scared for her, and she should still be pissed. But his body crowded hers, the heat of his flesh warming her.

“I…I just couldn’t stand it if something happened to you.” He said the words in a jolting fashion, something that tugged at her heart. It was as if the words had been dragged from somewhere dark.

He pulled back from her and settled his forehead against hers. “I don’t know what I would do.”

“Nothing happened to me. I’m fine.”

He closed his eyes but not before she saw the pain there. How could she have thought he was cold? She knew that’s what he showed a lot of people, but inside he was warm. So warm, and loving.

“I haven’t done a good job at protecting you,” he said, the words filled with torment.

She shook her head and cupped his face. She gave him a long, sweet kiss.

“I was shot at once.”

His lips twitched. “All in a day’s work. I don’t think so.”

“And it’s not your job to protect me, Eli.”

“I promised your father I would take care of you.”

She shook her head. “Alphas. Surrounded by them all the time.”

“I told you to leave.”

---