Page 14 of Rejected Plus-Size Mate

“Don’t get any ideas, though,” she adds sternly. “We’ll make a line of pillows between us. There won’t be any accidents or temptation.”

“Okay,” I say softly.

Leslie takes a sip of the champagne and gives a little hum of pleasure. “It’s good stuff. We should take advantage of the suite. It was a nice gift.”

“I agree,” I say, trying to figure out how to bring up using the bed as well.

Leslie watches me, her face hard and impossible to read. Her big gray eyes are wide, echoing with something like regret.

I’m so fucking confused right now.

I look back at the bed, and Leslie sighs.

“Look, you don’t have to worry, Kyle. I know we have to get used to sharing the same space, but I understand this is an arranged marriage. I’ll make sure there’s no danger of you messing up anything else you’ve got going on.”

A strange feeling flickers through me as I turn to face her. “Wait. What did you say?”

Leslie glares at me, her mouth a straight line as her eyes harden. “I know you’re with someone else, Kyle. Maybe even more than one. That’s why you had to keep us a secret, and why you broke up with me.”

“What?”

“Oh, come on,” she says in exasperation. She takes another big gulp of champagne. “There’s some rumor going around that Jack took the last marriage arrangement because you had a regular girlfriend back in Bailey’s pack.”

Darla?

I never imagined this information could come back to haunt me like this, and it might be the stupidest mistake I’ve ever made.

“Yes, I did tell them I had a serious girlfriend, but it was you!”

“Oh my fucking God!” Leslie cries, somewhere between humor and anger. “I didn’t expect you to sink this low. They said she was from your pack—and no one sure as hell knows you were with me.”

I stare at her, my thoughts working furiously. She’s right. No one knew that I was with her. Whenever I talked about my serious girlfriend, I deliberately let people assume whatever they wanted and kept the details vague.

“Look, Leslie, I did what I did to protect you. If you just—”

“Protect me?” she hisses, her voice catching in her throat. “Is that what you call it?”

The hand holding the champagne trembles a little, and for a frightening moment, I think she’s going to throw it at me. She drinks it down in one gulp instead and puts it down on the table a bit too hard.

“Leslie, I haven’t been with anyone else. Not for a long time. Since I was with you, I just… well. I don’t want anyone else.”

“You’re lying,” she says, turning around to face me. Her face is twisted with anger, but I can see terrible hurt in her eyes. “I don’t even know why you’re lying, or how stupid you are to do it right to my face, but I know that is complete and utter bullshit.”

“Leslie.” I take a few steps towards her, holding out a hand. She scurries backwards a little, so I stop.

“I swear to you. When I was with you, I wasn’t with anyone else, and since then, I haven’t touched another woman.”

“So why the rumors?” she snaps. “Why is there this story about a girl back in Bailey’s pack?”

“A friend,” I say desperately. “She’s just a friend.”

“Oh my fucking God, Kyle!” she yells. “That’s what they all say!”

“I didn’t do anything, with anyone!” I can hear my voice rising, too, and I don’t care. “What do I have to do to get you to believe me?”

“How about the truth?” she says, putting her hands on her hips and sticking out her chin.

“I’m telling the truth!” My voice is high with frustration, and I wish I could stop craving her, just for five seconds. She’s so beautiful when she’s worked up, with flushed cheeks and shimmering eyes. Watching her move around in that hot dress is doing things to me. I can’t focus on what I’m saying.

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