Page 3 of Please Hate Me

“Ah, well, no.” I looked away, placing a hand on my neck as I twirled a strand of hair that had broken free of my ponytail. Fidgeting was an awful nervous habit of mine.

“I just scare people away, or run to prevent them from hurting me,” I continued.

“They can’t hurt you if you hurt yourself first.”

“That’s a really good way to put it… hey, I’m sorry for ruining the conversation.” We were supposed to end up fucking, not sharing feelings.

He waved me off. “Ain’t a thing to be sorry for. There’s nothing better than venting to someone you’ll never see again.”

I tried to come up with a witty response, but my words failed me as I realized just how cold the venue was. I hugged my arms to my chest, silently cursing myself for deciding not to wear long sleeves.

“Ah, where are my manners? You must be freezing.” The man rose from his chair, removed the jacket from his enormous shoulders, and wrapped it around my body. His hand lingered on my shoulder for just a moment too long, causing my heart to race.

“You don’t have to give me this. I’m fine.”

Despite my protest, I discreetly sniffed the worn leather. It smelled like manly musk mixed with some smoky cologne I couldn’t place.

“I can’t sit by while a lady is shivering.” He had a twinkle in his eye, and I was sure he was about to kiss me.

But just then, a powerful chord signaled the beginning of a new song, causing us both to jump. We looked at each other for a moment, and he swallowed hard before reaching forward and resting his hand on my leg.

“Would you like to move somewhere quieter?” he asked.

Mission accomplished.

Chapter 1

Mason

Six months later…

I shifted uncomfortably in a rigid airport seat while a million fucking noises all fought for my attention. Hurried footsteps, rolling suitcases, receipt printers, bags of chips, distant announcements, and, most notably, the crying baby across the aisle from me. His mother looked exhausted. She rocked her son diligently as he wailed his little lungs out.

The sight made me look down at my own swollen stomach. I placed a hand on the curve and wrinkled my nose. Should I offer to help the woman? Or would that do more harm than good?

“Mason, is everything alright?” A voice called from my headphones.

I had almost forgotten I was video chatting with my boyfriend. Sebastian’s face filled the screen as I lifted the phone, his warm smile instantly putting me at ease. The corners of his eyes crinkled as his arctic gaze bore into mine. In moments like these, I realized how lucky I was to have him in my life—the one person who would never abandon me, no matter the circumstance.

Sebastian and I had originally met during my first stint in America. I was dating his brother at the time, but Sebastian was convinced that I was meant to be with him. I spent years rejecting him, even after I moved to France. The fact that he still wanted me after all that was proof that he would always be there for me.

“There’s my princess.” He cradled his head in his hand, his fingers gently entwined in his cropped sunny-blonde hair. It was a familiar gesture that never failed to make me melt. I just wished his affection wasn’t based on obsession. It’d be nice if someone actually loved me, but that thought was neither here nor there.

I forced an award-winning smile at his words. Right now, I needed him.

A soft fluttering in my abdomen drew my attention as my daughter kicked at my palm.

We needed him.

“Hey, are you sure it’s okay with Lucian’s partner that I’m moving in?”

Was it even okay with Lucian?

“Do you need proof?” Sebastian snorted.

“If you wouldn’t mind...” I watched the blood rush to my cheeks in the self-view, filling the spaces between my freckles. “I think this pregnancy is driving me a little crazy.”

He shook his head. “You’re not crazy—you’re too considerate. It’s a good thing.”

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