Page 86 of Cruel Fate

Holding onto the edge of the condom to keep it from sliding off inside her, I pull out, and she hisses a painful breath. The sound travels down my spine, and I wince. I dispose of the full condom in the bathroom and rush back into the living room. She’s still kneeling on the couch, and I wrap her in a decorative throw. I don’t want her to get cold. I sit and lift her onto my lap. I turn off the TV, too, because we’re not watching it anymore, and I nuzzle my lips against her temple.

She turns her head, and her lips meet mine, soft and tender. My need drained her, and she’s languid in my arms. She breaks the kiss, wraps the blanket closer around her, and rests her head on my shoulder. I wish she would spend the night. I wish she would move some clothes here, giving her the option. I’d carry her to bed and pass out. I’m dead tired.

“Zarah and Ash are engaged. Did you know?” Her breath fans my neck as she speaks.

I sigh. I don’t want to argue. The evening has been pleasant, and I don’t want it to end in a fight.

Dipping my hand into the blanket, I trace the curve of her lush breast with my thumb. “Yeah. Ash asked my permission. I don’t see how I could have said no. He would have asked her anyway.”

She pushes into my hand, and gently, I squeeze. “He threatened me,” she says.

I still. “When?”

“Today. He was at the Lyndhurst to pick her up, and he told me he thinks I’m after your money.”

Her skin is so soft, and her nipple feels like I’m smoothing my fingers over satin. I wish I could enjoy her instead of having this conversation. When you look for something to dislike about someone, you’re always going to find it. I’ve known Stella barely a week, and I’m already tired of having talks like this. I try once more to reassure her that it doesn’t matter to me what Ash thinks of her.

“Stella.” I meet her eyes. “I don’t want to fight about Ash. I don’t want to lose you because of what he thinks. I know you don’t care about my money. Do you know how I know?”

She shakes her head, her blue eyes huge in her face. So vulnerable. So beautiful. My Stella.

“Because you haven’t asked for any. You haven’t asked me to pay your rent, or move you into a nicer place, or buy you a car.”

“My clothes—”

“Are for work, for a position I practically forced you to take. I have never met a more honest and undemanding woman than you. The only thing you’ve asked for, you already have. Do you know what that is?”

Again, she shakes her head.

“My heart. It’s the only thing you’ve wanted from me, and because of that, I want to give you the world. When you’re ready to let me.”

She wraps her arms around my neck, sex and sweat scenting her skin. “I love you so much.”

“I know you do, baby, and I love you, too. More than I can put into words. Don’t worry about Zarah. Be happy for her. Ash is a good guy. I know you don’t believe it, but he’s only shown you one side of himself. We grew up together and my father and his were best friends. Cut him a little slack. For me. Okay?”

“Okay, but I don’t trust him.”

I brush my lips over hers. “I know. Maybe one day you will.”

She smiles ruefully, rubbing her fingers over my whiskers. “That’s doubtful.”

We’re at an impasse, and I change the subject. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay?”

“I can’t.”

“I’ll have Douglas bring you home. I don’t want you riding the train this late.”

“Thank you.”

We cuddle a bit longer. I don’t want to say goodbye, though I’ll see her at the office in less than twelve hours. I love how she’s a part of my whole life.

In a soft voice barely louder than a whisper, she tells me about meeting Mina and apologizes for jumping to conclusions about my friends. This warms my heart. It’s rare a person can admit they were wrong, and apologize for it, too.

Holding her lithe body in my arms, I try to explain to her what’s been forming in my heart since Ash asked for Zarah’s hand.

“Stella.” I caress her breast, unable to get enough. “I’d like to think our relationship will keep moving forward. Zarah’s too young to be married. Ash knows that, but they’ve also knowneach other their entire lives. They have a history that will carry into their future. Do you understand?”

She nods but casts her gaze to the floor.

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