Page 140 of My Ruthless Opponent

Archer smiles at me, his eyes soft. “Feel better.” He says before sauntering off the room.

As soon as we are alone, Raleigh turns to me.

With one hand under my knees and the other around my back, he carries me off the bed.

I wrap my arms around his neck, careful not to clasp my hands.

I remain silent as he carries me into the bathroom.

I want to tell him that I can walk, my knees are sore but they can carry my weight just fine. But I hold my tongue.

Something tells me Raleigh won’t like me objecting over this. I also want to ask him about his reaction. I guess he won’t like that either.

He sets me on the edge of the tub. He leans forward to untie the strings at my back. He is so close that my lips are brushing his t-shirt.

Angling my head to the side, I press a reverent kiss to the side of his neck. I feel him tense, his fingers still.

I kiss him again and this time, his hand comes up to grip my nape in a warning.

My brow snaps together. I reach up with my bandaged hand to cup his face but he grabs my wrist.

“Don’t.” He grits out without looking at me. It feels like he slapped me.

“We need to talk.” I silently beg him to meet my eye. He doesn’t.

I pathetically go on. “I didn’t mean it.” I crane my neck, trying to catch his gaze.

I want to tell him that what we have is real. At least for me. Nothing is fake anymore.

He lets my hand go and it falls at my side.

His rejection hurts. I choke back the sudden urge to cry. I hate feelings. I hate the monster called emotion.

I was content receiving his hatred before. I never cared before. And now that I do, it fucking hurts. It hurts so much.

He pulls the dress off me, leaving me in only panties. He brings a wet cloth and wipes the parts where I still have dried blood on me. His movements are mechanical.

He never once looks at me while cleaning me, his expression stoic.

After making sure I am clean, he leaves me alone in the bathroom.

He returns with my black and white maxi dress in hand and dresses me.

He bends to pick me up again but I hold one hand up, halting him.

My jaw is tensed as I push to my feet. “I can walk.”

He doesn’t even let me take one step further. He lifts me effortlessly in his arms and carries me out.

This time I don’t wrap my arms around his neck as I did earlier.

He puts me down on the bed.

I scramble for the open bedroom door. Because suddenly, it’s suffocating in here. My feelings for this man are smothering me. I need to get out of the suite. I need to breathe. I’ll die under the weight of my unrequited feelings.

So fucking stupid I am. I misunderstood his kindness for something more.

I make it out the door and I am almost near the front door of the suite when he catches me.

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