Page 52 of The Devil's Pawn

“Answer me,” she demands.

My eyes fall to hers, and even in the partial darkness, I see the fire burning in her eyes.

“Tell me why you were such an asshole?” she slurs in the cutest way. “Did you find someone else?”

She tightens her fist around the head, making me wince with a curse.

“Is my husband having an affair?” Her breaths grow heavy, her drunk voice raspy and sexy as hell.

Those eyes wait for an answer, and I want to lie, but when she stares at me this way, that look tethering into my very being, I can’t. My hand drops to her cheek, cupping her gently, wanting so badly to kiss away her worries.

“I’d never cheat on you, Raquel. Not if this were fake or if it were real. You have me, even when things make no sense, even when they get too hard. I’ll be here for you, baby. Always.” I’m sure she’ll have no recollection of what I said, but I had to say it, maybe for me.

Tears fill her gaze as she lets go of my cock, her other palm landing over her mouth. “That was so beauti—”

Her eyes bulge as she suddenly hops off the bed like she’s caught fire, running into the bathroom.

And then she hurls.

“Shit,” I mutter as I rise to my feet, stuffing my rock-hard cock back inside, unable to zipper my jeans while I follow her.

“I’ve got you, sweetheart,” I reassure her as I gather her ponytail in my hand, rubbing her back while she lets it all out into the toilet bowl.

Lucky it wasn’t the bed. I’d have a fun mess to clean.

“Shh, it’s okay,” I say as she dry heaves.

When she finally stops, I grab a towel from the rack and wipe her mouth.

“I’m sorry,” she cries, tears cruising down her rosy cheeks.

“It’s okay, angel.” I kiss the top of her head. “It happens. You’ll feel better tomorrow, I promise. Want some water?”

She shakes her head with her brows huddled close, her frown too cute. “I don’t want to throw up again.”

“Okay. Sleep will make you feel good. You’ll see.” I snatch the garbage pail from the floor just in case, walking back out with her.

Putting the pail on her side, I drop a hand under her thighs and lift her into my arms, kissing her forehead before putting her back to bed.

“I won’t go anywhere. I’ll be right beside you the whole time.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Then it’s quiet.

I hold her close, not wanting to ever leave and hoping she can forgive me for pushing her away. I can’t do it anymore. I don’t want to hurt her, even though I know I will once she finds out why she’s really here to begin with.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

RAQUEL

“Shh,”someone whispers behind me.

An arm is curled around my stomach, clutching me tight.

I whimper, unable to open my eyes. My stomach is churning like a windmill, my head drumming like a rock concert is playing inside it. Pain radiates in both temples, beating so heavily, I drown in the pain.

“It’s okay,” says a man’s voice. “Go back to sleep. I’ll be here.”

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