Page 30 of The Female Warrior & The Charming Gentleman

He didn’t let himself grab his head like he wanted to. He did lean against the wall, but only because he would’ve fallen to the ground otherwise.

“Nice kick,” he managed.

“You have no right to talk about our future,” she seethed. “We don’t have a future. We aren’t going to ‘have a family’. You promised we could flirt and tease and go our separate ways. Remember?”

Jarom remembered. He’d been somewhat sincere about it at the time but more hoping he could convince her to fall for him as they spent time together without her feeling threatened. He’d instantly realized how incredible she was. Now he hated the no strings attached plan, and she was definitely feelingthreatened by him. He’d seen that flash of fear. How could he help her know he was sincere and she had nothing to fear from him?

His head cleared and he stepped away from the wall. “I remember. You don’t want to talk about changing the parameters?”

“No. You’re just some famous, rich, hot, impressive guy. You aren’t my guy. Nobody is my guy. Don’t think you can get past my iron heart because nobody can. Ever. Ugh!” She threw her hands in the air and then darted past him and into her room, slamming the door. “Go in your room, please.”

Jarom obeyed, shutting the door behind him and leaning against it. He knew it was a risk to try to break through to her. The kick in the head wasn’t as bad as the almost-breaking of his arm had been. At least he knew his bodyguard could protect him and was shaken up by him.

The problem was her voice yelling, “Ever!” was on repeat in his mind. He feared that Autumn would never let down her guard and fall in love with him.

That hurt much worse than the physical pain she inflicted.

Chapter

Eleven

Autumn heardJarom’s door shut and then she ran into the bathroom, turned the shower on, and sank to the tiled floor outside the shower. She let herself cry. Autumn Cardon. Crying. Over a man.

She was mad at him for trying to push past her boundaries. She was furious at herself for hurting him. What kind of monster was she? Wiping at her tears, she knew she had to find a way not to react violently. It was her instinctive nature to protect herself and others.

What was she doing hurting a gentle and incredible man like Jarom?

Almost as big of a worry … she was falling for him.

Could he be genuine?

No! He was a player to the hundredth degree, and she was all kinds of an idiot to think she could be the woman who secured Jarom Love’s heart. Even if she did, she could never live in his world or damage him with her dark and ugly past.

Stupid. Short-sighted. Desperate. In love with Jarom Love.

No!

She took a long, hot shower, her tears mixing with the water, and finally climbed into bed, drifting off and wishing she wouldn’t dream.

She was hiding in the top of a closet. The man was coming. The man who’d come home with her mom and wouldn’t stop staring at Autumn as she cleaned up the kitchen. Now Mom was passed out drunk and the man was searching the small apartment for her, calling her name softly. She wanted to cry out in fear, but she couldn’t let him find her.

The closet door banged open, light outlining the edges of the flimsy piece of plastic that now protected her. She cowered deeper into her hiding spot. Seconds of terror ticked by. She could hear his breathing and her own. Sweat trickled down her back. She wished she could pray, but she found out long ago it did no good.

He found the cover to the secret compartment, laughed darkly, and ripped it off. His dark eyes focused in on her.

“There you are. C’mere, girl.” He grabbed her and yanked her out of the closet.

Her only safe space had failed her.

Autumn screamed and screamed. She hit at him, poked her fingers in his eyes, clawed at his face. He finally released her and she ran for the door, screaming. Jed would protect her, if she could just get to his apartment and if he answered the door in the middle of the night.

“Autumn … Autumn.”

Strong warm hands were wrapped around her arms and shaking her. The man smelled like the most delectable cologne. But that didn’t make sense.

“Autumn.”

She pried her gritty eyelids open. Jarom leaned over her in the bed. He was bent close, his facial features barely distinguishable in the darkened room.

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