Page 7 of Relentless

“Last night was really great,” she said. The words felt right.

Shep took her hand in his and caressed it tenderly. He turned to face her, pulling her in. She felt herself melting in his embrace, noticing there wasn’t the usual look of disgust glowering back at her from his hazel eyes. It was almost like a miracle, reminiscent of the foolish fairytales they would spin to swoony, love-struck couples during their marriage seminars. She felt Shep’s freshly clean-shaven chin as his lips brushed across her bare skin.

“Harper,” he said, his tone reminiscent of days long ago before their relationship had gone so sour.

“Yes?” she whispered.

Seeming to savor her touch, he kissed her more passionately than he had in a decade. “Do you know why I love you?”

“Tell me,” she breathed, running her palms down his smooth chest. If he wanted her again, she was his.

All he had to do was say the word.

He took her wrists firmly. Peeling them off of his body, he forced her back a step.

“Because you’re as easy as ever.”

The words hit her like a fist to her stomach. His lip curled into the cruel smirk she had become so familiar with.

“That’s why I married you,” he spat, his gaze cold and unfeeling. He looked at her there like a prize he had conquered, who existed for his every selfish whim and pleasure.

She swiped his hands away, her vision going red as she shoved him as hard as she could into the bathroom counter.

Slamming the door behind her with a loud bang, Harper could still feel his antagonism haunting her down the hallway. Her heart thumped hard in her chest, but this time, it was fueled by pure rage. She had been a fool for allowing him access to the most intimate part of her.

Now tarnished and unsafe, her bedroom had been her last corner of solitude in the large estate. Making her way down the long hallway of empty rooms that once belonged to her children, the house felt oppressively quiet.

Shep wouldn’t bother following after her, but she still felt the drive to disappear somewhere he would never look. She ducked into a dark bedroom and closed the door quietly behind her. Feeling her temper boiling over once again, she clenched her fist tightly and pounded it into the door.

She was angry with Shep, but she was furious with herself. She had consented, allowing him to tear down her walls of protection and wound her again so profoundly. Her mind began to spin as she took frantic gulps of air.

Collapsing on the large bed in the center of the room, she ran her fingers over the snow-white linens. Taking purposeful deep breaths, she pulled her hand across her brow and slammed her eyes shut.

I’m breathing.

I can breathe.

Pull it together, Harper.

She focused on the sunlight that poured through the delicate, sheer window curtains, and her breath began to slow. Now recognizing the room she had stumbled into, it was a corner of the house she hadn’t dared to venture into for quite a while.

Oakleigh’s room.

“I’m fine,” Harper chanted. “It’s going to be fine.”

Harper knew that was the truth. She was a survivor.

Taking in another deep breath, she gave a casual shrug that defied all the uncomfortable feelings that were bubbling up within her.

“Pull yourself together, Harper. Stop being so weak,” she murmured as she rose and straightened her robe. Her eyes went cold as she steeled herself. They only had to keep up their charade of a marriage for a little while longer. Soon enough, they would step back into the good favor of the religiouscommunity. Their books would once again top the charts, and their speaking schedules would be packed to the brim. They could resume the comfortable distance that had made their marriage remotely tolerable.

She could handle anything.

Just a little bit longer.

Chapter 4

No Harm No Fowl

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