Page 50 of The Reluctant Wife

Droplets of rain hit my face, but I ignore them. That he’s so understanding only makes it worse. Also, I am so embarrassedbecause I feel like I misled him. "Can we talk about something else please?" I beg.

He searches my features, then nods slowly. "I’ll let it go. For now."

"Thanks?" I begin to pull away, but he doesn’t let me.

"You’re going to be okay, Princess. I’m going to keep you safe."

"So, you’ll stay, despite the fact that we slept together?"

He nods.

"You’re not going to leave me because you feel your judgement is compromised?"

His gaze grows serious. "My decision-making capacity is bound to be influenced by the fact that I have…feelings for you, but I’m going to have to deal with them."

My heart somersaults into my throat. It’s the second time he’s referred to his feelings for me.Oh. God.

This is terrible. I mean, it’samazingthat he has feelings for me. I do too, for him. But…this is getting so complicated."There… There’s something I need to tell you, I?—"

The raindrops increase in intensity. He looks up, then takes my hand in his and pulls me along. "Let’s get out of here first."

"But I… I… I’m enga—" I have to run to keep up with him. My breath comes in pants. I’m unable to speak and have to focus on not tripping.

By the time we reach the back door to the house, we’re both soaked. He pulls me under the awning. We look at each other and burst out laughing. For a few seconds, our gazes meet. That familiar bubbling sensation squeezes my belly. My pussy begins to throb. The heat in the air turns the raindrops on my skin into steam. A current of need invades my blood stream.

I sway toward him, and he slides his hands down my waist to my butt. His hands squeeze my ass cheeks. I shiver. And when he draws me up on tiptoe, I go willingly. He lowers his chin andpresses his mouth to mine. I part my lips, and he deepens the kiss.

I close my eyes and give over to that drugging feeling only he can elicit in me, when suddenly, I’m free. The next moment he’s turned around, so I’m hidden by his broad back. There’s no mistaking the tension that emanates from his big body. He pulls out the phone from his jeans pocket, glances at it, and swears.

“What is it?”

He doesn’t reply. Instead, he pulls open the backdoor and urges me in. “Stay there.”

“Wait, what?”

He shuts the door after me, but not before I notice the gun in his hand. My heart sinks into my stomach. Did he spot something on the security cameras connected to the app on his phone? Through one of the windows, I spot him heading around the house and toward the front door. I head through the house, and when I reach the front door, I crack it open enough to see what’s happening. A car drives up the driveaway and parks in front of the house. Then the driver’s door opens, and a very tall, broad-shouldered man steps out. By his resemblance to Ryot I guess it’s his brother?What’s he doing here?

My question is answered when the door to the front passenger’s seat is flung open. A familiar figure exits the vehicle.

Oh no!My heart sinks from my stomach all the way to my toes. My pulse rate shoots up.I knew I should have told him about my upcoming nuptials sooner. Now, it’s too late. Now, there’s nowhere to hide.

Spine straight. You’re a princess. And I’ve gotta face the music. I can do this.

I fling the door open and walk out, just as Ryot steps on the patio.

The next second, Ryot pushes me behind him. I peek around his broad back to find the man whose calls I’ve been avoiding, holding up his hands. Ryot points his gun at him.

“D-Dont shoot,” he stammers, his chin trembling.

Oh, no! This can’t be happening.“Ryot!” I grab his bicep. “Please, lower your gun.”

Ryot glares at the man standing in the driveway. A nerve pops at his temple. "Who’re you?" His body is rigid. There’s tension radiating from him. I can feel the coiled muscles under his skin. So hard. So strong. So…Mine.And soon, he’s going to hate me.

I step around him. "Hello Gavin," I say with resignation.

That seems to get through to Ryot, for he stiffens. He still doesn’t take his gaze off the other man. “You know him?” Then, he puts his arm out to prevent me from approaching the other guy.

"I do." I nod.

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