Page 61 of The Reluctant Wife

Tyler chuckles, then turns it into a cough.

"If you have something to say?—"

"Just that it’s best you go and check in on her. Perhaps, you'll be able to relax after that?" Brody mutters with only a hint of sarcasm.

Fact is, my wanting to ensure she’s safe is an excuse. I’ve been with her nonstop since I took her to the safe house. I’ve gotten used to having her by my side, smelling her scent, hearing her voice, being in her presence. Not having her with me feels like I’m missing a part of myself. I need to lay eyes on her like I need to breathe.

“I think I’ll do just that.” I reach for my glass of water, empty it again, then place it on the counter with a snap.

I turn and, ignoring the jokes from the rest of my brothers, head out of the room.

I walk up the steps, to the second floor, then down the corridor to the room allocated to her. Cole is on guard outside her room.

“Her fiancé is in there with her,” Cole offers.

Fucking hell. That nitwit is in her room?

He’s her fiancé, he’s entitled to be there with her.Anger, and that hated jealousy I’ve felt so often since I found out about her status as an engaged woman, stabs it’s claws inside my chest.

“Uh, would you like to be on guard instead?” Cole asks without any change of expression on his face.

“What?” I stare, unable to make sense of his words.

“You’re here to relieve me, aren’t you? It’s time for my break.”

As his words sink in, I nod. He pulls his cigarettes from his pocket and brushes past me.

Oh, right. He’s giving me a chance to be alone to mourn the future I cannot have with my princess. He’s allowing me to save face, giving me a reason to skulk outside her door, wondering how my life has been turned inside-out all over again? Good man. There’s no better than a brother-in-arm who says so much without words. I feel lucky to call him my friend.

I pivot and stand to attention with my back to the door, scanning the area for any possible threats.

Voices emerge through the closed door. I recognize her feminine tone along with the fiancé’s whinier one. And because I don’t have an iota of decency in me, not when it comes to finding out more about their relationship, and because, of course, if I have more knowledge I can protect her—sure, keep telling yourself that—I press my ear to the door and listen in.

30

Aurelia

"Yes, I was alone with him in the safehouse. So what?" I slap my hands on my hips and stare at Gavin.

"So what?" His expression darkens. "I’ve seen the way you look at him."

I blink slowly. My fiancé is not the most intelligent person on this planet. So, if even he picked up on the vibes between Ryot and me and felt the need to confront me about it within hours of meeting us, it means I’m going to struggle to keep a lid on whatever happened between us. Not that I want to. Given a choice, I’d dump Gavin and pursue this…whatever it is with Ryot. It feels too premature to call it a relationship, considering we only fucked.

Yes, I’ve begun to call it fucking, rather than making love, in the hope that it will make it feel more impersonal. Not that it’s helped. I haven’t been able to forget how it felt to be below him, surrounded by him, his body heat holding me in thrall andhis dick pinning me to the ground, his gaze searing me, looking deeply into my soul, such that I know I’ve changed forever.

I avert my eyes because I can’t trust that my emotions won’t show on my features. I thought I learned to hide my true feelings, thanks to the time I’ve spent evading the media and putting on a face in front of them so they never see what I’m truly going through, but being with Ryot has stripped me of the barriers I normally throw up between myself and the world. Being with him has made me feel more vulnerable. Enough that I’m no longer confident I have it in me to hide my true sentiments. I walk over to the mirror and survey myself.

Thanks to the clothes and, even more importantly, the make-up Veronica delivered, I feel suitably dressed for the evening.

She told me Ryot arranged it. Once more, he was thoughtful about my needs. More reason for me to feel awful for not having told him about my engagement.

Not that I'm sorry for the memories I now have.Will it be enough to last a lifetime, though?I take in the forlorn look on my face.Perhaps not. But I’ll have to deal with it. I’m strong enough to do that. Aren’t I?

"Aurelia…" Gavin comes up to stand behind me. "Do you have feelings for him?”

I spin around and frown at him. There’s a strange expression on his face as he scrutinizes my features. “Do you?”

I pretend to laugh. “What are you talking about?”

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