Page 208 of Time Stops With You

A lock of her dark hair slides down her shoulder and dangles over my lips.

My body throbs in need of her.

I grit my teeth and force my hands to stay like magnets at my sides as Nardi traces her finger across my clenching jaw.

“The marriage certificate wasn’t the only document I signed just now. As of two seconds ago, this ismyhouse.” Her smile is too sultry and too beguiling. I turn my face away, but she uses her finger to draw my head back to her. “You should be beggingmeto let you stay.”

My nostrils flare because she’s right. I did transfer the deed and the only thing left was her signature. At the time, it seemed like a good idea as I wanted to ensure there were no estate taxes or other complications to keep her and Josiah from accessing the property.

Now, though, I’m wishing I’d left that for the executor of my estate to worry about.

“Fine,” I growl.

Nardi’s eyes widen as I fling her, not-so-gently, off me. Her feet wiggle in the air before she lands hard on the mattress.

“You can stay here.” I stand, ignoring her wide-eyed stare stabbing into my back. “I’llleave.”

I move to the dresser and collect the items I’ll need—a T-shirt, underwear, jeans, socks, and a charger.

“Cullen,” Nardi says in a small voice.

I stop as if my body’s on puppet strings and she’s the puppeteer.

“I really don’t want to be alone tonight.”

Spinning, I find her sitting on the bed, both hands wrapped around her waist as if she’s giving herself a hug.

Don’t fall for it, Cullen. You need to make a clean break now. You’re not strong enough to resist her.

Resolutely, I march around to the nightstand, open the drawer and take out my medication.

Nardi’s eyes widen. “Are you really leaving?”

I slam the drawer shut without answering and carry all my things to the door. “I’ll go upstairs. The remote for the air conditioner is by the bathroom door. I keep the new toothbrushes in the laundry room with the other items Ashley buys in bulk.”

I can tell that Nardi’s smiling in victory behind me, but I don’t turn around to confirm it. I’m too busy making a break down the hallway.

My feet thud on the steps and Nardi’s voice calls from below, “You can slow down, Cullen. No one’s chasing you. I’m not the Big Bad Wolf.”

I grunt, continuing at my urgent speed. If I stop for a second, I’ll change directions, return to my bedroom and join her in bed.

And no matter how much I want her, no matter how much she pleads, I will not allow myself to do that.

Sleep is impossible with Nardi right downstairs. I debate taking the pills my doctor prescribed for my insomnia, but I decide against it. I have an early meeting with my lawyers and then a strategy meeting with Asad, Dr. Young, and Dare right after.

I’ll need my head to be clear and the sleeping pills always make me feel slow and muddled.

It doesn’t surprise me when dawn comes and I haven’t slept a wink.

Rather than lie in bed with my eyes closed, fooling myself into thinking I can ‘rest’ for a few more minutes, I get right up and shower.

After, I reach for my beanie and I realize I didn’t take one out of the bedroom when I left yesterday. Rookie mistake. Though, in my defense, I’m surprised I was able to function at all afterNardi Davis threw me on the bed and ran her fingers down my face.

The fact that I wasn’t rolling her over and positioning myself between her legs immediately is a testament to how badly the medication I’m taking is affecting me.

However, she needs to leave.

Today.

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