Page 180 of Never Fall for an Angel

Women want him. Men want to be like him.

He keeps his distance from the women who approach him, but when each one comes up prettier than the last, all I can think about are his harsh words.

I won’t chase you . . .

His ring still sits heavily over my heart, as if reminding me that, for all intents and purposes, he told me he was done with me. With my dramatics and venom. My rough edges and thorns.

We may still be married, but marriage is just a word to pretty up what it really is. A contract. Judging by the fact that he hasn’t even glanced my way once tonight, that contract is about to be null and void.

I’m angry with him. Angry with myself. I’m Sick with jealousy when woman after woman comes up to him, speaking to him. Laughing with him becauseIcan’t.

How long has it been since we’ve laughed together?

I’m in love with him, and I know he loves me, but sometimes, that’s not enough, is it?

Like the idiotic fool I am, I fell in love with the secret language that only he and I seem to understand. The way he holds me when the world feels like it’s closing in on me. The way his body shudders when he presses himself inside me.

The way he clung to me like he’d been starved for me after being gone for three weeks.

I want to hate him, but in the end, I can’t.

I can’t hate him for saving me. I can’t hate him for marrying me, even if it was all a trick. I can’t hate him for leaving because I know the real Christian, and I also know he wouldn’t leave unless he had to.

Most of all, I can’t hate him because no matter how toxic it may be, I’ve fallen in love with every dark, deadly part of him.

A laugh sounds across the room, and a shiver runs up my spine.

Talia.

She’s as beautiful as ever—her long raven hair sleek and cascading down to the curve in her back. She looks elegant and poised in a black cocktail dress, the back completely open to showcase her thin waist. She leans in close to Christian, her hand resting on his arm.

From this distance, they look like lovers. The way she looks at him. He delicately removes her hand from his arm, but the fact that she’s touched him pisses me off. Especially after he answered her call and couldn’t find the time to call me.

They’re the picture of a power couple. A tux looks good on him, and my heart aches to be near him, even though I know I have no right.

Was I wrong? Probably. Am I sorry? No. I miss my family. I’ve been away from them for too long.

“Trollop,” Bella murmurs, stepping up beside me.

Talia laughs at something Christian says, and I’ve never wanted to bite someone more than I do at this very moment.

I hate her.

Turning away from the scene, I down the rest of my drink.

“Whoa, killer, slow down.”

“What’s it matter?” I grumble, chewing loudly on a piece of ice since using my teeth for other purposes would probably land me in jail. It’s not like my husband would bail me out. He’d probably pay them to keep me. “We’re done.”

“You can’t just bedonewith your husband.”

“Why not?” I shrug. “He is.”

“I want you to know he’s told every one of those girls he’s here with his wife, and she’s feral enough to bite.”

I roll my eyes, fighting back the smirk that tugs at the corners of my lips.

Guess he knows me better than I thought.

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