Page 54 of Taking The Virgin

“Well,” I say, my voice quivering. “I guess I’ll just leave you alone now. But let me know if you need to work it out in the bedroom later on, Owen. After all, that’s why I’mhere.”

I begin to rush out of the room before he can see me cry once again. Dammit, why can’t I hold back the tears at least until I’m in the elevator?

“Juliet…”

He’s got that commanding tone in his voice, but there’s a hard plea there, too, as if he can’t stand to see mego.

And I can’t stand to hear him so ripped apart.

I stop walking, but my throat still burns, and my eyes are still filled with tears. I dig my fingernails into my skin to get myself together.

It sounds as if he’s standing from his seat behind the desk. “Do you really want to know what I’ve been working on here for much of my day? I’ll give you a hint—it’s horrifying. You don’t want to know. Believeme.”

So he was working on whatever this problem is on his tablet when I came in. Is that why he looked so livid while staring atit?

“Yes,” I say, wiping my cheeks and turning around. “Tell me. What’s going on, Owen?”

It’s a demand, not a question.

After a moment that’s saturated with tension, he tilts his head, never taking his destroyed gaze off ofme.

“All right,” he finally says in a low, torn voice. “You really want to know about my life? Because there’s no going back, not after you see what I have to showyou.”

“I want to know.” Fear shakes me, but I’m not about to back down. “I’m not scared of you or yourpast.”

“Okay then, Juliet. You’re going to get your wish.” He laughs bitterly, and there’s real pain behind it. “Let’sgo.”

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