Page 9 of Kissed in the Dark

Bastard.

I hug my brother and head upstairs to my room in the hotel. I take a long soak in a scented bubble bath and then slip my long deep purple dress up and over my head. It hugs my curves and lengthens my short legs until I look taller and slimmer than usual. Long, dangly diamond earrings and a diamond bangle on my wrist. Then I slip on a pair of strappy silver sandals with three inch heels.

One last look in the mirror as I brush my hair out and then draw it up in a flashy crystal clasp on the back of my head. A slash of mauve gloss and a bit of poppy pink blush and I’m on my way out the door.

My little clutch purse clenches in my fist as I get closer to the elevator and see the handsome man standing there waiting for a ride.

Bastard.

The door opens and I glide right past him, ignoring him. He steps in and his jaw drops open. His devilish dark eyes coast down my body and heat builds up immediately. It’s like everywhere his dark gaze hits my body turns into molten lava.

“Red. You look gorgeous. Let me get a good look at you.” He reaches out a hand and tries to spin me around. I dig my heels in and ignore him.

“Let go of my hand, Jude McHenry. Before I punch your damn smug face,” I grit between my teeth.

He drops my hand and his perfect jaw clenches. “I know you have a right to be mad at me, Red. But I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“That doesn’t make it all better, Jude.” Then the door opens on a cheery ping and I stalk past him. “You’re an ass.”

I follow the line of people heading to the restaurant for the dinner and ignore the pinging and lights in the casino. I’ve already lost way more than I planned on this trip.

I can feel him stalking along behind me and I want to turn and push him away but I don’t. I ignore him like the lady I fucking am.

Chris and Jess come up to us and she smirks. “There you two are. Did you have fun on your little detour?”

I grind my teeth together as I try to smile. “It was…illuminating. Excuse me.” I stalk off and leave them standing there, heading for the buffet. I’m starving and I’m gonna eat every damn thing I want. I deserve it.

Chris comes up beside me and eyes me warily. “You were kinda rude to Jess.”

I turn to him and the tears tickle the backs of my eyes and I clench my nails into my fist to force them back. “I’m hungry, Chris. I’m also too tired to deal with anymore shit today. Not to mention that I checked and I missed my appointment and there’s no chance that I’m gonna get another shot with them. So forgive me if I find Jess’s smart-ass comment a little much tonight.”

“I’m sorry, sis.” He winces and his blue eyes close. “I didn’t mean for that to happen. You know I’d never hurt you.”

I eye him but I can’t feel anything but the pain in my soul. I want to shrivel up and blow away in the winds still whipping the hotel. “I know that. But that doesn’t fix everything, Chris. It doesn’t fix this at all.”

And I turn back to the food and then go to my table where I’m facing the bastard. I smile and eat and ignore him like it’s my job.

And then when the reception is over, I stand and walk away, my back straight.

Until I get upstairs and then I slide down the door and tears rush down my cheeks. I sob like my heart’s broke.

Because once again, the bastard broke it and this time I think it’s for good.

JUDE

“Where is she?” Chris paces the floor and grinds his teeth and I’ve never seen him so upset. “Jess is never late for anything.”

“I’m sure she’s here. She’s just had a little emergency.”

Chris’s blue eyes stare at me. “What kind of emergency could she have today of all days?”

“A flower emergency?” I sound like an idiot and he huffs out an annoyed breath.

I don’t blame him. I’m not at my best. I didn’t get a damn bit of sleep last night. I found out what room Heather was in and I sat outside her fucking door all night long. I heard her crying and it broke my heart.

I hurt her. Over and over again I’ve hurt that woman and I never meant to do any of it. But I had to get away after I realized that she was asleep. I couldn’t bear to touch her, knowing that I hurt her so bad that she cried herself to sleep. What kind of animal does she turn me into? I touch her and it’s like my brain blanks out and all I can do is touch her until I explode in a frenzy of lust and desire.

She turns me into some kind of caveman. Some kind of feral beast that’s so focused on pleasure that he can’t think.

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