Page 20 of Second Chance for Mr. Alden

Little did he know the only thing not truly safe was my heart. I’d never been able to give it to someone else after we broke up. I feared he’d always be the one that held it even though he didn’t want it.

“So you want to stay?” I asked, thrown by the turn of events.

“I do.”

“For the money.” This was something I understood

He pulled away from me. “You know it’s not about the money.”

I shrugged. “To keep me safe then.”

He nodded.

I was having a hard time wrapping my head around all of this. “Someone you don’t even consider a friend.”

“Jess, I care about you. Just because we didn’t work as a couple doesn’t mean I don’t want you to be happy.”

Anger hit me. He wasn’t so concerned about my happiness the day he broke my heart. “I don’t understand you, Alden. Either we’re friends or we’re not. Either you care about me or you don’t.” I clenched my hands, my nails biting into my palms, forcing me to keep my cool when all I wanted to do was break down into tears. Nothing shattered my tough exterior like Alden.

“Jess—”

“You can’t have it both ways.” I interrupted him. “And get the record straight. We didn’t work as a couple doesn’t mean the same thing as I was only a really great fuck buddy to you.”

He flinched.

“Would you mind if we went over the new protocol later. I’m kind of tired.” I turned away from him, knowing the fastest way to get him out of my space.

I lifted my shirt off and threw it in the corner with my bra sailing right after it. Next, I unzipped my skirt and shimmied it over my hips and down my thighs. By the time it reached my ankles, I knew he was gone. I crawled into bed in only my underwear.

Now if I could eradicate him from my heart as easily.

Chapter Five

Alden

Fuck!

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