Page 430 of Hate Mates

So much for us.

Strong arms wrap around me, and I jump from the sensation. No one has ever comforted me before. I want to sink into him so badly and let him hold me until I feel better, but I resist. No one can ever think I’m weak.

“Her loss. You’re better off without a friend like her.”

A swirl of emotions engulfs me.

Pleasure from his concern.

Irritation he’s proclaimed Mirabel out of my life.

Sorrow from her betrayal.

He kisses the top of my head. “Get what you need for tonight. I’ll send someone to get the rest.”

Ugh. Once again, he’s trying to make my decisions for me. “I’m not going home with you.”

“You sure as hell can’t stay here.”

“This is my apartment too, and I’m not leaving until I’m ready.”

Huge hands whirl me around, and concern rather than annoyance floods his expression. “You don’t always have to be tough. It’s okay to be upset.”

Is it? My father never cared about my feelings, and my mother only cared about keeping my father happy, lest his temper lash out at us.

Does Lucian really care about me, or does he just want to control me?

Another question I don’t have an answer to.

Chapter Seven

LUCIAN

Skepticism lines her face as always.

She doesn’t trust easily, especially me.

All I want to do is get her away from this lying bitch.

But we’ve had a breakthrough tonight that I don’t want to ruin as fragile as the progress in our relationship is. “So you’re just going to hang out with her like nothing’s wrong?”

Her nose wrinkles, exasperated that I’m questioning her.

“No! We’re not going tohang out. I have class tomorrow and finals to study for. Then I’m going to take a shower and go to bed. I’m exhausted.”

I try to be sympathetic to her weary tone. But the image of her wet and naked turns my cock to stone. I know she feels my rock-hard dick with her smashed to mine.

She rolls her eyes and tries to wiggle out of my grasp. “Really?”

“Can’t help it, love of my life. You’re a temptation even when you’re dry and clothed but when I think about you up against the tile in New Orleans I can’t barely take it.”

Her lips part with a deep intake of air. Almost of its own volition, her perfect body arches deeper into me. I’ve impactedher as much as she’s impacted me. “Just like you could barely take it, remember. You kept trying to collapse on me, but I knew you loved me pounding into you until your legs gave out.”

A nod and shaky breath respond even before she whispers. “I did. I loved it.”

I did too, and I need more. I spin her around and easily glide my hand under her shirt and down into her jeans. Wetness pools on my fingertip nestled between the plump lips in her panties. “Then I found that honey-scented conditioner which helped me work my way into that sweet, tight ass of yours.”

“Lucian stop.”

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