Page 59 of King

I walked away from her once, sixteen years ago, and every day after that, even though I denied it - I hated myself for it. I regretted the choice.

I won’t do it again.

It’s late, and the house is quiet when I walk up to my room.

Zina is lying in bed reading a book she found in the library. She ignores me when I stand next to the bed, peeling my clothes away.

“I’m going to shower. Do you want to join me?” I ask, my body already burning at the thought.

She shakes her head.

Disappointment breezes through me.

“Are you alright?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” She says coldly.

I narrow my eyes at her and watch her expression.

She’s angry. She’s been angry since breakfast.

The shower beats hot water into my aching muscles, slowly massaging some of the tension out of them. I hang my head forward, letting the pressurized flow wash over me.

When I climb out I feel a lot better. Drying off I think of ways to soften her anger and my lips curl into a smile.

When I walk back into the room wearing only my sweatpants, my hair still wet from the shower, she looks up and desire floods her expression. It makes my heart race faster, but she looks away quickly.

The blankets move off her as I tug them, and she shoots me a warning look. “Stop that.”

“What?” I say innocently, as I slide beneath the covers.

“You know what.”

Reaching out I take her book from her hands and drop it off the side of the bed. She shoots me another glare, even more angry than before. The laughter that rumbles through me is genuine as I pull her into my arms. “Come on, stop this.” I whisper, wrapping my arms tightly around her.

She’s stiff against me.

This morning our conversation was interrupted by Santino and I have the feeling it’s what has made her so upset. I want to give her the chance to talk again now, while no one can walk in.

“You said this morning that you wanted people to trust you - you want my kids to accept you.”

She shakes her head, pushing her hands against my chest.

“Don’t worry. I understand it’s not possible.” She huffs.

“What do you mean?” I knot my brows, letting her slip from my arms.

“You’ve made your position clear.” She snaps, becoming more heated. “In fact - you couldn’t be more clear if you tried. You and I - “ She gestures between us, “Are not a thing. I will never be chosen by you. I will never be a priority. And every time one of your sons accuses me of something or gives you the opportunity to stand up for me in front of them - you won’t defend me or be on my side. I get it. Like I said -you made yourself clear.”

My heart sinks. I understand now.

Santino asked me if there was something between Zina and I and I was quick to deny it. I publicly rejected her, pushing her aside and suggesting her worth to me.

Zina laughs coldly, then turns to face me.

“But - “ She says, smiling, and moving closer, tracing her fingers over my chest. “There are other ways I know Iamwanted by you.”

The mischief in her eyes is blatant as she climbs onto my lap. My cock hardens instantly, but somewhere in my mind my thoughts are screaming at me that this is a test. If I say yes to this after I pushed her away this morning - there will be all hell to pay.

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