Page 8 of Prey for You

“No, Bridget. Because He knows things we don’t, and He’ll show us the way—”

“Court isn’t the bible, Sam,” she said tightly, pushing out of my arms and rolling over to get out of bed. “This whole thing is in the hands of very flawed people.” She walked quickly into the bathroom. The door of the shower rumbled, then water rushed. I lay there, waiting while she showered off. She was back in a couple minutes, the hair at her temples damp as she picked up yesterday’s jeans and started putting them on.

The fact that she wouldn’t meet my eyes was bothering me. I sat up, keeping my eyes on her, waiting for her to connect.

But she was sinking deeper. I’d watched her do it a dozen times—with me, by herself, with others around. She had this place she went in her head, where she pulled away from the real world.

When she yanked a sweatshirt on after the jeans—no bra—and turned away, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and caught her arm, tugging her back to stand between my knees and making her come back to me.

“Bridge… we’re in this together now, right?”

She nodded, but there was something wary in her eyes.

I didn’t break eye contact. I couldn’t—she’d flee. I could see it. Her movements were getting jerky, and even standing here, one hand on my thigh and her eyes caught in mine, one of her legs jiggled. She bit her lip and watched me like I might get mad.

The thing was, a part of me wanted to. The Cain part. That side of me was dark. The old me, whose pride and need was more important thananyoneelse’s.

But that wasn’t who I was anymore.

I made myself put aside the pride that made me want to tell her that it washerfault we were here and if anyone had a reason to be upset it was me. It was true. But she had already acknowledged that. Hammering her with it wouldn’t get us anywhere.

“Listen to me,” I said as softly as I could. “I was just thinking about how fucking impossible it is that we’re here now. Have you thought about that?”

Her eyes went wide. A moment later she nodded slowly.

I put my hands on her hips and held her there so she couldn’t step away. “The way I see it, God brought us together. The circumstances that got us here couldn’t have lined up any other way. And you’re the perfect woman for me, Bridge. The only one I’ve ever met who loved both sides of me. Don’t tell me God’s not in that.”

Her lips tipped up on one side. “Are you saying we’re soulmates, Sam?” she whispered. Her eyes twinkled like she was joking, but I felt the way she leaned a hair closer.

“Better,” I said without hesitation.

She arched one brow.

I smiled. “You weremadefor me, Bridget. Literally. I got you. You’re my One. My fuckingwife—that blows my mind. But it’s real. The only thing that can tear us apart now isus.”

She blew out a breath and lifted her hands up to cup my face. “You’re a crazy person.”

“Takes an expert to spot a pro.”

She snorted. “Smart ass. Good thing you’re also hot.” When I didn’t return the compliment the same way, but sat there staring at her, her jaw dropped and playfully shoved my chest. “I see how it is—you put a ring on it and now I’m not hot anymore?”

I growled and raised my brows. “Babe, I get blisters just looking at you.”

“Whatever,” she rolled her eyes and turned away, but I grabbed her and brought her back.

“I was teasing, Bridge.”

“I know. I’m not mad. I’m just…four days, Sam.Four days until you have to meet your probation officer, and I have to see Gerald. It’s nothing. And we aren’t going to be able to live together when we get back until after it goes to court because they won’t know—”

“Hey, hey…” I pulled her up against me, all the way, wrapping my arms around her waist and holding her against me, which made my cock twitch when she wriggled. “Some of this is going to suck, babe. But I’ll tell you the part that won’t: The next four days. This is our time. So, tell me what you want. Tell me what sounds good. Let’s do it while we can. All of it. Anything.”

“Anything?” she asked quietly, her brows high.

“Anything,” I said, stroking her hair back over her shoulder. “Let’s make some memories while we can.”

She leaned down to kiss me softly, then whispered. “Thank you. And this is your last chance… do you really meananything?”

I tipped my head too. “Anything that doesn’t involve me seeing you in another man’s hands, yeah.”

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