Page 126 of Beautifully Reckless

I know that look.

She’s gearing up to fucking run.

Trying to think quickly, I do the only thing I can and reach out, pulling her to my chest, ignoring her immediate reaction to pull away, her soft whimper breaking something in me.

“Don’t run from me again, Angel. I’m sorry. I fucking forgot… for a minute there, I fucking forgot.”

“Why would you say that to me?” Her words are muffled against my chest before she shoves me back, and I fucking let her. “Why would you call me that?”

“Fuck, Abs, I’m sorry.” I go to rake my hand through my hair, but instead find it fucking tied back. “Chicks in my world dig that stuff. It’s a turn on for them.”

As I reel, Abbey’s mortified expression hardens into something else entirely… anger.

“Chicks inyourworld?” she scoffs. “I can’t imagine anyone wants to be called a whore, Cameron. But for argument’s sake, even if they do, what the hell makes you thinkI’manything likethem?”

Her voice rises, sharpening with each word, her whole body vibrating with the rage she feels.

“Because I’m your wife now? Is that it?” she snaps. “Now you can treat me however you want?”

Fuck. I guess now’s a bad time to admit that her anger is making me even harder than I was a minute ago.

“No, Angel. Fuck. I really didn’t think. I’m sorry.”

Angry tears glaze her eyes as she glares at me, fists balled at her sides like she’s ready to use me as her own personal punching bag.

And fuck… I’d let her if I thought it would help.

Quickly stepping away from the tree, she gives me her back, wrapping her arms around her middle, like she’s trying to shield her baby… from me.

Jesus! Fuck!

Furious at myself for being such a thoughtless idiot, I blow out a sharp, frustrated breath, hoping like hell I can make this right.

Stepping up behind her, I watch her stiffen the second she feels the heat of my body at her back.

“Didtheycall you that, Angel?”

I hate having to ask. I hate even more that I already suspect the answer. But I need to know. I need to be sure so I don’t trigger her again.

A shudder rolls through her, shoulders slumping as her head dips forward, her eyes locking on the leafy ground in front of her.

Then she nods.

I. AM. SUCH. A. FUCK. UP!

I already figured they used the word,cunt, given her reaction that time in my bed. And now, I know the wordwhoreis a trigger for her, too.

“Abs, I’m sorry,” I rasp, reaching out to gently grip her hips as I lean in close to her ear. “I’m so fucking sorry. I know there’s still so much I need to learn about you, but I swear, I never meant it maliciously. It was dirty talk. I didn’t think. I swear to you, I’ll never fucking use the word again.”

So quickly, she spins, arms flying around my neck like her body needs me before her brain can catch up.

On instinct, I lift her. She wraps herself around me, burying her face in the crook of my neck.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers. “I want to give you what you want. It just took me by surprise.”

My arms weave around her, holding her so fucking tight like I’m scared she’ll crumble away and float off in the breeze.

My hard on is long forgotten, replaced by a heavy, aching truth I can’t keep pretending isn’t there.

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