Page 84 of Hot Blooded
And Connor had been so patient and understanding. Things just… happened. And I had needs… I didn’t want to be alone forever. Using Connor was never the answer though. Even if I liked his hugs, his attention… And I didn’t say no when things got hot and heavy. I just missed Reign so much…
My mind spins and I grasp at what to talk about next because I’m terrified he’s going to end the call and that will be it. And a thirty-second conversation with Reign has been and will never be enough.
“How’s Alastair?”
A dark, humorless sound pushes past his lips. “Three months of no contact and you want to talk about my brother? Interesting.” He makes another low sound. “I underestimated you, Tressa.”
Anger flares inside me. “I don’t want to talk about your brother, you idiot. I’m trying to make conversation. I want to talk about us.”
“There is nous,” he casually points out. “You’re with Connor now.”
“You sent me away.” I want to scream these words at him, but my voice is steady.
“It was for the best.”
All the venom in my heart dissolves. I don’t want to fight with Reign. It’s the last thing I want.
“Have you seen Kai?” I blurt out, immediately hating that I just asked him that question.
“As a matter of fact, no I haven’t.”
“Are you feeding off of women again?” I test, wanting some way to make us even, though it never will be. “Did you find someone else to fuck?”
“Yes. And no,” he says plainly. There’s a bold honesty in his words and I suddenly feel even worse. I didn’t know it was even possible to feel worse than I do right now. It’s like my sorrow has no limits.
I’m not mad about the feeding. He should drink what makes him satisfied. I feel extra guilt though, that he hasn’t moved on.
“I miss you,” I admit, my voice small.
He lets out a slow sigh, and I hear the unmistakable sound of longing in his breath. “Be well, sweet Tressa.”
“Please don’t…” I start, but then the line goes dead. I let out a primal cry and toss my phone down onto the bed. It bouncesand lands on the floor with a thud. The screen is cracked and broken. Just like my heart.
Chapter 44
Tressa
I sit in the small kitchenette in my sublet studio, hair gathered into a messy bun on top of my head, artlessly picking the sesame seeds off a bagel.
Sensing as though everything in my life had fallen apart, sensing as though things were over between Connor and I, my stomach churns with dread. All my plans about moving on had crumbled and I was now seeing for the first time that would not be possible. I will not be able to move on. Not from Reign. Not from a love that big and all-consuming. There is no future for me. Not now. I flick a sesame seed onto the napkin and blink back tears.
A knock at my door captures my attention.
Abandoning my bagel, I cross the room and open the door cautiously since I’m not expecting anyone.
It’s Alastair. Seeing him here, in Ohio, dressed in his trademark tailored dark suit, his hair perfectly styled and his blue, mischievous eyes, I’m startled. He’s the last person I expected to see.
“What are you doing here?” I manage, through my shock.
“Hello to you too.” He lifts one dark eyebrow at me, no doubt taking in my messy look. “May I come in?”
I nod. “Of course.” Then I move from the doorway and Alastair follows me inside the tiny studio.
Rather than taking a seat, he just stands in the entryway, filling the entire space, and frowning at me.
Well? Is he going to tell me why he’s here?
“Tressa.” He makes a low sound of disapproval as he takes in my messy look, my sad little apartment. I fidget and fight the urge to squirm.
