Page 28 of Alpha Wolf's Arranged Bride
Maybe it wasn’t awkward at all. When I said I had a lot to learn, I didn’t mean just about kids.
Scarlett keeps hold of my hand as we go through the stalls, smiling and laughing as she leans into me and clings to my arm. I start to feel bold and put my arm around her, relieved that she’s warming up to me.
I want this… I want her. And not in that selfish, possessive way I did before. No, this time, I want to be there for her, take care of her, and really love her—forever.
The depths of my feelings come as a slight shock, but it really throws my previous actions into perspective. As we gothrough the last stalls, I snuggle Scarlett against my side and nuzzle her hair, taking in her sweet, luscious scent.
This proves I still have a chance, that I can make it up to her. Obviously, she wants to make this work.
As the sun begins to set and the market packs up, we find Jarrod and go back to the car. I notice that Scarlett immediately puts space between us, but I don’t dwell on it.
We still have a long way to go. I’m going to take her behavior today as a sign that she’s willing to let me in, and that I have a chance to make this right.
The second we arrive home, I start to doubt my conviction. Scarlett keeps at least a few feet of space between the two of us at all times and completely avoids conversation with me as she gets Jarrod into a bath and then pajamas.
We all go to the dining room for a light dinner, and I try to engage Scarlett in conversation, but she focuses on Jarrod. Her cool attitude unsettles me even more.
After we put Jarrod to bed, my feelings are a confused mess. I loved being so close to her today. It made me realize how much I’ve missed her, and what our life could be if she lets me into her heart again.
At the same time, even though I’m frustrated by how her feelings seemed to cool after we left the fair, I know she has every right to hold back her trust.
Even if I explain everything, I had a good reason to leave—I had to protect her—but sleeping with her right before I left? I can never live that down, and I probably shouldn’t try to.
As she walks into the bedroom ahead of me, I realize I can’t go to bed without saying something. This is only our second day together, and already, unspoken sentences are pilingup between us like a graveyard of words that could bury us both if we don’t deal with them.
“Scarlett?” I say softly.
“Hmm?” she turns towards me, her face blank but not exactly calm.
“We have to talk.”
“Yeah,” she agrees, her eyes widening a little. “I’d agree with that.”
“Today, at the fair, you seemed—well. You seemed happy to be with me.”
She turns to face me, even taking a step closer. “We were out in public, with your pack. The marriage has to look genuine, or the treaty won’t work.”
“Is that the only reason?”
She stares at me, and I see intense feelings flashing behind her eyes. I can’t even guess at what they are, though. All I know is that she’s on edge, almost ready to break.
Me too.
“James,” she says. “I mean, Rex—”
Hearing the name of my alias on her lips is a horrific, jarring moment for me, and I realize that the nasty shock it makes me feel must be a million times worse for her.
“Scarlett,” I say gently, moving towards her. “I’m sorry—”
“No!” she yells, pushing me away. “Don’t you fucking dare say you’re sorry! Howdareyou? You come at me now, wanting to be all loving and sweet, after you took everything I had and left me all alone?”
“I wanted to tell you—”
“Tell me what?” she snaps, squaring her shoulders and glaring at me. “Who the fuck are you, really? Why were you sneaking around in my pack in a fucking disguise? If all you wanted was to fuck me and disappear, I think there are easier ways of doing it.”
“Scarlett—”
“No, you answer me this right fucking now! What is your real name?”
