Page 65 of Theirs to Possess: The Marriage Claim
Probably not anytime soon with the way steam rises from the surface.
“Do you want the rest of your champagne? Or I could pour you a fresh glass since the other has been sitting for so long.”
“Thanks. But no.” When it comes to Dorian, I need to keep a clear head.
“You want to be alone?”
“I…”
Waiting, he folds his arms and cocks an eyebrow, showing he’s listening.
“Is he always like that? Dorian, I mean.”
“Like…?”
“The argument the two of you had.” The intensity had rocked her. She’d never seen such a raw display of male aggression and hoped never to again. “You two are friends.” At least that’s what I thought.
His hands flex, scars catching the light. “We have a complicated history.”
I’m willing to bet that’s an understatement.
“But there’s loyalty there. On both sides. I’ve fought for him before.” He pauses. “And paid the price. I’d die for the man.”
Steely conviction bites through his statement, and I know he means every word. Once more, I wonder what kind of mad world I’ve stepped into.
“Anything else?” he asks.
Everything and nothing. “I’m good.” It’s a fib, but my thoughts are so crowded I can’t pick out any of the threads.
“I’ll leave you to it then.”
“Thanks.” I appreciate his perception and consideration.
“If you need me…”
I won’t. But I don’t have the heart to say that out loud, so I settle for giving him a half smile.
Once he’s gone, I lock the door behind him. Not that Dorian would let a little thing like that stop him if he decided he wanted me.
I finally sink into the bath, muscles loosening as warmth seeps into my bones and chases away the horrible feelings that making love with Dorian caused.
Making love?I scoff. That was sex. Or worse.
Everything that’s happened in the last day and a half overwhelms me.
What the hell had I been thinking, challenging Dorian like that?
That behavior is so unlike me.
But maybe I am just tired of people telling me what to do and then doing what they say like some mindless puppet. I’ve had enough.
Yet I wasn’t prepared for the chaos I unleashed.
I could have crept back into bed. I could have kept my mouth shut. I could have backed down and apologized.
If I had it all to do over again, I’d make different choices.
Tipping my head back, I force out a slight laugh. No. Actually I wouldn’t.
