Page 29 of The Promise Of Rain

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I fisted my hands at my sides, and her breath hitched in her throat.

The wariness in her eyes pierced me deeper than her words ever could.“I would never hurt you, Jenny.”

“There’s nothing to discuss,” she blurted.The press of her fingertips around the door turned white, but the searching look in her eyes betrayed her.

“Please.”I’d beg if I had to.I’d do anything.

Biting her lip, she looked behind her.

I bit back the curse on my lips.Did she have someone in there?I had no claim on this woman.But given half a chance, I’d rip his fucking limbs off.

Slowly.

This early on a Sunday morning, her hair in gorgeous disarray, could only mean one thing.

“Is this a bad time?Do you have a guest?”I growled, spitting that last word out like it was a piece of spoiled meat.

She spun back to me, her eyebrows taking flight.“What?No!Of course not.”

Of course not?

Chewing on that bottom lip, she looked me up and down and hedged, “I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“That’s exactly what I want to talk about,” I stated firmly.“Give me ten minutes.”

She began to shake her head.

“Five,” I negotiated.“Five minutes, Jenny.And then if you want me to leave, I will.”

“And then you’ll steer clear?”

My eyes wandered over her beautiful face, taking in the conflicting emotions flitting through her eyes.

Regretful for the discomfort I caused her, I shook my head.The sooner I clarified my intentions, the better.“That offer is off the table.”

She stared up at me, wariness and longing at war in her soft eyes.

“I won’t hurt you, baby,” I whispered.

Her chin dipped as she wavered.“There’s already too much hurt between us.”

I wasn’t that twenty-one-year-old kid anymore who was still trying to fit into both worlds, pleasing his parents with one hand and loving Jenny with the other.

I made my choice.

Only she mattered.

I’d given her no reason to believe in me.But I would.

I held her gaze.“Let me in.Please.”

I gritted my teeth as she wrestled with our past, my heart kicking up when she stepped back and opened the door.

“Five minutes.”

6

Atomic Bomb

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