Page 56 of A Dark Duet

I’m done with this conversation and annoyed by him. “I gotta go. Nice meeting you, Maverick.”

I walk toward the exit of the store, leaving with Brie and a fuming Charlie.

“Giselle?” Maverick says and I turn my head back. “What?” I ask sarcastically.

He smiles, his eyes the color of the ocean against his tan skin. “I love the way you say my name.”

I roll my eyes and continue out of the storefront. Phones are recording our little uncomfortable conversation, pictures are taken, and someone requests his autograph. The man has a colossal pair of balls to even approach me.

He wants to get under Nate’s skin. It’s obvious. I can’t forget what he said about Nate and the way he is with women. We walk in silence and wait for the valet to bring our cars. A crowd forms at the valet area with phones flashing, taking pictures and recording. I tell Brie and Charlie we’ll see each other at the dance studio. When I get in the Bentley, my phone rings, and it’s Nate. The Bluetooth picks up, the speakers echoing his breathing. “Have a nice time shopping today?” he asks sarcastically.

“Yeah, it was actually better than last night. Why?”

“We need to talk when you get here. See me at the gym.” “Why?” I ask.

“Please, just do it.”

I sigh.“Fine.” The call ends.

When I arrive, I park in the lot in front of his gym next to his motorcycle. I walk inside and Nate is in the cage, going at it like an animal. Nick is taking forceful blows but blocking them with protective gear. I stop in front of the cage as everyone stops to look in my direction. I forget that I’m wearing low-waisted skinny jeans and a crop top. I must look out of place inside an MMA gym full of mostly men.

Nate stops and stares at me, looking me up and down. He opens the gate of the cage forcefully and some of the guys jump back out of his way. Staying rooted to the spot, my eyes take in his bulging muscles, his flat stomach, his abs flexing as he breathes fast, in and out. He looks furious as he stops in front of me and takes his mouthpiece out, sweat dripping down his neck.

“You said his name, touched him, and then you let him pay for all the outfits for the girls,” he says menacingly.

“First, I didn’t know who the hell he was. I didn’t touch him in the way I’m sure they made it seem. I was stopping him from paying but he insisted after he insulted me. Whatever, it doesn’t matter.”

“What do you mean he insulted you?” he asks through clenched teeth.

The guys in his team step forward to listen as Nate walks closer with pure rage in his eyes.

I look down at my Doc Martens and then look back at him. “He said that it would be a shame for you to treat me the same way you treat the girls you go out with…” I trail off.

“I’m listening. Go on,” he says sarcastically.

Getting irritated by his sarcastic tone, I say it loud enough for everyone to hear, tired of this charade. “He said it hasn’t been long since your last fight when you were making out with that girl whose breasts you autographed in the back.”

His head snaps up, looking guilty, and I know Maverick was telling the truth.

“It’s okay. Really. We’re not together or anything. I know it’s not like that, I’m no different.”

He frowns at the hurt look on my face. “You can stop feeling sorry for me now,” I snap.

“Giselle, don’t. That’s not true,” Brie says behind me. She says it knowing I’m done fighting, done holding on. I don’t care what anyone thinks of me. I want to be alone.

I walk away, going outside to the car. I get inside, press the button of the ignition and start the car. My eyes are full of unshed tears that I can’t let fall.

I let the tears fall down my cheeks as I drive toward the mountains on the dirt roads. I pull over and climb until I reach a height that offers the view of the skyline. I try to gain my footing and stand on a ledge so I can see the depths of darkness below.

Getting as close as I can with my boots, I look down and wonder. All it would take is a slight push, a slight jump, and it’ll be over. The pain would be all over. I could bask in the darkness, forget, and finally sleep. I turn around and Nate is standing there with a look of genuine fear on his face.

Tendrils of my hair fly in the wind as I look at him with tears sliding down my eyes.

“I don’t feel sorry for you. I need you and I can’t be without you. You’re mine and you will always be mine. I lied about telling everyone we were together just to protect you. I wanted the world to know you were by my side, that you are mine. I was afraid you wouldn’t want that with me.”

I stand there silently, listening to his words and moving toward him, away from the ledge. His face looks relieved as he opens his arms and I melt into his embrace.

He walks me down the mountain to the car, and I see he came after me on his motorcycle. He opens the door of the car and slides in the driver’s side to turn it on. The cold air comes out of the air vents, then he gets out and opens the rear passenger door. He motions for me to lie in the back seat, face down, with my jean-clad ass in the air. He pulls my low jeans down my ass and slides my thong to the side. Not even checking if I’m wet, he takes his erect cock, slides it into my tight pussy, and we both moan.

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