Page 70 of Forget Me Not

“You know,” I scoot up until my back is against the headboard, “calling me old doesn’t hurt me the way you probably want it to. If anything, it makes me that much prouder to have a young bombshell like you as my future wife.” I wink at her, loving when she gets all tousled like this.

“You could only be so lucky.” Rhea pulls open her drawer and retrieves a pair of boxer shorts and a tee shirt. Leaving it open, because she has terrible housekeeping skills, she unties her robe and lets it slide off her silky smooth skin.

I can’t take my eyes off her. She’s fucking gorgeous and she knows it. One of the many things I love about Rhea is that she’s not shy with her body. She knows she has all the right curves and isn’t afraid to show it.

Now I just need to guarantee no one else sees it again but me. The thought of another man touching her makes my skin crawl. Knowing that so many already have makes me feel crazy. I can’t think about it because I’ll snap and I don’t want to take my jealousy out on the only person I care about in the world.

“What now?” Rhea says, fully clothed. “Do you have some diabolical plan that is going to save me? One that doesn’t involve forced nuptials?” She crosses her arms.

I pat the mattress in another attempt to call her over, and when her eyes trail from my hand to my eyes, there’s a glint of temptation behind them. She wants to lie down with me. If she’d stop being so damn stubborn, this could be a good evening for both of us. What I wouldn’t give to sleep beside my girl tonight.

“I think it’s best if we sleep on it. Come up with a solid plan tomorrow. We still have some time.”

“Fine.” She huffs. “Now get out of my bed so I can get some sleep.”

She’s not going to budge. As much as I’d love to push the matter, or even give her no choice, we’ve made enough progress tonight that I’m feeling confident with the way things are going. I said I don’t want to manipulate her unless it’s to protect her, so I’m going to keep my word on that.

I exhale heavily and fling my feet over the bed. Crossing the room to where she’s standing with her arms pushing up her perfect chest, I press a chaste kiss on her cheek and she snarls. “Sleep well, my love.”

“Mmhmm.”

I laugh at her smugness as I walk out the door. “By the way, you got a message from Tyler. Might want to respond, or delete it rather.”

“Good night, Alaric.” She shoves me out the door and slams it shut.

I trail my fingers down the door and whisper into the empty hall. “Good night, Wildcat.”

That girl is a firecracker—and she’s allmine.

ChapterTwenty-Three

RHEA

I wakeup and immediately see a diamond glistening in front of my face.Why am I still wearing this thing?

Shooting up, I pull it off, though it takes some effort. Once my finger is free of it, I hold it up in the beam of light coming through my curtains. It really is a beautiful ring. Alaric did an exceptional job picking it out. Unfortunately for him, I’m not accepting it. At least, not as an engagement ring. I’ll gladly keep it, but it won’t ever be because I’m marrying him—or any man at all for that matter.

Marriage isn’t in the cards for me. Statistics show that fifty percent of first marriages end in divorce. That’s a coin flip. A very big risk at enduringanotherbroken heart. I’ve had mine sliced open enough to know I don’t want that pain again. I won’t survive it.

It’s not that I’m incapable of loving someone, or being loved, I simply don’t wantlovein my life. I always end up losing it.

Opting not to pawn the ring just yet, I pull open my nightstand and take out the envelope that holds a few packets of forget-me-not seeds. I tuck the ring inside the envelope for safekeeping, then I put it back in the drawer.

Getting out of bed is a bit of a struggle. My body aches fiercely, which is proof that it’s been a while since I’ve gotten laid.

Last night was so much more than that, though. It was brutally beautiful. The way my body connected with Alaric’s was magical. Everyone says sex is this amazing, life-changing thing, but that hasn’t been my case. Once, I actually fell asleep—and I was the one ontop. How the fuck that happened is beyond me, but it did.

However, sex with Alaric was nothing short of amazing. He certainly knows how to work his fingers and his tongue. And don’t get me started on that dick. Not only is it practically the size of my forearm—I may be exaggerating a bit, but not much—it’s got the optimal curve that hits all the right spots.

Fuck. I’m getting wet just thinking about it.

His dick. Not him. Of course not him. I don’t think about Alaric in that way. Never will. He’s a pain in my ass and doesn’t know when to back off or shut up.

No. I only want his appendages.

Dragging my feet, I gather up some fresh clothes and head to my door, backtracking when I realize I can’t keep my hormones in check.

It’s been a while since I’ve used Bob—the nickname I gave my rabbit dildo. And all this thinking about the way Alaric made me feel last night really has me worked up. Another release will do me some good. I’ve been so stressed lately. So many things are happening that I can’t control and Ihatenot being in control.

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