Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
I inch that much closer, refusing to back down. “How dare you insinuate that I have. And for the record, neither have I.”
When his eyes narrow and a small smirk plays on his lips, I swivel on my heel and take to the stairs. I hear Shawn following me, and when I reach the top, I turn on him, but not before he has me against the wall, his broad shoulders engulfing me. With his body against mine, groin against groin, familiar feelings of desire flood back. I see it in his eyes too, as they become hooded, watching my chest rise and fall heavily. He pins my hands above my head, and the harder I pull against him, the firmer his grip becomes.
“You may think this is all a joke, Blythe. A way of getting back at me for whatever you think it is I’ve done, but when I say stay away from Kane Alexander, I fucking well mean it.”
I turn my head because if I look at him a second longer, my knee will meet his dick. Having none of it, he grips my chin and holds me still, one hand now wrapped around both wrists.
“You’re entering a very cruel, twisted game, Blythe. And the further you fall, the harder it will be for me to pull you out.”
“Firstly, I don’t understand what the hell you’re going on about with words like cruel and twisted. Secondly, I’m not entering anything. Kane simply wants to use me for business, nothing else.”
“Bullshit.”
“And thirdly, I don’t need you to save me from anything. You’ve already proven to be unreliable in that department, so save your obnoxious warnings because they mean shit to me.”
He squeezes his fingers tighter causing me to wince in pain. “If you let that man in your life, he will fuck you over and spit you out. He’ll humiliate you. He’ll crush you. And he’ll do it with a smile. You are my wife, and you will listen to me.”
“Don’t try that macho bullshit on me, Shawn. I’m not going to be a pawn in whatever game either of you have going on. And as far as being your wife goes, I actually need a husband for me to be considered a wife.”
A low growl reverberates in his throat, his rock-hard cock pressing against me.
“Is that because you want to fuck your wife, or does getting heavy-handed simply turn you on?”
Shawn pulls away, releasing me from his hold. “I’d never hit you.”
I rub my wrists and step away from the wall. “We’re done, Shawn,” I say evenly, although it feels like someone is taking an ax to my heart.
“Stay away from him, Blythe,” he warns once more.
“I’m not interested in your jealousy. So, stay out of my business.”
“Remember what I said,” he reiterates, ensuring I hear him loud and clear. “The further you fall, the harder it will be for me to pull you out.”
7
I drop the first of many boxes on the hardwood floors to keep the door open to my new apartment. It’s a bittersweet moment as I walk across the empty living room to the French doors. Staring out at the river view, a single tear slips down my cheek. This apartment represents a door slamming closed on my most important relationship to date, and opening to a new-found independence where I get to call all the shots.
I look over the balcony, the cool breeze tingling my skin. The delivery truck lost me in the traffic and still has yet to find its way. I’ve canceled all meetings for two days while I move everything I can from the house to the apartment. Shawn left our marital home the same night after our argument. His silence speaks volumes, and if or when he returns home, he will finally see I’m no longer willing to play his games.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” a familiar voice sounds from behind, and I turn, startled at the unexpected intrusion.
“Kane… Jesus, you scared me,” I say, clutching the railing to steady my nerves.
The corners of his lips turn slightly, his eyes alight as they travel over my body, following every curve my black gym tights have to offer. He’s a lion preparing for a feast, and I feel a heat between my legs at the thought of being ravaged by him.
“I didn’t mean to scare you, but the door was open.”
I shake my head. “It’s fine. My mind was elsewhere.”
For a moment, I study him, then wonder why he’s standing in front of me. “How did you find me, Kane?” I haven’t given out this address to anyone, not even to Amanda or Samantha.
“The building’s manifest of new tenants updated, and needless to say I was surprised when your name appeared.”
I’m confused. “The buildings manifest?”
“Yeah… it’s a list of names who—”
“I know what a manifest is. I’m more interested in how you came about it. Are you on the HOA?”