TORMENTED_ Jani Kay - Jani Kay Page 0,76
honesty. I’m not trying to demean you or belittle our connection or what we had.”
“Well then it shouldn’t be that hard to explain why you disappeared from my life without as much as a goodbye. Or is that too much honesty for you?”
I let go of her wrist and paced the room. Would she believe me if I told her the truth?
“Hmmm, that’s what I thought. It’s okay; I get it. The sex was awesome, I can’t deny that. But there is no way in hell I’m just going to give in to your sexual demands and be treated like nothing more than a toy.”
I cocked an eyebrow at her. “That’s what you think?”
She threw her hands up in the air. “What else am I supposed to think? There I was trying to get you and my father to get better acquainted, and next thing you run. If that doesn’t show me your intentions, nothing else will.”
Grinding my teeth, I thought about my response before I answered. “I acted in your best interests, Eva. At least, that’s what I believed at the time. Now I know different.”
“Yeah? What changed? Run out of pussies to fuck?”
“Ouch. You’re mad at me.” I raked a hand through my hair. “Yeah, I guess you can say that, since we’re being honest here.”
She blew out a long breath. “That’s low, Harrison, even for you.”
“Wait a minute. Don’t jump to conclusions. What I mean is that I don’t want other women. I only want yours . . . you, Eva. Staying away from you was the fucking hardest thing I’ve done in a very long time.”
“So then help me understand. Why did you?”
The room closed in on me. I walked over to the window and stared out for a long moment, recalling the despair I’d felt after talking with Bill. A dull ache settled in my chest. “I’m no good for you. Your father told me as much. He made me realize that you deserve better. I thought I was doing the best thing for you.”
“What does my father have to do with this?”
I filled her in about my less than pleasant meeting with Bill. She deserved to know what went down and why I pulled back. I needed her to understand that my intentions, for once, were honorable.
She listened, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging slightly open as she absorbed what I had to say.
“But fuck if I’m letting Parker take you against your will.” I scowled. “If you really wanted him, I’d be fucking gutted . . . but I quickly pieced together what he’d done to you and trust me, the bastard is going to regret it. He’s ruined for life. He’ll never recover once I expose him for the fucking low-life fraud he is.”
“I’m sorry; I had absolutely no idea. My father never mentioned anything to me. I guess he’s just being protective, but what he did is not okay with me. It’s such a pity, because we were slowly mending our relationship and I was beginning to forgive him for what he did to my mother.”
“I’m sorry, Eva. I’m not trying to stir the pot. And I realize I’m nowhere near good enough for you—I’m fucked up and broken. But when I’m with you, I feel whole again. You make me want things I’ve not wanted in a long time. Is that so wrong of me?”
She moved closer and put her palm against my heart. I covered her hand with mine and leaned forward so we stood with our foreheads touching.
Her voice was soft and sweet when she spoke. “You deserve happiness like any other human being. And you are worthy, whether you believe it or not. You’re willing to sacrifice your life to keep us safe. That says a lot about a man—even a man who has done terrible things in the past.” She reached up on tiptoes and kissed my cheek. “Everyone deserves another chance because none of us are perfect or faultless. That includes you.”
This woman. She blew me away with her unconditionally caring nature.
“Thank you, sweetheart, but . . .” My voice faltered.
“No buts. Anyone says different, they get to deal with me.”
My hand snaked around her neck and pulled her closer. I lifted her chin so she had to look me in the eyes. “I’m going to kiss you, baby.”
She closed her eyes and waited. I leaned down and made good on my promise. This was what I lived and breathed for.
Kissing Eva.
Breathing the same