Arrogant Heir (The Heirs #2) - Michelle Heard Page 0,57
walk me from class to class. I don’t want to draw more attention than I already have.”
My eyes dart up to his. He stares at me for a couple of seconds, then shakes his head. “I don’t care what anyone thinks, Mila.”
But I do.
I don’t want them thinking it was all an act to get Jase’s attention.
I can’t…
I take a deep breath, and for the first time, the aching stab in my ribs is welcomed. It gives me something to focus on. It’s real.
And then something uncanny happens. I remember Mrs. Reyes’ words.
‘Even if they whisper behind your back, don’t let it get to you. It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks, Mila. I kept reminding myself only the opinion of my loved ones mattered.’
I set my cutlery down and slowly lift my eyes back to Jase’s. Taking another deep breath, I let it out slowly, then ask, “Is this my fault? Was it because I had lunch with him?”
Anger tightens Jase’s features, and he turns his body toward me. Placing his hands on the sides of my stool, he turns me until my knees are between his. “Listen carefully to me.” My eyes never leave his as he bites the words out, “None of this is your fault, Mila. None. Of. It. Do you understand?”
I nod and struggle to swallow down the lump in my throat.
“How many times have we flirted?”
I shrug. “Fought. We’ve fought a lot.”
I was hoping to make him smile, but he remains dead serious. “And not once did I force myself on you.”
True.
My heart begins to speed up as Jase’s words get through to me.
“That fucker had no right to take what you refused to give.”
I nod, and a tired smile tugs at my mouth. “Thanks.”
“I want to hear you say it.”
Frowning, I ask, “What?”
“That it wasn’t your fault.”
I lower my eyes to Jase’s chest. “It wasn’t my fault.”
I shouldn’t have left the club.
“Look at me,” Jase says softly, his tone tender.
I clench my teeth together and force my eyes up to his.
There’s a gentle expression softening his features. “Now, say it like you believe it.”
I should’ve fought harder.
Jase lifts a hand to my cheek. “When I kissed you, you gave me shit for it, and you love me, Mila. This guy is nothing to you. Do you get it? He’s fucking nothing, and he had no right.”
He had no right.
I keep my eyes locked on the man I love with all of my heart. “It wasn’t my fault.”
The sexiest grin spreads over Jase’s face, and he leans closer. “There’s my girl.”
The corner of my mouth lifts as I wrap my arms around his neck and hug him. “Thank you.” When I pull back, I glance at our plates. “Let me warm them.” When Jase begins to move, I give him a look of warning. “Don’t you dare. Let me do this. I need to.”
The grin never leaves his face as I place our plates in the microwave.
And it’s at this moment I know I’ll never be able to stop loving Jase. No man will ever compare to him.
Chapter 22
JASE
Mila manages to eat half of the food, and it makes me fucking happy.
After we’re done, I clear our plates before I wrap my arm around her neck and playfully tug her against me. “Wanna torture me with a movie?”
“I’ll never say no to that,” she teases.
Walking into my room, I shut the door and get comfortable on the bed while Mila scrolls through the selection.
She picks ‘Man Of Steel’, and it has my eyebrow shooting up. “You seriously have a thing for Clark Kent?”
Mila wags her eyebrows as she comes to lie next to me. “He’s hot and has abs for days. Plus, he’s badass.”
I drop my voice low as I murmur, “Sounds like you’re describing me.”
Mila lets out a burst of laughter. “Yeah, just add arrogant.”
“You love my arrogant ass,” I joke, and then realize my mistake too late. “Shit, sorry, I…”
“It’s okay, Jase.” Mila glances at the TV, and when she brings her eyes back to mine, I see the love in her eyes, and it makes my heart beat faster. “It’s the one thing I’m not ashamed of. You’re an incredible man. I don’t regret loving you. Not at all.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her how I feel, but not wanting her to think I’m just saying it for the sake of repeating the words, I pull her closer to me, and I press a soft kiss to her