A Monster's Beauty (In the Arms of Monsters #3) - Sam Crescent Page 0,36

with whatever it is you need to do, you think we can talk?”

“Yeah, of course.”

She pulled out of his arms and the moment she took a step away from him, she felt relieved.

“It’s Preacher, isn’t it?” Reaper asked.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Do you think I’m stupid?” Reaper pointed at her. “It’s because you’re close to him again. I can read your body better than yourself, Robin. I know you’ve got feelings for him. I know he’s part of your life.”

“He will always be part of my life, Reaper. Nothing is going to change that.”

“No, but I’m still your husband and your child’s father. That counts for something.”

“I know.” The guilt filled her again and she tried her hardest not to show it. “Thanks for taking care of her.”

“Anytime. She is my daughter, you know. It’s not exactly a hardship.”

The longer she was with him, the harder the guilt got. This was totally unfair of her to do this to him.

“I better go.”

“Do I get a kiss?” he asked.

She clenched her hands into fists, hoping above everything he didn’t see her do it. She stepped up toward him and pressed a kiss to his lips.

He banded his arm around her waist, held her close, and slammed his lips down on hers.

No!

Don’t struggle.

Take it.

Don’t let him know.

She kissed him back even as her stomach turned and she wanted to throw up. Wrapping her arms around him, she held him close.

“Fuck, Robin, I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

It was easier to say the words than walk away. They were lies. There was no way you could love someone and feel this disconnect. Her body rejected him, as did her mind. All she wanted to do was run, to get as far away from him as possible, and try to be safe.

“I can let you go now.”

She smiled at him, but as she left the house, she struggled to bat the tears away. If he knew where she was going, she didn’t think he’d be so willing to take care of their daughter. She took several deep breaths as she joined Anne at her car.

“You okay?” she asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Come on, I hear there’s going to be a party and you need to be away from your house.” She wouldn’t allow herself to think about Reaper. Leaving Bethany with him was hard enough. He’d proven he wouldn’t hurt his own kid.

“I cannot believe you’re taking me to a clubhouse party. I’m a middle-aged woman and I feel like a rebel.”

“You don’t have to stop having fun, and you’re not that old. I wish you’d stop thinking you were, it’s weird. I’m going to be getting to your age and I don’t want anyone thinking I’m old.”

“Sweetheart, you have no idea what it’s like to be me.” Anne laughed. “As a mom, you’ve got to set responsibilities. Your kids look to you to be a role model. I’ve always put them first.”

“And they’re not going to see you. I don’t know why Elijah gets to walk around town, trashing your name and making people whisper shit behind your back, when you can’t have a little bit of fun. The clubhouse won’t talk and if your name gets brought up or any mention of what happens tonight, they’ll deal with it. They’re awesome like that.”

“Speaking of Elijah, I have a question. Why is my cheating asshole of a husband being so nice to me?”

“I think he’s realizing how special you are and how badly he’s treated you.” She pulled down the window blind to look at her reflection, applying some red lipstick. She’d never been one for much makeup but she wanted her lips to pop. “Would you go back to him?”

“I haven’t left him.”

“You’ve said you haven’t been with him intimately. If Elijah swore there were no more women and he’d changed his ways, would you go back to him?” Robin asked.

Anne seemed to think about it, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel. “You know, there was a time I’d have said yes. I mean, I married him because I did love him. The first time I caught him, I forgave him. Obviously, I was upset, hurt and he did some serious groveling to earn back my affection and stuff. I thought I’d done the right thing. Saving my marriage, the choices I’d made. The second one was harder, there was more groveling on his part, and the pain was even more intense. By the time the third one