Reign A Romance Anthology - Nina Levine Page 0,326

in how my life should have turned out. “Nothing with you would have worked. I can see you’re still not married. Or, wait, did she leave you, too? She saw you for who you are—a controlling man who only wanted her barefoot and pregnant at home with no friends.” I pause and tap my chin as though I’m thinking. “Now, let me see, yes, that all sounds so familiar. Doesn’t it?”

Luke’s face turns a shade of red, but it’s not embarrassment. His eyes glaze over, and it’s a look I’m all too familiar with. It was ingrained in my head all those years ago. He’s angry. No, he’s furious.

He takes half a step closer, but I stand my ground with my heart hammering. “How dare you,” he hisses. His hand lashes out, taking a firm grip on my upper arm, and he tugs me closer. His mouth opens to spew more vile words at me when an arm comes out of nowhere and connects with his jaw.

It’s as though it all happens in slow motion.

Then, Luke’s hand releases me as he stumbles back.

“Keep your damn hands off her,” Cole growls as he stands over the man cupping the side of his face.

“I’m going to sue your ass,” Luke roars.

“Actually, you’re not. I witnessed the whole thing, and let’s just say, the way you were manhandling my friend here is classed as assault, and because she’s a well-respected surgeon, I have no doubt you’ll be the one paying,” Vivian finishes her speech. Then, she says, “I’m his lawyer, and I will eat you alive and clean my teeth with your bones.”

I can’t do anything except stare at him.

Damn, I’d hate to go up against her.

Cole takes my hand and gives it a squeeze. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

I nod and turn to Vivian.

Before I can say anything, she waves her hand. “Don’t worry about me. I’m here for the food.” She laughs, her face slightly flushed. “I’ll order an Uber and head home shortly. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

We say our goodbyes, and Cole leads me out of the hall. All the staring makes me slightly uncomfortable. I became good at being invisible in school and having those familiar eyes judge me, but right now, it’s causing me an uneasy feeling in my stomach.

“Where are we going?” I ask. “Please tell me you don’t have your bike. I’m not getting on it in this dress.”

Cole keeps walking, not saying anything. Finally, I catch a glimpse of his features under a streetlamp. Rigid jaw. Hard eyes. Mouth set in a line. He’s angry.

I stop.

So does he.

“Look at me,” I say.

He does.

I move closer.

He releases my hand, and I slide my fingers up his arms and secure them around the back of his neck. No words are needed. I lean in and press my mouth to his. He becomes hungry as his tongue dives into my mouth. Claiming it. Owning it.

It’s as if the tension rolls off him with that one passionate kiss. We stop, our foreheads leaning against each other.

“Seeing him hold you like that…my blood boiled. I wanted to hurt him so much more.”

I rest my hands on his cheeks. “Thank you for being there for me.”

“I have this need to protect you. Dylan, I know it’s only been days, but I’d really like to see where this goes. I don’t want to be the rent-a-boyfriend anymore. I want to be the boyfriend. In these last couple of days, not hearing from you has sent me crazy.”

I laugh as he shakes his head and leans back, and I stare into those beautiful shining eyes.

“Do you think you could give me a chance, and we can see where this goes?”

Butterflies swarm in my stomach. “I’d like to see where this goes as well. I mean, for all you know, I could easily be some crazy girlfriend.” I cock an eyebrow.

Cole chuckles. “I’m okay with crazy.” His arms wrap around me tightly, and he lifts me off the ground.

Our lips begin dancing again, and this time, it somehow feels different. There’s nothing pretend about the way he claims me as his.

His kisses were great before, but this kiss is explosive.

Mind-blowing.

“Take me home, Cole. My real boyfriend,” I say between heated breaths.

If you loved Queen of the V, you’ll love Something Old, where you’ll meet Scarlett and Lachlan.

Grab your copy HERE.

Other Books By Liz Lovelock:

My Guy Series

Lost Series

The Jilted Series

Letters in Blood

Audacious Fiancé: A Hero Club Novel

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