Page 64 of The Billionaire's Runaway Bride

Lauren isn’t next to me. I wake quickly once that crucial detail enters my mind.

Not again!

She left me sleeping in the morning two nights ago, and I won’t let her do it this time. No way will I let her try to run away and not face this problem with her ex without me. I am trying my best not to be controlling, but my alpha personality cannot sit this one out.

I grab my pants and rush out of the cottage, still zipping them as I run. Barefoot, I cross the lawn and I’m so hasty on the slick, dewy surface that I almost slip as I skid on the back steps that lead into the kitchen.

I catch my breath as Lauren and Marian pause their argument. Both women are in the kitchen, but the mood is tenser than it’s ever been. Scents of meat and bread hang in the air. Breakfast was just served, but I doubt either partook in the meal, not when they’re eyeing each other off like a mother and daughter might when they don’t see eye to eye.

Before I can speak, my gaze lands on that bag I found last night. It fell to the floor when we frantically tore each other’s clothes off. Now, it’s secured shut and bulging with all the clothes Lauren has been loaned.

I point at it. “What’s going on?” I hate the defeat in my question. It’s obvious, but I need her to try to say it to my face. After last night, how could she? Unless she’s a liar, how could she want to turn away from what we’ve got growing between us?

She licks her lips and glances at Marian. “I was just telling her. I—” Once she blows out a deep breath she purses her lips, hesitant. “I called Jeremy.”

“You called him?” I explode, and I’m instantly angrier when she grabs the handles to the bag and stalks out of the room. “Hey!”

I follow her through the hall toward the front of the house, and Marian is right on my heels, pushing me to go after her.

“You can’t just drop that and run.”

She spins in the foyer, glaring at me. “According to you?”

“According to—” I grip my hair and clamp my lips together to bottle in my rage. “Don’t. Do not compare me to him. I’m not telling you what to do. But I deserve an explanation.”

“You don’t deserve me.”

I gape at her, mad and hurt. It’s a brutal punch of emotions. “I’m not good enough for you?”

She blinks quickly, working her mouth and stalling to say something.

“Lauren!” Marian admonishes.

“You don’t deserve what I represent.”

I cross my arms and snarl. “Oh, that’s rich. You hate the idea of me calling the shots, but you can try to tell me what I feel? What I deserve?”

“You don’t deserve my drama. My trouble.”

I step close, glowering right in her face. “I can handle a little trouble, sweetheart. I am trouble.”

She shakes her head. “Not this. I won’t allow it.”

“You won’t allow what? You won’t give me a chance to prove I’ll have your back? That I can provide for you and treat you like a woman should be?”

“I—No. No, Caleb.”

“How can you tell me no? After last night, ever since we met. How can you walk away?”

She tips her chin up. “By knowing what I’ll spare you.”

“Spare? Spare me?” I growl, pacing away to get a better grip on my rage before facing her again. “I don’t need you to spare me anything. All I need is you.” I reach for her hand, and it stings when she keeps it away from my grasp. “All I want is you, Lauren. I love you. You have my heart, whatever is left of my soul, my body. You can have it all.”

“Please, don’t make this any harder than it needs to be.”

I grit my teeth. “No. You have to hear me out on this. I deserve that much from you, dammit. I love you, and I will do anything to make this work.”

“Caleb, don’t.”

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