Page 50 of Unexpected Love

I glare at my father for a moment longer, realizing too late that this was yet another manipulation from him. “Excuse me,” I say, pushing past everyone to get as far away from the Wellsleys and my parents as I possibly can.

“Ava.” My father’s voice is quiet but harsh as he reaches for my wrist before I make it far. “You will stay right here and do what is required of you,” he says directly in my ear.

I suppress the shiver that wants to course through my body at the feel of his breath on my skin and turn to look at him. I wanted so badly to believe that at least one of my parents would support me, that at least one of them believed me. Except, I don’t think it’s about them not believing me. I think they do believe me, they just don’t care, which might be worse.

“No.” I straighten my spine and pull my wrist from my father’s grip. “I was going to wait until tomorrow to tell you, but now seems as good a time as any. I’m moving to Ashford Falls. Immediately.”

I don’t wait for their response. I turn and rush back up the stairs to grab the few things I brought here with me. There’s no way I’m staying here for the rest of this party. My car is already packed with what I want from Boston. If I head to my apartment in town now and pack quickly, I could be in the car and on my way back to Ashford Falls tonight. I might have to stop for a quick nap, but it’s only a seven-hour drive. If I push myself, I can be home in time to spend Christmas with the people that really matter.

I don’t give myself time to think about any of it. I grab my coat and bag from my room and take the back stairs to the kitchen. I parked my car around back so I could leave whenever I wanted. I knew I didn’t want to be trapped here, and in this moment, I’m so grateful I did.

I’m almost to my car when I see the shadow leaning against it, and the shiver I held back earlier runs up my spine. I start to turn back for the house, hoping he’ll give up waiting for me and head back inside himself, but he sees me before I have a chance. No matter what I do, he’ll find a way to corner me.

“What do you want?” My voice is firmer than I thought it would be. I never wanted to see Brian again after that night in his office, but to be alone with him? I can feel my body shakingat the thought of what he almost did and I’m terrified of what he might do now.

“We’ve already had this conversation, and you took longer than one week to return.” Brian pushes off my car, stalking toward me. “My patience is wearing thin. And it was thin before you started throwing this tantrum.” His voice is harsh, anger slicing through every word.

I take a step back but stumble over the gravel beneath my heels. Brian reaches for me, his hands gripping my upper arms tightly, and I hiss in pain. I have no doubt I’ll have bruises there in the morning.

“No wife of mine will disobey me,” he growls.

“Good thing I’m not your wife.” I try to pull out of his grasp, but his grip only tightens, making me gasp.

“Who do you think you are, speaking to me like that?” He shakes me, pulling me in tight to his chest. “Apparently, you’re in need of a lesson,” he whispers in my ear.

Brian spins me, pinning my front to the side of my car. My wrists bound in one of his hands, his grip tight and unyielding. I try with all my might to pull away from him, but with his body pressed against mine, his leverage is too strong.

“Brian, don’t do this,” I plead.

He grinds his hips against me, forcing me to feel his hardening length against my ass. “Please keep begging. It makes me so hard,” he moans in my ear.

I struggle against him, his grip on my wrists getting harder. “Just let me go.” I keep my voice steady even though that’s the last thing I feel.

I can’t believe this is happening to me again. I don’t know how I’m going to get out of this. The likelihood of someone stumbling upon us is slim. The party is in the front of the house, and with the music playing, no one will hear me.

His hand not holding my wrists slides up the side of my body, ghosting the side of my breast before cutting across. It’s just as his fingers are slipping under the v-neck of my dress to my bare nipple that the sound of voices stops him in his tracks.

His moment of distraction gives me exactly what I need—space. Without thinking, I lift my heeled foot and stomp with all my might right on his, making him fall away from me in pain.

I don’t wait. I grab my purse from the ground, jump into my car and lock the doors, speeding away from the house as quickly as I can, only stopping when I make it to my apartment in town.

It’s not till I’m in my apartment that I register what I just escaped. It’s at that realization the dam breaks, and I fall to the floor just inside the door.

I want out of this dress and a shower more than anything. I want his touch washed away from me. I want his words wiped away from my mind.

I don’t know why I do it, but I dig through my purse and find my phone. Pulling it out, I find my texts and pull up my most recent exchange.

Tell me something good.

twenty-one

GAGE

It’s notthat I’m surprised to get a text from Ava—we’ve texted daily since she left for Boston. I’m just surprised at the timing and the request.

Ava

Tell me something good.

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