Page 22 of Jordan

Chapter Seven

Nina lay there a moment, her body battered and bruised but at peace for the first time in a long time. She rolled gingerly to her side on the bed, looking up at Jordan through hooded lashes. Shock and disgust reflected back at her and she cringed. He’d only just left her body and already he appeared to regret it.

Her stomach tightened and, try as she might, she couldn’t hold her tears. He’d chased away the mating pain but left her heart hurting. She hated the knowledge he’d taken her only because nature deemed it so.

“Nina,” he whispered, reaching for her cheek.

Embarrassed to be seen crying in front of anyone, let alone him, Nina shied away from his touch. He jerked his hand back as if she’d burned him. She grabbed for the tattered remains of the gown, covering herself from his view. She curled her legs to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, wanting to disappear.

“Nina, I’m sorry,” Jordan said, his voice low, sounding as if he were fighting his emotions as well. “Baby, I never meant to—”

She didn’t listen to the rest of his words. Instead, she sounded him out, going to a place mentally where she could be alone. Once there, she thought upon what had happened. He’d come for her, sensed her pain and reacted, fucking her until it ended. Then, he regretted the decision. He’d helped her so much but wanted to erase his actions?

Her thoughts wandered to what else had happened. Her eyes widened as her gaze snapped to Jordan. “You claimed me!”

Shame was evident on his face and it lanced her heart. She moved to her feet and swayed, her body more battered than she’d first assumed. Meeting his gaze, she shook her head—and then went down hard, the world around her spinning away into a black oblivion.

---