Page 497 of The Tempted

Chapter Four

I climbed out of my truck, slamming the door behind me as I stared back at the house, wishing I had something to numb me. I knew the minute my eyes locked with hers I’d be reminded of the piece of shit I was. There would be no light that greeted me, no pretty smile to warm me and make me wish for a better way. I turned out Lacey’s light and put pain in the pretty eyes of my angel.

I ran my fingers roughly through my hair as I walked up the few steps, wondering what the fuck I would do or say that could make this better. As I made my way toward the door I could hear the muffled sound of music—I paused, trying to make out the song when I noticed the door was slightly ajar. Instantly, I reached behind me, pulling my gun from the waistband of my jeans and aimed it at the door as I toed it open with my boot.

“Lacey?” I called as I stepped into the foyer, the barrel of my gun pointed straight ahead as I kicked the door close behind me and followed the sound of music.

I turned the corner, stepping into the living room and spotted her on the couch. She lifted her eyes to mine, wiping them with the back of her hands.

I lowered my gun as my feet paused mid stride and I took in her face. Her usually flawless skin was blotchy and her eyes were swollen from all the tears she shed. Girl, must’ve been crying for a while. I can’t remember ever seeing her cry and thank Christ for that because looking at her now was tearing me up inside.

I’m not the guy that dries tears and makes things okay. But right now? That’s the guy I want to be. I can’t fucking help myself when it comes to her. She makes me want to be all the things I’m not.

“I didn’t hear the door,” she mumbled, tipping her chin to the music playing from the surround sound.

“Door was open,” I said, walking closer to her.

Her legs were bare, and she was wearing an over-sized T-shirt, her hair fell in waves around her face, the loose strands fell into her eyes but she didn’t seem bothered, or even to notice.

I wish I never touched her.

I should’ve known once would never be enough.

I tucked my gun into the back of my pants, took a seat on the coffee table in front of her and lifted one of my hands to her face, brushing the hair away from her eyes before I cupped her chin and forced her to look at me.

“Don’t cry,” I said huskily.

She bit down on her lower lip and looked away so I wouldn’t see the tears shining in her eyes.

“I’m fine, Blackie,” she insisted. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

“That’s not why I’m here,” I rasped, bringing my other hand to her face and cupping her cheeks with my palms as I forced her to turn back to me.

She blinked at me but her eyes were blank.

I tore my gaze away from her as my eyes took another sweep around the room before finding hers again. I knew that look, seen it every time I went on a bender and looked at myself in the mirror afterwards. I shook my head, dismissing the thought. There was no way Lacey would do something like that.

My Lace was too pure for poison.

Not the manufactured kind.

Or the type standing before her, aching to touch her.

Something flickered in her eyes but she remained silent as she stared back at me. I swallowed, forcing the lump lodged in my throat down and pushed the dark thoughts that ran through my head away. I gently caressed her cheeks, noting the contrast in my skin compared to hers. My rough hands, covered in faded ink, slid over her soft, reddened cheeks. She reached up, wrapped her hands around my wrists and shoved my hands away from her.

“Go away,” she hissed, inching away from me before she slowly stood up.

My eyes traveled the length of her, taking in the shirt that barely covered her ass and left her long legs exposed, reminding me how they wrapped tightly around me last night.

“You don’t want that,” I said, tearing my eyes away from her legs as she turned.

“You have no idea what I want,” she retorted.

I shoved my hands into my pockets as I stared at her thoughtfully, trying to figure out what was going on inside her head and what the hell had become of my angel. Oh that’s right… me.

I did this.

“Tell me what you want,” I said, shrugging my shoulders even though I knew I was walking into a ring of fire. I’d give her anything.

---