Page 36 of Desert King

10

Amber

I’ve never felt so low and yet so high. I slept naked, wrapped in a sheet I found in the dark. I awaken in a home that’s almost mine but still belongs to somebody else. The irony isn’t lost on me. I have no choice but to put on my old clothes. I race out to the truck. I need to get to the apartment and burn this shirt, these jeans… If only doing that could purge what I’ve done.

Tarak stamped his name on my heart. His stolen love bit me. I race into the apartment, strip, and take another shower. I’m moving out of here today, putting everything in the truck. If Regan or any other Royal Bastard comes looking, they’ll think I’m gone.

I’ll avoid town and when I next cross paths with Tarak, hopefully I’ll manage to hide the truth from him. I need to be the mouse, not the queen he loved for one, stolen night.

My cell dings with a text:

Sunset came and went, mouse. I don’t like being ignored.

I won’t betray Tarak. No matter how much he hates me. I tap the phone against my leg. I won’t respond. Edge is all empty threats just like Tarak. What will they really do to me anyway? I saw Tarak’s soul. The part of him he never shows anyone. He’d never hurt me. His power as the head of his MC is just making people believe he will. Right?

I dress quickly, put my wet hair in a messy braid all the while ignoring my stomach begging for food.

It takes me thirty minutes to reload the truck. I only signed a month to month lease so fuck it.

I take one last look around making sure I didn’t leave any trace of me behind. If Regan comes back, she’ll report to Tarak I cleared out.

Tarak is gone so I make a quick food run into town. I stock up on water, soda, bagels and buy an instant coffee maker. I pack everything in the truck, deciding to walk the few blocks to the bakery for my daily fix of fresh-baked muffins and expensive brew.

“Baked blueberry with butter and a tall, dark Columbian with three sugars?”

I nod. “You remember me?”

“Of course. You order the same thing every time.”

“I’d like a tall, dark Columbian,” somebody behind me sneers.Shit. I know that voice.“We told you to go.”

I turn, coming face to face with that she-devil Regan.

“I’m going. After I get my Columbian.”

“You better, bitch.”

Ignoring her, I roll my eyes and scan my bank app to pay for my food. The girl behind the counter opens the small window in the plexi-shield to hand me my muffin.

“Thanks.” I smile warmly at her just as Regan snatches my warmed muffin from the worker’s gloved hands.

“Bitch! Give that back,” I scream, lunging at Regan. She holds the bag high above her head. Her teeth gleam white against her deep tan as she grins. My insides are shredded, I’m tired. Guilt laces through every emotion I have. I just want my damn muffin.

She teases me, waving it in the air knowing I can’t reach. I climb up on a chair then stand on top a table, launching myself at her. Her eyes widen seconds before she screams as my body slams into her and we both tumble to the ground.

“What the fuck?” He roars. The door to the café slams open. The bells attached jingling like a drunken Christmas carol.

His warm hand lands on my back his other grips the end of my braid, yanking my head up. The feel of his hand on me is familiar. I lean into his touch wanting more. His eyes. Those eyes that promised me forever hours earlier are filled with nothing but bitter contempt. I quickly look away, too shamed to meet them. His promises weren’t for me anyway. But my damn heart doesn’t want to hear that.

“She started it.”

For a split-second, I glimpse the Tarak I know he hides. His eyes flash with a glimpse of mirth but then it’s gone, and the freezing rain is back.

Regan pushes me off but Tarak keeps his grip on my braid. He yanks down, pushing my chin up.

“You are one dumb, girl.”

My cheeks heat. I am dumb because I know how he tastes; how hot the thick girth of his cock is and what his beard feels like between my thighs. I can’t even get angry at him for being a dick. Not after the part I played last night.

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