Page 4 of Shattered Soulmates

She's never said that before. Does she mean it? Can I trust her this time?

She steps closer, twines her fingers in my hair, and pulls my lips to hers. It feels like coming home. I missed this. I’ve missed her. That deep, familiar longing rises inside me.

"We have a sweet little faithful mate waiting on us at home,"Nyko grumbles groggily.

I try to pull away from Marissa’s kiss.What am I doing?

Marissa feels the rumble in my chest and tightens her hold, keeping me close. She giggles. "I’ve missed you, too, baby."

I finally break free. "I’m going home."

"I'll walk you out." Marissa pouts and immediately clutches my arm, hanging off me.

Not wanting to make a scene, I reluctantly let her come along, her hips swaying as she sashays out thedoor, a victorious smile playing across her unforgettable face.Goddess, help me, I still want her.

I’m torn—caught between the hurricane that is Marissa, the passionate ruins of what was, and the lighthouse that is Paisley, my cherished, steady, and safe love who holds the promise of what could be.

The boys are hooting as we head to the door. Roger, loudest of them all, shouts, "I knew it! Go, Miles!" and makes a vulgar gesture with his hips, which I ignore. But Alpha isn't celebrating. He’s looking on with a stern, disapproving glare. I turn away, burning with shame and denial.

Once outside, I take a deep breath of the cool night air, trying to clear my head. Marissa is still pressed against me. I feel so confused. "Marissa, I found my mate."

She begins walking up the street, pulling me along with her. "I know. Roger told me. Miles, we've been together for over ten years."

"Together?" I scoff. "I haven’t seen you in a year since you walked out on me. Where do you get off on this? Wait… when did you find out about my mate?"

"I ran into Roger at a bar last night, and he told me."

"So, you were fine until you found out someone else wanted me. Is that it?"

"I've never been fine, Miles. I’ve been a fool. I love you." She opens the front door to the motel next to the bar. "My whole life, it’s always been you. I was just scared." She leads me down the hall, stops at a room, and pulls out a keycard. Unlocking the door, she steps inside and tugs me, but I resist.

“Now, I’m scared of something more than commitment,” she whispers, wrapping her arms around me. She slides closer, pressing her lips to the curve of my neck where a mate mark would go. I'm not losing you, Miles. I… I love you,” her voice falters, swallowing a gulp before she softly repeats, “I love you.”

I grab her by the upper arms and set her away from me, her words only deepening my confusion.How do you stay away for a year if you love someone?But she looks so sincere. “When did you come to this epiphany, Marissa?” I snap.

“Miles.” She pushes out her bottom lip in a pout, knowing exactly how sexy it looks to me. But this time, she keeps her distance.

“Marissa, I can’t do this back and forth anymore. I’m done. I’ve been done. I have a mate now.”

"Don't you think you owe it to me to have a private discussion? I need closure."

"I don't owe you anything, Marissa. You walked a year ago."

"We had a ten-year relationship. Can I please get some closure?" she begs, her lush lips mere inches from mine.

Marissa has always been an expert manipulator. She knows exactly how to tempt me. The combination of her soft voice, pleading eyes, and that pout is deliberate. Everything about her is carefully orchestrated to disarm me.

I give in, and like a predator, she pounces the moment she senses it. I surrender to her completely, body and soul.

She yanks me into the room, and I go willingly; there’s no resistance left in me. I already know there won’t be any talking. We’ve played this out too many times. She shoves me back onto the bed, and I let her, my body already responding to her touch. Crawling on top of me, our lips crash together, pulling me back into her world where I’ve longed to be.

Biting and nipping, a popular country musician starts crooning in the background. I'm not sure if it’s in my head or bleeding through the thin motel room walls,but the sharp twang of the steel guitar riffs edges my desperation. I feel like he does. I want her, need her, and always have. But now more than ever. The music echoes the urgency pulsing through me. No romance, just the raw craving to feel her again.

As we kiss hungrily, a single tear slips from my eye, disappearing into the pillow. My chest tightens for a moment, and a sickening feeling churns in my gut. That tear isn’t for Marissa; it’s for Paisley, the love I should’ve protected and fought for. But in the next breath, it’s gone, and so are all thoughts of her, erased from my mind and conscience by the mere taste of Marissa.

We’re back where we belong. I flip her over and sink into her, needing her so badly it hurts.

Paisley

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