Page 116 of Indulge
“She wanted to talk to me.”
I laugh.
“Yeah, sure. Let me just get my phone, I’ll call some of my old fucks, see how you like that?”
His fists clench, his jaw tightens.
“Bella,” he warns.
I tilt my head.
“What? That’s fucking ridiculous. Do you really think I’m that stupid, Irish?”
He runs his tongue along his teeth.
“I never said that. I swear to you, I didn’t touch her. I would never. I was loyal to you.”
Ouch.
“Was?”
He runs his hand over his stubble and lets out a ragged breath.
“Rowan was right. I’m no good for you.”
Tears threaten to spill, but I take a deep breath to calm myself.
“That is bullshit and you know it.”
His eyes darken as he stands, the chair skidding across the marble.
“You don’t want me, Bella. That much is quite clear. I’m not fighting my brother again over this. I refuse to be the one to make you cry again.” He shakes his head as his voice breaks.
I step closer to him.
“So what? You’re not marrying me? The alliance is done, and I can just go home?”
My heart pounds, this can’t be happening. Theo needs this. Reggie needs this.
“We go back to how it was. Marriage on paper.”
I place my cup down softly on the side.
“That’s seriously what you want?” I ask.
I want him to fight for me. Scream at me that he didn’t mean anything he said yesterday. That he’s sorry.
Anything. Right now, I’m looking at the shell of the man I knew.
He opens his mouth and then snaps it shut. So I take another step.
“Look me dead in the eyes and tell me you don’t fucking want me, Reggie Murphy. Say the words and I’ll go. You’ll never see me again. I dare you. Say it.”
He rounds the kitchen island, stopping right in front of me. Chest heaving. Eyes darkening. And I look up at him. Button pressed.
“I know what you’re doing, Princess,” he mutters.
“Say it.”
