Page 29 of The Recluse’s Obsession

That treacherous minute eats a path of guilt through me but deep down, I know it’s not an option I can dismiss easily.

I haven’t told Skye any of it, of course. I curb a snort of disbelief before it rips free and wakes the angel sleeping in my arms.

Somehow, I’ve gone from ruthless asshole to being terrified of even the smallest thing hurting this priceless creature I would burn the world down for.

My own father would laugh himself hoarse if he could see me now.

I grit my teeth in the dark. There’s a reason he can’t see me. Am I losing my touch by letting Warren Michaels call the shots when I should’ve ended this three days ago?

“Jared?”

Skye blinks sleepily before her eyes find mine in the semi-darkness and I groan at how utterly adorable she is. The idea of her looking anything but this adorable…I can’t bear the thought of her ever finding out the counter-offer her father made.

“Did I wake you, angel?”

She rubs one eye and shakes her head even though it’s obvious I did. “Are you okay?”

This time the laughter escapes. “Nothing to worry about. My problems will take care of themselves eventually.”

“You say that but I don’t think they do. Not without consequences.”

I stiffen and her eyes widen a bit. But my little fearless princess plows on. “The way you carry your anger sometimes. It feels like it’s a part of you, and I know that can’t be good.”

“Skye.”

She shakes her head at my warning tone, and her lips pout in irritation. “You can growl at me all you want. I know you want me to shut up about it, but I…care.”

My heart starts hammering. Questions and scenarios whizz through my brain.

Does she care enough to stay? Or is her care just to soften me up so I’ll let her go eventually? Let herfathergo?

I resent the ingrained cynicism that lets me question everything but it’s what’s kept me on top of my game thus far. What’s given me a great life.

What great life?

This reclusive existence that has kept me trapped in my luxury tower for years?

The vice around my chest tightens until I can’t breathe. I want to despise her for making me question everything I was okay with before her, but when her soft hands caress my jaw and she slides on top of me, her eyes searching mine in the dark, I want to give her…everything. “Let me in. Let me help.”

A part of me cracks wide open, offering my wounds up to her even as I shake my head. “You can’t, princess. It’s too late.”

“Why do you say that? You’re alive. It’s never too late. You try to hide it but you’re a good man, Jared. You’re gentle and caring with me.”

I snort. “Didn’t seem like it when I was pounding that beautiful cunt last night like it was my last night on earth.”

Even in the dark, I feel her blushing. She squirms a little because my princess still isn’t used to my frank and filthy references to our fucking—a fact that makes me hard as fuck—but she doesn’t let up.

“Noelle and Amelie and all your employees worship you. And not because you write their checks. They genuinely love working for you.”

“Because I’m a fucking genius, angel, and genius attracts acolytes. I thought you knew that by now?”

Her lips purse. “And you go after people like my father not because they steal from you but because their disloyalty hurts you.” She hesitates for a moment, bites her lips and then exhales. “It’s because of your father, isn’t it? I…I read some of what happened.”

I flip her over and pin her beneath me. “Watch where you’re going with this, princess.”

She swallows but again, she doesn’t back down and that wound opens wider. I’m terrified. Not because I fear she’ll make it worse but because I want her to…make it better.

I want to be healed. I want to stop being so fucking…monstrousall the time.

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