Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 76812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Heads turn, all eyes in the room on Hemlock and me. We're literally the only people here that would even begin to qualify for something like this, but the thought of the woman asleep in my bed down the hall keeps my ass in my seat.
Hemlock doesn't hesitate to stand.
Chapter 22
Brielle
Although it was probably best that I woke up alone this morning, it didn't stop me from feeling discarded.
Sex has always been a form of punishment.
Last night, it was different.
Last night was life changing.
Last night, for the very first time in my life, it was my choice.
To roll over to find cold, empty sheets after such a big event left me deflated.
I'm sitting on the bed, watching television, and questioning everything, when the door opens back up.
It's only nine forty-five, but I've been awake for almost two hours. I have no idea how long he's been gone. He could've left right after I fell asleep, and I sort of hate him for making me comfortable around him. He not only had the ability to get out of bed without waking me, but he was able to get dressed as well before leaving the room.
"Hey," he says, the chipperness in his voice sounding unfamiliar and misplaced. "You're awake."
I lift the remote and turn up the volume. In my anger, I started watching the next episode of the show he loves because in the moment, it was the only thing I had control over.
"I had a meeting," he says after he pulls the remote from my hand gently, turning down the volume. "I didn't want to wake you up."
I stare at him, wondering which part is a lie, and considering that maybe all of it is.
I turn my head, swallowing my sadness, when he leans in to press his lips to mine.
I climb off the bed, opposite the side he's standing on, but all I see is a little disappointment on his face. He doesn't seem angry at me for rejecting him.
"Would you like to eat breakfast outside the room, or do you want me to bring you something in here?"
"Did you eat?" I ask.
"I had a cup of coffee."
"At your meeting?" I challenge.
"Before my meeting," he clarifies. "Is there something wrong?"
I debate whether I should explain how I'm feeling, but this man doesn't want to listen to a whiney woman. Hell, he probably wishes I'd just crawl back into the closet or leave altogether.
"I want to go back to the shelter."
"We can't let that happen."
I narrow my eyes at him, but my irritation doesn't force him to say anything else.
I take an angry step toward him, and I hate the way his lip twitches as if he wants to laugh at me.
"Is it your goal to make me feel like a prisoner again or is that part of Kincaid's plan?"
"We aren't holding you captive, Brielle."
"You may not hurt me like Nathan and Xan did, but I still have no free will here."
"If you really want to leave, I can have those arrangements made, but going back to the shelter here in Farmington isn't an option. Nathan Adair, as you well know, has a very wide reach, and Cerberus will not allow you to compromise the safety of those other women and children. The shelter you stayed at is now an empty house, and disclosing their new location won't happen."
"I would never give that information to anyone," I say, the lie bitter on my tongue.
Nathan has a way of always getting what he wants, and I'm no exception to that.
"I believe you," he says, a sad smile on his face. "Now that Nathan knows you're connected to both Cerberus and Farmington, your options are limited. Tell me now, Brielle. Do you want to leave town?"
I open my mouth to demand they just let me leave, but I know better. I have no resources, no money, no plan.
"I really like you," I say, the truth of it taking the bitterness out of my mouth from my previous words.
He takes a step closer to me. "And I really like you."
Despite the comfort and care he's provided me since I got here, I still can't help but flinch when he lifts his hand.
"Sorry," I mutter, leaning into his touch when he presses his palm to my cheek.
"Don't ever apologize for the damage caused by those who hurt you. It may take forever, but you need to forgive yourself. None of it was your fault."
Oh, how I wish his words were the truth.
"Can we do brunch instead of breakfast?" I ask with hope in my voice.
"That request sounds like you already have something in mind."
"I was hoping we could have another one of those turkey sandwiches," I tell him with an easy smile as I step a little closer to him.
He doesn't hesitate to lower his lips to mine, and, just like the kisses we've shared before this one, I don't cringe or have to fight the urge to vomit as I've done for so many years.