My expression became hostile as I looked at him. “If there’s one thing, however, Matthew was correct. Get over yourself and act like a decent person for once. Despite popular belief, you are not my white knight. Nicola, you’re a bad guy. To put it bluntly, you lied to me. “The last came out on a strained whisper as my heart wrenched at the words.
His cheeks were stained with shame. “I wasn’t trying to deceive you. To be honest, I didn’t give you the whole story. ”
‘You didn’t tell me anything,’ I alleged. “When I enquired about your background and family, you either avoided the question or altered the topic. I had faith in you. As much as you wanted to know about me, I shared it with you. But I don’t even know you. ”
“I apologize. This is something I kept from you on purpose. I needed a break from my daily routine. I was at Havard for that same reason. I felt like running away and starting afresh. My intention was to begin our relationship with you, Emily, from scratch. Despite the fact that I was well aware that I did not deserve a second opportunity like that. ”
“What did you do in your life that was so terrible?” Despite being terrified of his response, I threw myself at him.
His jaw firmed, and he turned his eyes away. “Plenty. … and I just messed up the rest of your life for you. To conduct such a heinous act would be the lowest point of my criminal career. To have you in one piece and full of joy was all I ever wanted for you. ” His gaze suddenly returned to mine, intense with resolve. “I’ve ruined your chances at happiness, but be assured that you’ll always be protected by me. You’re going to start sending me emails and providing your login details right now. ”
“When Matthew is strict with you, it’s because he cares about your well-being and wants to see that you stay out of harm’s way. Only your safety is our concern. ”
“He has no idea who I am. He has no reason to be interested in me. ”
His white eyes sparkled and bewitched me with their crystalline radiance. ” I love you, therefore naturally he loves you too. ”
To put it simply, my heart hurt. Was the weight of the words as great as I had envisioned?
As for me, you have my undying affection. My heart still had the unsaid feeling. Had he been experiencing similar emotions?
In spite of all I’d learned about him in the preceding hour, I still felt an irresistible attraction to him.
“It’s okay if you can’t forgive me; just trust me to keep you safe. Compose the notes. Mathew will coordinate delivery to the appropriate parties. This will give us some time as we decide out our next move. ”
“I…” I forced down my objections. He seemed so sincere, and it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. All along, his intention had been to shield me from harm. I knew Mathew wasn’t going to let me leave since he said so. When I couldn’t depend on the cops, I turned to Nicola for safety.
What Mathew had said about what their enemies would do to me had shook me to my very core.
Nicola whispered softly, “Hey,” drawing my focus away from the terrifying mental pictures.
He put his hand over mine and stroked my palm with his thumb. I felt like a spear had been thrust into my heart by his deep, turquoise eyes. “I’d die before I’d let anybody damage you,” he said.
Yes, I did a little nodding there. When he made that statement, I realized he was telling the truth and I couldn’t dislike him.
“OK, “I said under my breath. ” I’ll be the one to compose the emails. ”
He brought my hand up to his lips and gently kissed my knuckles. Expressing gratitude “Thank you.”
Even the innocent geStunre he gave me sent up sparks all throughout my body. In that instant, our gazes locked, and he held on to my hand tightly. While still holding my hand gently, he moved in closer to me, eliminating the space I’d created between us.
In preparation for his passionate kiss, my heart rate quickened and my lips tingled. I was fully under his spell, as I usually was. To hold me in his grasp, he didn’t need to physically restrain me. I was unable to fight this overwhelming connection between us.
He was near enough that his warm breath caressed across my lips. They parted, ready for his tongue to rush into my lips, claiming me with deep, powerful strokes. He seemed to be Stundying me in an effort to remember my appearance. The intensity of his fixation and the depth of his respect were fascinating.
“Emily.” The need and curiosity in his deep voice almost came over as a grunt as he called my name. He said, “I thought I’d never see you again.”
He reached up and lightly touched the curve of my lower lip with his thumb.
I wanted his kiss so badly, yet there was a new shadow over our relationship.
Unfortunately, Nicola had lied to me. He was not someone I felt I could trust.
I pictured him pinning me to the ground as he kissed away my tears. His lust at my subjection was still fresh in my thoughts, even though just minutes had gone since then.
I turned away from him just as he moved in to kiss me.
“Please don’t. “Having him pucker up to me would be too much to handle. I couldn’t take any more of the emotional damage; my heart was already shattered. My life had been torn away from me by the guy I loved. He had made things dangerous for me, and he had eliminated my options. Though I’d been led to believe in his goodness, I realized I knew nothing about him.
I could make out his trembling breath. Not right away, anyhow. Whether he really wanted to drive me away, I wondered if he was fighting against the darker side of himself that wanted to ensnare and consume me.
Insidiously, I hoped he would, since then I could stop feeling so stupid for returning to his arms.
I steadfastly refused to make eye contact with him, insisting that we had no shared history.
His fury rumbled from his chest, but he eventually retreated. I finally relaxed enough to take a deep breath, hoping that my heart rate would return to normal.