A Monster's Beauty (In the Arms of Monsters 3)

It was like her past memories were fighting with her present ones and they were reminding her she had to remember what Reaper did. He wouldn’t hurt her, she knew that. Not now at least, but he had hurt her, and all for the sake of some revenge against Preacher. For so long, she’d been nothing but a means to an end for him.

“I’m sorry.”

“No need to be sorry.” He pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. He’d been aiming for her lips but she’d pulled away and instead, he’d kissed her cheek, nearly.

“I’ll be back to pick her up soon, okay?”

“You take as long as you want. Actually, there was something I really needed to talk to you about. When you’re done with whatever it is you need to do, you think we can talk?”

“Yeah, of course.”

She pulled out of his arms and the moment she took a step away from him, she felt relieved.

“It’s Preacher, isn’t it?” Reaper asked.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Do you think I’m stupid?” Reaper pointed at her. “It’s because you’re close to him again. I can read your body better than yourself, Robin. I know you’ve got feelings for him. I know he’s part of your life.”

“He will always be part of my life, Reaper. Nothing is going to change that.”

“No, but I’m still your husband and your child’s father. That counts for something.”

“I know.” The guilt filled her again and she tried her hardest not to show it. “Thanks for taking care of her.”

“Anytime. She is my daughter, you know. It’s not exactly a hardship.”

The longer she was with him, the harder the guilt got. This was totally unfair of her to do this to him.

“I better go.”

“Do I get a kiss?” he asked.

She clenched her hands into fists, hoping above everything he didn’t see her do it. She stepped up toward him and pressed a kiss to his lips.

He banded his arm around her waist, held her close, and slammed his lips down on hers.

No!

Don’t struggle.

Take it.

Don’t let him know.

She kissed him back even as her stomach turned and she wanted to throw up. Wrapping her arms around him, she held him close.

“Fuck, Robin, I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

It was easier to say the words than walk away. They were lies. There was no way you could love someone and feel this disconnect. Her body rejected him, as did her mind. All she wanted to do was run, to get as far away from him as possible, and try to be safe.

“I can let you go now.”

She smiled at him, but as she left the house, she struggled to bat the tears away. If he knew where she was going, she didn’t think he’d be so willing to take care of their daughter. She took several deep breaths as she joined Anne at her car.

“You okay?” she asked.