The Skull King (Skull 1) - Page 26
My eyes lifted to meet his again.
“We always have a choice. Even when we think we don’t, we do. So explain to me why you’ve chosen to be this weak victim.”
My eyes narrowed at the insensitive insult. “I’m not a weak victim.”
“Well, you certainly aren’t the queen you were meant to be. I see a slave, not a ruler. A woman as beautiful as you should have whatever she wants. She should have her pick of any man she wants. She should not submit to an old man who isn’t worthy of her. Why did you let this happen?”
This sexy man had just rubbed me the wrong way, had painted me in a light I didn’t deserve. I didn’t want to tell him the truth because it was none of his business, but now I had to defend my honor. “Because I made a deal with him—and I can’t go back on my word.”
“What kind of deal?” His hand left my thigh and moved to my stomach. He leaned a little farther forward, like he might miss my revelation if he didn’t focus as hard as possible.
I didn’t like reflecting on that horrible day. I didn’t like remembering how angry Case had been at my decision. I didn’t like remembering the day I gave up everything for a man I loved—but who never loved me in return. “He was going to kill Evan, the man I loved.” I averted my gaze again, unable to look him in the eye as I shared my most painful secret. “The only way I could save Evan was by marrying him. I promised to obey, to cooperate—forever. My brother has always told me a person is only as good as their word—so I kept mine. He let Evan go…and I’ve been fulfilling my promise ever since then.” I refused to cry because enough tears had been shed. Evan wasn’t worth my sadness. He’d already taken so much from me, and I couldn’t let him have any more.
Balto was quiet for several minutes, his low breathing barely audible. He didn’t grab my chin and force me to look at him again. “And did Evan try to save you? Did he die in the attempt? You wouldn’t be sleeping with me if he were still around.”
Balto gave Evan far too much credit. “He never tried to save me. In fact…he’s married. He has a baby now. He moved on less than three months after I sacrificed myself for him…as if I’d never meant anything to him at all.” I slid out of the bed and didn’t look back at Balto. There were no tears in my eyes, but my cheeks were ghostly pale, and I felt sick to my stomach. I wasn’t just hurt by Evan’s betrayal—but ashamed of what he did to me. “Don’t judge me when you don’t know me. Don’t assume I’m weak because of the small piece of the story you’ve witnessed. Don’t assume anything about me ever again. And don’t you dare tell me I’m stupid for what I did—because I already know.” I grabbed my dress from the floor and pulled it over my body. I left my panties behind because they were nowhere in sight and not worth looking for. I slipped on my heels next and rose to my feet, unable to believe I’d felt so much unbridled passion just thirty minutes ago.
The mattress shifted when he rose from the bed. His footsteps sounded against the floor as he picked up his clothes and pulled them on. He didn’t berate me for my story or try to make me feel better. He said nothing at all…because what were you supposed to say to something like that? I ruined my life for a man who never loved me. It was pathetic.
He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. He pulled me into him slowly, his powerful chest pressing against my back. He squeezed me gently then rested his face against the back of my neck. His breaths slowly fell across my heavy locks and drifted over the small hairs at the nape of my neck.
He didn’t say a word, but somehow his presence was comforting.
His hands squeezed against my stomach, lightly tugging on me, like his body wanted to swallow mine whole.
I closed my eyes as I let my body lean against his, using him as a crutch because my legs were too useless to carry me. My arms slid over his, and I leaned my head back against him.
We stood there together for minutes, saying nothing, just breathing.
His hand moved to the strap of my dress, and he pulled it over my shoulder.
I didn’t stop him.
He pulled the other one. Then the dress slowly slid down my body until it landed in a pile on the floor.
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