Chapter 19 #3
I’d need to remind myself of that over and over again until I got it through my thick head. At this point, mate or not, I couldn’t afford to care.
Her throat and jaw were tight. Even her fists were clenched. She’d always found the perfect thing to say. Not this time. Likely because she knew I was right and I’d caught her in several lies.
“Why did you come here? North Bend is a long way from the bright lights of Chicago.”
“To talk to you. To explain things.”
“There is honestly nothing you can say that will change anything at this point. Maybe never. Now, I have a lot of work to do. This is my family’s business and it’s important to me, especially with my dad and his heart condition.”
“How is your dad? And Ford?”
I almost answered her. I almost fell into the same trap she’d laid out like a soft red carpet before. But the golden leash she’d attached around my neck had been cut with a chainsaw.
“They are none of your business. I need to get back to work. I’d appreciate if you’d leave.”
Sloane wasn’t the kind of person to take no for an answer any more than I was. That’s what had made our time together a little crazy and so very hot. I missed that, but she’d never hear about how I couldn’t sleep and food had no taste. When I made up my mind, that was it.
She glanced down the length of me, which of course was exactly what I was doing to her at the same time. The woman was breathtaking in every way. Instead of wearing her signature pants, she had a dress on, a beautiful summer dress that hugged every curve.
Of course she would try to appeal to my wolf and hell yes, my balls were tight, but that just wasn’t going to work with me. Damn it if my cock wasn’t aroused. Even my hands were sweaty.
A low and deep rumble of the earth beneath us was immediately followed by a sweeping bolt of cerulean blue lightning with a crack loud enough to shake the building.
“Just leave. Please.” My voice was much harsher than before.
Whether or not she jumped because of the storm or my harsh tone I couldn’t be certain, but she nodded and without saying another word she walked out.
This time she’d walked out of my life because of my bitter demand and if I had to guess, I’d say she’d just done so forever.
When she disappeared from view, I turned around to keep myself from chasing after her. That wasn’t going to happen. No traps. No emotions. No nothing.
Just work and trying to get my life back on track.
How? I had no fucking clue, but it would be done without her.
I tried to think about what I’d been doing, even returning to my desk, but my thoughts were muddled. Damn the woman for coming here. Damn her for interrupting me with her blazing eyes and provocative voice. Damn her for enticing me as she always did any time she walked into a room.
And damn my wolf for wanting her as badly as he did.
Fuck it. Damn the entire world and everyone in it.
Maybe that’s why my anger was off the charts. Without thinking, I swept my arm across my desk, barely missing the computer in the process. Everything flew into the air from the force I used, floating as if in slow motion before the items came crashing down.
Then I slammed my hands on the desk several times, hating myself. Hating everything.
Wanting to hate her but being unable to do so.
Why did she get to me so much? Why did I need her? Crave her? God. I was losing my mind, my wolf laughing at me like the worthless idiot I’d told myself more than once I’d become.
Nope. I wasn’t going to fall prey to needing her.
Not a chance in hell.
I returned to my desk, feeling the engine of her vehicle rumbling even over the storm as she drove away. Reality set in. She was leaving for good.
To hell with her.
With any woman.
I didn’t need a single female in my life. Other than my sister and mother.
With a deep and heavy sigh filtering into the room, I didn’t bother picking up the items from the floor. That would come later. I’d concentrate on what I’d been doing earlier. The software install was almost finished and testing needed to be done.
There would be no further distractions.
I managed to sit down behind my desk, studying the numbers on the screen. Ninety percent completed.
Ninety-two percent.
Why were memories and all the images of Sloane’s voluptuous body wrapping around not only my mind but also my soul?
I dropped my head into my hands as an even louder sound of nature boomed throughout the office.
This wasn’t working. I jerked up again, moving toward the window.
The clouds were swirling outside, the wind dragging tree limbs toward the earth’s surface.
The rain had just started and within minutes, there would be a torrential downpour.
As I stood staring at the arc of electricity created by Mother Nature, a strange and very powerful set of vibrations rocked through every muscle moving straight to the bone.
Sloane was in trouble.
I knew it innately, the blood running through my veins running cold. She was in danger and there was only one person who could keep her safe.
Her mate.