“You got all that money when your parents died. You could’ve shared with Cassie so we didn’t have to struggle.”
“Cassie got over two million dollars and pissed it all away. You’re her husband and father to your children. You have to take responsibility for what you did.”
“My responsibility is to my family. No one held a gun to your head and forced you to do anything.”
His selfishness was astounding, and I hoped Cassie didn’t share his opinions. Was it all an act on both their parts? Did neither of them give a damn about me at all?
“You used Cassie’s high-risk pregnancy to insinuate that if she went to prison and lost the baby, it would be my fault. I’m the one who discovered what you were doing in the first place.”
“I’m done with this conversation. And with you.” And then I was listening to nothing but air.
“He hung up on me.” I couldn’t believe it, and like a dummy, I stared at the phone in disbelief. He really had no regrets for what he’d done, and until I saw otherwise with my own eyes, I had to believe Cassie knew as well. Their utter lack of remorse was like a punch in the gut, and I saw red. “Those bastards,” I screamed.
And finally, realizing how I’d allowed myself to get played, I lost it.
Crash.
I swept all the pictures of us off the fireplace mantel. I punched a hole in the wall and knocked the lamp from the end table to the floor. Wild-eyed and breathing heavily, I ran toward the kitchen only to find myself grabbed around the waist.
“Ronan. Stop.” Gabriel’s strong arms held me.
“Fuck you. Let me go,” I spat out and struggled free.
I ran into the kitchen and managed to smash several glasses, uncaring that the broken pieces lay at my feet. Gabriel got to me again, but this time he picked me up and dragged me away and held me tight, pinned to his chest.
“Stop it, or you’ll hurt yourself.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m already dead. Don’t you get it?” I screamed out my fury and betrayal.
“No. No, you’re not. You’re going to be okay.” He set me down, still holding me around the waist.
“No. I’m not. You don’t know…you just don’t know.” But even as I spoke, my shoulders heaved and the tears came in a torrential rush. Lies, betrayal, loss, all of it crashed into me, dragging me down into a tidal wave of grief; yet I kept my feet, thanks to Gabriel’s strength. He held me fast, my anchor in the swirling mess of my life, rubbing my back as I clung to him.
I finally found the courage to gaze into his face. It hit me then, that I was naked against his powerful, muscled body, molded to every dip and curve. I grew hard, and he stood stoic, his handsome face as emotionless as Mount Rushmore, but the heat in his hazel eyes gave him away, and before he had the chance to tell me no, I slammed my mouth over his, needing the warmth of his lips.
He didn’t push me away.
A groan vibrated through me, a low, greedy sound I’d never forget, and I thrust my tongue past those incredible lips to touch his. We played and parried, licking and tasting as if we’d been starving for each other for years. I kneaded and cupped his ass, pushing my erection to meet his heavy bulge.
Fuck me, he was huge, and I needed to touch him. I slipped my hand inside the waistband of his sweats, but he stiffened. I grunted in frustration.
“Don’t you fucking say no.” I grasped him, almost moaning at his heavy length, and wrapped my fingers around his velvety cock. “Fuck, you feel so good.”
Heat poured off Gabriel, soaking into my frozen insides. I shivered, shocked by my desire to take him inside me. I’d never needed anyone like I needed Gabriel in that moment.
“Ronan…”
“Shut up.” I covered his mouth with mine to keep him quiet. It was a deep, filthy kiss, full of seeking tongues, hot breath, and biting. I could tell the moment he surrendered. His hands smoothed over my ass, and when he ran his fingers along my crack, my cock pulsed against his stomach. I slipped his sweats past his hips.
“Oh God,” he groaned while he ran roughshod over every inch of my skin, sending me into orbit.
“Goddammit, you’re gorgeous.” I smashed my mouth over his, afraid he’d tell me to stop, but this time he didn’t. He kissed me back with as much ferocity and need as I gave to him.
Gabriel’s legs shook, but his fingers continued to tease my ass, sending hot-bright shards of electricity under my skin. “More, more,” I pleaded, spreading my legs wider, craving his touch. “Please.”
“Ronan,” he breathed on my cheek when I finally released his lips. “This is so wrong.”
“No. Nothing that feels so right can be wrong.” My thumb swirled over the wide head of his cock, and with his eyes on mine, I sucked the wetness off, then licked my lips. He touched my rim, and I was lost. Without warning, my orgasm slammed into me. I huffed out a long breath and he chuckled, a warm, low sound echoing through my heart forever.
