He can’t give you what you need.
No one knows you like I do.
It’s a back-and-forth ping-pong match as their hands and mouths trail over my skin. Their voices begin to blend until I shout, “Leave me alone.”
My eyes pop open, and it’s just me in the shower. My hand holds a crumpled sponge, and all the soap is gone.
It seems I can’t even trust myself.
Cutting the water, I grab hold of my robe, shrugging it on though I haven’t dried my skin at all. Water drips from my body as I exit the standing shower, stopping in front of the Jack and Jill sink. Steam covers the expanse of the massive mirror, my hand swiping across the glass so I can see my reflection.
Empty, unfocused mocha brown eyes stare back at me. It’s the same woman I’ve always known in my reflection. The one who worries about everyone else before herself and longs for things so far out of reach it’s laughable to believe they could ever be mine.
When you grow up resigned to a fate that was chosen generations before you, those things live as fantasies in your mind. They give you something to wish for, though you already know those types of wishes don’t come true.
Toweling my hair, I head toward my bedroom, ready for a fresh set of clothes. A reset.
My door creaks as I grab hold of the knob, entering my room. With one more shake of the towel through my hair, I flip my head back only to gasp so loudly I want to cover my ears. “Nash…”
Chapter 17
Nash
I’d expected Betty to run into my arms at the sight of me.
She claims she’s always wanted me, but now I’m unsure as I watch her features shift—shock to heartbreak to unbridled anger. Not even a split second passes as each emotion flashes in her eyes.
Standing from the bed, each step is slow and deliberate as I move toward her. The type of approach used with an animal to avoid startling them with sudden movements.
“Andromeda, what’s wrong?”
She only stares at me, her eyes never leaving my face as I take two quick steps, closing the distance between us. But nothing changes in her expression. Fury burns, and her soft mouth twists into a nasty grimace. That gorgeous face is transforming into one I’ve never seen. One I don’t recognize.
“Andromeda,” I try again.
“What’s wrong?” She drones as if she’s not even there. She hasn’t moved an inch when my fingertips finally graze her cheek. “You want to know what’s wrong?”
“Yes,” I cup her chin. I’d overheard one of the guys saying Ward looked like someone had run over his puppy. Not that I wanted the guy to get hurt, but I assumed Betty ended things with him. That’s the only reason I’m here. It seemed like she was choosing me.
“You,” she whispers, before her eyes meet mine. “Nash, you’re what’s wrong. You’re hot and cold nonsense put me in a terrible position.”
“I’m sorry.” But she holds up a hand, stepping out of my hold.
“I was moving on from you. I was finally starting to believe I could exist in a world that didn’t revolve around Nash Donovan.” Her words are washed in anguish I hadn’t expected her to feel.
Reaching for her again, her eyes only narrow on me. Her quick steps put her out of my reach. Only my words might bring her back to me now. “You’ve never had to,” I insist.
A gut-wrenching sob escapes her. A sound that nearly brings me to my knees. Even if I hadn’t given in to this newfound obsession with her, that sound would have ruined me. I’ve known Betty too long, and her brother would hate me for hurting her like this.
“Yah know, Ward heard us. He broke up with me,” she sniffles, roughly swiping her hand beneath her nose.
“Andromeda.”
“Stop calling me that,” she squawks. “Just. Stop.” She sounds defeated, and part of me wants to do everything I can to erase that feeling. Another part of me knows I should just walk away. “You had the chance to want me, and you didn’t until you saw me moving on. I was happy, Nash.”
“Look, I know I’ve been hot and cold. I’ve been telling myself all the reasons not to pursue you, though you left me an open door repeatedly. But I…”
“You what? Wanted to act like every other man? You didn’t want me before, so why now?” she shouts.
