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“Don’t worry, Nick. There’s nothing to work between us. You can live your life however the hell you want, and I’ll do the same. I’m not here to interrupt your activities. In fact, if you want, I can be out of your house in less than fifteen minutes.”

I try to stand, desperate to put some distance between us—to reclaim a shred of control—but he reaches for me. One quick movement and he’s pulled me into him, his forehead pressed to mine.

My breath catches instantly in my throat.

“What I want is for you to sit down and listen to me very carefully, Sierra Thomas, soon to be Hardy.”

With him so close, his scent floods my senses—clean soap, sea water and something raw that’s just him. I clench my jaw, fighting the overwhelming need to touch him.

My fingers ache to run down his bare chest, to hold on. But I grit my teeth and try my hardest to look unaffected, even if inside I’m anything but.

He cups the back of my neck, tilting my head toward him, forcing our eyes to meet.

“I’m your future husband. And under no circumstances will I be okay with you living your life ‘however the hell you want.’ Call me deranged, call me toxic, call me possessive—I don’t fucking care.”

He takes a step closer, so close there’s not even air left between us.

“I didn’t want a wife. I didn’t want to create a family with someone. But I’m in this position now. And you better believe me when I say there’s no chance in hell we’ll ever end this marriage.”

I lift a hand to his chest, trying to push him away, but he tightens his grip on me.

“We’re not even married yet. And you don’t get to decide if we’ll stay married or not. Actually, there is no need for you to sacrifice your life. Maybe it’d be a better idea to marry Colt instead. And try to have a real marriage, a family with him.”

I don’t know why I said it. Maybe I want to hurt him. Maybe I want to test how far this version of Nick can go. But the moment his jaw clenches and his eyes flash darker, I know I’ve gone too far.

In one swift move, he presses me against the wall, my back colliding with his chest. The air rushes out of my lungs in a startled gasp.

“Don’t say his name.” His voice is deadly calm. “In fact, don’t even think about him. Or any other man. And if there’s something going on with somebody else right now, I advise you to end it. There will be only one bed you’ll be sleeping in and you better be sure that bed is mine.”

My heart’s racing. My hands are shaking.

This is raw, unfiltered emotion. This is the power he holds over me by just standing close.

And I hate it. I hate how much of me still wants him.

“I can’t figure you out.”

“If I let go of you, can you promise me you’ll take a seat and listen to me?” Nick asks into my hair, his voice suddenly soft.

“No.”

“Damn, Sierra,” he growls, but there’s a different kind of heat in his voice now. “This insane attraction between us… Don’t you want to find out what we could be?” he murmurs, then gently turns me to face him. “Last night was just a chain of bad things. I know how it looked, but you have to believe me when I say those women didn’t mean anything to me. They were a means to an end.”

He lowers his forehead onto mine, voice breaking just slightly.

“I don’t remember the woman who sent that fucking message. I swear, baby. And… fuck. About Samantha… I don’t remember sleeping with her. I don’t even remember that night at all. Please, believe me, Ser.“

His voice cracks again as he drops his head on the wall, right next to mine.

“Tell me you don’t feel this—this insatiable need to touch me. To kiss me. Because I feel it in my bones, Sierra. You’re no longer a friend to me or Liam’s sister.”

He dips his head lower, brushing his nose against mine, and all my resolve crumbles to his feet.

“Nick.” His name leaves my lips like a plea. “I hate you. Right now, I really hate you.”

He tilts his head and leans in, his lips barely grazing mine. “Do you hate the way my body feels against yours?” he murmurs. “Do you hate the way you pull me toward you?”

My hands are already on the back of his neck, yanking him closer—proving him right.