Wrapping my arms around my middle, my shoulders hunched over, my body is feeling heavy, drained. Not how I was expecting this night to go.
Seeing the way he looked at me when he came to the office, I thought he would claim me. Eyes so full of depth and intensity.His touches, the way he kissed me—it was as if he were telling me that finally…
Finally, he would make me his.
“I need some air.”
“I just fucking opened up to you, told you why I’m the way I am, and you run.” Now his voice is hard.
My heckles go up, and my fists clench.
“I was just told that my mate would have turned some human girl to be with her forever and yet he will not bond with his actual fucking mate. Sorry for being hurt and angry. You know what? Fuck you, Thorin.” Throwing my hands up in the air out of frustration, I grip the door handle.
Before I can pull it open, he is at my back, hand gripping mine.
“We need to talk about this.” His lips brush the shell of my ear.
My body betrays me, and a shiver slithers through me.
“No. I need some time. If you cared for me at all, you will give me some time.”
He sighs, his hand tightening on mine. Brushing my hair off my shoulder, he kisses my neck, and my eyes flutter closed.
Damn it.
His hand moves off mine, and I feel the loss of his touch, which confuses me. I am angry at him, and my heart hurts more than it ever has, yet I want him close to me.
Why?
Slowly, hesitantly, I pull open the door. Stepping out into the hall, I look over my shoulder, seeing Thorin standing there with a look I cannot read on his face. His lips are set tight, his hands tightly fisted at his sides.
He says nothing, nor do I. We just stare at each other. Like a rift is already developing.
Will he revert back to his old ways? Shaking my head, I have to believe that he would not hurt me like that again.
Stepping away from his room, moving toward the main room, I quickly dry my face with the sleeve of my T-shirt.
So many emotions circle my body and my mind. I am struggling to understand what he was feeling back then; he knew about fated mates, yet was more than willing to turn a human, knowing that his true mate was out there.
Sniffling, I walk into the main room, seeing the brothers still cleaning up after the attack. The room looks nothing like it once did, and sadness hits me all over again but for a different reason.
This place was my home for so long and now it will need to be rebuilt.
Seeing the men work along with some local men who are welcome here at the club, clearing the aftermath, the now-empty room looks bare. Bare but damaged, pretty much like my heart right now.
Moving toward the kitchen, I start pulling out what I need to make the men spaghetti and meatballs. With some garlic bread.
My love of cooking has helped me out more times than I can count. It was one of my duties when Winger allowed me to stop being a club girl: cook and clean, tend the bar, and I loved every second of it.
Keeping the brothers fed and watered, well except for Thorin obviously, made me feel a part of the club. Like family.
I get lost in the cooking, letting my thoughts of Thorin go for now. The men will be tired and hungry when they are done. The kitchen smells amazing. I close my eyes, loving the smell of melted butter and garlic and herbs that I put in the meatball mixture.
Sipping from my bottled water, my throat dry, a coldness hits my stomach and it cramps, making me wince.Fuck, when was the last time I ate?
Preparing myself a small bowl, I dig in before I serve the rest of the men. When my stomach is full, I finish my water. Leaving the kitchen, I step back into the main room, and stop in my tracks, seeing Thorin hugging one of the club girls.
She smiles at him, reaches up, and kisses his cheek before walking off, and my full tummy is ready to be emptied. As if he senses me, he looks my way.
