Page 77 of Fractured Memories

They both have good points. I know that Eden is a force to be feared. It’s why I have her training my men. I trust that she can handle herself.

Which means I have to admit that the only reason I’m even hesitant at the idea is because I couldn’t handle her rejection. Not now.

At first, it didn’t bother me. And throughout our entire relationship, I’ve loved how she makes me work for every inch she gives me. I wouldn’t change that given the chance.

But I know that no one would ever come close to Eden, and if she decided I wasn’t enough for her…I’d rather her put one of those blades right through my chest than her say that.

“I know she can.” I turn away before Rohan’s gaze can pick me apart any further. “I’ll give it some thought.”

I leave his house before Rohan can accuse me of having already given it too much thought. I’m not about to confess that I actually might have a beating heart in my chest to them.

The cool evening air is enough to clear my head before I’m pushing open my door and slipping inside. I waver on which direction to head—until I hear footsteps.

Turning, Jude rounds the corner, his head cocking when he sees me. “She’s outside. Be careful how you approach her.” My brows furrow, but he just shakes his head as he passes.

Feeling a little uncertain, I start toward the patio. Most days, Eden goes straight to the pool when she gets home, letting the hot water loosen her tired muscles until I join her so we can fuck and eat.

That’s exactly where I find her, back to me as she stares at the setting sun over the mountain ridge. She loves this time of day, especially in the heated pool, watching as the stars twinkle to life above her.

But there’s tension lining her body right now that only speaks to Jude’s warning. One I might need to heed. Especially because I’m certain she hears me, but she doesn’t turn as I start to undress.

Regardless of how many swimsuits I buy her, Eden insists on swimming naked. My solution has been to have the guards scatter from this area as soon as she gets home because no one will be seeing her naked body but me.

I slip into the water, surprised when she still doesn’t turn. Carefully, I come up behind her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her body back into me. I drop a kiss to her shoulder, brushing the curls I love so much out of the way. She doesn’t sink into me the way she normally does, though.

“I love coming home and finding you here,” I murmur against her skin, kissing a little higher.

“Do you?” There’s an edge to her voice that tells me I’m definitely in some kind of trouble. Fuck. “Do you love it?”

I might be the worst person on this mountain when it comes to reading and understanding emotions, even if I’ve gotten pretty good at it with Eden. And she is no better than I am when it comes to expressing herself.

Which means I have no fucking clue why she seems so pissed at me right now.

“I…do,” I say slowly, daring another kiss at the base of her neck.

She just huffs and tries to pull out of my grasp, not that I let her. Instead, I spin her, pinning her against the wall as I force her to face me. I’m annoyed when she doesn’t wrap her legs around my waist. Gripping her arse, I lift her up, but she just glares at me, refusing to give me what I want.

Now I’m getting a little pissed off.

“Are you angry with me?” I ask, though there’s more bite to my tone than there probably should be.

Her nostrils flare. “Maybe I am.”

I grit my teeth. Not a damn thing with this woman is ever easy.

“Want to tell me why?”

That just makes her huff again and look away. “No.”

What the fuck am I supposed to do with this?

Still supporting her weight with one hand, I use the other to force her to look at me. “Eden.” I manage to soften my voice enough that I sound stern rather than angry. “What is wrong?”

“I don’t want to tell you,” she bites out. “You should just say it.”

“I don’t know what the hell I’m supposed to be saying.” I stop just short of asking her if she hit her fucking head today.

Her eyes dart away since I’m still holding her face in place. “It seems like you have no problem saying it,” she mutters.