AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I punched the brick wall beside him, barely feeling the pain. “Tell her to come to me the minute you see her. Understood?”
He nodded, panic filling his eyes. “Yes, sir.”
I stalked through the house, checking the kitchen, the gym, every possible nook and cranny where she might be, but there was no sign of her. I asked countless staff members if they’d seen her, and everyone answered the same: Jessica had last been seen leaving the estate with Ryker, and they hadn’t returned.
“The minute you see her, send her to me,” I commanded the staff, over and over again, until I was sure there was no way she’d make it home without knowing I was waiting for her.
Then I locked myself in my room, knocking back shots as I paced back and forth. When I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I realized just how badly I was coming unglued, fraying at the edges. My hair stood on end, my eyes were wild, and my teeth were bared in a ferocious grimace that would have terrified anyone that saw me.
But I couldn’t even be bothered to care how I’d come across to the staff. All that mattered right now was talking to Jessica. The reality of her going out with another man had put everything into stark clarity for me. I couldn’t bear the thought of her being with someone else. There was no fucking way I could watch her fall for another man.
I watched the clock as it ticked past eight o’clock. Nine o’clock. Ten. It was closing in on eleven when there was a knock at my door.
I strode over and flung it open, staring down at Jessica, who scowled back up at me.
“What is the meaning of this?” she demanded, glancing up and down the hall before pushing into my room and slamming the door behind her. “You’re storming around the estate having a full-on temper tantrum?”
I narrowed my eyes on her. “What do you expect when I ask you not to leave, but you go spend the night with another man?”
She scoffed. “I expect you not to act like a fucking child.”
I growled, my temper rising. I gripped her arm. “Do you have any idea how crazy it made me to know you’ve been out with him all night?”
Her eyes widened, and she shook her head in disbelief. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe as hard as it’s been for me to watch you withfifteen other womenfor over a month now. You don’t get to throw a fit because I went out on one date, Garrett.”
“What do you mean by that? You’ve known from the beginning that my heart wasn’t in this… that I haven’t cared for a single one of those girls.”
Jessica jerked her arm out of my grip, throwing her hands up in the air. “And look where that’s gotten us.” She turned, striding back toward the door.
“Where are you going?”
With one hand on the doorknob, she glanced back at me. “If you don’t want to talk about what happened today with the girls or the plan going forward, I’m going to my room. It’s been a long day.”
She pulled on the door, but I was there in a flash, pushing it shut once more and blocking her exit. “I don’t want to talk about any of that. I’m tired of talking about me. Let’s talk about you. How was your date?”
Jessica’s eyes narrowed. “How much have you had to drink?”
“Not nearly enough for this conversation, but let’s do it anyway. Did you enjoy going out with Ryker?” Just saying the words made my mouth sour.
“I can’t believe you,” she hissed. “It’s none of your business. Now move out of the way and let me out of here.”
She lifted her hands as if she was going to push my chest, but I caught her by the wrists. “Is it not my business anymore because you’re already falling into someone else’s bed? Is it really that easy for you to walk away?”
Her voice shook as she said, “Let. Me. Go.”
“Fine.” I released her and stepped back, gesturing at the door. “I’m sure Ryker will be happy for you to pay him a visit.”
“What the hell is wrong with you, Garrett? Why are you acting like this?” She shook her head, her eyes shining with tears.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I realized I was pushing her limits, perhaps going too far, but I’d already come this far. Why stop now?
“Because I want you, Jessica. Do you not see that? I don’t give a shit about a single one of the girls. I don’t want them. I wantyou.”
She sucked in a sharp breath, her chest heaving as she shook her head. “Don’t say that.”
“Why not? You don’t want to hear the truth?” I snaked an arm around her waist and hauled her up against my chest. “Well, too bad, because it’s the truth. I want to be with you—like truly be with you, together, as a couple.”
Her lip trembled as she stared at me, her eyes wide. But then she pushed me away again. “It doesn’t matter. None of that matters.” She began pacing the room now, wringing her hands. “You have a duty to marry one of the women. You and I… we can’t be together.”
