Falling with Grace - Page 172

“Don’t cry.” My thumb traced the path of tears on her face, attempting to soothe the storm within her. Each gentle touch became a conduit for more tears—my efforts seemed futile against the overwhelming tide. “I’ll find them.”

She pulled back, her bloodshot eyes contrasting with her green iris. “It’s too late.” She hiccupped, her chest compressing. “The only way to do that is to give me back to him.”

“No.”

I squeezed her tighter.

She’s not leaving me.

She couldn’t.

I won’t allow it.

She’s mine.

“I’m of no use to you anymore. Give me up. Use me as bait. What do you have to lose?”

Everything.

A visceral surge gripped my heart. “Is that what you think?” I stood, swiping her hand, and dragged her along with me onto the patio, keeping our voices down from waking Mamá. “You know, you confound me.”

I plopped her on the lounge chair and hit the liquor bar, pouring myself a healthy dose of whiskey.

She sat with her arms tight over her chest, her eyes brimmed with tears, her button nose red, a stark contrast to her pallid complexion.

“You think you’re my latest prize from my enemy? Is that it?” I swallowed the drink, its vanilla, smokiness lingering on my tongue. “If that were the case, if you were so ready to die, then why not act as bait before? What’s changed?” I filled the cup again. “You can’t make up your mind, and now we’re in this predicament.”

“I know, okay.” She stalked toward me, snagged the full drink from my hands, and swallowed it with a grimace. “I’m not perfect. I’m doing my best…making it up as I go.” She slammed the cup down on the table. “I don’t have all the answers. I wish I did.”

“You’re so infuriating.” I set my jaw, my molars grinding into dust reminiscent of the plaster that went into the air hours before.

She tipped her chin. “Then get rid of me.”

“I can’t.” I lunged for her, taking her into my arms, and slammed my mouth on hers. “I’ve tried.”

I pushed her into the side of the house, her hair tangled in my fist.

When didour roles shift?

How did I become her willing captive?

I’d offer her the world, surrendering everything she desired, as long as those enchanting emerald eyes glowed with happiness—as long as she remained by my side.

She pushed at me, her hands connecting with my chest in a firm hit, her lips tearing from mine. “Try harder.”

I tightened my hand in her hair, tipping her head to the side. “I’ve given it my all and have failed on more than one occasion.” My hips ground into her. “You’re the only failure I’ll allow.”

Her teeth imprinted on her lower lip as she bit down, her swollen eyes roaming mine.

I dipped down, my finger lifting her chin. “And you’re just going to have to come to terms with that.”

Her teeth released her lip, and she moaned, firing up my blood and sending it straight to my groin. Her hand found the back of my neck as she pulled me tighter into her.

Her leg lifted as I pressed into her, my hand finding the back of her thigh and wrapping it around my waist. “You’re mine, and that aging piece of shit out there isn’t going to change anything between us.”

My hand slid away from her hair, tucking it beneath her other thigh, and walked her to the lounge chair. I laid her out on the cushion, and my hips pressed between her legs as if the world would cease to exist if I weren’t planted between them.

I kissed her, plunging my tongue between her soft lips, my hands grazing her belly as I gripped the bottom of her shirt and dragged it over her head.