Page 44 of The Gathering
The first sob hit and Bishop flew off her. “What!”
She shook her head, hiding her eyes with one hand and holding her other out to him, fighting to at least control them.
“Are you hurt, did I fucking hurt you?”
She fought to speak and the bed shook with the sound of his feet hitting the floor. She sat up, seeing him pacing. Her beautiful, immaculate husband that saw himself as an animal. “It’s okay,” she choked out around sobs.
“It’snotfucking okay!”
His furious yell hit her so hard it knocked the sobs right out of her, leaving her staring with wide eyes, fear knotting her stomach.
“I justbityousohardmy fucking jaw still burns from it! That scream was pain, I felt it, I fucking know it, don’t try and tell me it wasn’t!”
His head shook at her. “Every fucking time, Beth. It’severyfucking time. From thedayI met you, I’ve been crazy about you, crazy for you, crazy because of you,” he swore, pacing again then stopping and looking at her. “You said my name wrong and it was so fucking right I was sure my own mother mispronounced it.”
Beth couldn’t stop her smile at such a beautiful thing.
“And then Saint Sahvrin…”
Her tears sprang forth when he covered his face with his hands, heaving. They slowly fell. “He’ll do anything to protect you. But that… fucking…” he seethed, “selfish Bishop bastard.” He looked right at her, his intense stare and hard jaw stealing her breath. “He takes all of it for himself and dares anybody—any fucking thing—to stop him from having what’s his.”
He paced again and Beth closed her eyes, fighting the roiling need for him climbing higher.
“Angel.”
She gasped, finding him right at the bed now. Six feet of primal sex appeal raping her senseless appetite. “I need yourhelp.”
“Yes,” she gasped, nodding while trying to identify what had her holding down a mountain of nausea.
“I tried, but it didn’t work,” he said, the sharp glint in his gaze making her swallow hard.
She froze, realizing. “You’re… scared.”
His brows drew together till the lines on his forehead spelled it out. “I’m terrified, Beth,” he said, disappointment inhis eyes. “Of myself,” he said, quieter. “I’m terrified of what I’ve become. What I do to you.”
His stare turned hotter. Shameful. “What if it’s not you anymore causing this? What if it’s me? What if I’m... architecting all of it?” he whispered, head slowly shaking like she had no clue. “Do you understand how jealous I am for you? How illogically fucking obsessed? I am still working out a way to kill the man that dared to touch my wife’s heart and her body and her mind. And I am... sofuckingpissed at God,” he seethed, tears filling his gaze, “for notlettingme.”
Beth gasped, pulling his head to her chest, holding him tightly. “Oh God, I love you,” she breathed around the nausea, realizing it was from his fear and fury and pain. Her tears fell as he wrapped his arms around her while she stroked his head. “I am your Belle Eveque,” she swore hotly, kissing the top of his head, her heart overflowing with his confession. “I’ll help you, I promise, we’ll find a way together. I am your heart and soul and you are mine,” she wept with all her heart.
Fucking Shit Up
“I’m going to puke,” Cat whispered, her legs numb as she walked the pier to Ethan’s house.
No. You’re not.
She suddenly stopped.
What’s wrong?
“Does he know I’m coming?”
Oh yes, he knows.
Her stomach tightened more. “Why do yousoundlike that?”
Like what?
“Donotact stupid! Is he mad? What does he know?” She headed back to the boat.
