Page 32 of The Clover Chapel (Jamison Valley 2)
For a second, all of my thoughts were consumed by how wonderful his lips felt. How, for years, I had longed to feel them again, even after swearing to hate this man for breaking my heart.
But that second passed. I could not allow Nick to kiss me. I wasn’t his. I belonged to Logan. A loyal, handsome, brilliant man who had not broken my heart.
Turning my head to the side, I broke contact before planting one hand on his chest and shoving him back. “No.”
“Emmy.”
“Emmeline!”
“Emmy. You’ll always be my Emmy.”
“I’m not your anything, Nick.”
“You’re my wife.”
“A paper certificate does not make me your wife,” I said.
His frame deflated and his eyes filled with regret. “Forgive me. Give us a chance. We have something here and you know I’m right.”
“There is no us. And how can I forgive you? You haven’t even told me why.”
“And if I do?”
“I don’t know. I may forgive you but that doesn’t erase the pain. I gave you my heart and you betrayed my trust. Your explanation may heal some of those past wounds but we have no future. Logan is my future.”
His gentleness evaporated. “He’s not your future. I am. Because your heart still belongs to me.”
“What? Are you crazy?” I gasped.
“You are mine. You are my wife.”
“You are crazy.”
“You don’t want him. It’s all just in your head because you’re mad at me. Your face doesn’t light up when he calls, not like it does when you look at me. You talk about what you two do but not how he makes you feel. And if you really loved him, no way in hell you’d stay married to me for nine years. You could have gotten that divorce a fuck of a long time ago.”
I blinked at him, astonished. How could he stand there and criticize my relationship with Logan? How could he think that three dinners and a movie would make up for his actions in Vegas?
But he was right. I should have gotten that divorce a hell of a long time ago. Something I would remedy immediately.
“We’re done. My lawyers will be in touch. Leave. Now.” I pointed to his truck.
“I’ll be here tomorrow after work to pick you up. We’re not done.”
“We. Are. Done. You’ve played your game and it didn’t work. No more dates. No more avoiding the truth. Just go!” I shouted.
“You think this is a game?”
“What else would it be? That’s all you’ve ever done. You’re playing me again but this time I’m not going to be the stupid idiot that falls for it.”
“You seriously think I’m fucking playing you?”
“Yes!”
Tipping his head to the sky, he roared, “Fuck!” His chest heaved and his eyes closed as he worked to calm down. “Tomorrow night. You’d better be here when I show up. You’re not, I’ll find you,” he threatened. “You want to know everything? Fine. You’ll get all the answers you want. Maybe see that this isn’t a fucking game to me. This is my fucking life!” he yelled and stormed down the stairs.
Rushing inside, I sagged against the front door the second the latch clicked. His truck rumbled to life outside and sped away. Gripping my belly, I sank to the floor.
I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t be around Nick anymore. It hurt. But even with the pain twisting at my sides, I had to know the truth.
