Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
I could look him over with just as much disgust if I wanted to. His collar is open, his shirt half unbuttoned and stretched out in a way that would ordinarily horrify him. Tacky pink lipstick that presumably belongs to the stripper is smeared down the side of his neck. His belt is gone, his pants wrinkled and disheveled since they were probably around his ankles while he fucked her.
The reality that everything I thought I had was a lie hits me hard, and then he gives his solemn answer.
Slowly, he shakes his head. “No. I can’t marry you. Not now.”
The rejection still hurts, even if we’re on the same page.
It’s not fair that he gets to be the one to reject me.
I never set out to cheat on him tonight.
He clearly did set out to cheat on me.
And, according to Marcus, not for the first time.
His tone is flat and lifeless when he tells his brother, “Get her out of my house.”
That really fucking stings.
Five seconds ago he was hurling rape accusations at him. Now he’s telling him to get me the hell out of here.
Obviously, his concern was genuine, I think sarcastically.
I’m such a fool.
I truly believed he loved me.
It’s clear now he never did.
Marcus comes over and draws the key out of his pocket. He fits it in the lock, and finally I’m free from the cuffs.
I rub at my wrists, and Marcus retrieves my panties off the floor and hands them to me.
“Thank you,” I say, my voice small.
He grabs my arm to guide me off the bed. “Why don’t you put those on and clean up in the bathroom real quick and I’ll take you home.”
I nod woodenly, avoiding Joey’s hateful gaze as I hurry into the bathroom we used to share when I slept over.
I find my purse on the counter with my phone inside.
I forgot I texted Joey from my miserable bachelorette party earlier. When I grab my phone, I see he eventually replied.
“Looks like you’re having fun!”
I frown, looking back at the last texts I sent.
It didn’t look like I was having fun.
I was fucking miserable. How could he have thought I was having fun? Because I sent him a sad shot of my half-empty drink on the chipped wooden bar?
I guess he never really paid attention to me.
It was something I tried to ignore. My dream man would notice when I’m feeling down. He’d want to fix it.
You sound sad.
I shake it off.
I’m sure it’s just because of everything that happened tonight, the insanity of how Marcus made me feel throughout all of it. I always thought he hated me, so hearing him say he didn’t want me to marry his brother because he wasn’t good enough for me…
Well, I’d never have imagined.
I do my best to wash up in the bathroom, but honestly, I need a whole shower.
Marcus is waiting for me right outside the door. He grabs my waist almost protectively, then he touches the small of my back and ushers me out of the bedroom.
We’re halfway down the hall when I hear a thud behind us, then Joey cursing.
Did he… punch the wall?
I glance back, but Marcus reaches over and catches my chin, forcing my gaze forward. “No more of that,” he tells me.
I look up at him. His dark gaze is so sure, so forceful, but also… so dependable.
I like it.
I nod obediently, then I look straight ahead as he hauls me toward the door.
We have to pass through the living room, where all the guys are gathered, on our way out. My stomach drops when I realize they’re all going to see who was in the bed now. They’ll all know it was me they fucked.
“What the…?” James says before trailing off.
“Was she in the bedroom?” Matt asks, alarmed.
“Oh, fuck,” Jared says.
This is a walk of shame on steroids, but Marcus manages to shield me from most of it, and since he told me not to look back, I keep my gaze focused ahead until we’ve made it out the door.
I managed to avoid looking at them, but my face is still hot with embarrassment when we walk to his car.
I expect him to get in on his side, so I’m surprised when he follows me around to mine.
“Hey,” he says, grabbing my arm and turning me around.
I look up at him.
“You don’t have to feel ashamed. No one’s going to blame you, all right? They’re all going to blame me. I was behind it, not you.”
“But I’m the one they took turns fucking,” I say softly.
Marcus smiles tenderly, caressing my face. “And they loved every fucking second of it, didn’t they?” He lets his hand slide around my waist, then around my back. His hand slides down to cup my ass, then he pulls me against him.