Sweet Addiction (Sweet #6)(34)

She felt betrayed and that betrayal hurt more than she could have imagined. It briefly crossed her mind that she owed Lucas nothing, that his defection gave her no reason to obey his dictate that she remain with Cole for two weeks at which time Lucas may or may not return.

But at the same time, she couldn’t make herself believe that Lucas had done this to hurt her. Whether he’d meant to or not, the result had been the same. But she couldn’t help but think that he had only her best interests at heart.

She sighed and closed her eyes. After a year of feeling so …strong. Rebuilt. Secure and comfortable in her skin again. Now she felt adrift and she hated not knowing her path. She was a person who took great comfort in routine and ritual.

Her sense of self and her confidence had taken a beating in her last relationship. She’d left before irreparable damage was done, but it had still taken time for her to shake off the effects.

She didn’t want to go back there. Ever. She was stronger than who that woman had been. But now, Lucas would test the strength she’d worked so hard to build.

The bed dipped and her eyes flew open. She’d been lost in her thoughts and hadn’t even realized Cole had returned. Such inattention would only gain his censure.

But he didn’t call her on it. Her merely slid his arms around her body and pulled her until her back was flush against his chest.

“You can talk to me, Ren.”

She went still for a moment as his words washed over her. It was as if the last years melted away and they were young again. Inseparable. Set to conquer the world, hand in hand. Ren and Cole.

Oh God, she couldn’t handle this without breaking down.

She turned in his arms and clutched at him as she buried her face in his chest. Hot tears spilled down her cheeks and onto his bare skin.

He locked her to him, holding her tightly, one leg thrown possessively over her as if shielding her from the world. It was a clear statement. Nothing can hurt you here. It was such a familiar gesture that it sent a fresh wave of pain through her heart.

“How could he do it?” she whispered.

Cole kissed her forehead as he trailed fingers through her hair.

“How could he just walk away? Especially when he knows how badly it hurt when you did the same?”

Cole tensed. His hand went still against her head and his chin that had rested against her forehead moved as he pulled away.

Then he sighed. “Ren, you can’t expect me to defend the bastard. I’ve made it no secret that I want you.”

She rose up on one elbow and stared into Cole’s eyes. She wiped irritably at her tears, impatient and angry that she’d allowed him to see how devastated she was.

“Tell me this, Cole. Would you have ever given me to another man? Would you have ever brought me to another man’s house and said here, she’s yours, I’ll be back in two weeks?”

“Come here,” he said quietly, pulling her back to him.

He let his hand wander over her hip and down her leg before caressing his way back up to her shoulder.

“I can’t profess to know what Lucas was thinking. I don’t know the man. You know him a hell of a lot better. I can’t muster the same outrage as you because I’ve gotten precisely what I want. You.”

“Would you have ever done what he did?” she persisted.

“Hell no. But maybe I’m more of a selfish bastard than he is. Maybe he feels like he’s doing what’s best for you. I, on the other hand, would go to hell and back before I ever willingly gave you to another man. I let you go once, Ren. If you think I’m just going to stand back and let you walk away this time, you’re mistaken. I’ll fight with everything I have.”

The determined words slipped into the tiny cracks in her heart like alcohol over a cut.

“He didn’t fight for me,” she whispered. “He just let me go. Like you did before.”

“I’m not letting you go now, Ren. I’m here. Have you ever considered that Lucas is merely giving you space so that you can make a choice? It chaps my ass to give him any credit whatsoever, but I believe he just wants you to be happy. He damn sure didn’t give you to me because he has any love for me.”

Ren pulled her head back again and then reached up to touch Cole’s face. She traced his bone structure and feathered her fingertip over his mouth.

“Yes, he gave me to you for two weeks. He knows I loved you. And he wants me to make a choice? Has it ever occurred to either of you that no matter who I chose, I would be devastated?”

Cole frowned.

“I feel manipulated, Cole. I feel like I’m being told that this should be easy. I’ve been with Lucas for a year. I trust him every bit as much as I trusted you when we were together. I loved you with all my heart. I was crushed when you left me. What Lucas and I have is undefinable. What you and I had was equally undefinable. I’m supposed to spend two weeks with you and then cheerfully choose between two men who’ve meant more to me than any other man I’ve ever had a relationship with?”

“I can’t keep you here against your will,” Cole said quietly. “I won’t stop you if you walk out the door.”

It wasn’t what she’d expected him to say. Her shoulders sagged like deflated balloons. She rolled onto her back to stare at the ceiling. He’d put the ball in her court. It was true. She may cede all the power in the relationship to a man, but it was her choice.