Lahat ng Kabanata ng HER BULLY'S REGRET: Kabanata 81 - Kabanata 90

“I think we did everything,” I say. “It’s a small town.”Also, the longer we stay out and about pretending to be a couple, the more confusing this gets. I’m showing him real things I care about, and he’s really listening. All the while his hand is spread on the small of my back. Or his fingers are looped in my belt loop. Or his hand is holding mine.It’s like the engagement ring isn’t enough for Nathan. He’s constantly claiming me with little touches that let the world know I’m his.I hate it and I love it at the same time.“I want you to get to spend time with your parents,” Nathan says. “But keeping up the lie in front of them is...”“Draining?” I say.Nathan nods.I wrack my brain for something else to do. Something private, where neither of us will feel the need to act quite so well.“There’s a movie theater,” I say. “How do you feel about old buildings that smell like buttered popcorn?”“Very positively,” Nathan says.He pays our tab, then we head out. His hand is back on the sma

She’s got a point. But I’m not going to admit it. So I get out of the car, knowing she can’t have this argument in front of her parents.I’m not above playing dirty.We head inside and make small talk with her parents. Then I head upstairs to pack my stuff, figuring Nicole will want to stay downstairs and keep chatting with her mom.Instead, Nicole breaks away and follows me upstairs to our room. Once we’re both inside, she shuts the door firmly behind her and hisses, “Your expectation is totally sexist. How would you act if I said you couldn't have sex with other women?”“I’d see that you’re being practical and agree,” I say calmly. I fold my clothes and tuck them neatly into my suitcase. “Trying to see other people while we’re dating each other is just too messy. If we’re serious about getting what we need to out of this engagement, we can’t have sex with other people.”Nicole crosses her arms. “Really. Mr. Playboy can go six months without sex.”When she puts it like that...The im

And then he crushes me to him, burying his head in my neck as he hugs me and breathes. Like he’s relieved. Like it’s not just pride or logic that’s making him possessive. Like he cares.I stand there, stroking his hair.When he does speak, his voice is gruff. “So there’s no one else?”“I’m all yours,” I try to joke. But he doesn’t laugh. Maybe because there’s too much truth in my words. Maybe because there’s too much relief in his touch.He starts to release me, reluctantly. “If you don’t want...we should...”I rise up on my tiptoes and kiss him. I know what he’s going to say, but he’s driven all logic from my brain with his touch, his mouth, his scent. I crave him, and I’m rapidly losing my will to walk away.He kisses me back, like an alcoholic who’s been offered one last drink. His hands are so tight on my hips, I wonder if I’ll bruise. If I’ll walk around all week with the marks of Nathan’s desire on my skin.I’m dizzy with want when Nathan finally shoves me away. He sinks back on

“Here. Wear this instead.” He strips off his shirt and puts it on me. His knuckles brush my bare stomach as he buttons up his shirt. It’s a sweet, chivalrous gesture. The kind he’d make if this thing between us was real.It also means I get a good look at his chest, and hot damn.He’s lean and strong, with dark hair dusting his chest and leading down to the jeans slung low on his hips.I almost ask him to take his pants off so I can see the rest of him too. Fair is fair. Nathan’s seen all of me.Instead, I tug the hem of the shirt lower to cover more of me. “This is silly. You could just give me my clothes.”“Afraid I can’t.” Nathan’s face looks gravely serious. And then he cracks a smile. “I’ve got plans for us. And none of them involve you putting your clothes back on. Remember, I’m selfish.”My stomach flutters and my body pulses.I stretch, feigning nonchalance. “I don’t know. I’m pretty tired. Maybe I’ll just take my shiny new vibrator and go back to bed.”“You know, a less secure

A second later, Kiera pops up. She gives me a thumbs up to show she’s ok. And then she goes back to crossing the field, this time more carefully.I glance at Nicole. “You’re good with kids.”She shrugs off the compliment. “I used to babysit my little cousins back in Texas. Girls Kiera’s age want to test out being a little more independent. And they’re normally tougher than their parents think.”“You mean tougher than their dads think,” I say.“Nicole slides her gloved fingers between mine. “I like that you want to protect her from everything, Nathan. And I think Kiera does too. It’s one of the things that helps her be so brave.”“You think?” My voice sounds gruff, even to my own ears.Amelia smiles up at me. She double checks Kiera isn’t watching, then sneaks a kiss. It’s sweet and chaste. Like freshly fallen snow.Then she pulls back, and we both start walking after Kiera, holding onto each other to avoid slipping on the packed snow.My chest feels weirdly warm over Nicole’s words.I