Page 139 of Soul Mates: Hercules Valentine and I

What a prick.

I set my scowl on the dank waters of the Hudson and take solace with the fact that I have a date on Friday night. It’ll be my first night out with the opposite sex since Hercules. I must admit I’m sort of excited, though. Ronald Ashton is the nephew of our driver, Greg. He’s a brilliant rebound guy. He’s one of the world’s greatest physicists. He’s brilliant, cute, and successful.Take that, Hercules.

If he’s getting married so soon after our breakup, then why should I strap a chastity belt over my vagina and heart. Heck, Ronald is a scientist. Surely he can find his way around my lady parts with the sort of expert precision that Hercules had.

But who am I kidding?

I only decided to go on a date with Ronald for one reason. And it has nothing to do with Hercules and his new fiancée or me feeling lonely.

It’s because—

I’m nearly sideswiped by a faster runner, who forced me to turn away from the river and really pay attention to where I’m going.

And then…

My feet stop dead in their tracks. I press my hands over my wildly beating heart. My head is dizzy. I think I’m going to pass out. Maybe I’ve already passed out, and now I’m dreaming.

I shake my head as I rip my gaze off the impeccably dressed man who’s blocking my path and set my eyes on the water.

One…

I close my eyes.

Two… Three…

Opening my eyes again, I face forward and whisper breathlessly, “What are you doing here?”

Hercules Valentine takes steps to stand in front of me. “I need you.”

Chapter Forty-Eight

Lost in the Cold

Paisley Grove

Three Months Ago

The tears on my face turn to ice as they mingle with snow pelting my skin. My fingers and toes are numb. My joints ache, and my head throbs. Scenes change rapidly as I move through different neighborhoods. Every now and then, rows of awnings bring a reprieve from the stinging snow. The lights and activity of warm bars, restaurants, and drugstores draw my attention, beckoning me to come in and get warm. Being still will on make the seething pain my heart feels worse.

I can’t get the scene out of my head.

“Paisley Grove, stand up and put your hands above your head,” the officer said.

My wide eyes shifted from the barrel the uniformed man’s weapon to Hercules’s cold expression. His glare and the gun were aimed at my face.

Without denying the fact that I was Paisley Grove, I rose to my feet and put my hands up.

“Hercules, I can explain,” I said, taking in every detail of his face as if I would never be that close to him again.

“You’ve had two weeks to explain,” he growled then turned his back on me and walked out of the pod.

Two more security guards entered the room. I was not allowed to take anything with me as the burly men escorted me off the premises, dumping on the sidewalk like yesterday’s trash. Thankfully, no one was around to see my walk of shame. I had no idea what to do or where to go next. I felt like a woman without a home.

But I was going to tell him that night, but I panicked when I saw Eden. I’d wanted to say that to him before he turned on me and stormed out of the pod.

Damn. Why didn’t I just say something while I was in his home and his bed?I’m so angry at Max for convincing me to put myself in this situation. He’s the reason Hercules will never trust me again.

But I really do love him. Only, the truth is that I can’t love someone while simultaneously deceiving them. I feel like a horrible human being.