Page 38 of The Curse Trilogy

“That’s not what I was going to say. I was going to say, knowing our history together. I know how much you loved me, and I know how hard it was for you to leave me when you thought I didn’t return the same amount. I shouldn’t have pushed you that far. I’m sorry,” he murmurs so sincerely. “You didn’t do that because you’re a hybrid because you wouldn’t have done that with just anyone. I know that, and so do you.”

“I shouldn’t have done it all. I should have just fucking bled to death. I wanted you, and now I’m going to have to tell Brazen what I’ve done,” I cry, and I turn over to sob away from him. “He’s going to be devastated.”

“Does he know that you and I are-”

“No,” I blare in interruption. “And he’s not going to. I think he’s got enough shit on his plate, and after tonight, I’m probably going to be one less burden for him to bear.”

“You could always come back to me. You know I love you, and I’m not just saying that because of the blood fuck,” he murmurs gently, and his lips begin stroking my shoulder.

“No I can’t, Hale. You keep acting as if I can just forget the damage done. I can’t. Even if things end with Brazen - or when they do - I still can’t move past the trail of tears you had me leave behind,” I strain out, and then I climb free from the bed.

I stare around at the destroyed room, and I shake my head when I stagger from the sexual overexertion mixed with the high that has just plummeted back down to reality. The reality is, I just cheated on Brazen.

“Let me walk you back to your room,” he sighs out with reluctance when he decides not to push me any farther.

“No. I think we’ve spent enough time together for one night,” I huff, and I pick up the dress to toss it into the trash can.

“It wasn’t a request. I’m walking you to your damn room. It’s the least I can do,” he strains out with a pained tone.

I don’t say another word as he pulls on a loose set of track pants to follow me out. I peek outside the door to check for anyone that might be passing by, and I sigh in relief when I see the hallway is clear.

As soon as we start making our way down the hall, a man walks out of a room and halts to salute Hale.

“Captain,” the man says, and then he passes on when Hale salutes back.

I’m frozen in my humiliation when the man lets a smirk escape, and I turn to see Hale blushing lightly while unsuccessfully stifling a smirk of his own.

“Great. Now everyone in here will know I’m a cheating slut,” I grumble.

He jerks me around to face him, and his hands grip me at the small of my back as his eyes narrow at me.

“It wasn’t over. The effects were still in play. You’re eyes were still dilated. You were trying to fight it, but you can’t. Don’t call yourself a slut ever again because you’re not,” he admonishes.

“I’m a hybrid. We’re all sluts,” I huff, and he jerks me tighter as his eyes continue to scold me.

“No we’re not. I could have fucked a hundred or more girls these past three years, but I didn’t because I love you. You could have fucked anyone you wanted to at anytime, but you didn’t. You’ve been dedicated to one person, just like you were dedicated to me. Fucking someone while you’re under the effects of their blood doesn’t count as cheating, and it sure as hell doesn’t make you a slut. We’re better than they think we are, and you’re a hell of a lot better than you’re giving yourself credit for. Don’t tell him, and I swear you’ll have nothing to feel guilty about. I’ll never breathe a word about this unless it’s in your defense. I just want you to know I’m yours if you ever find a way to forgive me, but I would never do anything to take something away from you. If you love him - and I mean really love him the way you did me - then I won’t stand in your way,” he asserts. “The problem is, I don’t think you do. I think you just found someone to be the opposite of me, and now you’re trying to find a way out. If you need a way out, then come back to me. Like I said, I’m yours,” he says softly, and his lips threaten mine as he pulls me to him.

I almost give into the wonderfully promising kiss after hearing his gentle, soft, and perfect words that seem to have put my mind at ease, but then another man’s voice interjects.

“Captain Banner, Sir. I was just on my way to tell you of the damages, Sir,” the trembling voice announces.

Hale tightens his lips that never reached mine due to the interruption, and he turns to face the man while stepping in front of me to hide my skimpy attire.

“And?” Hale asks impatiently.

“The hybrids and full bloods have been healed, and the humans have been medically attended to without further fatalities, Sir,” the man obliges.

“Thank you, Private,” Hale murmurs, and the man offers a salute before walking away.

“I’ll see you later,” I sigh, and I walk over to the door that holds the cold promise of guilt once inside.

“I love you, Araya. I mean that. I’m here for you, always,” he murmurs.

“I’ll always love you, Hale, but I can’t be with you again. It’s too painful to worry about the future, and I would question every move you made. I’d read something into everything you said, every time you were gone too long, and every time we fucked instead of talked. Tonight… it was surreal. I won’t lie about that, but I can’t take the rest.”

His eyes show his resistance, but that’s just Hale. He never has been good at hearing no.

“Do you need me to stay with you until Brazen gets back. You haven’t really talked about Javeline,” he murmurs thoughtfully, and his thumb strokes my lower lip that has started to pucker upon the mentioning of my destroyed home that I’ve known for the past three years.