14 Getting To Know You
Tia.
I sat quietly in the car while Luke drove us to the resort. I couldn’t utter a word. The exchange between him and Caleb over me was embracing, and I felt like my presence in their home was driving a wedge between them.
We got to the resort and entered our room quietly. The room was exquisite, fit for a couple in love, but we weren’t.
We set our things down and settled into the Chalet. The air was clean, and it felt new. Different. If nothing, I knew I would have some peace. I won’t have to walk on eggshells, avoid being alone with Caleb and deal with an absent husband. I did not know if Luke was telling the truth about Elisabeth, but deep down, I hoped he was. I wanted to try too. The rest of our lives was long, and I wished we could find something to keep us. I watched him set his wristwatch on the bed stand, and I hoped he was telling me the truth about Elisabeth, and his late nights were indeed what he said they were.
“Why are you being nice to me, Luke?” I asked him, suspicious of his intentions towards me. He looked at me and seemed speechless. After placing our suitcases in the cupboard, he sat on the couch. I sat at the foot of the kingsize bed, waiting for an answer. “Why will you ask me that?” He asked softly as if I had asked a confusing question. “Well, this is quite a contrast from what you told me when you visited me at my father’s house. You were clear on many things,” I said to him so he would know I hadn’t forgotten the awful things he said sitting on the porch the day he visited with his father.
Luke bowed his head and seemed a bit ashamed.
“I came to your house, angry and hurt. Stacy had said some things to me, and I overreacted. I also wanted to study you. I did not mean anything I said,” He said to me and looked at me with his blue eyes pleading for me to believe him.
” Elisabeth? Didn’t you love her enough?” I asked him, and a hint of sadness washed through his face.
“I cared a lot about her, but Stacy had made my dad force me into marrying you, knowing full well you were interested in my brother. I knew you would be sad and miserable. I could not in good conscience let you be miserable alone. How could I watch your life change drastically while mine remained intact? Above all, I could not disrespect you by keeping a mistress, and I did not want Elisabeth to be a mistress. She could move on, fall in love and settle down with someone else. So we are not miserable together; I am determined to put an effort, Tia, even if not for romance but for friendship,” He said, and his words surprised me. Why did they say he was an asshole? He wasn’t full of shit.
“You are kind to me,” I said, summing up his behaviour towards me.
will people say bad things about you?” I asked, and he
since I was little. She did not want me to succeed my father,
disqualify me for the Alpha
anyone?” I asked, surprised, and he shook his
I knew
think Stacy tried to kill you?” I asked,
in trouble. As strong as my father may
no. He was a true gentleman and patient. He was also my husband.
of the day watching movies and talking
when it was time to sleep
got ready, and
shirt. He didn’t button all the way up so I could see the tattoos on his chest. He looked hot. His eyes caught me
night when I watch you sleep and have to cover you with the blanket,” He said, and I was embarrassed by his words. I was wearing an oversized T-shirt with lace panties he bought me. Luke bought a lot of sexy stuff for me. He really wanted to try; I relaxed and hoped this would lead
do you like your coffee?” He asked me, ready to
he raised an eyebrow and looked at
that combo?” He asked, looking amused and not disgusted as
get creative often,” I said, and he looked a bit
it reacts like poison to
milk allowed,” He said, and I was surprised at
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