Unbearable Read Online Free PDF

in my anger. He was my husband, not my father, and he couldn’t tell me what to do.
    Garen lowered his voice. “Hang. Up. The. Veil. Now,” he growled low. For a split second I thought he’d strike me.
    I stepped back as he came closer, then quickly chastised myself for overreacting. “I said I’ll hang it up when I’m ready.” My voice quivered just a little, but I stood my ground.
    I didn’t see it coming, but I felt the sting against my cheek as he backhanded my face. He grabbed me by the shoulders and shoved me toward the veil, his fingers biting into my skin. I could feel the bruises forming under his grip. He shook me hard, rattling my teeth.
    “I said now .”
    “Stop it, you’re hurting me!” I pulled free as a tear tumbled down my cheek. He stepped closer to me and I shied back, covering my face. A small scream escaped my throat.
    “Terese.” Garen pulled me to his chest and stroked my hair. “Oh, Terese. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.” He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at my cheek. I saw a spot of blood on it as he drew back. Carefully folding the hankie, he placed it back into his pocket.
    “It won’t ever happen again. I swear,” he promised. “It just made me crazy when you spoke to me so rudely. I have to remember we come from different backgrounds.”
    “Different backgrounds?” I leaned back. “If you’re implying that since you come from money it is okay to hit me, you’re sadly mistaken. It won’t happen again. I won’t put up with abuse. Understood?”
    “Yes, completely,” he said with contrition. He moved back and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Terese. It’s been a long day. I took my disappointment over the simple reception out on you. That was unfair. It won’t happen again.” He sat on the edge of the bed and buried his face in his hands. “I’ve never hit anyone before. I don’t know what happened. I’m so ashamed.”
    He looked up at me; tears rimmed his eyes. “Garen.” I sat next to him and put my arm around his shoulder as my heart softened. “It’s been a long day for both of us. Let’s forget this even happened.” I ran my fingers through his golden blond hair.
    “Thank you, Terese. I don’t deserve you.” He kissed my still stinging cheek ever so gently. “I promise, never again.”
    I nodded. “It’s in the past. Now, let’s get busy honeymooning.” I smiled seductively, hoping I hadn’t made a big mistake marrying Garen today.

 
    Chapter 3
    Tess
    Present Day
     
    “Would you mind if I followed you instead?” I asked Lilah as she led us to her car. I waved to Booker—all six-foot, dimpled-grinned, deep-brown eyes of him. He freely offered back his signature part-sexy, part-playful grin. If I was going to fall for a guy ever again, it could easily be him . . . but I had no plans of going down that road. Ever.
    “Tess, I noticed when you pulled in that your car doesn’t sound so good. Are you sure you don’t want to ride with us?” Lilah asked as Mags opened the door to the newly waxed orange bug.
    “I need to go to Walgreens,” I explained. “It’s over by the restaurant, so if I drive I won’t have to go back and forth.”
    “I need to get some things from Walgreens, too. We can stop on the way back,” Maggie offered, adding, “Lilah’s right about your car. It doesn’t sound good.”
    “It’s settled then.” Lilah smiled warmly. I knew they were trying to be helpful, but I had to dye my hair again and needed to get some coloring.
    “Okay,” I nodded reluctantly. “Let me get my purse.” I grabbed it from the trunk of my car then hurried over to Lilah’s and got in.
    Lilah turned a CD on low as we drove to the restaurant. I smiled to myself. Having lost her mother as a child, Lilah found comfort listening to her mother’s much beloved Ricky Martin music. She sang along as Maggie laughed.
    “What does Cole think about your love affair with Martin?” she teased.
    “No contest: Ricky has