White Collared Part Three: Revenge Read Online Free PDF Page A

pity. Not when there were so many other things she did want from him. “What about you?”
    His hands fell to his sides. “Me? I’m an open book.”
    “Why’d you stay married to Alyssa? Why didn’t you ask for a divorce?” He clenched his jaw and didn’t speak. She didn’t think he would. “Not an open book after all, are you?”
    It was so easy for Jaxon and Nick to play hero to her damsel in distress, but she couldn’t help feeling as if she were playing with fire, and in the end she’d be left burned and alone. “Do you think Nick suspects we’re involved?”
    A flash of anger crossed his face. “Would it bother you if he did?”
    “No. I think I’d be relieved if he knew the truth. It feels as if there’s a boulder on my chest whenever I see him.”
    “But you’re not sure if you want to let him go either,” he said quietly.
    She glided her fingers over the banister of the staircase. “I don’t have to let him go. I don’t have him.”
    “You’re wrong.” He swerved her around and pressed her back into the banister. “I see how he looks at you. He’s in love with you. It killed him to let you go home with me.”
    Her heart thumped a little bit faster, thrown by his dangerous reaction. “But he did. If he loved me, don’t you think he’d fight a little harder?”
    He dipped his head, his lips curled. “Is that what I am to you? A red flag to wave under the bull’s nose to get his attention?”
    She slid her arms around his waist. “No, I told you. I have real feelings for you.”
    His gaze bored into her. “But you don’t trust me.”
    Panic edged its way in along with a bit of anger. “I’m here aren’t I? I’ve let you spank me with my brush and fuck me at a sex club. What else do I have to do to prove to you that I trust you?”
    “Tell me why you’re afraid of the police and the media. You were fine in court, but you freaked out when the media surrounded you and when the cop questioned you.” He braced her head in his hands. “Tell me why Rachel Dawson saying Katerina sent you spiraling out of control.”
    Her eyes burned with tears she couldn’t cry. She was going to lose him. “I want to, Jaxon. You have no idea how much I want to. But I can’t. I’m sorry.”
    For a moment he didn’t speak. Didn’t blink. Then he dropped his hands to his sides and stepped back from her. “I’m sorry too.” He started climbing the stairs. “Come on. I’ll show you to your room.”
    She sprinted after him and tugged his elbow to get him to stop. “My room? You’re not going to sleep with me?”
    He peered over his shoulder. “No. You’ve had a shock today, and you need your rest.”
    “What I need is you.” She stepped past him, blocking him, and placed both hands on his shoulders.
    “Sex won’t make things better.”
    He was right. Sex wouldn’t make things better. But it was more than sex with him. And tonight, more than any other night in her life, she wanted the escape making love with him afforded her. Wanted the rush of endorphins that temporarily transported her to heaven. Especially since a girl like her would never get to heaven any other way.
    She brushed her fingers over his frown lines on his forehead. “You’re upset with me.”
    He let out his breath with a shudder and grabbed her wrists. “Kate, I was married to a woman who kept secrets from me. I don’t think I can go into another relationship with someone who doesn’t trust me enough to be honest with me.”
    Her heart skidded to a halt. “I don’t understand. What do you want from me?”
    “Everything. Every breath. Every thought. Every smile. Every damned tear.” His eyes darkened. “I won’t share you. Not with Nick. Not with anyone.” He nuzzled her neck. “If another man breathes the same air as you, I want to rip his lungs out. Break his nose so he can’t inhale the sweet perfume of your arousal. Blind him so he won’t see you smile. Burn his hands so he’ll never touch you. I want