Chapter 42
He never took accountability.
I cut off our connection.
Less than five minutes later, my phone buzzed in my lap. “I’m sorry. I miss you. The account’s been unfrozen.”
I stared at the screen. He was still playing the same tired game. I wanted to text back something cruel, but all my savings were in that account, and well… I needed the money.
So, I set the phone down and folded my hands in my lap.
This was the first time I felt money might actually be on my side. I’d never actually spent a dime on myself. And now, it was time to use it for something valuable.
Something like happiness.
–
A few minutes later, I was back at Aaron’s house. He wasn’t home when I arrived, so I headed straight to my room and set the small gift bag on the dresser. I pulled out scented candles from the bag. I positioned the candles on the nightstand and lit them. The scent of lavender filled the room, coating the space with a warm glow.
After that, I sent a text to Aaron asking when he’d be back. Thirty minutes, he responded.
I dropped my phone and moved to the bathroom to take a shower. Once
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that was done, I sprayed my favorite perfume, slipped into a red negligee and wrapped myself in a robe. I sat on the bed and waited.
However, an hour passed and he still wasn’t back yet. I glanced at my phone again, thumb hovering over his contact when I heard the crunch of tires outside.
A moment later, I heard his footsteps against the gravel, then the porch, the stairs, and finally there was a soft knock on the door.
His scent reached me, making Lucky excited. I tugged at the hem of the robe as I opened the door.
He paused in the threshold, eyebrows lifting as he took in the candlelight. His eyes moved to me, dark hair loose, tiny robe wrapped tightly around my body. I suddenly felt nervous under his gaze, but I managed to shake it off.
“I, uh… didn’t know we were having a moment tonight,” he said with a small smile.
“You’re late.”
He ran a hand through his hair. I wanted to do that… I hoped I’d be doing it soon. “I got caught up in something. Sorry. You look…” he trailed off without completing the sentence.
I held back a grin and patted the bed. “Sit.”
“I received Xander’s response today,” I began, keeping my gaze fixed on Aaron. “He’s accusing me of defamation, adultery, a full list of sins so he can make me out to be the villain. I had to tell Hailey everything. She wants me to move out. She thinks it could weaken my case if I stay here.”
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“What?” Aaron seemed angry.
I let my fingers slip through my hair, closing my eyes, drawing the moment out, feeling his gaze like a touch on my skin. “I went to see Hailey. She thinks I should leave your house, find somewhere else to stay for now.”
His voice comes low, tight. “Why the hell would you need to do that?”
I open my eyes, my hands falling back to my sides. “Apparently, it’s bad for my case. And I just thought… why me? Why is it that happiness slips right through my fingers every time I think I’ve finally caught it?”
He opens his mouth, but I lift my hand, silencing him. “I’m done being sad about it, Aaron.” My fingers moved to the belt of my robe as I said the words. I pushed it open, revealing the red negligee I’d chosen.
Aaron’s gaze snapped to my chest, where the tiny lace of the nightwear did little to conceal my breasts. His eyes moved lower, noting how my nipples pushed against the thin fabric, lower still, tracing every curve of my body.
His jaw tightened. I could see the heat in his eyes, could feel his wolf’s desire for me.
I moved closer to him, hooking a finger around a strap of the negligee. “I finally figured it out.” I pulled the strap down to my shoulders. “The way to find happiness.” I moved my finger to the next one. “I can’t wait for the world to give it to me.” I pulled it down, letting my breasts spill out. “I have to reach out and take it, no matter the cost.”
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