Free The Pentagram Child: Part 1 (Afterlife Saga Book 5) by Stephanie Hudson Page B

sour taste in Catherine’s experience of the country. I thought this time I could show her the real beauty of Italy and that it has so much more to offer.” I closed my eyes when he finished and banged my head back on the chair before turning my face to his.
    “Alex…don’t,” I whispered on a sigh but didn’t know why I even bothered as the damage had already been done.
    “Right…right…” Draven for the first time looked dumbstruck as he tried to find his words and Sophia had her eyes closed as if feeling her brother’s pain. I thought back to how that sounded and wondered if Alex had said it that way on purpose. Christ, but it had made me look like the biggest, most heartless bitch in existence! 
    “Draven I…” I started but as before I wasn’t going to be able to get a word out.
    “Well I’d better get going, Catherine.” He nodded for me to get up with him to say goodbye in private and I happily complied just so that I could have a minute of freedom from being crushed to death by my guilt. When we were out of earshot I frowned up at Alex and said,
    “You didn’t have to say it like that!” He simply smiled down at me making me for once want to slap that handsome face.
    “Catherine, I understand that I don’t know exactly know what happened between you two but I do remember the hurt I saw etched deep there when I first met you…don’t forget what he put you through, ma chérie.” He said running a perfectly manicured fingertip down my cheek.
    “I haven’t forgotten Alex, I just choose not to be a bitch about it!” I snapped back turning my face from his caress. God, I was so frustrated and just wanted to stomp away from both of them and drink myself stupid till I forgot either of their names!
    “Forgive me for being protective of my girlfriend’s pride but I guess with dating a man like that you were used to being walked over.” Now it was Alex’s turn to get snappy. I took a deep breath and tried to remember that there was little doubt that we were being overheard, even this far away from the top table.
    “Let’s just forget about it. Text me later?” I asked not wanting to say goodbye on a disagreement. That was the other weird thing about me and Alex, we very rarely argued and I think the only major one was when I tried to press for information about what happened to his parents. He had walked out and not called me for three days making me wonder if it was over or not.
    His eyes softened and when he smiled he got that trademark line in his cheek.
    “Don’t I always?” I smiled back at his answer.
    “Alright then, I will see you in a few days.” I said leaning up and kissing him on his cheek. I then turned to go back to the table but was halted mid step with a hand on my arm.
    “Alex?”
    “Don’t I get a real kiss goodbye?” He said laughing.
    “I…I don’t think that’s a good idea, not with…” I never got to finish as Alex pulled me to him and crushed his lips over mine before I could utter another syllable. He tilted my head with his hand on my neck and deepened the kiss. My hands fisted in his shirt as I held fast the urge to push him away. It didn’t feel right to me rubbing Draven’s nose in it and I started to feel sick. Luckily Alex let me go but not before kissing my neck, which I knew was so he could look at Draven over my shoulder. I felt him smile on my skin at whatever he must have seen and that sick feeling doubled.
    I stepped away abruptly and muttered a goodbye before rushing back to the table, only chickening out half way there and running for the balcony instead. It was admittedly one of the last places I ever wanted to see again, knowing how many painful and delicious memories it held for me but what choice did I have.
    I felt my phone ping in my pocket and I groaned when I saw it was a text message from Alex.
     
    ‘Sorry, I know it was wrong but I needed to stake my claim.
    Please don’t blame me for being an overbearing asshole
    Miss you