Free Love & Hate (Book Two: Love) by JJ Dorn Page B

Seriously, could I embarrass myself some more in front of my ex?
    “ I’m fine, I’m fine. This happens sometimes. I loose feeling, it’s not a big deal.” I say trying to use the wall to brace myself so I can stand up.
    “ Here, let me.” He says and scoops me up into his arms. He walks me back to my room and to the bed. He folds back the comforter and tucks me neatly into the covers.
    “ Thanks.” I say sheepishly. Can you die of embarrassment?
    “ You need your rest Paige.” He walks over to the side of the room and shuts off the lights. The only light on now is the small bedside lamp on my nightstand.
    “ I am pretty tired. I did do a lot of dancing.”
    “ Yes you did darling.”
    I sit straight up in my bed looking at him wide eyed. “It was you, wasn’t it?”
    “ What are you talking about?” He blinks a few times in confusion.
    “ Tonight in the cage. You were the guy dancing with me, weren’t you?”
    “ I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He says as he sits down in the high-back antique chair next to my bed.
    “ Aren’t you leaving?” I didn’t mean for that to come out so blunt but it shocked me when he sat down. Plus he is pissing me off not admitting it was him dancing with me.
    “ No. I’m staying until Millie gets home. You shouldn’t be alone right now Paige.” He states quietly.
    “ What if I don’t want you to stay?” I know I’m poking the bear but I can’t stop, I need to understand this new concern he has for me.
    “ Too bad.” He says to me and tips his head back resting it on the back of the chair. He is clearly accepting my challenge.
    “ I don’t get you.”
    “ That makes two of us.” He says in return.
    “ No seriously, I don’t get why you are here at all. I don’t get why you care what happens to me. I know you hate me.”
    He lets out a deep sigh from the corner. “You don’t know anything. You think you do, but you don’t.” He says quietly but sternly. Oh, really?
    “ I know you lied to me. I know you used me. I know you left me when I was fighting for my life. I know that!” Shit, that wasn’t supposed to come out.
    “ Paige…” He stands up and closes the distance between us. He picks up my hand that is lying at my side and grasps it in his. “Look there is things we need to talk about, okay? Things you need to know, but not now. Not when you’re drunk. This isn’t the right time.” When is the right time? It’s only been almost two years you asshat!
    “ Whatever.” I am acting like a total bitch but who cares he deserves it and so much more.
    “ I know you’re angry at me and you have every right to be, but I want to make this right. I need to make this right.” I don’t look at him and just stare at the wall. “Paige…will you look at me?”
    I refuse because I know the minute I do I will cry or scream or both so I just keep staring at the wall. I should have known that Cutter wouldn’t accept this and he doesn’t. He lightly cradles my cheek with the palm of his hand forcing me to look at him. He is so close to me now. I feel that familiar heat cover my body that only he can cause. I know he is going to kiss me and I know it will be earth shattering but that’s what scares me to my core.
    “ Please don’t.” I say in hushed tone. He looks down at me, eyes roaming my face looking past my words and into my soul for the confirmation he desires. I know he will find it if he continues to look and I know I will give into him unless I say something.
    “ Please Cutter, I can’t survive you twice.”
    It feels like my words are just a whisper but I know he hears them because I watch the pain dart across his eyes. He lets go of my cheek and steps back. He sits down in the chair and puts his feet up on the matching ottoman.
    “ Sleep darling, all that cage dancing has surely worn you out.”
    My eyes snap open and I look at him only to be met with that steely cool gaze. So it was him that I was dancing with