reading the many books on
the machine.
Removing her clothes, she quickly put her swimsuit on
and went downstairs. She found the pool empty and dove into the water. Breaking
the surface, she kept working her body in the hope of relieving some of the
stress from her tight muscles.
Chapter Nine
Clara’s tense body didn’t go unnoticed to him. Nick
finished paying for her purchases and stood to look outside of the window. He
needed to put her at ease around him once more. His attitude over the past week
would upset anyone even a fully grown man, and he’d directed it at Clara. She’d
been the receiver of much unhappiness from her family, and all he’d done was
add to it.
He hated the feeling of causing her pain. After enough
time had passed he went to the pool. She was walking up and down the pool. He
saw the tightness of her body from where he stood.
Hating every second she was nervous knowing he was the
cause he removed his clothing. He left his boxer briefs on just in case. Clara
no longer trusted him, and it was up to him to start to mend their fences. She’d
tried and got her head bitten off for her attempt.
“I like your swimsuit,” he said, drawing her attention
toward him.
“It was with all the clothes you bought.” She sank
beneath the water hiding her body. Climbing inside he moved toward her, keeping
each step steady.
“It looks good on you. I prefer you naked.”
She turned and started to swim away from him. Cursing,
Nick watched her go. They needed to cut through this stalemate somehow.
“Will you give me a fucking chance?” he asked,
shouting when he didn’t intend to. She stood up, turning to look at him.
The hurt in her eyes cut him deep.
“I told you the truth about how and why I became
outlawed. Since then I’ve been a fucking idiot, and I regret my actions.” He
splashed the water feeling helpless. At least she stopped swimming to listen to
him. “Please, talk to me.”
“I tried to talk to you after you told me everything.
You wouldn’t listen to me.”
“I know. I fucked up, okay. I was hurt, and I don’t
talk about my past with everyone. It still hurts to think about what happened.
I don’t care about not being an alpha, but knowing I failed my pack, still
fucking hurts.”
Nick decided to be honest with her rather than lie.
She would understand or at least try to.
“I’m sorry you were outlawed. You sounded like a good
alpha. You shouldn’t have been cast out for what you did.”
“I tried to be good to my pack. I’d do anything for them, even die for them if they asked.” He opened his arms
wide, looking around the pool. “When I bought you, I did it because I wanted to
fuck a female wolf. I’ve been with hundreds of women, and none of them can take
what I can give. I love hard sex, rough sex.” He ran fingers through his hair
as he put himself on the line. “I know I’m asking for a lot, but all I want is
your forgiveness, Clara. I fucked up, but I don’t just want sex from you. I
want it all even though I don’t deserve shit from you.”
“Why don’t you deserve anything from me?” she asked.
“I killed someone.” He no longer cared he was a
murderer. Over the years since it happened he had revisited that night over and
over again and realized he wouldn’t change a damn thing.
Any man who forced themselves and then killed a woman
deserved to die in his book. His pack was his life, and protecting every member
ran within his veins.
“You did it because he hurt one of your family . A pack is supposed to be your family. I don’t think
badly of you, Nick. I admire your strength and your courage.”
She stepped closer. He forced himself to stay still,
giving her more than enough room to pad the water toward him.
“Not only did you exact your own justice, you gave her
mate some peace of mind. He killed himself, but before they gave you such an
awful sentence, he wouldn’t have. You’re not responsible for his death. The
collective of