Chapter 16
“I’m sorry. This is how I feel.” He just studies me, waiting for my words to tumble out.
Inhaling for a long moment, he lets his breath out slow through parted lips, tongue licking
them, moistening them. I want to groan with the sight I have at the moment.
“I can smell
you, Rya. I can catch you on the breeze when I least expect it. You smell innocent, as if your skin is waiting for mine.” He takes just the tiniest step toward me. I
could reach out now and touch him if I want to. I don’t. Instead, I take his scent into me, inhaling long and slow. I smell the complete maleness of him, the sweet desire of him.
“I can smell you, Clayton, yet underneath all your layers, I can smell Kennedy. I can smell her in every pore, every crack of your skin, everywhere. I’m not sure she could ever really
fade
away from your smell.” I want to weep with this thought.
“I don’t want her scent to fade off my skin, but I want to be on your skin.”
“Does she know you’re here?” I wait for his answer.
“No.” Shame fills his face.
“You need to leave me alone, Clayton. I can’t do this. I’m not the other female. I’m not that type of person.” My eyes are stinging from all my crying.
“I can’t.” He’s looking at me again. “I’m sorry. I want to leave you alone, but I just can’t. I can’t stop loving her, either. I can’t turn that off.”
“You can’t have the both of us.”
“I know that.”
“Then I will make that choice for you. Stop looking at me, stop following me around, and stop trying to contact me. I need you to just leave. Turn around and walk away like you did that day. Go to her. Go to where you belong.” He doesn’t move.
Th
It’s my move, and I choose to give him my back, taking the first real step away. It’s forced out of embarrassment or to not cause a scene. This is my choice to walk away willingly. In a way, I can breathe just a touch easier than before.
I turn around one last time. He’s still standing in that same spot, unable to move away from
- me.
“Screw you, Clayton, for doing this to me.” I’m not malicious in my words; they aren’t harsh.
don’t scream them out. They are just my soft tri
Closing my door, I breathe out a slow, painful breath.
The mirror above the basin of the sink holds my reflection in the glass. The image staring back has red, puffy eyes and tired lungs. I watch as the smallest breeze finds its way in to gently blow the delicate curtains up. Staring at myself, I just see a female who is only trying to exist. Nothing more, nothing less, just existing
Stepping into the shower, I wash away the faint layer of his scent that was trying to cling to me. Down the drain, the soapy water takes him away, nothing to linger, nothing to remind
me that he’s been here.
My walk back to the clinic is quiet. Nature’s background noise is soothing to my soul. Dallas is there locking the door, head down, a backpack slung over his one shoulder as if he’s just getting done with school. He walks away in the opposite direction, his hand in his pocket. I watch as he goes by my car; a fingertip traces the front, gliding across the length of it before ending at the back. He puts his hand back in his pocket. Even strides carry him away. I just stand there looking at him before I decide to call out to him.
“Hey, Dallas! Do you need a ride home?” I jingle my keys in my hand, waiting for an answer.
Surprised, his smiling eyes meet mine.
“If you’re going that way, sure.”
“I’m not sure where you even live, but I can drive you. I’m not really busy at the moment.”
“Thanks, I appreciate this.” He’s at the side of my car. Opening it, I let him in. He’s nervous but maintaining appearances.
Rolling down his window, he takes some deep breaths in as the wind swirls around inside
The Alpha’s Greatest Mistake
Chapter 16
between us.
“Turn right here, just at the end of this road.” I pull off the main road onto a dirt road winding like a snake into the forest. A small cottage just like mine sits solitary on the edge of the lake. It’s on the opposite side from my house.
I wasn’t expecting this. I thought he would have something grand, doctor–ish. Looking around, it’s a simple, small home, well built with dark grey siding that blends well with the
cenery.
“Would you like to come in? I could make us dinner if you haven’t eaten yet today.” I can tell he’s slightly nervous with the way he says it.
I hesitate, not sure of what to say.
“It’s okay. Sorry. I just thought if you haven’t eaten, and I haven’t…it’s just better sometimes, not eating alone.” His words hold a touch of hollowness
