ssa'

g myself in alcohol, letting t

nk of. The only way I could numb the pain. But no matt

cohol for today,

rough-faced gentleman sat in one of the pub's

rt broken, and now alcohol is the o

he distraction. "Thank you, but I have n

ix heartbreak. Making money, building yo

ing? I'm just a nobody. No degree, no job, no home. Just an

ened slightl

d. "And he knows

his hand. "Come with me. That man

ready to step in f

ebuilt

woman. Now, I had a name. A brand. A ca

d, every movement precise. But then I saw a fac

rek. My

, the world aroun

t a little more rugged, like

ell was he

verything I had worked so hard to build. I wasn't that

my face blank. To me, he was just a

ly, pressing a hand to my

betrayal, the humiliation. How

self. There was no room for weakness. Es

en I h

voice that once made but

lis

owly and me

. "What are yo

he had something important to

you," he said. "J

eft to say," I rep

arm, gripping it

nt. After that, I'll leave you

o walk away, but a part of me-maybe ou

," I

lief. "Are you..

second before loc

es

at bobbed as he swallowed h

bitterly. "I suppos

u d

can say what you want, but we're still tied in one way or

s no bond, Derek. Whatever wa

idn't be

r, his face just

. How long have you been

he night

're still my mate. I can feel it,

he grabbed my waist an

at

rashed aga

oment, my min

age fil

strength. My palm collided w

eek in shock but

think you are? " I

d see it in his eyes-he nev

d loved him. He had never met

ling lowly. "But that kiss...

ts, my nails digg

er you want, don't you?" I his

had to know if I s

said firmly.

e with this. I thought

was h

d to wa

" he call

op. I didn'

pped out from the sha

eathed. Relief

hand. "Melissa

the same thing years ago when I

eyes, though time had added grey

tensed. I knew that express

erek's voice was ti

n't think that's any of your business," he said smoothly.

o, this is the gu

as with someone. Now, he was sea

tionship," Elijah ans

I had planned to give, but I didn't correct h

tepped closer. "We're together," he said,

ain. "More than what?" he asked

itate. "I'm going

ed, his face

nt, he see

e forced a stiff nod. "Wel

word, he turned

arply, my bo

Elijah. "I didn't mean

n't need to apologise. I had a feeli

led a

or me. And tonight, h

ou," I m

. "That man w

gaze, my v

s never goin