Just as Anathea turned to leave the room, she heard a faint rustling behind her.
“The couch is too hard. You won’t sleep comfortably,” Gregory sal
“It’s just one night. I’ll be fine-
Before she could finish, a pair of strong arms suddenly wrapped around her waist from behind.
Her entire body tensed. The rest of her
naught in her throat
She could clearly feel his breath against her ear.
Gregory rested his chin on her shoulder. The wave of heat.
crisp scent of cedar inxed with the sharp tang of alcohol washed over her like a
She froze for a moment, then instinctively tried to pull away. Yet, he only held her tighter.
“Annie, just let me hold you for a little while. I’ve missed you so much that it’s driving me crazy,” he murmured.
A flicker of emotion passed through her eyes.
Gregory’s voice grew husky as he continued, “I’ve lived nearly 30 years without ever regretting a single decision. I always believed that every choice I made was the right one, but…”
Anathea could sense what he was about to
ache started pulsing in her temples.
to say next. Maybe it was the alcohol on his breath or the heat from his body, but a dull
Gregory lowered his head, resting his chin against her neck. Anathea felt his warm breath slip beneath her collar as he murmured, “I regret it.”
Her heart skipped a beat, then stumbled into an unsteady rhythm, faltering in her chest.
Gregory continued, “I regret letting you go. I never wanted to trap you, but I do regret signing those divorce papers. I gave up the only rightful place I had beside you. Now, all I can do is stand by and watch you with other men.
“I see you smile at them, and even if I know it isn’t love, it still drives me insane with jealousy. I used to pretend it didn’t bother me, but I was only fooling myself. I’m not generous. I’m selfish, petty, and possessive. I just want to be the only man by your side.”
He turned her around gently and pleaded, “Annie, can we start over?”
Her fingers curled slightly at her sides, but she flatly said, “You’re drunk.”
She tried to push him away, but he was too strong. She couldn’t break free.
“Yes, I’m drunk, but my mind is clear. I know exactly what I’m saying,” Gregory said firmly.
From the moment he saw her again in Grendova–when she took off his mask at the ball–all the restraint he had held onto crumbled. Everything he had buried surged back to the surface.
Even after holding himself back for three whole months, he still couldn’t stop thinking about her. He simply couldn’t let go.
He lowered his head again, resting his forehead gently against hers. Anathea once again felt his warm breath brush against her skin as he whispered, “Annie, I miss you so much. Can we start over?”
His body radiated heat against hers, stealing every breath from the space between them.
“Let me be the one to chase after you this time. You said you were red, didn’t you? Then let me carry the weight. Just give me a chance to make things right,” he begged.
Anathea froze.
Chapter 509
+25 BONUS
He cupped her face in his hands, staring deep into her eyes. There was a hint of red in his eyes, as if he were on the verge of tears. The alcohol had stripped away his usual control. The emotion pouring out of him was overwhelming
She didn’t answer.
He asked again, “Please, Annie?”
He needed her answer so badly that he kept repeating the question His lips hovered so close they were nearly brushing her
lashes.
