Unapologetic (A Novel)
Page 22
He gently pulled back, readying to leave as he intently watched me. “I always knew you still loved me, you know … But when you used to speak such vile things to me, I began to doubt myself.”
Those memories hadn’t left my conscience, and for that I was sorry for being such a glorified bitch.
“It took a while for me to understand what I was feeling. It was a terrible process. I hope you can forgive me for that.”
“I know, and we’re stronger for it.” He crawled back into bed to kiss me senselessly. “Love like ours never dies.”
“More like crazy,” I muttered against his lips, hating that he had to leave, yet knowing Hailey shouldn’t wait. Our future was at stake, and we wouldn’t be able to move forward if her stench plagued us.
“I love you like crazy, Cara Quinn.”
“Hurry back, okay? I just want to get this over with. It’s causing me anxiety.”
Fuck, this man was going to be the death of me. How did I ever manage to think that I could fall out of love with him? The man had captured my heart at eleven, seized my soul at thirteen, and conquered my body at sixteen.
“Okay, I gotta go. Love you again.”
“Back at ya, babe.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
I was in the kitchen, drinking a glass of water, when River walked in with a crestfallen face. A mammoth indicator that all didn’t go well.
“What happened?” I immediately asked, rushing toward him.
He seemed troubled, still in shock. At the same time, he looked confused.
What did Hailey do? I mean, what could she do to affect him in such a way? Did she hit him with something?
My thoughts ran amuck as I impatiently waited for him to describe his brief visit to her house.
River shrugged before resting his forehead against mine, holding me like I was the only thing that held him together.
“She didn’t take it well,” he slowly began. “I expected that. Of course I did.”
“But?”
“She made threats. She was hysterical, but I’m not sure if she’ll follow through with it.”
What kind of woman would do such a heinous thing, threatening a man who clearly didn’t want to be with her? Was this how spoiled, little, rich girls acted?
“What kind of threats? She needed to toughen the fuck up. It’s only a breakup, not a divorce. What the hell!”
“Work-related stuff.” He shook his head in pure disbelief. “You do know her father’s quite powerful and influential, right? It’ll be really fucked-up if she becomes spiteful and asks him to meddle in my business affairs.”
What a savage cunt. A spiteful savage cunt at that.
Putting my opinions aside, I focused on River. It was his livelihood she was about to mess with, which was beyond preposterous.
Channeling a cool demeanor, I tried to smile to lighten him up. “Hailey’s hurt. We of all people know that when we’re in pain, we say things we don’t really mean. I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about.” I stood on tiptoe to kiss his lips before cradling his face. “If she really cares about you, she won’t hurt you like that.”
Vindictive people were mercurial. But if she cared for River, she wouldn’t try to hurt his career. What kind of monster would do such a thing?
“Let’s hope so.” He sounded so depleted. It tore me to see him like this. “Cara?”
“Hmmm?”
He breathed out before lovingly gazing into my eyes. “I know it’s been crazy and all, but … I just wanna say that you have no idea how happy you’ve made me.”
Jesus.
“I love you, too.”
It was overwhelming. Of course it was, but my mind lingered on Hailey and what harm she intended to do.
“Are you really sure?”
His question made me smack his shoulder, laughing. “I’m very sure. I’ve known for quite some time, but I was in denial.”
He matched my grin. “Thank God you’ve come back to me. It’s all I’ve ever prayed for.” He softly kissed my cheek before holding me close.
We basked in each other’s presence and our newfound bliss.
Our conversation was interrupted by Ari, his asshat of an agent. One I didn’t get on with, but quite good at his darn job. River wouldn’t be where he was today if it weren’t for his help.
The call was short and, basing from River’s face, it seemed the spiteful witch really had gone through with her damn threat. The saga he had just signed for, the multi-million-dollar contract, was now cancelled. Six movies all gone down the drain.
“I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.” It was, and it was Hailey’s, too. I would give her an earful the next time I saw her. How dare she toy around people’s livelihood like it was some sick game she could pass her time by? This was beyond nonsensical.
“It’s fucked up, but what can we do? Let’s just move on, okay? At the end of the day, it’s just money, babe.” His buoyant outlook stunned me.
“A heck-load of money.” It wasn’t necessarily about the figures. It was more about petty Hailey becoming vexed from being dropped like a hot potato. If this had happened to me, and say Kyle intervened or what of it, I would gouge his eyes out. Thank goodness Kyle was a sweetheart. River surely knew how to pick ’em.
River wrapped his arms around me then picked me up, giving me more love than I deserved. “It sure is … But money can be found again. You, on the hand, there’s only one of you, and I’d rather not have money if I can’t have you.”
Underneath all the loathsome things I thought of, deep down I felt responsible for losing him the contracts. Had I kept my mouth shut, he wouldn’t be in this god-awful nightmare. Ari must tremendously hate me.
The man wasn’t a fan of mine, and I was almost sure I had just made his public enemy list after today. I didn’t dare begin calculating how much percentage he had lost on this one. It would be astronomical.
“River, are you sure? I don’t want you to resent me. Maybe if I spoke to Hailey and perhaps convince her to change her mind…?”
“Let it be. It’s a done deal, petal.” He placed me down, smiling, assuring me everything was going to be okay. “Besides, I have music to fall back on now. Maybe this is a surefire sign that I should concentrate on music for a while. I’m almost done finishing the album, anyway.”
“You’re one optimistic man,” I said.
If this had happened to a lesser man, he would probably drop me in a flash. River was one of a kind. I was one lucky woman, indeed.
“As long as you’re with me, nothing can hurt me. You and a guitar in my hand, the only essential things I need in life.” Kissing the tip of my nose, his love brightly shone in his eyes.
“You’ll be great. Music’s always been your main passion.” I was with him through and through. Hailey could go suck a damn hairy fat toe for all I cared.
“Do you remember the promise tree? When I declared my love and made those vows to love you until the last breath left my body? I mean that. I was sixteen years old, but I knew I had found forever with you, Cara.”
The promise tree. How could I forget? It sealed everything.
“Thank you for not giving up on me, and for always loving me the way you do.”
“Someway, somehow, I know you’ll always find your way back to me.” His love was illimitable.
It took me ages, drifting in and out of hell, to get where I needed to be—right here, next to this beautiful, kind soul, who didn’t give up on me, even though I had thrown nonsensical hurdles his way. His love had remained, steadfast and true. Forgiving didn’t come easily for the likes of me, but I somehow finally managed to get there.
Second chances didn’t seem so daunting of a possibility now.
Follow River and Cara’s Story in Savage.
Coming April 2017
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More books by Pamela Ann:
TheTorn Series Order:
Scornfully Yours
Scornfully Hers
Frayed
Blasphemous
Undeniably Yours
Scorned
Fixated On You
Christmas With You
Unveiled
Crushed
TheChasing Series:
Chasing Beautiful
Chasing Imperfection
Chasing Paradise
Chasing Forever (Lucy & Toby)
Chasing Mrs. Knightly: Epilogue
Lily’s Mistake
Loving Drake
Loving Lily
British Billionaires Series:
Falling For My Husband (Callum & Stella)
Falling For Ava (Reiss & Ava)
Falling For The Enemy(Sebastian & Allie)TBA
Formula Men Series:
Monza Luca di Medici
Nice Jacques BertrandTBA
Barcelona Andrès FrancoTBA
Pieces: A Duet:
Pieces of You & Me
Pieces Of Us
Havoc (Dark Erotica)
The Encounter Trilogy
Bartered
Unleashed
Vanquished
Imperfect Bastard
For more about Pamela Ann and her upcoming releases, follow her through Facebook, Twitter and her blog.
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