Perfect Bastard (by Mary D. Sant) novel Chapter 131

Chapter 131: Just a Matter of Time

ETHAN

Slowing down, I brought my hands to my mouth, trying to warm them

with a breath of hot air. Fuck, I should’ve worn gloves. Going for a run

in the freezing cold hadn’t been my best idea.

But I was so upset I had to get out before I said something I’d

Especially when I didn’t have any real reason to be angry.

regret.

She, on the other hand, had every reason to hesitate, after everything

I’d done. Still, it was hard not to believe her hesitation might mean

doubt or even that she might walk away.

But that was just my fear talking again, trying to take over. She’d

never given up on me, and she sure as hell wasn’t going to now.

That’s what I needed to remember.

There was no reason to pressure her–she had already said yes. All

she was asking for was time. Maybe a few months, maybe a year. I just

hoped it wouldn’t be more than that.

The problem was, I had never been so sure about anything in my life

as I was about wanting this now, and her hesitation was making me a

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Chapter 131: Just a Matter of Time

little insecure, even though I understood her reasons.

But it seemed like I had no choice but to be patient and deal with it.

Heading back onto the trail through the trees, I tried to figure out

how I was going to apologize.

*

Wearing nothing but the oversized sweatshirt that covered halfway

down her thighs, she was preparing something in the small kitchen.

area when I walked in, catching her eye.

There was a hint of apprehension in her gaze as she watched me take

off my jacket.

“Made some hot chocolate. Want some?” she asked, turning her

attention back to what she was doing.

Walking up to her, I wrapped my arms around her from behind.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left like that,” I said, breathing in her

scent mixed with the lingering smell of sex we’d had earlier and the

aroma of chocolate.

“No. You shouldn’t have.” She pulled my arms away and turned to

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Chapter 131: Just a Matter of Time

face me, holding a steaming cup of chocolate. “Only assholes leave

right after sex.”

“Okay, I’ll remember that.” I pressed my lips together, trying to stay

serious in the face of her comment. “I’m sorry. You were right–I was

upset.”

“And you’re not anymore?”

“No. Maybe still a little frustrated. But I want you to know I

understand your reasons, and I’ll give you all the time you need.”

“Are you sure?” she asked, frowning skeptically. “Or are you going to

forget that and freak out again in a month?”

“I promise it won’t happen again.”

She nodded, but she couldn’t hide the disappointment in her eyes.

“You know… What hurts me the most, after everything, is that you

still question my feelings. I’m here… What more do you need?”

“Nothing.” I cupped her face in my hands, feeling like a complete

idiot when I saw the hurt in her eyes. “I just need this. Just you,” I

whispered, holding her gaze. “I love you.”

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Chapter 135 Just a Matter of Time

Giving in, she wrapped one arm around me and rested her head on my

chest

“I love you too,” she sighed, finally relaxing “Just give me some time. Just until things settle down, okay?” She pulled back to look at me. “I mean, not just between us–you know, there’s work, and there’s so

much to plan.”

“That’s fine.”

“So… can we go back to bed now?” she asked with a weak smile.

“To sleep or…?” I teased.

“You can’t be serious–we were only apart for like twenty minutes.”

“To me, that’s a long time.”

Smiling and shaking her head, she turned to grab the second cup of

hot chocolate she had made. That gave me a few seconds to admire

her toned legs and made me want to slide my hands under that

sweatshirt and grab her ass.

When she turned back toward me, still smiling and handing me the

cup, those twenty minutes started to feel like an eternity.

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Chapter 131 Just a Matter of Time

“How am I supposed to resist when you’re this beautiful and

tempting all the time?” I said, devouring her with my eyes as she

walked toward the bed.

Leaning against the wall, I savored a sip of the chocolate and the view

of her ass as she climbed onto the bed.

“Keep looking at me like that and I might change my mind,” she

teased, sitting back against the headboard.

“About what?” I asked, confused,

“Twenty minutes being too short.” She said it with a smirk that made

my grin widen,

Leaving my cup wherever, I moved toward the bed, slipping under the

covers and between her legs, making her laugh.

#

She seemed happier than ever, despite our earlier disagreement. She

was smiling and chatting nonstop with the other girls as we went on

our final walk through the village.

Over lunch, we’d agreed to visit a few more places we hadn’t seen yet,

since we were heading back to London the next day.

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The treacherous sun had decided to show up right after we left the

cabin, even though it was still freezing outside.

But I knew that wasn’t what was really messing with my mood–and it

wasn’t because we’d actually just slept before heading back to the

hotel, either.

Part of me was happy to see her so radiant, but another part was still

a bit frustrated by not knowing how much time she was going to

need.

And as hard as I was trying to hide it, I knew it wouldn’t be long

before she noticed–and I hated the idea of anything ruining that

amazing smile on her face.

Suddenly stopping on the sidewalk in front of us, the three girls were

staring at what looked like the front of a souvenir shop.

“Let’s go in,” Rosie said, stepping toward the entrance, followed by

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