Reject My Alpha President (Iris and Arthur) novel Chapter 91

Chapter 91

Chapter 91

But I don’t–because after everything, I have no intention right now of getting back together with him.

“An apology would be a start,” I finally bite out.

Arthur doesn’t hesitate. He suddenly stands, crossing the room, and grabs my hands. I drop my charcoal pencil as he tugs me away from my easel.

Then, he drops to both knees in front of me, still gripping my hands. My breath catches in my throat as those green eyes look up at me, wide and sincere.

“Iris, I am so sorry,” he says, his voice soft. “I am so sorry for arresting you, for using the contract against you. I’m sorry for everything. Truly.”

I don’t know what to say. Part of me, the part that still feels hurt and heartbroken after the past five years, wants to believe he’s lying. But as I look into his eyes, all I see is truth. He is sorry; that much I can tell.

And as much as I hate to admit it, I want to kiss him right now. I almost do.

S

Without meaning to, the bond that binds us together gently tugs on me, urging me toward him. Even kneeling, he’s still tall enough that I only need to dip my head, and our lips will meet. I hold my breath as I move toward him, and his mouth parts, his eyes half–lidded.

But I quickly get a grip on myself. Kissing him won’t help any. I might consider staying in Ordan, for my career and for Miles‘ sake, and I might even consider letting Arthur have visitation rights, but I won’t let myself fall back in love with him.

Not after five years of hardening myself, of building steel walls around my soul, of filling in the cracks in my heart. with titanium.

For my son’s sake, I can’t risk myself breaking all over again.

So I straighten once more, gently pulling my hands away and lifting my chin. “That’s a start,” I say.

Arthur looks at me for a moment before he rises and takes his seat once more. We work in silence for a while, the only sound in the room that of my pencil scratching across the paper.

It doesn’t take long for me to finish the preliminary sketch and I gesture to Arthur. “You can get up now and take a look.”

Arthur rises and crosses the room again, taking the drawing pad from me. I watch with bated breath as he inspects the drawing. After a few moments, a faint smile touches his lips.

“I love it.”

I glance up at him. “Really?”

He nods. “You don’t even have to add paint if you don’t want to. I like it the way it is.”

And if I’m going to co–parent with Arthur, then it’s better to be here. But the thought of having to hide and wear disguises doesn’t sit right with me.