Chapter 32

**Angela’s POV**

My heart plundered, the sound echoing in my ears. I was in Brad’s bed, barely dressed at that and he was removing his shirt. When the second skin he wore was gone my mouth went dry. It was not possible for someone to be so breath taking, nobody had the right to appear as if they had been a direct descendant of a Greek god. I would ponder upon Aphrodite’s influence but I would also imagine Hades having a say or two.

I shook the ill-timed thoughts. This was no time to compare Brad to the Gods! He covered my body with his own, his hand snaked around the nape of my neck, and drew me closer to his lips. I felt the heat of his breath at the base of my ear, his other hand skimmed my body only to clench gently around one of my breasts as he started a maddening rhythm. I gasped and he continued to trail kisses along my neck, nibbling occasionally.

I felt heat pool low, the feeling, the sensations of having this man’s weight on top of me was glorious. But then my mind reeled, a question arose and I didn’t know if I should heed my mind or leave its truth to be discovered in a short time.

My lips parted, “Brad? There is something I need to tell you.” My voice was breathless, I didn’t sound like me.

“Hmm.” He managed between kisses.

“I’m a virgin.” The words burst out before I could choose otherwise. He stilled, his hand still at my breast and his face buried at my neck. I could’ve sworn he possessed not ounce of life.

“Brad?” I whispered.

He removed his weight from me and I felt empty. He sat on the edge of the bed, his muscled back facing me. I rose and sat up on the bed and looked at him, waited for him to say something.

“You never...not even...?” He questioned, but I couldn’t read his expression his face was hidden from me. He ran his fingers through his hair and I sensed he was frustrated. Why? Only he could answer that.

“No” I responded softly. “I wasn’t about to give myself to just anyone who would likely make a sport of it. You know how high school boys are.” He remained deadly still, I rested my hand on his shoulder in attempt to...hell I have no idea why I did that. Maybe it was the urge to touch him.

He remained silent. “Look it’s not a big deal.” I coaxed.

He shrugged away from me and shot up from the bed as if my touch was poisonous.

“Not a big deal!” He stared at me then, the passionate man long gone. His voice was so savage that I cringed back. His hands were clenched at his sides and I was certain his nails were digging into his flesh. He tore his gaze from mine, a look of disgust masking his face.

He inhaled sharply, “Get dressed.” He spoke through clenched teeth.

“What?” The word flew out before I could rethink it. I was utterly confused. What did I do?

“Goddamn it, Angela! Dress and leave.” he turned his back to me again.

I could feel the hot sting of tears and refused to willingly cry. How absurd this was, he lured me to his bed only to reject me! No matter how much I tried to blame him nothing could subdue the humiliation I felt. I stood, pulled my dress up and pulled up the zip. So much for change! He was every bit the black guard I always thought he was now I only had myself to blame for suffering such indignity.

Blast it to hell! After all, that was the rightful place for this rogue. Pausing at the door I turned around for one last look at the hateful man. Of all the indecent things, my body still longed for him and I grew angry and I snapped. He couldn’t treat me like this!

“If my inexperience bothered you then there were so many ways you could have responded with civility. I know I lack the prowess to please you but you needn’t treat me like some indecent whore who climbed into your bed without your knowledge!” I all but screamed, but I was sure I gained his attention. He spun around and fixed me with his gaze. But I did stare long I spun on my heels and rested my palm on the doorknob. I pulled it open, letting my fury guide me.

Just as roughly the door shut and I saw Brad beside me, one muscled hand pressed against the door.

I gave him my most furious glare, a scowl occupied his features. “I am sorry.” His voice was calm and his eyes gained a softer hue.

“Sorry?” The words were as cold and sharp and ice and I couldn’t believe I had said it.

“Listen, I...”

“I don’t want to listen. Let. Me. Go!” My voice was deadly but he wasn’t intimidated. Damn it!

“I am not letting you go until I explain.” He clarified while adapting his authoritative demeanor.

“I don’t want an explanation!” I yelled in frustration.

He sighed, obviously exasperated. He closed his eyes and every feature seemed etched with pain, this startled me. When he opened his eyes I saw something I never saw in his eyes before, something so...human.

“I shouldn’t have treated you like that.”

“Doesn’t change that you did. I won’t tolerate being treated as some toy you can use and then dispose of. You might treat other woman as some piece of meat but that’s a deal breaker for me!” Somehow it felt as if all control swung to me. Brad was uncharacteristically subdued.

“I understand. It won’t happen again.” He moved closer to grip me by the shoulders, he looked longingly and searchingly into my eyes. “

Is there anything else you don’t want me to do?” He questioned. I hadn’t thought about it. Yet here he was asking me, “If you decide that you want to break off the arrangement then I wish you tell me, don’t go behind my back with someone else and leave me to figure it out. That’s all I ask.”

He nodded. “ As for my previous behaviour, I am sorry.” He stressed the words. “I just hadn’t expected you to be...I was a complete brute, I just couldn’t bear to take— had I known you were still an innocent I wouldn’t have pressured you. Don’t you understand! I could’ve hurt you! I wouldn’t forgive myself if I had done that. I just felt so stupid for not knowing.” He had turned his gaze away from me while he spoke but I felt the tension in his arms as he hold onto me.

He looked startlingly close into my eyes, “If you still want to play out this attraction, then I promise to honour the gift you are giving me, I will try my damnest to make the experience everything you deserve. But you need to be certain that you want me to be your first. I won’t tease you or try anything if you decide you don’t. This needs to be your decision.”

At a lost, my mind roared. His words held promise yet I knew no matter how much he honoured me we one day would part, well our exploration that is. But I was never so sure of anything. Who else would I want? Even when Paul and I were together I never felt this deep need and I was supposedly in love with him. Maybe love had nothing to do with the action. Brad slept around out of desire, not love.

Love! Such a stupid notion! Yet why was I tumbling in thoughts of love in the front of Brad?

Because you are very much in danger of growing an attachment to him!

My conscious roared to life and I pushed the thought away. I would have time to think later. Now was not that time.

“I had already decided that I would accept. My mind hasn’t changed.” I responded and I saw relief and the tension flowed out of him.