Chapter 235
Chapter 235
“Avery,” Gideon said in a low voice, and across our bond I felt the ripples of his hurt and frustration, “I didn’t know you were my mate p>
“And that changes everything, does it?” I demanded, “Maybe you should have treated me as though I were important the whole time, and you wouldn’t be in this predicament p>
“You were important!” Gideon protested, “But what I felt for you….” He fell silent and shut his mouth into a firm line.
“Aha! So you did feel something!” I crowed.
“Of course I did!” Gideon growled, “How could I not? You defied me at every turn, but when I was with you, I found nothing else mattered. So why can you not feel the same way for me now p>
I squeezed my eyes shut as his words struck a chord in my heart. Oh how I wanted to believe him! But how could I trust this would last if I gave in?
‘You could try,’ my wolf urged.
“No!” I shouted at both of them, “The only thing that has been constant about you is your incredible ability to hurt me! Why should I give you another chance to do more of the same p>
Gideon stepped forward and caught my angry hand as I waved it in the air. He placed it on his chest and I felt warmth, and the slow, steady beat of his heart. More than that, I felt the tension that always existed between us ramp up.
Being close to him overwhelmed my senses. If I stayed here, I would give in.
With a furious cry, I yanked my hand away as though burned and turned and dashed all the way back to my rooms in the pack house and didn’t stop until I could collapse against the locked door.
That had been too close.
For the rest of the week, when Gideon appeared, I ignored him. When we appeared in public as a couple, however, I reversed course. I was sweet, gentle, and touched him constantly. The minute we were alone, I gave him the cold shoulder, and the sharp side of my tongue. (1)
I could tell it was driving him crazy, and I exalted in the conflicting feelings that poured over our bond. He made no effort to hide how I affected him, and I could sense his pleasure when I touched him, and his rage when I was cruel.
I told myself that it was no more than he deserved, that this was his punishment. In truth, I enjoyed it. Teasing him with small touches, my hand on his arm, a sweet kiss on his cheek, all of it brought me delight, and then to reject his advances utterly when we were in private, it was a feeling of power I had
never had.
It was a sadistic streak I hadn’t recognized in myself before, however, it had a purpose, I wanted to test the boundaries of what he would do to keep me.
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Chapter 235
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“Enough!” Gideon scowled, as we returned from another social pack dinner. He had taken my coat and was now carrying it up to my rooms behind me. “What do you want from me, Avery? Stop this torture p>
I whirled on the steps to look down at him with an arrogant lift of my chin.
“What would you give me?” I said, sweetly, “Money? Power p>
“Everything,” Gideon growled, pausing, one foot on the step in front of him, “I want the old Avery back p>
“Oh, you want the poor, naive, stupid girl you rescued?” I snapped, “She’s gone now, forever. You and Dierdra killed her. If she’s who you want, better to give up now p>
I whirled and climbed the rest of the stairs, stalking towards my room.
“I don’t think that you really want those things,” Gideon was a few steps behind me, “So let’s stop these games and be honest with each other. If there’s something you still want from me, then just say it and I will do my best to give it to you p>
I opened the door to my room and turned to stare him in the face. He was earnest, his stormy eyes solemn as he looked at me sadly.
“All I wanted was for you to love me, genuinely,” I said sorrowfully, “I would have given you everything if you had done that.” (1
And then I slammed my bedroom door in his face. (1)
P
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