Remorse (Rhodes #0.5) by Rina Kent

My stomach flips just at the mention of his name. What the hell am I? A teenager? I’m beginning to think I’m hopeless.

I push a strand of hair behind my ear. “What do you mean?”

“Let’s just say he vented all his energy in working and at the gym.”

That explains the well-defined muscles. But Alexander must be misreading the whole thing. Arthur was the one who always pushed me away; I just made his wish come true.

“See you around.” Rose waves as she and Alexander step out of the restaurant. Since they’re keeping a distance, perhaps their relationship hasn’t changed since the last time I’ve seen them.

Rose has been waiting for Alexander to take the first step for years. My friend and I are hopeless over those Rhodes men.

Thomas returns to our table, and we continue our dinner. He’s not bad, actually. He’s just the introverted type who’s looking for a suitable woman that he can start a family with.

Not sure if I’m ever going to be the one. My version of a fairy tale is so screwed up, it includes a villain instead of a hero.

A strong hand clutches my arm, and I stumble to my feet to collide against a hard chest.

Arthur.

His eyes are darkening to a frightening colour as if the devil came out to play. He probably did. This is the part of Arthur no one should mess with.

“Eva.” His low voice is haunting as if he’ll break hell loose any second.

My lips part, and once again, my body spikes up under his touch. I’m so doomed.

“Who are you?” Thomas stands and wipes his mouth with a napkin.

“Leave.” Arthur grits out, his gaze is still on mine, his clutch on my arm is possessive and unyielding. For some stupid reason, it sends tingles through me.

“Excuse me?” Thomas asks.

Arthur’s features darken with murderous rage as he flicks his attention towards Thomas. I’ve seen that expression before. The inability to control his rage. Thankfully, I have the right cure for it – or I did up until three years ago.

I slip my hand in Arthur’s, and just like magic, his shoulders relax a little.

A grin lifts my lips. I love how I always had this effect on him and still do.

“I’m so sorry, Thomas.” I grab my bag and smile. “I will call you.”

I take Arthur’s hand in mine and practically drag him down the restaurant’s hall and into the lift. Thankfully, no one else is around.

As soon as the lift’s doors close, Arthur hits the stop button. “You won’t.”

“What?”

“You said you will call him. You won’t.”

I cross my arms. “Why not?”

He advances until I’m against the lift’s wall and his arms are on either side of me. “Are you trying to drive me fucking mad?”

Arthur only curses when he’s royally pissed off. Strange satisfaction courses through me for being able to stir this side of him, but also knowing I’m the only one who can calm him down.

The disease and the cure are all in my hands.

“I waited three years for you and this is how I find you? Wining and dining?” His face is inches from mine, nostrils flaring as if he will breathe fire. “Who the fuck is he?”

“My future husband.”

This is so wrong, but I can’t help the need to push his buttons. It’s only fair that he’s taken off balance just like he does to me.

As if possible, the black of his eyes darkens further as he growls. “What the fuck did you just say?”

“You have no right to question me, Arthur.” I push at his chest, but he’s like an unmovable brick wall. “We’ve been over for years.”

“To you!” His strong hands cage my face as he tilts my head back so I would stare straight at him. “For me, you were always mine and I was always yours.”

I melt. My pulse thunders in my ears, and no matter how much I try to resist it, those words lodge deep inside me.

His lips devour mine. He’s angry. He’s longing. And he’s claiming me mind, body, and soul. I’m lost in his taste. In his embrace. In his scent.

I missed him. Goodness, I miss him. All the reasons why I shouldn’t allow him to mess with my equilibrium vanish.

He’s all I ever wanted.

He’s all I will ever want.

Just for now, I want to stop thinking and live the moment.





Chapter 3





We stumble inside the hotel room, clawing at each other’s clothes. Our kiss deepens until I’m breathing Arthur’s air and he’s feasting on mine.

We fall onto the huge, soft bed amid countless pillows. Arthur imprisons me between his iron-clad thighs as he kisses his way along my jaw and to my collarbone. He sucks and nibbles on that sensitive spot in my throat, causing pleasure pools between my legs.

“I missed you,” he grunts against my ear as he tugs on my clothes. His fingers skim over my scorching skin while he unbuttons my shirt. My pulse explodes in my ears until it’s everything I hear.

The mere feel of his hand awakens a searing fire that’s been sleeping for years. He unclasps my bra and yanks down my skirt in impatient movements that mirror mine. His fingers spark burning trails in their wake. My nipples harden and tighten underneath his feral gaze as if beckoning him over.

I reach out for his shirt, but he all but rips it away, a few buttons scatter around us, hitting the floor with finality He almost ruins his belt, too, as he steps out of his trousers, remaining in black boxer briefs.