Resisting Ryann
Page 17
“Sean,” Luke answers for me, frustration in his eyes. He’s wearing a black tux—the jacket unbuttoned—with a bow tie. He’s far too handsome and shouldn’t be this close to me. I want to ask him where his wife is and why he’s here.
“You did all this?” I ask, gesturing around the patio.
“Yes.” He nods, his gaze piercing into mine before almost completely closing the distance between us. I swallow back my tears. Why would he do this? And why does he still have this power over me? He looks like he’s hurting, which makes me want to comfort him, and it’s so very, very wrong. He’s a liar and a cheater, and I’m moving on with Sean.
I lift my chin. “Are you just going to sit there and stare at me all night? What’s the point of this?”
He flinches. “I came here for you. And yeah, I’m going to stare at you. Besides the fact that you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, I don’t want to take my eyes off you because it’s been months since I’ve been able to look at you.”
Scooting out of my chair, before I burst into tears, I say, “You shouldn’t say things like that to me.” I stand up, and he does the same. “Sit down.” I back away. “I don’t want to be close to you.”
“Why are you running from me?” Taking off his jacket, he tosses it over the chair and comes toward me.
“You know why.” I hold out my hands and take two steps back.
His brows pinch together. “What’s wrong with you? Why aren’t you letting me touch you?” He rolls up his sleeves to the elbows, then loosens his collar. He’s stressed.
I watch him work his jaw with every single step. “Back up, Luke. I know everything!” I’m shaking in anger, and my eyes well up with tears.
There’s determination on his face, as he continues moving toward me until the back of my shoe hits the wall, and his hands are on my shoulders.
An instant jolt of electricity shoots through my body, then he asks angrily, “Is it the neighbor?”
I glare. “How dare you ask me that! You don’t have that right anymore.”
He leans his head down, and I’m immediately intoxicated by his scent. His mouth is dangerously close to mine. “Talk to me Reese,” he whispers, scanning my face like he really does love me.
I shake my head, and try to swallow the lump in my throat. “I don’t trust you.”
Hurt flashes in his eyes, but I won’t fall for it this time. I can’t.
“Stop looking at me like—”
“Like what?” he snaps, raking a hand through his hair. “Like it’s taking every part of me not to touch you?” he adds, confused. “I just want to be with you.”
“You’re a liar!” The dam has burst, and now I’m sobbing. “I lost my father three months ago. I was alone!”
“I should have been there for you, and I’m so sorry I wasn’t.”
I wipe my face with the back of my hands. “I don’t want to hear your excuses. I already know the truth.”
Surprise flashes over his features.
“That’s right, Luke. I know.”
His eyes narrow as he watches me for a minute, and then his face pales. “Who told you?”
“Is that all you care about?” I can’t believe that’s his response!
“C’mon.” He frowns. “You know me better than that. Look, you have every reason to hate me. But I was protecting you. I couldn’t tell you at the time.”
“So that makes it okay to go behind my back?”
Nodding, he says, “Yes, in a way. If you’ll let me get a word in, I’ll explain.”
“If you have a heart, you’ll spare me the details,” I cry. “How could you do this to me?” I’m definitely not holding back.
He tugs at his hair. “I thought that after I told you everything, it would make sense to you why I did it.”
“And you thought I’d be okay with it? That I’d just move on and pretend like it never happened? What kind of person do you think I am?” I shove him, but he grabs my wrists and pulls me toward him.
“I’m sorry, Reese …” He swallows. “I’m hoping one day you can forgive me. I didn’t mean for it to happen.” A tear rolls down his cheek. I can’t believe he’s just as upset as I am.
“Get away from me!” I shove him again. “I’ll never be able to forgive you!”
His face is full of conflict. “In time you could try.” He reaches out to wipe away my tears.
“I said get away from me!” I cry.
He rubs the space between his brows, and his other hand rests on his hip. “You really want to do this? After all the history between us?”
Unable to look at his pain-stricken face, I turn away. “Please. Just leave.” I squeeze my eyes shut.
I feel him hesitating behind me, but after a few seconds, his footsteps slowly fade.
I know he’s still there, but it’s quiet for a moment before he eventually speaks. “I’ll respect your wishes and leave you alone, but I’m not going to stop loving you.” He gives a sardonic laugh. “I never could.”
Stay tuned for the conclusion of Luke and Reese’s story in the final book of The Bad Boy Reformed Trilogy, BREAKING RYANN.
Read other books by Alyssa Rae Taylor
First of all, I have to thank God for giving me a patient loving husband, healthy beautiful children, a fantastic family and wonderful friends. I want to thank Camryn Pinner once again for the days and hours you spent, reading through my mistakes and encouraging me through the writing process. You totally rock! To my children for being awesome, allowing me to slave away in the den while you were starved and neglected. To my husband who really stepped it up and took care of them during this whole process. I noticed how much you’d helped, and appreciated it immensely. To my loyal fans from Wattpad, who fell in love with Luke Ryann from the first, page. You know who you are. I couldn’t have pushed forward without al your supportive comments. They mean a lot to me. To Victoria Ashley for her talent as a writer, but for offering her support. To the talented Madison Seidler, for working you’re a** off cleaning up the story. Your comments made me laugh and ‘cock a brow.’ I’m sticking with you. Thank you Sarah Hansen for designing the hot cover. Once again I love your work. Also, I’d like to send a big thanks to EM Tippetts for making my book look pretty within the time crunch that we had. Thank you Kim Person for organizing my last blog tour with Raising Ryann. You did an amazing job and I was surprised by the huge response. Thank you to all the bloggers who participated in helping in its success. To Debra and all those participating in this tour, thank you for giving the series a chance. I hope you all enjoy it. Last but not least, I want to thank all the bloggers who have shared my stories. Without you, I wouldn’t have anyone to share them with. Thank you for spreading the word. It’s appreciated. Thank you to all of my readers!
Wife. Mother. Writer. Reader. Dreamer.
For more information on Alyssa Rae Taylor and her up and coming projects, you can visit her here:
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Copyright © 2014 by Alyssa Rae Taylor LLC.
All Rights Reserved.
Cover art by Sarah Hansen/Okay Creations.
Copyediting by Madison Seidler (madisonseidler.com)
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This is a work of fiction. Except for the work created by the imagination of the author, all names, places, songs and song titles are the property of their trademark owners. The use of these trademarks in the publication is not authorized, associated or sponsored by their trademark owners.
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Books by Allssa Rae Taylor
Chapter 1 - Luke
Chapter 2 - Reese
Chapter 3 - Luke
Chapter 4 - Reese
Chapter 5 -
Luke
Chapter 6 - Reese
Chapter 7 - Luke
Chapter 8 - Reese
Chapter 9 - Reese
Chapter 10 - Luke
Chapter 11 - Reese
Chapter 12 - Luke
Chapter 13 - Luke
Chapter 14 - Reese
Chapter 15 - Luke
Chapter 16 - Luke
Chapter 17 - Reese
Chapter 18 - Luke
Chapter 19 - Reese
Chapter 20 - Reese
Chapter 21 - Reese
Chapter 22 - Luke
Chapter 23 - Reese
Chapter 24 - Luke
Chapter 25 - Reese
Chapter 26 - Luke
Chapter 27 - Reese
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Copyright Notice
About the Book Designer
Table of Contents
Title Page
Books by Allssa Rae Taylor
Chapter 1 - Luke
Chapter 2 - Reese
Chapter 3 - Luke
Chapter 4 - Reese
Chapter 5 - Luke
Chapter 6 - Reese
Chapter 7 - Luke
Chapter 8 - Reese
Chapter 9 - Reese
Chapter 10 - Luke
Chapter 11 - Reese
Chapter 12 - Luke
Chapter 13 - Luke
Chapter 14 - Reese
Chapter 15 - Luke
Chapter 16 - Luke
Chapter 17 - Reese
Chapter 18 - Luke
Chapter 19 - Reese
Chapter 20 - Reese
Chapter 21 - Reese
Chapter 22 - Luke
Chapter 23 - Reese
Chapter 24 - Luke
Chapter 25 - Reese
Chapter 26 - Luke
Chapter 27 - Reese
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Copyright Notice
About the Book Designer
Table of Contents