Eternal Bond : (The Cursed Series, Book 3) Read online

  “We did,” I said.

  Should I tell him that all that fun came with crushing guilt and shame? No, that would only make him feel worse, and there was no need to do that. I was already breaking his heart.

  “We can be great together, Chloe. You just need to give us a chance.” He swept his hands along either side of my neck, and the second his fingers touched the bite mark, heat spread like wildfire through me.

  Instinctively, I leaned closer.

  “Stop fighting this,” he whispered a moment before he brushed his lips over mine.

  Despite my brain screaming at me not to, I welcomed his kiss. My body couldn’t deny him, no matter what my heart and mind said.

  Jax deepened the kiss, and before I knew what was happening, he had my back pinned to the door, his body hard and demanding against mine. I groaned and ran my hands over his shoulders, up the back of his neck, and into his hair.

  I hooked my leg around his waist. He grabbed under my thigh and yanked me closer, his kiss becoming even harder. Everything in me said to stop, but I couldn’t. My body responded to him too well.

  “You want me. I know you do.” His voice was raw and seductive. “Say it, Chloe. Tell me you want this just as much as I do.” The aching desperation in his words tore at my resolve.

  I did want him, just once, maybe, to see what it was like. “Jax,” I whimpered.

  He jerked me away from the door, and then I was on the bed. Every inch of him was hard and insistent, and I was quickly losing control. I could feel my insides unraveling. Fog blurred my thoughts. He left my mouth and trailed kisses along my jaw, exactly like Trent always did.

  God, what was I doing? Panic and fear stole my ability to think, blocking out all but one thought that shrieked through my brain—I couldn’t be trusted around Jax, not as long as I wore his mark and was bonded to him. Trent was absolutely right about that.

  I shoved against Jax’s chest. “Stop,” I gasped.

  Jax stopped without hesitation and dragged his hand through his hair. Then, slowly, he climbed off the bed. “There’s nothing I can say to change your mind, is there?”

  I smoothed my hands over my hair, fighting to regain my composure. “I’m sorry.”

  “You really love him so much that you’re willing to go insane for him? Because that’s what’s going to happen. You’ll go crazy trying to fight this bond.” There was an edge to Jax’s tone, desperation and anger.

  That wasn’t going to be my fate, though. I refused to let my life be dictated by this bond—I would break it eventually. And when I did, I was going to let Trent change me.

  I got off the bed, my legs shaky and my breaths ragged. “Yes,” I finally said. “I love him that much.”

  Jax’s expression fell, and what little hope he’d been holding onto disappeared from his eyes. I’d officially broken him. Fresh tears fell hard, and I couldn’t wipe them away fast enough.

  Hesitantly, I approached, praying I had enough strength left to finish this and get out of here in one piece. “This has to be goodbye.” My breath hitched, and I sniffled. “I’m so sorry, Jax.”

  I planted a lingering kiss on his cheek, savoring the scent of him one last time, reveling in how strong and comforting his mere presence made me feel, memorizing the way his skin felt. And then I turned and raced out the door before I lost my nerve.

  As soon as I was outside, I clutched my stomach and doubled over, gut wrenching sobs shaking my entire body. Thunder rumbled in the distance, the angry noise a perfect backdrop for my mood. I half expected Jax to chase me, to yank me into his arms and kiss me, but he didn’t.

  I took several deep breaths in an attempt to calm myself, but all I managed to do was make myself dizzy. I needed to get out of here and go find Trent.

  Inhaling deeply and wiping my tears, I headed toward Whitney’s car. I kept my head down, not wanting anyone to see me like this—mascara tracks down my face, eyeliner smudged around my red, puffy eyes.

  Jax’s words echoed in my head. You’ll go crazy trying to fight this bond. Even now I was having second thoughts about what I’d done. My steps faltered, and I momentarily considered turning around. Jax was the easier choice, and I did love him.

  But he wasn’t Trent.

  I cupped my hand over my mouth and sobbed. Only then did I notice the familiar white pickup truck parked next to Whitney’s car and the guy leaning against the front bumper, hands shoved in his pockets.

  “Trent?” My knees buckled.

  “Whoa.” Trent caught me before I hit the ground. “It’s okay. I’ve got you,” he whispered, holding me to him.

  I had no idea what he was doing here, or how he even knew where I was, and I didn’t care. I buried my face against his chest and cried. He rubbed my back and held me.

  “I-I told him…” I hiccupped. “I said—” My words were cut off with another sob.

  “I know,” Trent said. He gently cradled my face in his hands, forcing me to look at him, and wiped my tears with his thumbs. “I heard everything.”

  I blinked against more tears, trying to process his words. “How did you know…? I mean…”

  “Jax texted me as soon as you showed up here.” He wiped away more of my tears. “I came over so I could talk you out of choosing him.” Trent frowned. “But then I heard you two talking, so I waited.” He moved his hands from my face and rested them on my waist.

  Thunder rumbled, closer than before, and a streak of lightning lit up the sky.

  “You’ve been here the whole time?” I asked, both shocked and relieved.

  “Yes.”

  “Why?” I asked.

  “Because I needed to know what you were going to do. If you didn’t leave his room tonight, then I would know. But if you walked out that door…” His voice cracked with all the emotion he was trying to contain. “Are you absolutely sure about this, Chloe? It’s not going to be easy.” He brushed strands of hair from my forehead, the back of his hand trailing down the side of my face.

  Thunder and lightning raged a war in the sky, and then rain poured down in a deluge, soaking us within moments.

  “Yes,” I shouted over the storm. “I love you, Trent. I want you. I’ve always wanted you.”

  He crushed his mouth over mine and kissed me like it was our first and last time all wrapped into one. I could taste his fear and desperation and relief. Jealousy flowed from him in thick, choking waves. So did love, pure and untouched by all we’d been through.

  He kissed me as if he’d forgotten all about my indiscretions with Jax, like nothing mattered but us and this moment. A fresh start. Was that truly possible? Could we put all of this behind us and go back to when things were simpler?

  Rain continued to drench us, but he didn’t release my lips. Shivers violently shook my body, though I didn’t know if it was from the rain or the onslaught of emotions wreaking havoc on my insides.

  “Will you come somewhere with me?” he asked.

  I nodded, my teeth chattering.

  He carried me to his truck and deposited me in the passenger seat before rummaging around in the back. A moment later, he draped a blanket around my shoulders and cranked the heat. All of that still wasn’t enough to stop the shivers.

  I scooted across the seat and rested my head on his shoulder. I had no idea where he was taking me, and for the first time ever, I didn’t care. I was exactly where I was meant to be.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  KARA LEIGH MILLER is a full-time wife; stay-at-home mom to 4 kids, 3 pit bulls, and 6 cats; writer, and the Editorial Director at Anaiah Press. When she’s not herding her family, she’s working out, reading, or binge-watching Netflix. Sometimes, she’ll even play golf with her husband, even though she sucks at it. You can find Kara anytime on her website, but to get the most up-to-date information about upcoming books, sneak peeks, and exclusive giveaways, be sure to sign up for her newsletter.

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