Bachelor’s Return by Clarissa Yip Read Free Book Online Page A

on the carpet just as they reached the end of the walk. James’ hands shot out to steady her. Her gaze met his, and her chest constricted at the concern across his features. He’d completely destroyed her for anyone else, and it’d been easy to blame everything on him. Now she knew why.
    She loved him. Still did. But she wasn’t anything more than a nuisance to him.
    “Mel, those women don’t mean anything,” he said, in a harsh whisper.
    “Go tell someone who cares,” she said, as they parted ways to their designated spot.
    Melissa kept her eyes on the aisle. She could feel James’ gaze burning through her. She’d known all along she’d loved him, but had made excuses to push him away. She’d convinced herself that if she slept with him, she would be able to get over him. But her plan had backfired.
    Could she face the heartbreak?
    There was no stopping James if he wanted something. If he wanted to talk tonight, then she didn’t have a choice. She knew. Growing up with him, she’d learned the hard way what would happen if she didn’t obey. She’d gotten away with a lot, but with James, she could never win.
    She wanted him with every breath in her body, but could she allow him to hurt her? Or leave her?

Chapter 6
    After the rehearsal dinner, Melissa stood outside her car, waiting.
    She wanted to get this over with. Throughout dinner, she’d pretended James didn’t exist, but the more she thought about their situation, the more she realized it was better to clear the air before Liv’s wedding. They needed--no, she needed them to return to normal. So she’d convinced herself after watching all the other bridesmaids flirting with James.
    Leaning against her door, she stared up at the clear sky. Twinkling stars shone above, and the moon’s roundness took her breath away. She’d remembered the many times James had brought her and Liv out to the park late at night, and they’d all lie down on a blanket to study the constellations. James would sit there and laugh while she and Liv gossiped about their friends, but he had never minded their annoying chit-chat or excluded them from his life when he hung out with his own friends.
    No. James always watched over them. Over her. He’d always been her protector, her savior, but she wouldn’t admit that fact to him. He’d saved her many times and she’d only blamed him by twisting the situations around, so she could direct her irritation at him.
    James had been there when her father had walked out on them. He was there when her mother needed help with finances, when Melissa bought her first car, even when she’d graduated. He was the glue that held all the Bauer and Johnson women together.
    Tears pricked her eyes. She heard the crunch of gravel in front of her and looked to find James standing a few feet away. “When did you learn to sneak up on people like that?”
    “How many times do I have to tell you it’s not safe to walk out at night by yourself?” He crossed his arms over his chest.
    She smiled. “Too many times. But then, when have I ever really listened?”
    His lips curved upwards. He was too handsome for his own good. Always arrogant in a soft commandeering way, which was probably the reason she loved him. She felt safe with him. No one else.
    “Are you ready to talk?” he asked.
    A knot formed in her throat. “Talk, then.”
    “I miss you.”
    His words were so soft she almost didn’t hear, but her heart caught every word, thudding faster as he came closer.
    “Tell me that night was special.”
    “I’m not stupid,” she said. He stopped. The confusion in his face was almost comical. “I knew what I was doing that night, so I don’t need you to feel guilty.”
    “I’m not feeling guilty.”
    She raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms.
    “All right, maybe a little, but I’m more pleased than anything else.”
    It was her turn to be confused.
    “Come with me.” He held out a hand and she looked at it, remembering all the