Blood Moon (Entangled Select Otherworld) by Lisa Kessler Read Free Book Online Page B

closer.
    Suddenly he broke the kiss, resting his forehead on mine while we gasped for air. His pupils dilated and narrowed, his nostrils flared, and I started to smile. “Wow… That was amazing.”
    Gareth shook his head like he was just waking up, and then he backed away. His emotions were gone, boxed up so far from me that my empathic abilities were no help.
    “This can’t be happening.”
    “Excuse me?” I straightened, hoping my rubbery legs would hold me up.
    He raked his fingers through his black hair, pulling it back from his face. “I can’t do this.”
    “What?” Talk about a cold shower. “You lost me. What just happened?”
    He finally met my eyes and although his feelings were hidden, the raw pain in his gaze was impossible to miss. “You are so damned beautiful, Nadya.” He yanked off one leather glove and caressed my cheek with his warm hand. His touch was tender, in stark contrast to the tense line of his jaw, the agony in his eyes. “Promise me something.”
    I swallowed my own knotted emotions. “Okay.”
    “Don’t keep secrets from Jason. He’s your best chance to beat the poison in your veins.” His hand dropped from my skin and already I yearned for his touch. “This is so fucking unfair.”
    He hurled his leather glove across the room like a missile, and it collided with a picture on top of the television. The frame toppled over. I flinched as the glass shattered, but the noise didn’t even phase him. Gareth paced the room, snatching his glove up off the floor without righting the picture. Every few seconds I’d get a glimpse of emotions I didn’t understand. Rage, passion, worry, yearning, and fear. Lots of fear.
    “Gareth, talk to me. You’re not making any sense.”
    He rubbed his hands down his face and turned toward the window. “I thought I had a chance to start over with a clean slate.”
    “You still do.”
    He glanced over his shoulder with a sad smirk. “I wish.”
    He took a deep breath and slowly turned around. I stared into his eyes, wishing he’d open his heart to me. His passion had been there. He’d wanted me as much as I’d wanted him. Did he worry he’d hurt me? My gift was no help to me at the moment. Being clueless sucked.
    Gareth came closer and brushed a chaste kiss to my forehead. “I’ve lost everyone, sweetheart. I can’t stay here and lose you, too. I wish I was strong enough, but losing Gabe broke me. I can’t do this again. I won’t.” He went to the door and stopped. His voice lowered, gravelly with emotions he refused to share. “You should have a mate who can stare into the abyss and tell it to fuck off. Stay with Jason and stay alive. You don’t deserve this. Any of it. And you definitely deserve better than me.”
    He closed the door behind him and I sank onto the couch, trying to figure out why my heart tore in half. Tears spilled down my cheeks, and my mind reeled. I’d only known Gareth for a couple of months. Tonight was the most we’d ever spoken, and the first time we’d ever touched.
    So why did it feel like my whole world just collapsed?
    …
    The door opened behind me. I didn’t even look to see who came in.
    “Why is the door unlocked?”
    Sasha.
    “Nadya, you’re still up? Are you all right?”
    I nodded, my voice nowhere to be found.
    She sat beside me, her concern and worry flooding my already raw nerves. “You are not.”
    Pulling me into her arms, her comfort broke the dam on another wave of tears. I sobbed.
    Sasha ran her hand down the back of my hair. “Are you injured?”
    “No.” My voice hiccupped.
    “Can you tell me what happened?”
    I sniffled, struggling to find words. What could I say? None of this made sense. “Gareth.”
    She stiffened and then pulled away, brushing my hair back from my face. “Was he here? Did he hurt you?”
    “He’s gone.”
    She glanced around and nodded. “I can see that. Did you get in a fight?”
    “I don’t know what it was.” I wiped my nose. “But he’s gone,