Torn: Part Four (An Alpha Billionaire Romance) (The Torn Series Book 4) by Sky Corgan Read Free Book Online Page A

water,” I growl.
    To my relief, he lets me go, taking a step back to reclaim his seat on the bed. For a moment, he looks lost. I take the opportunity to leave the room, heading to the kitchen to retrieve a large glass of water and two Tylenol. Thankfully, he stays put while I'm away. And when I return, he drinks the water like a man dying of thirst, downing the Tylenol with it.
    “That's a good boy,” I tell him half-mockingly. The fact that I'm having to take care of him is annoying, but I'm definitely thankful that he's not being as difficult as before.
    “Thanks.” He hands the empty glass back to me.
    “I'm going to get you some more.” I turn to take it to the kitchen for a refill, but he grabs my wrist, making me pause.
    “No. Stay. Talk.”
    “Talk?” I give him a wary look.
    “Talk. Please.” He lets go of me.
    Apprehensively, I set the glass down on the bedside table and sit a few feet away from him. The idea of being on the bed with him makes me uncomfortable. It wouldn't take much for him to overpower me, and I would not put it past him to try it.
    “My mother...” he trails off.
    “What about her?” Just thinking about Ann makes me uncomfortable.
    “What's she dying from?”
    There's a twinge of pity in my heart as his expression becomes melancholy. It's like all of the energy has left his body. His shoulder slump forward, his perfect posture deflated.
    “Cancer.” The word sounds painful coming from my lips.
    “What kind of cancer?”
    “I don't know. She hasn't told me and I haven't asked. When I went to the doctor with her the other day she spoke to him about having headaches. I don't want to assume, but...” No, I don't want to assume. Headaches could be a side effect of so many different medications. It doesn't necessarily mean that she had brain cancer. “I just don't know, Holden. I'm sorry. You'll have to ask her about it yourself. I figured you had when you went in to talk to her.”
    “No.” He shakes his head, closing his eyes. “I just got angry...like I always do.”
    I sigh, feeling like I need to say something to make it better for him. This is not my responsibility. We're not even friends. My focus should be entirely on getting him out of my house. Still, I can't help but feel sorry for him.
    I open my mouth to speak, but then I shut down again, deciding that he doesn't deserve my sympathy. After everything he's put me through, the only kindness I can offer him is helping him to sober up and then making sure he gets home safely. I don't even owe him that much, but I'll do it for Ann's sake.
    I take the glass back to the kitchen for a refill, then return with it and my cell phone. I hand him the glass and then dial the local taxi company. When the receptionist comes on, I give her my address, then I look at Holden. “Hey, what's your address?”
    He gazes at me over the top of the glass, sipping water and not saying anything.
    I nudge his foot with mine. “What's your address? I need to tell the taxi so when they pick you up they can take you home.”
    He stops drinking and sets the glass aside. Then he snatches the phone from me, hits the end button, and tosses it on the bed.
    “Hey! What's the big idea?” I scowl at him.
    He stands, towering over me. Already, he seems more steady on his feet. His hands find my waist, but they're not as aggressive as before.
    “I'm not going anywhere tonight.” He leans down to kiss me, but I turn away. His lips stop before hitting my cheek, and he diverts to my earlobe instead, nibbling it gently.
    Inside, I'm raging. It's late and I just want him to leave. This isn't sexy at all. It's just annoying.
    “I'm not having sex with you,” I insist, placing both hands on his chest to try to push him away. It's like putting my weight against a brick wall. I'm beginning to feel hopeless, completely out of ideas on how to make him leave. Finally, I relent, willing to say whatever I have to to get him off of me. “Fine. You can stay the