Claimed By The Lawrence Brothers

Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

We're breathing hard, still with my legs wrapped around him. I tell him something I truly don't want to say, but know I need to because I have to protect myself.

"I-I can't do this. You shouldn't be here. I'm broken, and you need to be around someone who doesn't have a shit-load of, issues. Trust me when I tell you, my issues are not good and you will run anyway. So it's best I put a stop to this now stop, for both our sakes."

Reluctantly, I remove my legs from around his waist. Then I pull out of his arms, stepping back from him. I can't look into his eyes for fear I'll jump back into his arms.

"What the fuck? Hales, do you know how crazy you sound right now?"
Ouch! That stung a little. But I huff a laugh anyway because he doesn't know how close to the truth he is. I huff again when I say, "Exactly! You don't want this. You don't need it. Please, just go. Please, don't come near me again." Then I walk back to my sanctuary, my home.

"HALES... Jesus Christ! Are you serious with this? You think I'm just going to let you walk away? Listen to me when I tell you... whether you fucking know it or want it... you are mine! Fight it all you want, baby, but you know I'm right because your body tells me so. When I touch you, and kiss you, even when I look at you, Hales; I see it! I'm not giving up on your sweet, stubborn backside. You can push me away, all you want, but I'm not giving up. I won't give up, not until I make you mine for good."

Tears fill my eyes when he says this. He's crazy! Why is he doing this? Doesn't he see I'm doing this for his own good? He just doesn't understand and he never will either. Nobody understands.

"Then you'll have a long wait, Isaac. As I say, I'm broken and there's no fixing me. I'm completely broken! You can't fix me... nobody can."

I walk away and close the door behind me. I close on him, telling myself, it's for the best. I'm doing this for him and for the sake of my own heart, one that's breaking already. It's because I can't have him. I can't have anyone because I'm so broken.

I cried myself to sleep. The extra glasses of wine I had didn't help it at all. I meant it to make me feel better about pushing him away, only it's made it worse. I wanted him here with me so badly. Yes, that might make me sound pathetic, but honestly, I truly do like him. It's just this crap I have to live with every day of my life. This constant panic I live with I can't be in confined spaces for fear I'll have a panic attack. This constant fear of anyone grabbing me staring at me or judging me. Well, it's crippling at times. It's embarrassing to watch a grown-ass woman freak the hell out at the slightest thing. It's pathetic! This isn't the only reason I'm broken. No, there's a shitload more to my messed up life. Nobody needs to deal with that shit either. I don't need to be bringing people along for that fucked up ride along with me. It's not fair to him and it's not fair to me. I won't do it again! Not to him.

***

The next day...

Unfortunately, I've had to go to work to collect a list of clients, ones that Mars had found for me. Yet when I'd got there, I discovered the place was empty. That's strange. I'm sure Mars said that she'd be in today? But I do see V, standing in her shop. I'm wondering if she knows where everyone is.

"Alright, babes," I greet her as I enter and I'm instantly hit with the smell of cupcakes. Loving it so much. I take another nose full of it. Mm, yummy.

"Oh, hey sweetie. How are you doing?"
"I'm doing okay, thanks. How's yourself? Any new cupcakes you need to tell me about?" I ask with a grin because I love those bad boys. I have to stop myself from eating the lot or I'm going to look like The Michelin Man soon. I told her this too, it made her grin before nodding excitedly.