Read Online Warped by Alicia Taylor - Free Book Online Page A

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    “No, you don’t.” I grit out, my teeth grinding. Who the fuck does she think she is bringing up my past?
    “I’m just looking out for you, Damon. It will never work with you and Ella because of who you are. Best to call it quits while you’re ahead. Not time to fucking propose, Damon. You must have lost your mind.”
    “Enough!” I yell. Maybe I have lost my mind. I know Ella would look at me differently if she knew my past. That’s why I’m holding off telling her. We only have a chance if she’s deeply in love with me before the truth comes out, before my past comes back to haunt me.
    “But what about me, Damon?” she whines. “We belong together. You know we’re good together.”
    “No we don’t, Leona. I’m not doing this with you. I’m not letting you do this. If you can’t accept things as they are then maybe we need to go our separate ways.” She sucks in a shocked gasp. I hate hurting her. She’s been through enough but I have to put Ella first.
    “So that’s how it’s going to be? Just cut me out your life for her? After everything I’ve done for you?” I can hear the disgust in her voice. I don’t understand her fucking problem. I would have thought she would be happy for me.
    “That’s not what I want but what will happen if you don’t let this drop.”
    “She’s tricked you into this marriage proposal. I won’t let her do that.” The venom in her voice makes me lose it.
    “I FUCKING PROPOSED TO HER. ME!’ I slap a hand against my chest as if she can see me. “She’s mine, I won’t lose her,” I pant, rage taking over me. I won’t let Leona do this. She won’t speak badly of my beauty as long as I can stop her.
    “But you’ll lose me? Whatever, Damon.” I can hear tears in her voice but she’s holding them back.
    “Listen, Leona. I don’t want to lose you. This can work, I know it can.” Suddenly I become aware of my beauty. I feel her near. I turn and see her standing at the door. Her face is expressionless. I don’t know how much of that she heard but I hope it wasn’t just my last comment. “I love her.” I tell Leona as I stare into Ella’s eyes. “She’s mine. I proposed because I love her. Can’t you just be happy for me?” The dial tone lets me know Leona hung up on me.
    I throw my phone down on the kitchen counter and stalk over to Ella. I just need to hold her, to know she’s real. I need to make sure she knows she’s mine. I’m gonna fucking keep Ella if it’s the last thing I do.
    Reaching her, I pull her into my arms. She’s so fucking beautiful. I need to keep her. She’s everything I’ve ever wished for and everything I never knew to wish for. Her inner beauty shines as bright as her outer beauty.
    “Baby, I don’t know what you heard–”   I don’t get to finish before Ella’s mumbled words hits my ears.
    “I heard enough. Leona isn’t happy. You told her she’d be out your life if she can’t accept me.” Pulling her head out of my chest she looks me in the eyes. Confusion and doubt is swimming within her emerald gaze. “Did you really mean that?” she asks in a small voice.
    This is my fault. I’ve made her have these doubts. Her pain and doubt are on me. Grabbing her chin, I hold her face steady. She needs to believe what I’m about to tell her. She can never doubt this if I can help it.
    “I fucking love you, beauty. I’m going to keep you forever.” I kiss her plump lips, needing a taste of her. “I’m never letting you go. No one and nothing means more to me than you. You’re fucking it for me.”
    Tears spill and roll down her cheeks. I kiss them away, whispering my love for her in between. If there is anything in my life I need her to believe, it’s this.  
    “Damon,” her voice hitches, “I... Damon.” She breaks into sobs, clinging to my shirt as she cries out her pain.
    I wish there was more I could do to assure her, wish I could take back things from my past to make everything easier.