Out of Control Read online

  It might demand compromise and sacrifice on both sides, but it could be done.

  So why was Fane so unwilling to even give it a try?

  “I assume that’s going to be your new excuse?” she forced between gritted teeth.

  Without warning his expression softened, and his fingers lightly brushed down her bare arm.

  “Serra, I don’t need an excuse,” he said, the hint of regret in his eyes more alarming than his previous remoteness. She was used to his pretending to be indifferent to her. Now it felt like . . . good-bye. Shit. “I’ve never made promises I can’t keep,” he continued, his tone soft. “In fact, I’ve been very clear that you should find a man who can give you the happiness you deserve.”

  For one weak, tragic moment she allowed herself to savor the brief touch of his fingers. Then her pride came galloping to her rescue, and she was jerking away with a brittle smile.

  She would endure anything but his pity.

  Hell no.

  “Very generous of you.”

  He grimaced at her sarcastic tone. “I know you don’t believe me, but all I’ve ever wanted was your happiness.”

  “And you assume I’ll find it in the arms of another man?” She went straight for the jugular.

  The hesitation was so fleeting she might have imagined it. “Yes.”

  She leaned forward, infuriated by her inability to read his mind. Dammit. Just when she needed her talents the most, she was flying blind.

  Was this how humans felt?

  This maddening helplessness?

  It sucked.

  “It won’t bother you at all to know that I belong to another?”

  “I will be . . .” He took a beat to find the right word. “Content.”

  “Bullshit,” she breathed, unable to accept that he was actually prepared to walk away from her.

  “Serra—”

  “Look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t want me.”

  He refused to be provoked. Worse, that pity continued to shimmer in his dark gaze. “I’m not going to play games with you.”

  “Because you can’t do it,” she snarled. “You want me. You’re just too much a coward to do anything about it.”

  “Find another, Serra,” he warned, a muscle in his jaw bulging as he reached down to grab his towel and then stepped around her. “Be happy.”

  Her heart screeched to a painful halt. “Where are you going?”

  He hesitated, but he refused to turn around. “To pack.”

  She glared at the broad back covered in swirling tattoos. God. He was destroying her.

  Did he even care her heart was breaking?

  “When are you leaving?”

  “In the morning.”

  Not giving her the opportunity for further discussion he simply walked away, his shoulders squared and his head held high.

  “Bastard,” she breathed.

  ZEBRA BOOKS are published by

  Kensington Publishing Corp.

  119 West 40th Street

  New York, NY 10018

  Copyright © 2013 by Debbie Raleigh

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  Zebra and the Z logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

  First Electronic Edition: November 2014

  ISBN: 978-1-4201-3708-8

  Published in the United States of America