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Meeting Riley was the greatest gift of my life, but we found forever at the wrong time. We met at a time when we couldn’t possibly belong together.
Fate is unfair and cruel.
Kismet brought Riley into my life, but…it never promised us a happy ending.
Our love is a tragedy.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Riley — 21 years old.
Colton stretches his arm over the back of my chair, and I mentally facepalm myself. Here comes Colton with his ultimate douchebaggery, which means everything that’s about to come out of his mouth is going to piss me off.
Two years ago, when he told me that I should get used to him and his presence, I thought he’d soon grow bored. Men like Colton Bennett always need new entertainment every now and then. Two years is too long for me to have his continuous attention.
But no, I was wrong. He didn’t grow bored. In fact, the harder I pushed him away…the more he tried to get closer to me.
He has indeed been my permanent shadow for the last two years. I hate the way Colton focuses on me, quietly. Almost like a hunter, seeking out its prey. He never hides his blatant interest in me. His gaze always lingers. Unabashedly staring at the curves of my hips, my breasts, my lips— his eyes brazenly sweeping over every inch of me like he has every right to look. To admire. To desire.
Colton is a man full of carnal needs, and he doesn’t hide his wild hunger for me. But he watches me patiently, waiting for the perfect moment to collect his debt.
“I believe you’re interrupting my date with Riley,” Theo says to Colton, his jaw tight with displeasure.
Colton takes my fork, stabbing a piece of meat off my plate and shoving it into his mouth. He chews slowly, taking his sweet fucking time. I know he’s doing it on purpose, to anger Theo. I know all of his annoying tactics now and he’s so damn aggravating. “Riley doesn’t go on any dates without a chaperone.”
I press my lips together, holding back a laugh. I am pissed at Colton for crashing my date, but the look on Theo’s face is absolutely comical.
Colton hands me back my fork and I take it from him. I’ve barely touched my steak and my stomach recoils at the thought of putting that piece of meat in my mouth. I like steak, but I still hate eating in public. Especially in front of a complete stranger.
Theo, who sits across from me, scowls at us. “Riley, can you tell this man to leave?”
“I would, but he has a mind of his own.” I simply shrug. “Colton, you need to leave.”
He grins. “Nah.”
“See? I told you.” I stare at Theo, blinking innocently. “He’s a brute.”
From the corner of my eye, I see Colton smirking mischievously. “I am only a brute in bed, and you know that very well.”
Theo’s eyes practically bulge out of his head. No, I don’t know what type of brute Colton is in bed. Not from his lack of trying, though. But I’m not falling for his charms and I don’t have any plans to fall in bed with him either.
“He’s your ex?” Theo exclaims furiously. “What the fuck?”
“No,” I mutter, but Colton is already speaking over me.
“I can make her moan louder than you ever can. Her sweet fucking moan, I tell you. Too bad you won’t ever get to hear it.”
My head snaps toward him, lips parting with a shocked gasp. He did not just say that! But oh God, he did. He really just said that out loud, to my date.
Outraged, Theo rises to his feet. I do the same, grabbing my bag. “I’m sorry,” I tell him before he can say anything. “I have to go. Thank you for lunch though.”
And then I make my escape, rushing out of the restaurant like the whole place is on fire. I don’t bother looking back, to see if Colton is following me or not. I know he is. He always does.
The moment I’m outside, I inhale deeply, breathing in the fresh spring air. I hear familiar footsteps behind me when I start walking away from the fancy, 5-star restaurant. I count fifteen steps in my head before Colton comes forward, matching my stride and keeping the same pace as me. We walk side by side, our elbows brushing against each other and neither of us speaks. It’s just the sound of our breathing.
A few minutes later, he breaks the silence. “Please tell me that was your first and last date with him.”
“Yes,” I grumble under my breath. “Thanks to you, because you ruined my date!” I’m not really mad about that, since I did let him ruin it. I could have stopped him at any time, but I didn’t. So it’s partially my fault this date ended up as a disaster.
