He lets me pass him, and I finally step outside, feeling the cold air fill my lungs as if I were short of breath until now.
Seeing Grayson affected me more than I expected. “Goddammit, why? Shit!” I kick the side of the bar lightly to avoid damaging my heels, then turn to lean against the wall, laying my head back and closing my eyes.
I hate that he lied to me. That he broke one of our major rules. He can say whatever he wants, but the way that woman’s hand on his chest moved was clearly more than just a friendly graze.
Grayson isn’t my boyfriend. So why am I getting mad at him as if I’m his girlfriend? I’ve only been in one relationship, and that was back in high school, which barely even counts. So, is it the lie, or is it something more? No, it’s too soon for it to be anything serious. We’ve only had sex once, and that was three days ago. Besides, I knew what I was getting into. That still doesn’t excuse him for breaking his word.
The group of students around me drops their cigarettes and heads back inside. I wave a hand in the air and crinkle my nose at the smell.
“Stupid cigarettes,” I mumble.
“You’d think people would’ve learned to stop smoking them by now,” a gruff voice says from beside me.
My heart rate spikes when I turn and see a tall man in a tight blue shirt, red suspenders, and black fireman pants, with no jacket or glasses in sight. How the fuck is he not freezing?
Not my concern.
I shake my head. “No,” I simply state and step back when he tries to get closer.
He huffs out an annoyed breath. “Did you read any of my text messages?”
“I didn’t get a chance to before going up to sing, but I think I saw enough once I had a clear view of you and yourdate.” Imake sure to add a little extra sass to the statement. I’m not going to hide how this affected me, no matter how annoyed I am at it. Hiding what I feel isn’t really my style.
His jaw flexes. “It’s not what it looks like, Emma.”
A sarcastic laugh leaves me. “Seriously? You’re going to say the line that every man in the universe has used countless times?”
Grayson walks toward me, and I sidestep him, deciding to go back inside, not wanting to hear his excuses. “I should get back to my friends.” A hand wraps around my forearm, which I quickly dodge, but Grayson is now blocking the side entrance. “Really?”
I roll my eyes and start walking to the front of the bar when he blocks me again.
There’s only one more way to go, which is through the back, where the now empty small parking lot is, to reach the front door. Also known as the long way.
Grayson doesn’t have enough time to stop me from moving away from him, and I try to walk as fast as I can in these heels. My coat is still in my hands, but I barely feel the icy wind with the fire running through my veins. He’s not far behind, judging by the sound of his footsteps. Luckily, I can keep dodging his hold on me?—
My entire body is pushed against the concrete wall next to the gate, where the huge recycling bins are. A gasp escapes me as Grayson places both his hands on each side of my face. He towers over me, and my breathing quickens. I look everywhere except at his face, afraid of what I’ll find.
“I was set up on a blind date by a friend,” he says quietly. “He didn’t tell me about it, and I didn’t meet the woman until we got to the bar. My friend and his girlfriend guilted me into staying, and yes, she touched me. And yes, I told her I wasn’t interested multiple times, but she got drunk and handsy.” I meet his stare this time, waiting for him to finish the story. I’m momentarily distracted by the smell of alcohol on his breathmixed with the clean, masculine scent of his cologne. “I had a few drinks myself and loosened up, but never got past being tipsy, and eventually, I gave up on telling her I wasn’t interested. It was easier to ignore her.” He grabs my chin. “If you had seen my texts, then you would’ve known that I wanted to talk to you outside and explain that to you.”
“Did you tell her why you weren’t interested?” I’m not sure why that’s my first question. Maybe it’s because I secretly want her to know he’s sleeping with me and no one else.
He closes his eyes. “No, and I had no reason to.” The frown on my face must be obvious because he’s quick to reassure me. “We agreed we’d wait, and you said you’d give me time.”
“This is getting too complicated,” I blurt out, surprising myself with the words, but it’s true. I don’t like feeling this jealous or possessive over someone I’m not dating. It’s new and not entirely welcome. He may have kept his word, and sure, it makes me feel better, but…but…I don’t know. It’s just too damn much. Grayson’s eyes flare with worry and something akin to anger. “Maybe we should end this now.” And once again, I surprise myself by what I’m saying.
His jaw slackens, and I manage to duck under him, taking two steps forward before he wraps his arms around me from behind, causing my coat to fall on the ground along with my phone on top of it.
“You don’t mean that,” he whispers into my ear, sending goose bumps down my spine as I curse my body for reacting to him. “We knew this wouldn’t be easy.” His hand moves to my jaw, turning it, forcing me to look at him. “Tell me you don’t want me.”
“I don’t want you,” I say, extremely unconvincingly.
He smirks. “I don’t believe you.”
I try to get out of his hold, but he only squeezes me tighter. Grayson guides me to the wall again, my chest pressed against it with his warm body behind me. “I don’t want you,” I grit out, trying to hide the uncertainty in my voice.
His firm hand slides from my jaw to my neck, choking me lightly, making me tremble.
Shit, he’s getting to me.
