Page 47 of The Other Plan

Hurry. Get in the house. Get far, far away from the man with the perfect abs, the most kissable lips, and eyes you could stare into for eternity.

I heard his door open.

“Jenna. Hold up!”

Faster. Move faster, feet!

I begged them to keep going. Just a little farther, and I could seal myself inside the safety of my house.

I hurried up the steps, the sounds of his footsteps right behind me. I reached for my door but felt his hands grip me by the arm.

So close!

“Would you wait,” he said with a sigh as he tugged me to a stop.

Closing my eyes, I focused on my breathing, trying to get my stupid pounding heart to slow down and build up the barricades to prepare for the incoming assault.

“I’m tired. I should get in.”

“Jenna,” he breathed my name as he leaned into me. His warm breath ghosted the back of my neck and sent a shiver rippling down my spine. “Wait. Just talk to me.”

Don’t turn around. Don’t turn around. Don’t turn around.

Carter leaned down closer, and I closed my eyes tighter when I felt his fingers brush the hair from off my neck. His lips moved to my ear.

“I’m not letting you run away again. Not this time.”

“I’m not running away. I’m going to bed.”

He laughed softly, and his breath blew across my ear. I shuddered.

“You’re running away. You’re scared shitless, and rather than opening yourself up to give us another try, you’re trying to go hide under your covers and pretend this isn’t happening.”

“That’s because it’s not happening.”

“Why? Give me one good reason why it can’t happen.”

I pressed my forehead into the cool wood of my front door. “I can give you a million reasons why this can’t happen, starting with you live in New York.”

“We can figure that shit out, Jenna. We’re two smart people. But we can’t figure a damn thing out if you won’t turn your ass around and face me. Work through this with me.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because if I turn around, I’m going to kiss you. And if I kiss you, I’m going to take you to bed. And if I take you to bed, I’m going to let myself fall for you all over again. And if I fall for you all over again, I’m going to get my heart broken. So, no. I’m not turning around.”

“You know you’re not the only one at risk here. I’m not exactly looking forward to getting my heart smashed by you again either. The last time I gave it to you, you basically ripped it out of my chest and tossed it in a woodchipper.”

“That was an accident!” I spun around. The second my eyes collided with his, I instantly regretted my decision to face him.

Shit.

Like he was some gorgeous male Medusa, I froze the minute his eyes locked with mine.

He edged up against me, the heat from his body searing into mine, lighting that fire inside me only he could ignite.

“Maybe it was an accident that you left me, Jenna, but it wasn’t an accident that we found our way back together again. Are you really going to tell me you don’t still feel the same way about me?”