Page 37 of Fight from the Heart

“Come to New York. My agent’s been wanting to meet the woman who keeps me in line. You can see Ella’s show and explore the city.”

“Jacob, be serious.” This isn’t funny, and I’m getting irritated. The invitation is under duress or something ridiculously similar, and I don’t need some pity invite.

“I am serious. I’ll pay for everything.”

My body slumps under his. “Throwing money at me?”

“Come on, Lilac. It wasn’t like that.” He stares down at me, sincerity in those eyes. I wait for further explanation as he didn’t give me one the other morning. His gaze traces the edges of my face, like his finger did, drawing a line along my hair and tucking it behind my ear. It was such a sweet gesture as he peered down at me, similar to how he’s looking at me now. He was over me just as he is presently, buried inside me, making me feel one with him, and separate from him at the same time. I didn’t know how to handle the mixed signals.

“I wasn’t trying to insult you the other morning, and I’m sorry you took it that way. I just . . .” He huffs. “You work hard. For me. In general. I didn’t want you to think I took advantage of you. And I did take advantage.”

My mouth falls open.

“I mean, I demanded you come to me in a snowstorm, and it wasn’t sensitive.” He pauses, eyes still searching my face. “But I’m not sorry you stayed. And I’m not sorry for what we did. I don’t know how to define it. Maybe it’s the pull you’re talking about.”

I try to look away, embarrassed that I want a definition. Does he feel drawn to me? He isn’t saying that. It was only sex to him.

“Lilac, come to New York with me.” For some reason, the moment feels too intense. His apology. His struggle. I accept it was only sex to him, and I’m the one with the foolish heart attached to him.

“You’re still an ass.” I cup snow into my mitten-covered hand and press it into his face. Too quickly, Jacob has my wrist next to my head. His cheeks drip with snow as he menacingly glares down at me.

“I see the master has made a monster of you. You’ll pay for that.” He lowers his face, pressing his cheeks against mine and rubbing his cold jaw along mine. I squirm and squeal while kicking my legs in an attempt to get him off me. We’re making quite a scene in Ethan and Ella’s front yard, but Jacob does not relent. Once he’s smothered my face in retaliation, he pauses just over my lips.

“Come to New York.” His mouth crushes mine before I can respond, literally stealing both my breath and my answer as his warm tongue delves past my lips. His kiss is frustration. As his body shifts, a knee wedges between my thighs. My legs are cold, snow seeping through the denim, but the heat of him blankets me, warming my insides. I fight the attraction again.

“Jacob,” I mutter against his lips, attempting to pull back.

“New York,” he mumbles, returning to my lips, dipping past the seam again. His tongue dances with mine.

I try to say his name again, but he refuses to let me speak. His lips cover mine, refusing to let me deny him.

“I’ll call Mae for you. I’ll tell her how badly I need you with me.”

“How badly?” The heat of his mouth wants to answer for him, but I’m not allowing it. I fight the warmth and break another kiss. I need his words.

“Lilac,” he begs with my name.

“I’ll think about it.”

He huffs out in frustration. “I don’t like to play these games.”

“I’m not Mandi.”

His eyes skim my face. “Don’t I know it.”

I push at his sides, willing him off me, but he flattens himself against me, pinning me in place. “That’s not what I mean. Shit, angel. You’re so much more than her, just . . . I don’t know what you want from me.”

I want it to mean more than sex. I want his body and heart like he’s taken mine. I don’t want to fight him, my attraction, or even my anger at the moment. I don’t want him to compare me to her. I just want him to see me.

“Look, do you want me to tell you I felt something between us? I did. I don’t know what it was, but it was amazing. I want it again. I want you.” He pauses, staring down at me. “Come to New York.”

The cold night air no longer effects either of us as the heat of his eyes melts me. I hate how I’m giving in to him. Why can’t I be more resistant?Why do I feel this pull toward him?

“Will you do something for me first?”

“Anything.” He exhales.

“Meet my siblings.” Jacob has no friends, no family outside of Ella, and I don’t want to keep him a secret anymore. Let my family meet the man I’ve been lusting over for years, and then tell me how foolish I’ve been to fall in love with him.