Page 25 of At The End Of The Day

“Really?” he scoffed, shrugging his arms out. “You can sit there and say that after what you just admitted to?”

“Hey, I didn’t lie to you, Dash,” I snapped. Tossing the cigarette to the almost full ashtray, I bounded to my feet and closed the distance. “Have you ever asked me about my sexuality? No, you haven’t, so I ain’t never lied to you about it. It just never came up. No one has ever asked.”

“You really think that makes it okay?”

“Look, things have been said and done here,” I started, my fingers splayed out while my palm pumped in the air. “That can’t be taken back or ever forgotten. But I meant what I said when I said I can’t lose you, too. When this bullshit is over and Jackyl’s dead…”

Emotions seized my chest, talons clawing at my bones. I coughed and looked away, scratching at my own stubble.

“Hey, Vin.” He stepped a little closer, curling his fingers around the side of my neck with a firm but gentle squeeze. Gazing up at him, my pulse was racing, shallowing my breaths. “You ain’t gonna lose me, man. Everything’s gonna be okay.”

Those urges surfacing again, I acted on impulse, fisted the front of his shirt, and tugged him closer, claiming his mouth passionately. He lurched, but, to my shock, kissed me back. His fingers dug into my nape, his head tilting as his tongue rolled over mine.

All the blood rushed to my head and I swayed, another explosion splitting me at the seams. Everything burst into flames, my nerves scorching, my skin prickling as the floor fell out from beneath me. Groaning, I stumbled forward, slamming him into the door. He grunted but only grew zealous, as did I. Our teeth clanking, my body was pressing into his, both our dicks getting hard. My fist uncurling, my palm flattened on his chest and inched upward to cup his cheek as I slowed the kiss to something more sensual. Tapering off to a few tiny pecks, I finally broke away without putting distance between us. Our heavy breaths mingling between us, our noses still lined up, we stared into one another’s eyes with matching expressions of bewilderment.

What the hell was happening? What was I doing? How could I betray Billy like this?

“Jesus,” he panted, still gripping my neck…not letting me pull away.

I licked my lips and gulped, ever so slightly grinding against his semi erection. His eyelids rounded and he choked on an inhale, adding more pressure to his fingertips. Encouraged, I held his stare and started gradually moving closer for another kiss when someone knocked on the door.

“Jesus!” he shouted, startled.

Neither of us moved, however. Still focusing on his eyes, I called out, “What?”

“Just wanted to know if either of you wanted breakfast,” Violetta answered.

Dash was searching my face, his expression a mixture of arousal and confusion. My palm slowly crept away from his cheek, back down to his chest where it paused, the thumping of his pulse tickling my palm. An image of Billy surfacing, shame engulfed me and I broke the stare. Abruptly stepping away, I cursed and rubbed brusquely at my face. “Yeah, uh, yeah. D-Dash…Ahem. Dash’ll be down in a minute.”

“You want anything?”

I twisted my waist to peer at him, leisurely raking my sight along his figure as a powerful yearning planted roots in my soul. My brows arching by the time my sight locked on his once more, I shook my head, my voice nearly cracking. “No.”

“You sure?”

I looked at his mouth, and he pulled a sharp inhale, his chest falling still as he held that breath. There was nothing in that kitchen that would satiate the hunger burning in my stomach right now. Only Dash could quench it, but he wasn’t willing. I was about to lose Jackyl, I couldn’t lose him, as well. Besides, after everything we’d been through, how the hell could I betray Billy like this?

I can’t do it, Vinny, I won’t. You tell me we’re over, and I’ll slit my own fucking throat. I won’t live without you.

Grimacing at his voice echoing in my ears, I turned away and retrieved my cigarette. “I’m sure,” I barked angrier than intended.

“I’ll put a plate in the microwave in case you change your mind. Hurry up, Dash, before it gets cold.”

“Mm hm.”

Nearly thirty seconds ticked by in heavy silence.

“Vinny,” he muttered.

“Get out.”

A slight pause. “Vin—”

“Out!” I shouted, refusing to look at him. “I’m sorry, Dash. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Vin.”

A knot in my throat, I tried to clear it, to no avail. “Look, I ain’t gonna lie…I’m…” I exhaled and bowed my chin, pressing my thumb to the spot between my eyes, the fingers with the cigarette stretched to the side. “I dunno what happened, but since we’ve been here, I have been attracted to you.”