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“If I do that, you’ll leave.”

I narrow my eyes and lean in close so he doesn’t miss the disdain dripping from my voice. “You didn’t seem to care about that weeks ago when you blew me off for that whore.”

“I told you, babe, It’s not what you think.”

“Really? Half-naked girl walking around your house, you shirtless…and not lying in a ditch somewhere. I believe it’s exactly what I thought.”

“Sloane, I never wanted to hurt you. But something came up, and I just…I couldn’t—"

“Just stop! I thought you were a better person than you are. I thought my friendship actually meant something to you.” I put up a hand to stop any more shit from spewing out of his mouth. I can feel my pulse throbbing hard against my throat. My skin prickles from his nearness, and I hate my body for betraying me yet again within minutes. “You know what, Max? I don’t even care. I stopped caring a long time ago. We’re not meant to be anything, and that’s pretty damn clear to me now. I can’t believe I let this happen…let myself…again…” I shake my head and clutch my temples. “Argh! I’m not this girl!”

“It sounds like you might be,” Kat comes up behind me and whispers into my ear. “Just my two cents.”

I jump about a foot into the air, letting out a loud groan when I twist to see her wicked smirk. “Oh my God, I’m so done with this night!” I smack my hands against my very bare legs and stalk past them without regard for anyone in my way.

Screw them all!

I push through them, ignoring Shaye’s slurry protests. I hear a lot of voices battling behind me, but I ignore them all and elbow my way toward the door.

A strong arm snakes around my waist, yanking me backward, and I catch a whiff of that delicious scent once again. I try to pry the arm off of me, but he’s too strong. And dammit, I’m too weak, both physically and emotionally.

Max guides me into a dark corner, backing me against a wall. “Stop fighting me.”

I shove him away from me. “You’ve never been honest with me. I’m tired of sitting around, waiting to see whether or not you show up. Because you never show up! Even when you’re there, even when you are standing right fucking beside me, you’re not! Am I just someone to pass the time with until some skanky bitch comes along and rubs her ass all over you?”

“I know I fucked up, and I’m sorry. I do want to be your friend, Sloane.”

“Well, you don’t act that way.” I flip my hair and straighten to my full height, hoping it sends the message that I’m no longer taking shit from him, or anyone else, for that matter. “And I deserve better from my…friends.”

“You do. You deserve so much more,” he murmurs, his face dipping lower and lower.

My gut clenches as his breath tickles my cheek. Suddenly, everything becomes very hazy. I’m having a really hard time right now trying to remember why I’m so mad, and I don’t seem to care at this moment.

“Nothing about my life is normal, Sloane. I fooled myself into believing I can have a regular friendship with you, that I could at least give you that.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re dangerous, Sloane, because you turn me inside out and make me forget who I really am.”

“I know who you really are,” I hiss, recoiling as he leans in closer. I want him so badly, but this story doesn’t have a happy ending. We’ve gone down this road before. There’s no blissful destination, only a fiery crash.

“I know who you really are, too. You’re so good, so fucking perfect. I don’t want to taint you. And that’s exactly what would happen, don’t you get that?”

My breath hitches as his lips hover over mine. Dark eyes capture my soul, paralyzing every limb I know I should use to force him away from me. The heat in his gaze singes my insides, melting away the ice surrounding my thumping heart.

The scent of his cologne, mixed with liquor, intoxicates my senses, making me drunk with an insatiable desire I can’t even begin to quell. His fingertips navigate a path up my arms, my skin prickling with anticipation…until a flicker of anger eclipses his lustful expression.

He pulls away, and I immediately feel the emptiness creeping back into my heart. “You shouldn’t want me.”

Goddamn him! Is he kidding me right now? A shiver runs through me. “Don’t flatter yourself. I don’t want you or anything from you.”

“Good, because I don’t have it to give.”

He backs away, peering at something behind me in the darkness. The he shoves his hands deep into his pockets as he darts around a column and disappears.

Gone. He’s gone.

As if I’ve ever really had the power to keep him.

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