Page 22 of Losing a Piece of Me

“You had no intention of coming back, did you?”

She shakes her head and takes another pull. “Not in a million years.”

“How come? Because of me?”

She stops suddenly. “Being here, it just brings up painful memories. I’m filled with stress, and regrets, and…” Her eyes meet mine. “Love.”

Fuck. Looks like I’m making progress faster than I planned.

“Love, huh? I didn’t think you loved me.”

Her pacing starts up again. “You fucking know I loved you.”

I stand and take a step away from my bike. “Then why did you leave? If you loved me, you never would have been able to do that. You would’ve at least said goodbye.”

She squares her shoulders. “Don’t tell me what I should’ve done. You don’t know. You would’ve done the same thing in my position!” she yells.

Lex never yells. At least, she never used to yell. She was always cool, calm, and collected, thinking everything through before making a move. If she’s yelling, she must be feeling something strong. As far as I know, it could be the first thing she’s felt since leaving me.

“Then tell me, Lex!” I close the distance between us, positioning our chests inches away from each other without contact. Our eyes lock. “No secrets between us, remember?”

She’s dumbfounded. She can’t move. She can’t look away. She’s frozen, and I don’t know if it’s shock or fear that’s keeping her here, but whatever it is, I’m going to use it to my advantage.

As quick as I can move, I pull her in for a kiss. A lip-crushing, tongue-tingling kiss that is painful and strong, yet soft at the same time. Her hands automatically wrap around my neck, holding me to her as she explores my mouth.

Her chest brushes against mine and I feel myself grow rock hard. My fingers trace up her thigh, making their way up under her dress and stopping just as they meet the curve of her ass, which I grasp firmly to lift her onto my bike.

Her legs wrap around me and she pulls me closer, her hands never ceasing their exploration of my body.

I don’t know how far to let this go. I want her fiercely, but is she ready for that? Can she handle what I want to do to her?

I decide to test the waters. My hand runs up the inside of her thigh and I lightly rub against her. Nothing more than a thin piece of material lies between her and my hand and I want to slide beneath it. I want to feel how much she wants me, how wet and ready she is for me.

A soft moan slips from her lips as I apply gentle pressure just where she needs it. I start to slide my finger in through the side of her panties, but stop myself and pull back. I want to look in her eyes and judge her reaction as my fingers take what they want.

She doesn’t stop me, which surprises me. If her walls had come back up, she would put a stop to this, wouldn’t she?

My fingers slide into her and she grasps my shirt, trying to pull my lips back to hers. But I don’t allow it. “Open your eyes,” I grit out. My voice is thick, heavy with lust and need for this woman.

She does as I say and I see it. The walls, they’re back. She isn’t allowing this to happen so she can feel my love for her again; this is just so she doesn’t have to feel the pain and regret that she associates with me.

I pull my hand away and back up. When her feet are back on the ground and I’m sure she isn’t going to fall, I turn my back to her and rub my eyes.

“What? What’s wrong?” Her voice is shaky and confused.

My shoulders rise and fall in rhythm with deep breaths as I try to calm myself. Finally, I turn to her.

“Not like this.”

“Not like what?” she whispers.

“Don’t forget that I know you. I fucking know you and always have. Six years doesn’t change that. You may want me to believe otherwise, but I know you.” Anger builds up, a steady, burning pressure in my chest. I can’t believe she would try using me like this.

“What are you talking about?”

“When I looked into your eyes, do you know what I saw?”

She wraps her arms around herself and shrugs.

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