Page 97 of Love to Hate You

“Where is this coming from? All I wanted to do was slip into your bed and touch you.” He presses his lips into a tight line and shakes his head. “You’re kicking me out for no reason.”

“I asked you to explain your disappearance and you won’t tell me.” I point to the swelling on his cheek. “I asked how you got the bruise and again, you refuse to tell me.” Much like ripping off a Band-Aid, this needs to be done swiftly. “If you want to be with other girls, that’s fine. But don’t expect to slide into my bed and have me, too.”

That thought is so repugnant that bile rises in my throat.

Carter raises a hand to massage his temple. “Wait a minute, you think I’m screwing around on you?” His eyes widen. “Why the hell would you think that?”

“Explain why you ran out of here earlier.” I wait a beat and add, “Oh, that’s right, you won’t tell me.”

“Daisy, I haven’t been with anyone since we…”

“Fucked?” I supply helpfully.

“No!” he snaps with a scowl. “We aren’t fucking.”

“That’s exactly what we’re doing.” What’s the point in denying it?

“Look, I haven’t been with another girl since we got together.” His gaze is unwavering. “Whether you want to believe it or not, that’s the truth.”

Somehow, when I wasn’t looking, this relationship with Carter became so much more than it was ever meant to be.

His words alleviate some of the pressure in my chest, but they don’t explain where he took off to and why. I wait, hoping that he’ll exonerate himself, but he doesn’t.

“So, you’re going to leave me hanging without an explanation?” I say with disbelief.

“I’m sorry. Something came up that I had to take care of.” Carter closes the distance between us until he’s able to thread his fingers through mine and reel me closer. Once I’m within striking distance, he wraps his arms around me and presses me against his body.

“It’s not something I can talk about. But I promise that it had nothing to do with another girl.” His voice dips, becoming so low that it sounds as if it’s been roughed up by sandpaper. “There’s no one else. Just you.”

A little thrill slides through me as I relax against Carter.

More than anything, I want to believe him.

I just don’t know if I can.

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