Page 70 of Love or Tequila in Unexpected Places

She reached for the door handle, and he snapped. She could be mad at him, but she wouldn’t put herself and his daughter in danger.

His hand shot out, keeping the door closed. His position trapped Allison against the seat, her chest brushing against his arm with every hurried breath she took.

He turned to her. She still wasn’t looking at him, and anger flared hot and fast.

“Allison,” he growled, the last of his control unraveling. “Look at me.”

It was a quiet command, but he needed her to obey, or he would lose the thin thread of restraint he had left.

When she didn’t, he repeated himself, his voice darker. “Eyes, Allison.”

Still, she refused.

You’re in trouble, sweet girl.

In one swift motion, he released the door and grabbed her chin, turning her face toward his, forcing her to meet his gaze.

“When I tell you to look at me, Allison, you look at me,” he growled, his voice low and rough.

Her eyes blazed with fire, daring him. He wanted her to burn him alive, to unleash that fire on him and never stop.

She glanced at his lips, and he shuddered. He looked at hers, fighting the tremble in his hand. He prayed no one would interrupt them this time, or he’d bring down Olympus and all the gods.

What the hell am I even thinking? Am I losing my mind?

“Let. Me. Go.”

Her words were like ice water, extinguishing the fire she’d ignited in him. Her voice was fragile, distant, like a whisper lost in the wind.

Of all the outcomes he’d imagined, this wasn’t one of them.

She’d asked him to let her go. Her voice was trembling, cold once more. He dropped his hand immediately, sick to his stomach.

He would never force himself on a woman. He didn’t know what had come over him, but he’d nearly crossed a line.

Without another word, they both exited the car, switching seats. Tensely, he turned the key in the ignition, pressed the gas, and drove her home in silence.

Eighteen

ALLISON

Allison couldn’t sleep.

Part of it was the excitement about her baby—her daughter. She still couldn’t quite believe she was going to be a girl mom. Every time she thought about it, her heart sped up, full of a joy she could hardly contain. She was absolutely ecstatic.

She would have been thrilled either way, of course, but there was something about having a girl that made her heart swell with happiness. She could already picture her little angeldressed in adorable outfits, hair adorned with bows, and surrounded by all the shades of pink.

She couldn’t wait to meet her.

But if she was being honest with herself, that wasn’t the real reason she was lying awake, staring at the ceiling in the middle of the night. No, the real reason was Angelo Taylor and the confusing events of the day.

She couldn’t make sense of what was happening between them.

Let’s break it down.

First, he asked to kiss her outside her car, but when they got interrupted, he just left. Then he called to apologize and insisted on picking her up, as if that would fix everything. He’d been so comforting when she was stressed, making her feel safe—only to turn around and completely shatter that feeling when he cornered her in his car.

He’d whispered something she wasn’t supposed to hear, and then he just froze like a deer in headlights. As if he regretted the words the moment they left his lips.

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