Page 79 of Crave

I sense her disappointment, I feel it in my bones. Sadly, this is how it has to be.

Releasing my grip on her face I step back.

I’m a fucking idiot. I know I want her.

She keeps her composure, smoothing out her robe, yet her cheeks are bright red, like that time I caught her stealing liquor from her dad’s cabinet when she was nineteen.

Her lip rolls between her teeth. “It’s half full, I wasn’t sure if you were coming back over so I left it.”

Guilt riddles me. “I didn’t lie. We can make this work.” I hold out my hand and she laces her fingers through mine.

“We have to.” She tightens her grip.

“So, tell me more about this stalker,” I say, leading her into her kitchen. I sit myself up on the counter by the refrigerator and she does the same on the one opposite, snatching the half full sweet jar and opening it.

I catch the gummy worm that she tries to hurl at my head and rip a bite off with my teeth.

That reminds me, I need to get Sheila some more fishies. Well, and Bruce. The damn birds are eating me out of house and home.

Maybe I should get a snake?

They might be easier.

“I might sound mad.” She begins.

I look up at her taking another bite of the candy. “Probably. All the best people are, Lara. Nothing wrong with that.”

She rolls her eyes. I gesture for another treat, this time she gets her aim right and a hard candy hits me in my eyebrow.

“What? It’s true. Now tell me before I get cranky.” I put on my best fake angry voice.

“Oh no, I’m so scared.” The sarcasm drips from her voice. She holds her palms up in surrender, and then belts me in the head with another sweet and she bursts into a fit of giggles.

There it is, my favorite sound.

CHAPTER 35

LARA

Ugh.He was so close to giving in.

We both were.

I don’t know how much longer I can wait to make him realize that we are an end game. That I am simply madly in love with him.

I want him as more than a friend and I know he feels this too.

Keeping him at arm’s length isn’t going to cut it, not when I’ve had a taste.

And damn, that harsh tone he used on me.

Dominant. Possessive.

In the bedroom, I bet he’s a beast that will put me in my place and worship the life out of me.

There is no other man for me.

I just need to work out how to get him.

---