Page 91 of Only With You

I arch a brow, snickering. “Oh, you’re advising me now?”

He pauses the video and assembles my record player back together. “Yes, Julianna, I am. So please, for the love of God, just stop. You’re exhausting to deal with.”

“But you willingly chose to be with me tonight.” I smugly state because he can’t deny it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be here. “Case closed.”

“I’m here out of pity.” He doesn’t smile, but I see the pleased expression on his face and hear how satisfied he sounds. “You were alone and I felt bad for you.”

Not too long ago that would’ve hurt, but there is no malice behind his words. He even sounds a little playful. Never thought I’d enjoy our banter as much as I do now.

I mock a scoff and stand, staring down at him. “I could be with anyone I want, but I let you spend time with me. So really, if anyone is doing anything out of pity, it’s me, but now, I’m bored.” His eyes follow me as I saunter to the kitchen and set my mug on the sink. “You know where the door is.”

“Where do you think you’re going?” His rough words halt me in my tracks as I make my way to my room.

“To be with someone who doesn’t bore me.”

I wasn’t lying when I said I could be with anyone. I could reply to one of the DMs I got on Instagram or text anyone, but there’s no one I really want to be with but the guy a few feet away from me.

I can’t believe I’m saying that, but I kind of like being with him.

I slip into my room and shut the door behind me, but it doesn’t close. When I turn around, I do a double take as Landon steps inside.

“Why must you act like a fucking brat?” His eyes darken and his jaw clenches.

I should kick him out because the air between us is too hot, taut, making it hard to breathe. We’re a spark away from going off and we’re just merely looking at each other.

Folding my arms over my chest, I square my shoulders, staring at him as apathetic as I can, but his scrutinizing gaze makes it hard to stand still.

“I’m a brat?” A dry laugh expels from my lips. “For walking away from a guy who’s with me out of pity?”

“I—you didn’t throw them away?” His hardened stare bounces to the corner of my room. Where the electric blue and white half moon lobelias are sitting on the small wooden stool by the window.

I could’ve kept them in the kitchen or put them in our little patio, but I didn’t. I wanted them in my room, for only me to see.

“No, of course not, but I want to know why you threw my roses away. That was rude and an asshole thing to do.”

“I never said I wasn’t one.”

“You know what, Landon, fuck you!” My voice rises as I drop my hands to my sides and stalk over to him.

It feels as if there’s an invisible string pulling us closer to each other. The safest thing to do would be to cut it, because we’re a breath away from cutting each other’s heads off, but I don’t.

“Fuck me? Fuck you!” Staring down at me, he heaves a sharp breath, his nostrils flare, and frustration mixed with unfiltered heat swirls in the depth of his dark eyes. “You’re so bloody annoying! All you ever do is run your fucking mouth! Can you for once in your life just shut up and do as you’re told? It’s not that difficult!”

His outburst gives me déjà vu.

I sardonically laugh. “No, and I’m not sure why you assumed I’d ever listen to you.”

“Right, I should know to keep my expectations low with you because you’re an entitled, spoiled brat.”

“How original of you. If you’re done, you know where the door is.” I pivot, but I don’t make it far as he grabs my ponytail and spins me back around.

I gasp, the sudden movement catching me off guard. I’m too stunned to do anything until he tugs me closer to him, his fist firmly holding my hair.

“I’m not done talking to you.” The harsh tone of his voice and the searing look in his eyes keeps me in place, and something in my core coils, a light throbbing pulses between my legs. “You’re going to listen to me.”

The demand in his voice is enough for anyone to cower down and I almost do. But my bravado is slowly slipping, and I’m not sure how to keep up the front.

My body is wound up extremely tight and a multitude of emotions are fighting against each other inside of my head. And the throb between my legs intensifies.

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