Page 6 of Love Gamble

Phew.I relax, thinking I did well.

“You arrogant asshole,” she sneers, crossing her arms over her chest, which pushes up her perfect breasts. I try to keep my eyes on her face.

Okay, maybe not so well. Although I don’t think anything I say right now would be helpful, because I’m the main target of her anger.

“What, you think I’d be angry because you’re parading around my home with your new Barbie doll?” she continues, shaking her head. “Do you think you’re that good-looking?”

Ouch.

I sigh. I don’t want to fight with her. “Fucking hell. Sorry for asking, Corey.”

I should have walked right on by and minded my damn business. I don’t owe her anything. She’s not my old lady. Yes, we shared a kiss a few months back, but that’s it. She has no grounds to be upset.

None.

Yet why do I feel a little guilty?

“I’m going to leave you both alone,” Bella mutters as she slides by me to give us some privacy. Or maybe she just wants to escape this conversation.

Hell,Iwant to escape this conversation.

Corey huffs and a lock of red hair blows off her cheek. She’s fucking cute, even mad, but she’s also infuriating. The cliché about fiery redheads is no joke. This woman can go from angel to the devil in ten seconds flat.

“Well, I guess there’s nothing left to say, then,” I reply, crossing my arms over my chest, mimicking her defiant body language.

Seems like communication isn’t our strong suit.

“I guess so,” she replies.

Yet neither of us walks away, our gazes locking and holding.

The truth is, I do care for her, and I don’t like the thought of her being upset. But we haven’t even spoken properly in some time, and we sure as hell haven’t been acting like we’re anything other than friends.

If that.

If I could be with her, though, I would. The timing just isn’t right. And it’s not that I don’t want her. I wish I could tell her that. But I guess with her seeing Melinda, it won’t help anyway.

We have a silent conversation.

Her almond-shaped hazel eyes say,There’s still something between us.

And mine say,It’s too hard, and it shouldn’t be so fucking hard.

So you want easy?her eyes reply with a smirk across her perfect lips.

We’re friends,mine fire back, ignoring the dig at Melinda. This has nothing to do with her. This is between Corey and me. And I know we’re not doing anything wrong. Hell, I haven’t been this worked up since the last time we kissed. I’ve been stupid thinking that sleeping with Melinda would make me forget about Corey.

I want her.

“Fine,” she says out loud, then walks past me, our shoulders lightly brushing.

Without thinking, I reach out and grab her arm, pushing her back against the wall, our bodies pressed against each other. “You look so beautiful when you’re angry,” I say, gaze dropping to her lips. I remember how sweet they were when I tasted them. I then remember being punched in the face by River, but to be honest, it was worth it.

“I’m not angry,” she replies, but the fire in her eyes says otherwise. “And don’t try to charm me. You can do what you want, Damon. I mean, you clearly are. So don’t worry about me. Not that you have been.”

She puts her hands on my chest and pushes. I don’t move an inch. The air is so thick between us, and I don’t know what I want from her. I don’t think she knows what she wants from me either, but she obviously didn’t like seeing me with Melinda, no matter what she tells herself.

She’s jealous.

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