Page 135 of My Ruthless Neighbor

I’ve seen Hannah and Raleigh grovel for his forgiveness after they deceived him about the whole fake engagement thing.

So how do I believe that he doesn’t hate me?

My thoughts scatter when I hear him approaching me.

I feel him behind me before his arms wrap around my waist. My breath gets caught in my throat when he pulls me back against him. Then he buries his face in the side of neck.

Something stirs inside me. Something that’s beyond my understanding.

My eyes fall shut as he drags his lips along my neck. He trails up until his warm breath tickles the shell of my ear. “I meant it. You are all I think about.”

My breathing becomes uneven when he brushes his lips against my ear. “I’m sorry.”

I lean the side of my head to his. “You hurt me.”

He tightens his arms around me. “I know.”

“You were mean.”

He kisses my temple in a silent apology.

“I hate you,” I say but my hands cover his forearms around my waist.

“You don’t. You wish you did.” He murmurs against my temple.

It’s true. And I am mad at him for knowing this. My skin feels hot by just being held by him like this.

The intimacy between us is new. He’s never been this expressive. This tender. Having him so close feels good. Too good.

This newness is a bit intimidating. Because if he continued to make me feel this way, I know I will get addicted.

Up until now he was this untouchable, silent, brooding man whom I hated and wanted at the same time.

But now, if he is this gentle with me, I am afraid I’ll get used to it. I can’t let it happen. Because I if I don’t stop myself now, I’ll get attached to him.

And if he leaves me like Mom did…. no. I can’t go through that again.

I turn in his arms and put my hands on his chest. “I think you should go.”

Not capable of looking at him, I train my gaze on the third button of his shirt that’s undone. I feel him staring at me.

His fingers grip my chin. He lifts it so he could meet my eyes. His other hand is still locked around my waist. “Look me in the eye and say that again. I will leave right this second.”

I do as he says, I lock my eyes with his. Open my lips… but nothing comes out.

It’s easy, Summer. Just tell him to leave. And he will.

I’ve walked on this path before. I’ve pushed men away if I got signs that they wanted more.

This is no different. Archer being here doesn’t prove that he wants more or that he has feelings for me.

So I shouldn’t find this path daunting if I’ve experienced this before, right? It shouldn’t be this hard asking him to leave while staring into those dark eyes.

There are endless reasons why we can’t happen. And yet, my tongue doesn’t work to express them to him.

He leans in and presses his forehead to mine. “I’m done denying this, baby.”

Flurry of butterflies goes wild in my stomach. That word, that small little word hit me with full force, filling my chest with pleasure.

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