Page 84 of Come Break My Heart Again

Ryder scrubs a palm across his face. “Look, I was just trying to?—”

“Stop, okay? Whatever you weretryingto do, just stop. I shouldn’t have come here. You’ve done nothing but avoid me since you got back. Message fucking received. Bye, Ryder.”

As soon as I’m out of the doorway, I start running.

Worried he’ll chase me.

Hating he won’t.

17

Isuck in a deep breath, then lift my hand and knock. The rap of my knuckles against the wooden door echoes down the empty hallway, then fades into silence.

This is stupid. But I’ve partially committed at this point.

So, I knock again.

A few seconds later, there’s a muffled thud inside the room. Ten seconds later, the door swings open.

I have to lift my hand and pretend to scratch my cheek in order to hide the wide smile that wants to appear.

Elle’s hair is a chaotic tangle that resembles a bird’s nest, creased impressions from her pillow webbing across the left side of her face. Her eyes are bleary as she squints at me.

My gaze dips lower, and any amusement fades. She’s wearing a thin tank top that’s molded to her chest and a pair of lace boy shorts. Nothing else.

Fuck me. Seriously. I didnotneed this mental image.

I clear my throat. “Good morning.”

Elle’s knuckles go white where they’re gripping the door. “Morning.”

“I’m going for a run,” I tell her.

“Have fun.”

I smile. I don’t mean to, but I do. There’s an answering tug in one corner of Elle’s mouth.

“I was wondering about Scout,” I say, getting the conversation back on track.

“My dog?” She sounds surprised.

“Unless you know of another Scout staying here.” I rub the back of my neck. That was a stupid comment. “So …”

“You’re here to exercise my dog?”

“What did you think I was here for?” I make the mistake of glancing down again as I ask the question, the words coming out more suggestive than I meant to.

She has a boyfriend. She hates you.

She’s also the woman my body associates sex with.

“You don’t have to do that,” Elle says.

Her cheeks are pink when I meet her eyes again.

“I know,” I reply.

She stares at me for a few seconds, then nods. “Okay. Uh, just give me one minute.”

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