Page 44 of Burn It Down

“Do you think she’s seeing someone else?”

This makes me laugh.

“Cora? God, no. She couldn’t handle the scandal. Cora is a good girl down to her bones.” I drop my head in my hand, running my fingers across my forehead. “And she deserves so much more than what I can give her.”

Dylan’s hand lands on my back and I could weep for how comforting it is.

“Why don’t you just talk to her? She sounds pretty understanding.”

“Because it would change nothing at all except letting her know I’m notinlove with her and that nothing she does will ever change that. It’s not like telling her the truth will set either of us free. We’re captives in our relationship. Even if she’s unaware of it.”

God, it feels good to say all of this to another person.

His hand falls from my back and I can’t help but push my knee further into his, still seeking a connection. Quite honestly, it’s a miracle I’m able to concentrate on this conversation at all after having his dick in my hands.

“Is keeping your position at your dad’s company worth all this?”

The question isn’t unreasonable. In fact, it’s another one I’ve asked myself a lot over the years, but the truth is, “I don’tknow what else I’d do. Familial drama aside, I love my job. My grandfather built this company from the ground up, my father grew it to its current size, and it’s always been my future.”

“I understand wanting to be a part of the legacy, but don’t you think the legacy should reflect part of you too?”

“What do you mean?”

“Your family’s company is currently set up to help the rich grow richer. Look at your clients. You said yourself that your dad wanted an alliance with the governor for access to the wealthy and elite clientele. But you? You seem so much more down to earth. Relatable. Lesswhite-collar-assholeand morefor-the-people.”

I laugh as I see what he’s getting at. “Money may not buy happiness, but it sure as shit solves a lot of problems. I could branch out on my own, but a low-profit wealth management firm won’t stay in business very long and it seems crazy to reinvent the wheel when my last name already evokes trust in the same rich clients I’d need to take on in order to earn capital. Whether I like it or not, this is my world and trying to build an empire against my father just doesn’t seem smart.”

“So that’s it? You’re just stuck living a lie to make others happy and keep your bank account padded?” he asks, unable to mask his anger — not that he’s really trying.

Looking at him, my breath catches at his eyes. I’m not sure anyone could ever get used to seeing the Caribbean Sea staring back at them,but God I’d love the chance to try.

“I don’t like the way you make it sound. I’m not just trying to make everyone else happy and to hell with my bank account. Despite being born on third base, Ihaveworked hard. Ihaveput in the time and effort to earn my position.”

“Answer the question,” he demands, sitting up straighter. The shirt I gave him is still too small for his chest even though it’s the biggest one I have. Now isnotthe time for my dick tonotice the straining materialorthe way his jaw clenches the angrier he gets.

“I don’t know.” I throw my napkin onto my plate unable to stomach any more food. “I’ve never considered an alternative because…” I trail off and mentally ask myself if I’m prepared to throw the truth out there, but as I watch the anger slowly melt from Dylan’s face and morph into a grimace that looks like he’s waiting to be hurt, I step off the ledge. “Until now, there hasn’t been anyone I’d consider imploding my entire life for.”

The heaviness of that statement hangs between us. Dylan sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose, trying to hide the relief on his features. “I’m sorry I’m being harsh. I know it’s not that easy.”

“Dylan, if I’m totally honest, I have no idea what I’m doing. All I know is that the day I saw you, I wasdesperateto talk to you. Did I ever, in a million years, think we’d be here after only a few weeks?Fuckno. I didn’t think we’d ever behereat all…but now that we are, I don’t know how to go back to pretending I don’t want you and trying to move on without you isn’t something I’m interested in either.”

He grabs the back of my neck roughly and pulls me to his lips with bruising force. I plant my hands on his thighs so I don’t melt right off my stool, but he flexes his quads and I damn near melt anyway.

He swallows my groan and when he pulls back, he grips my chin firmly in his hand, wearing a wolfish smirk.

“What?” I ask, afraid I’m about to wake up from this fever dream.

“Tell me the truth, Jacob Ellington. Did you purposely stop in my blind spot at the grocery store, knowing I’d back into you?”

I worry my bottom lip with my teeth, ashamed of my answer, and nod. “But I swear I wasn’t ever going to file a police report and I obviously was willing to cover all the repairs…to bothcars.” My words rush out to defend me as if there’s any excuse for the way I manipulated him. “And I knew you wouldn’t get hurt because you couldn’t gain that much speed and I’m really sor—”

He cuts me off with another searing kiss. The act feels so different with him. I’m on fireeverywhere.His lips aren’t pliant like Cora’s. Although still soft, they’re demanding and work in wonderful tandem with his tongue, teasing me and coaxing more from me.

Fuck, I could kiss him all night.

Without breaking contact, I plant my feet on the floor and stand between his legs, my fingers diving into his hair. I’m breathing hard and my dick is swelling, preparing for the next round…when we hear it.

The ding of the elevator doors. They open into my foyer, which is around the corner, but I still jump away from Dylan so fast I send my bar stool clattering to the floor.

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