Page 200 of Sinning for Santa

“No,” I sigh, my shoulders dropping.

This argument is exhausting.

“Fine.” He nods, more to himself than anything, his eyes coming to mine. “I’ll send my men for your belongings.”

I’m about to argue with him once again when he starts stalking towards me and I try to skitter away.

“Stop, Devon. I’m not going with you.” I hold my hands out, my heels colliding with my bed as I fall back, but Devon stops his chase, sighing and shrugging.

“Fine. I’ll just stay here. I’ll get Finn to bring my clothes.”

“What!” Presley finally speaks up, her voice pitched high as she launches herself off the bed. “Uh-uh. Jax, you need to go with him.”

“What! Whose side are you on?” I protest, bolting up from the bed to stare at my sister.

“I’m onmyside. Firstly, I don’t want a man in my apartment. Men are pigs.” She glares at me. “Secondly, you’ve been pining over him ever since you left. Stop being stubborn and just decide to be happy.”

“You’ve been pining over me?” Devon asks and I snap.

“No!”

“Yeah, you have.” He brings out his shit-eating grin which makes me want to be irrationally violent.

“Get out!” I point to the door but he shakes his head, stepping up to me and taking my hand in his.

“Come on, love. Decide to be happy with me.”

“Stop,” I whisper, and he shakes his head again.

“No, I’ll never stop fighting for you.”

“Oh my god!” Presley’s voice draws our attention to see her gesturing to us. “Do you have a brother like you? I’m singleand ready for all that.”

“Presley!” I squeak, and she shrugs.

“What? At least I’m being honest, which is more than you’re being right now.”

She has a point, but even so, why isn’t she on my side right now?

“Come on, little mouse. Come with me. Let me remind you of how much my town adores you.”

“But… You broke my heart,” I whisper, and for the first time I see the regret wash over his expression as he reaches out and cups my cheek.

“If it’s any consolation, I broke my own heart too.”

It’s hard to believe a man like him could ever be brokenhearted, what with him being so tough and all, but I can see it. The truth is in his eyes. The pain he’s been suffering.

“Did you cry?” I ask, needing the truth.

“Nearly,” he admits, and shit, I hate the thought of him being so sad that he nearly cries.

I know that pain all too well.

“Did you day drink and get wasted?” I ask, and he nods quickly.

“Many times, little mouse. Many, many times.”

“Did you think about calling me?”

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