Page 106 of Shout Out To My Ex

‘Hey, look, I’m sorry I took off like that,’ he says before I have a chance to explain. ‘I wanted to get back here as fast as I could to put in a call to Aunt Serena, but it was only after I got off the call that I realised how it must have looked to you, me leaving right when the shit hit the fan. Especially after…’

So, it’s hard for him too, dredging up the past.

‘You’re right, that did occur to me. And I did hate you a little for it.’

‘Just a little?’ He’s joking, but I nod, and the smile falls from his face – his gorgeous face, which I can’t stop staring at. How have I never noticed before that there’s a small bump on the bridge of his nose? Was that always there or did it happen after he moved back to Texas?

I should ask about his call with Ser.

‘So, what did she say?’

‘Aunt Serena? She called it a “shit show”.’

‘She’s not wrong. Does she have a solution?’

‘You won’t like it.’

‘Try me.’

‘She wants me to fall on my sword and publicly beg for Franzia’s forgiveness.’ I suddenly feel as if I weigh fifty stone. ‘You have to understand,’ he rushes to add, ‘she’s workedsohard for me, making me who I am, building the label. The engagement was supposed to be the cherry on top of the publicity sundae and?—’

‘Just…’ I hiss, raising my hands.

I can’t listen to any more of this. If Leo is going to kowtow to Ser and continue to go along with her (evil) plan, then what am I even doing here?

‘This was a mistake,’ I say, making my way to the stairs. As I reach the top step, it occurs to me that nowI’mthe one who’s running away.

‘Wait, what?’ He rushes after me and grabs me by the arm, his fingers gripping firmly. I’m about to wrench it free of his grasp when he adds, ‘I told her no.’

Time stands still and the only sound is our ragged breaths mingling between us as we lock eyes. His gaze drops to my mouth and in an instant, he pulls me to him, encircling me in his embrace and lowering his mouth to mine.

This kiss – the taste of him, the touch of his tongue, how his lips caress mine, the soft moan that escapes his lips, sending shivers hurtling down my spine, the feel of his touch at the nape of my neck, his body pressed against me, breathing in his scent – it iseverything. Familiar, yet electrifying – our past, our present, and our future in one perfect moment.

I never want it to end.

It could be minutes or hours or days – I’ve lost all sense of time – but eventually, the kiss draws to a close, and we ease apart just enough for our eyes to meet and share a grin.

‘That was…’ he says breathlessly.

‘Uh-huh,’ I reply.

‘You have no idea how much I want to make love to you right now, Ellie.’

His words rocket through me, quickening my pulse and sending tingles between my legs.

‘I have some idea,’ I say with a soft chuckle, feeling his erection pressed against me through our clothes.

‘Do you think it’s safe?’ he asks with a jerk of his head.

‘Out there? In the world?’ I suspect he’s thinking about us heading to his flat – or mine.

‘Yeah,’ he replies.

‘Hard to say.’ I eye the workbench – it doesn’t looktoouncomfortable.

‘Hold on,’ he says, his eyes alight with mischief, ‘I have a better idea.’ His eyes dart towards his phone, which is upright on the workbench. ‘The store closes in five. If I tell my staff I’ll close up, we’ll have the place to ourselves.’

I laugh.

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