Page 51 of Beyond the Hate

“I thought you were going to stop holding what I did in high school against me.”

“I’m not holding it against you.” I’m also not planning on getting involved with Eli. I had a weak moment and we had sex. Nothing more. Nothing less.

He blows out a breath before sitting on the sofa.

“What are you doing? You have an investor meeting to attend.”

“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what this is about.”

I fist my hands on my hips. “What right do you have to demand answers from me?”

He unfurls from the sofa and prowls toward me. I am not his prey. I refuse to move. I will hold my ground.

He crowds me until I can feel his heat, smell his scent. I shove my hands in my pockets before I reach for him and demand a second round. There will be no second rounds with Eli.

I have nothing against casual sex. But sex with him is anything but emotionless. I can’t afford to go down that road. It ends in heartbreak.

“I’ve been inside you. I’ve felt you come on my cock and on my fingers. I plan to do it again, Lace.”

“Lace?” I grab the chance to derail the conversation. “My name is Paisley. Not Lace.”

He skims a finger down my arm. I lock my muscles but I can’t help the goosebumps from forming at his touch.

“To everyone else, you’re Paisley. To me, you’re Lace. A beautiful, intricate, and complicated pattern.”

“I’m not beautiful.”

“You are. But I’m not letting you change the topic.” I open my mouth to snark at him but he places a finger on my lips. “And you know exactly what topic I’m referring to. Why won’t you give this – us – a chance?”

“You never asked for a chance.”

“You’re right. I didn’t. My apologies. Lace, will you give this relationship a chance?”

I don’t hesitate. “No, thank you.”

He rears back. “What? Why not?”

“Do I have to give reasons?”

“Yes, you do.” He nods. “It’s obvious you want me. You light up whenever I touch you. Your pulse is beating erratically at how near I am now.”

I raise my foot intent on stepping back. Hold on. I don’t retreat. I don’t give up. I set my foot back down.

“My body may want you but good sex isn’t a foundation to begin a relationship.”

“Good sex,” he grumbles. “We had phenomenal sex.”

“Whatever. Sex isn’t a foundation.”

“Forget the sex.”

I wish I could but I won’t forget our little foray on the sofa for a long time. I’ll probably dream of it every night for years to come.

“Sex is off the table.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Sex is off the table?”

“Trust me. I don’t want sex off of the table. But if abstaining will convince you to give us a try, I’m willing to abstain.”

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