Page 33 of Risks

“Why?” he rasps, leaning his head toone side. “So you won’t feel bad that I’m still pining over you?”

I sigh. “August...”

“I’m kidding, Latoya.” His grinslowly lessens as he glances at something over my shoulder.

Immediately, I know who has arrived.I feel his presence strongly. His force always sends tingles down my spine andstirs warmth between my thighs. We have an indefinable connection that firesoff when we’re in the same place.

“No one can compete with him, huh?”August mutters under his breath.

I take the risk of turning, and ashudder rocks my body when my eyes lock with Varen’s.

God, this guy sets my heart on fire.

He’s as handsome as ever. Dark hairtousled, a nice dress shirt and pants, freshly shaved. It’s too bad he isn’twearing that sexy lip piercing.

Remorse consumes his mesmerizingblue orbs, drawing me into their depths as he moves closer.

I refuse to surrender to his allure.I’m mad that he went behind my back, and I won’t let him off easily.

“Toya,” he starts in an apologetictone. “Could we—”

“No.” Sucking my teeth, I step pasthim and walk out of the living room, brushing by Alison in the doorway.

I slip into Daniel’s office and shutthe door, waiting until more of his friends arrive before showing my face again.

A crowded house makes it easier toavoid Varen.

Moving around, I manage to carry onconversations, and whenever Varen comes into view, I divert to someone else.

I use that tactic throughout theevening until I run low on emotional energy. Since everyone’s preoccupied, Isneak away to the sunroom, leaving the light off and remaining in the shadows.

It’s a little chilly in here. I hugmyself as I lean against the wall, staring out the tall windows at the backyardand dark water.

“Merry Christmas.”

I shiver from his deep voice thatalways causes my body to ignite with an unstoppable surge of electricity.

Varen comes closer and stands beforeme.

I’m about to leave, but he grasps myhand. “Please. Just hear me out.”

“I’m so mad at you,” I grit shakily withoutlooking at him. If I meet his gaze, there’s a chance I’ll break. He has a tightclutch on my heart, making it hard not to melt in his presence.

“I know, and I’m so sorry, Toya.Please forgive me.” He traces my knuckles with his thumb. “You’ve given me somuch. I only wanted to do something for you.”

“You already do enough.” I twist tohim, discerning his face in the shadows. “I never asked forthat,Varen.”

His adam’s apple bobs at a hardswallow. “I saw it in your eyes. Read it in your diary.”

“I wrote about it once.”

He touches my cheek, evoking aheatwave on my skin. “It was enough to show how you truly felt. Don’t you wantto talk to him, babe?”

“No.” I ease back, letting his handfall from my face. “Forget it. I’m not...” There’s that annoying jab in mychest again. I fight against it. “I won’t meet him.”

“Toya,” Varen rasps, voice pleading.“He has something to tell you.”

“Are you serious?” I writhe my handfree. “That man dipped when he learned about me, and now he expects me to sparehim my time? Fuck that.”

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