Page 143 of Scattered Glitter

Answers.

I stare at the screen, chewing my bottom lip. The knot of anxiety in my stomach returns with a vengeance, but I remind myself that I’ve been wanting this.

Or, rather, I realized I wanted this when I was overthinking yesterday.

Answers.

So, why not get this over with? I have the time before I need to be at Fitness First, anyway. I pull the ponytail holder out, letting my hair fall down my back, knowing I’ll have to wear a helmet.

Grabbing my gym bag, in case this conversation drags on, I sling it over my shoulder and then push my matchbox into the pocket of my leggings, a little piece of emotional armor. Then, with everything in place, I head out the door.

Sunlight greets me, warm against my skin, but it’s nothing compared to the heat that flares inside me when I see Sylus leaning against his motorcycle.

He looks annoyingly good in a black leather jacket, ripped jeans, and that cocky grin. His eyes light up when he sees me, and he straightens, his gaze dragging down my body in a way that makes my heart race.

“Damn, Sparkle,” he says teasingly, eyes still raking over me. “Did I mention how much I love this outfit? Or how I’d love even more to see you out of it?”

I roll my eyes, and he steps into my space before I can come up with a comeback. His hand finds my waist, and his lips brush close to mine, but I instinctively lean back, shooting him a glare.

“Seriously, make up your mind…” He chuckles, his grin widening. “You’re giving me whiplash over here.”

I huff, crossing my arms between us. I can’t exactly tell him I’m annoyed,again,that he didn’t text me after I explicitly said I needed space. But I am.

It’s complicated,and I’m shit at this.

His laughter dies out. His expression softens as his hand cups my face, tilting it so I’m looking right into his beautiful gray eyes, and butterflies take off in my chest.

Fuck.

“Yes, no, maybe so?” he whispers, his eyes holding and searching mine. When I don’t answer, he leans in and presses a slow, deliberate kiss to my lips, ignoring the barrier of my crossed arms. My heart skips a beat, and despite trying to keep my walls up, I melt into him, my arms unfolding and wrapping around him, unable to fight that magnetic pull.

“Trust me,” he murmurs, his lips ghosting over mine as he speaks. “Pulling me closer is way more fun than pushing me away.”

I shiver under his words and his warmth as I reply, “You think so?”

His voice drops, his grin turning wicked. “I know so.”

I bite back a smile and take a breath, but when the scent of his cologne hits me, I’m unable to resist brushing my nose along his neck with a deep inhale.

His whole body tenses, and he groans. “Honestly, Sparkle. If you nuzzle my neck like that, shit is going down. And we don’t have time for me to carry you upstairs and lick your pussy for the rest of the day.”

Fuck.His words go straight to said pussy, and I press my thighs together instinctively. “How much timedowe have?” I answer teasingly, but he only smirks as he searches my face.

His thumb brushes over my cheek, and when I flinch slightly, his eyes narrow in concern. “Still sore?” His gaze traces the spot that Ezra marked. The sudden shift from teasing to tenderness makes something twist in my chest.

“It’s fine.” I try to sound dismissive, but the softness of my tone betrays me.

He frowns slightly, still brushing his thumb over my skin as if he could erase the sting with his touch.

“Yeah, well, if I could undo it, I would.”

“It’s not your fault.” I try to shrug it off again, but the way he’s looking at me continues to make it hard to keep my guard up.

Damn him and those stupid gray eyes.

Sylus has this way of looking at me that makes it feel as though he’s got the whole world in the palm of his hand, and he’d trade it for one more second with me.

He moves that gaze away from me as he reaches for one of the helmets from the back of his bike. In a move that’s starting to feel routine, he slides it onto my head, then grabs his and pulls it on, mounting the bike.

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