Page 616 of The Tempted

“How about a raincheck on the dance? I have to use the ladies room,” I said as I stood up.

I didn’t wait for him to answer me and took off in the same direction as Blackie. The door to men’s room was closed, so I leaned against the wall across from it and waited for him to come out.

Face to face, me and him, leather and lace.

When he didn’t emerge right away I started for the door, prepared to open it and walk right inside to pull him away from whatever self-destruction he was no doubt engaging in. Why after everything, after the way he hurt me, did I still want to be the one who healed him?

I know why.

I love him.

And I still believe he loves me.

The door opened as I reached for the knob and we walked right into one another. I lifted my head and met his gaze, recognizing the warmth in his eyes before they quickly turned cold and uninviting.

“How long are you going to pretend I don’t exist?”

My voice was so low I wasn’t even sure he heard the question until he stepped closer, the scent of his cologne assaulted my senses, weakening me and making me copy his footsteps until we were a breath a part.

Hold me.

Tell me it was all a lie.

Tell me you love me as much as I love you.

Let me be your queen because you’ll always be my king.

“Until you disappear once and for all,” he seethed, glaring at me, shattering the hope reborn in my heart.

Then he was gone.

Like a phantom.

All he left behind was tears in my eyes and the scent of his cologne.

What’s it going to take for you to realize he doesn’t want you?

I get it.

I finally get it.

I wanted to go home, climb into bed and wait for tomorrow. I stepped out from the darkened hallway and scanned the bar for Daniela but she was nowhere in sight. I made my way back to Brandon who was exactly where I left him and playing on his phone.

He lifted his head and smiled at me when I reached for his hand.

“Can we get out of here?” I pleaded.

“Sure,” he said instantly, reaching into his pocket for some cash. He glanced at the check, threw a few bills on the table and continued to hold my hand as he led me to the bar. He stood behind Blackie and called over his shoulder to the bartender.

“The bill is on the table,” Brandon said.

I saw Blackie twist in his stool and quickly I turned my back to him, unable to withstand another blow to my heart.

Goodbye Blackie.

I let Brandon escort me out of the bar into the parking lot and toward his car. He opened the car door for me, held it while I climbed in and then bent down so he was level with me. He lifted his hand to my cheek.

“Anyone who lets you go is a fool,” he said, softly.

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