Page 58 of Blind Attraction

“Are you still trying to call her?” Mitch shot him an incredulous look.

“I no longer have the use of my fingers. They’re frozen in fear.”

Mitch shook his head and gripped the wheel with his swollen hand, snatching the phone from him with the other.

“Oh, hell no.” Sean raised his voice, grabbing it back. “Your driving is bad enough without another distraction.”

“Well keep dialing—oh shit.” He noticed too late that Kate’s car had turned down the street he began to pass. He didn’t think, didn’t falter. He jerked the steering wheel to the left, almost clipping a parked car as he straightened onto the new road.

“I’m gonna kick your ass as soon as we get out of the car,” Sean mumbled, his attention now on the cars streaking past in a blur of color.

Mitch closed the gap between them and Kate. He breathed a sigh of relief when a few minutes later, she pulled into the driveway of a small brick house. He followed her up the drive and came to an abrupt stop mere inches from Kate’s car.

Oh Shit. Now what should he do?

Trepidation clogged his throat. He loved the irony of having to race here to do something he loathed doing in the first place.

He yanked the keys from the ignition and unfastened his seat belt. This was it. The last time he would see Allie. Pain exploded in the back of his head and he fell forward, gripping the steering wheel. “Mother fu–”

“If I didn’t feel so sorry for you, you would’ve got more than a slap.”

Mitch glared at Sean, then lightened the harshness of his gaze when he notice the beads of sweat on his friends forehead. He inhaled deep and let it out in a sigh. “Wish me luck.”

“Good luck, buddy.” Sean’s gaze held sympathy. “Alana seems like a mighty fine woman. You sure you still want to break things off?”

Alana climbed out of the car, her long, brown hair flowing over her shoulders while she slowly turned to face him.

No, he didn’t want to sever his ties with her. He wanted to stay here and do whatever it took to gain her forgiveness. “Oh, shit, what am I doing?” he whispered to himself. She was so beautiful. Her full lips, her dimples, her bright eyes and flawless skin. She was brave and loving and trusting and caring and oh Christ he needed to get a grip.

They both lived in different worlds. Hers was just beginning. His was a washing machine of drama, lies, and sleazy sex.

“No. I’ve gotta do this.” He opened his car door and his heart drop to his feet when he stood.

* * *

Alana lifted her chin and wandered around the front of the car, her fingers trailing along the hood. She needed a few moments to compose herself. Life had been such a rush the past few days. She’d changed from being a caterpillar into a butterfly, yet she hadn’t learned how to use her wings.

The real world was harsh. First the violence of Mitchell’s dismissed bodyguard, then the betrayal upon betrayal from her mother, followed by more violence from the man she had begun to trust. The lows had rocked her emotional foundations, yet the highs were more than she ever dreamed. If only she could overcome the vertigo which stemmed from the back and forth between ecstasy and trepidation.

“I’m sorry.”

She raised her gaze from the cement driveway to his gorgeous hazel eyes. Mitchell stood before her, hands in pockets, his face gloomy with regret. She tried to smile, to show him everything was all right but it only made her eyes burn.

“I don’t understand what happened to me, Allie. I just snapped.”

That’s what scared her the most. She hadn’t contemplated Mitchell being a violent man. Two days together and she thought she knew him. Two days where she hadn’t even been able to see him or read his expression.

Oh, how naive and delusional she was.

She understood his protective anger, but couldn’t excuse the violent reaction. He glanced down at his hand and tilted it back and forth. His knuckles were red and swollen and she felt the urge to comfort him.

The whole situation was a mess.

“I’ve never hit anyone before.” He spoke softly. “I…I…” He shook his head and slumped against the car.

Her heart ached for him, yet it comforted her to find out the violent outburst wasn’t a common occurrence. She walked the remaining steps around the hood and stopped in front of him.

“The past few days have been emotional. I’ve been a strain on you. We haven’t had much sleep. You’re dealing with the start of your promotional tour and album release...and you were protecting me.”

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