Page 59 of Blind Attraction

He glanced up at her from underneath his dark lashes.

“I’m not making excuses for you.” She shook her head. “I don’t condone violence. It’s the way I’ve been raised and that part of me will never change. But I do understand why you did it.” She stepped into him, needing a connection, and gently raised his damaged hand in her palm. “Thank you for looking out for me.” She rubbed a delicate finger over the swollen skin. “Does it hurt?”

“Like a mother... Yeah, it hurts.” He gave her a sad, lopsided grin. “I’m not sure worker’s compensation covers me for acts of stupidity.”

Her eyes widened. “You won’t be able to play?” She hadn’t realized what he’d risked in an effort to protect her.

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I’m hoping some ice will help.”

He pushed from the car hood and moved into her, encircling her waist in a hug. She rested her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around him.

He sighed, long and loud. “I’ve gotta go.”

She tightened her grip. Blake had prepared her for a fight to keep Mitchell, but at the moment she was too despondent, too broken to show enthusiasm for anything.

“I think it’s best if I don’t call you.”

There it went, the line she’d been waiting for, and although she’d prepared herself, it didn’t stop her heart from cracking under the rejection.

“I like you, Allie, but you’ve got too much going on in your life, and I’m constantly flying from one place to the next. It’s not worth dragging out the inevitable.”

She placed her palms on his chest and leaned back to look him in the eye. “I like you, too, but no matter how much I have going on in my life, I’ll always find time for you. If you truly care for me, we can make it work.”

He frowned and broke eye contact, focusing his gaze on the green grass behind her.

“I’m an independent person,” she continued when he didn’t reply. “I can deal with time apart. I just want the chance to see if things between us can be something more.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed and his arms dropped from her waist. “I’m not what you need right now.”

She winced and tried not to take his assumption of what he thought she needed too personally. “What are you scared of?” she whispered, tilting her head into his line of sight.

“I’m not scared,” he huffed and stepped back.

“Then why are you pushing me away?”

“Because I’m not what you need!”

She jerked back. “The assumption that you know me better than I know myself is insulting.”

“You’re starting a new life, Allie. You need constant support, which I can’t give you.”

“Stop telling me what I need!”

She sighed, angry that she’d become frustrated to the point of raising her voice. “OK, fine.” She raised her hands in surrender. “I’m not so virginal that I can’t see the brush off right before my eyes.”

“No, it’s not—”

“Mitchell, I’ve had fun these past few days, and I thank you wholeheartedly. I enjoyed spending time with you and admit my feelings for you are a lot more than friendship.” She blinked faster and faster, hoping to stem the flow of tears, at least until he left. “But I’ve had enough of people telling me what to do and trying to shape my life. Iknowwhat I need, and more importantly, Iknowwhat I want. I’m not a child, and I can make decisions for myself.”

She raised her chin and took a deep breath. “I wish you all the best.” Her voice cracked, and before the first tears fell, she turned and strode toward the house.

With each step she prayed he would call for her, but not a word was whispered. Silence reigned as she opened the front door and locked herself inside. She rested her back against the thick wood, her heart pounding, still holding onto the hope he would change his mind. When the sound of a car door slammed, followed by the rev of an engine, she allowed the destruction of the past days to take hold and crumpled to the floor in tears.

“Can I borrow your laptop?” Mitch stood in front of Blake, eyebrows raised, heart on his sleeve. They’d barely spoken since leaving Richmond over a week ago. Mitch’s social skills had lacked civility, apparently, so he spent most of his free time alone.

“Ahh, yeah. Sure.” Blake frowned. “Give me two minutes to end my chat session and it’s yours.”

Mitch sat down beside him on the penthouse suite sofa. “Who are you chatting with?”

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