Page 54 of Choices

“I’m right,” he fires back.

“He’s married,” I remind him. I remindme.

“Yeah, I know that.” He stabs a thumb at his chest then points a finger toward me. “Do you?”

“What do you want from me?” I throw my arms up, glaring in his direction.

Striding across the room until he’s breathing down on me, he grasps my face, pain etched in his features, a dark plea in his gaze. “I just want you. That’s all.”

My hands come up to rest against his. “You’re drunk,” I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper.

“I love you.” The words leave his lips and bounce around my head, causing damage.

No. No. No.

“Don’t say that.” I push his hands down and take a step back.

“Why?” he pleads.

“Because you don’t mean it. We’ve messed around a little. We haven’t even fucked, Chris.”

“I don’t need to fuck you to know I love you.”

“You’re drunk,” I repeat, pacing.

“Stop fucking saying that. I just told you I love you, Kit.”

“And what do you want me to do with that?” I bark, scrubbing my hands down my face. This isn’t happening.Love! Loves me?

“I don’t know, maybe fucking love me back.” It’s a broken whisper.

“My chest isn’t a library, Chris. You can’t just borrow my heart. It’s already been checked out. There’s nothing left. The shelf is empty. I’m empty.” Tears prick my eyes. Hurting him was never my intention, but there’s nothing for him here.

Leaning against the wall, he bows his head, breathing heavily. Guilt sticks to my conscience like tar. I wish I could love him. I know he’s the better man. This isn’t fair to him.

“Chris…”

“That’s the third time you’ve said my name,” he observes.

“What?”

“I like hearing you say my name.”

Pushing off the wall, he turns to me, lust replacing the hurt in his gaze. “Give me one night, Kit. Just tonight.”

Nerves riot inside my stomach as I confront the conflict between my head and heart. This is a bad idea.

He’s in my space, our breaths mingling, hearts pounding. “Just tonight, I promise.” He leans in, swiping his mouth across mine.

This is wrong. I can’t. It will lead him on even more. But what would it be like if I do? What if this is what I need? A cleanse from Cutter’s touch, his ownership. Liberation.

Undoubtedly, regret will come, but what if it’s freeing…satisfying?

My knees tremble. My heart races at the possibilities flooding my mind. Although logic screams,“No!”something inside of me urges,“Yes!”

Thud—thud—thud.

Cutter has sucked the life out of me. Taken my power. It’s time to take it back.

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