Page 16 of Now and Forever

“Your patience?” I exclaim, aghast. “I’m the one with no patience left. You call me. You follow me. You stalk me. You show up at my work. My family insists you’re my boyfriend, but you’re not! And you say it’syourpatience that’s exhausted?”

“I love you, Jude.”

“Well, too bad for you,” I respond, but I’m not so sure about what I’m saying.

“I can’t live without you,” he whispers huskily.

My sister can’t help herself and audibly sighs. Her face says it all. Eric’s romantic words have totally seduced her. I’m angry and have no desire to hear what he has to say.

“You and I are over,” I say. “What part of that do you not understand?”

“You’re coming with me,” he affirms.

“Am I?” I say, smiling with a certain cockiness.

My Iceman nods with that overwhelming confidence of his that disconcerts me.

“Yes,” he repeats.

I arch an eyebrow. I’m so irritated by the impudence he oozes out of every pore.

“Don’t even think about it.”

Eric smiles, but the expression is cold and insolent.

I shrug, daring him. I’m being a little naughty now.

“Jude ...”

“Oh please!” I protest, wanting to grab the frying pan near my hand and bash him on the head.

“Judith,” whispers my sister, “get your hand away from that frying pan right now.”

“Raquel, shut up once and for all!” I say. “I don’t know who’s worse, you or him.”

Evidently offended, my sister stomps out of the kitchen and closes the door. I attempt to follow, but Eric blocks my way. I snort and try to contain my desire to kill him.

“I told you very clearly that if you left,” I whisper, “you’d have to deal with the consequences.”

“I know.”

“So?”

He stares at me ...

“I acted badly,” he finally says. “I’m a dickhead, like you said, and I need you to forgive me.”

“You’re forgiven, but we’re still over.”

“Sweetheart.”

Without giving me a chance to respond, he takes me in his arms and kisses me. He steamrolls me. He takes my mouth adoringly and persuasively presses me against him. My heart is racing a mile a minute.

“I’m tired of your impositions,” I say when he finally takes his mouth off mine. He kisses me again and leaves me gasping.

“I’m tired of your little scenes and your temper tantrums and ...”

He comes at my mouth again.

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