Page 50 of Beyond The Break

“So, you’re done ignoring me now?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest and pretending I’m not flattered.

He sighs, looking down at the floor before returning his eyes to mine. “I was not?—”

“You were,” I interrupt, not giving him the opportunity to lie, “you wouldn’t even look at me during breakfast.”

“I just have a lot on my mind right now, Eliana,” he says, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his black swimming trunks.

“Like regret?”

I don’t expect to feel hurt saying the words out loud. I knowhe’s never promised anything to me, and I don’t know that I want anything from him aside from his acceptance. He’s hot and cold and I can’t keep up anymore.

Griffin’s silence hurts even more, and I struggle to swallow past the lump forming in my throat. I feel stupid for allowing his rejection to hurt as much as it does, but I’m just so tired of constantly feeling like this.

“I don’t regret almost kissing you,” he finally says, surprising me, as he runs a hand through his dark hair, “I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re not good for me.”

I feel like I’ve just been slapped. “Ouch.”

“That came out wrong.” He takes three quick strides, coming to a stop in front of me, our bodies inches from touching.

I lick my lips as I look up at him, his gaze turning dark as he tracks the movement.

“You are my biggest distraction and I don’t know how to resist you.”

“So don’t,” I say, surprising us both. “I told you, live a little.”

Those words are all it takes for him to place one hand on my lower back and pull me into his chest as his other hand tangles into my hair, tugging my head backward so that I’m forced to look up at him. His lips to crash into mine as an overpowering energy crackles between us, my body molding into his.

The kiss is unforgiving, completely consuming me as his tongue teases mine. He tastes like mint, and I feel desperate for more as my fingers claw into the material of his blue shirt, pulling him closer.

He lets out a low growl before releasing me and taking a step back. I bring my hand up to my swollen lips as I stare at the rainbow of emotions that dance across his face.

“I shouldn’t have done that,” he says, frowning in confusion as he looks away, “I just can’t seem to control myself around you.”

“Maybe if you stopped fighting how you feel about me, you might find that I’m not as distracting to you anymore,” I muster up the courage to say, “I might even become the motivation you need.”

He stares at me, and I feel exposed in a whole new kind of way. I'm tired of hiding my attraction to him. It's been so long since I've felt anything remotely close to this and I'm done pretending like I don't want more.

“Maybe you’re right,” he says, eyes trailing my body.

I pick up the purple T-shirt that he brought for me from the floor where I dropped it. “Thank you for this,” I say, shaking it slightly.

He nods in return, his eyes burning into mine. “So, you and Gabriel,” he finally says, trying to sound nonchalant and failing as his brows pull together in a scowl and a vein in his jaw ticks.

“What about him?”

“Is there something going on between you two?” he asks. “He has a soft spot for you which is unlike Gabriel.”

I blink twice before bursting into a fit of laughter. He watches me, a hint of amusement swimming in his eyes, patiently waiting for an answer. Once the giggles subside and I’ve wiped away the tears that were pooling in the corners of my eyes, I shake my head.

“He’s just being nice. Our relationship is just a working relationship,” I say.

The air between us grows heavy with tension as he studies me, goosebumps crawling up my arms at his dark expression. Reaching forward, he gently grabs my wrist and tugs me towards him until our chests collide again.

“Good,” he mumbles, lowering his mouth just above mine and slowly looking into my eyes, “Because I don’t share.”

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