Page 10 of What She Deserves
“I know, and you got that clean break, right? You lied and pretended you were moving to D.C.”
Layla opened her mouth to deny the accusation, but he briefly lifted a finger to quiet her.
“Don’t deny it. We both know it’s true.”
She fell silent and gazed at a couple across the street. The man had his arm around the woman, and they were laughing as they walked and talked. They looked so happy. That used to be her and Rashad, before he asked to downgrade their relationship.
“I understand why you did it. Because we were intense, and if we kept in touch, you’d give in to me again.”
“You’re overestimating your appeal.”
“That’s not what the little pulse right here says.” He lifted a finger to her neck, and she slapped away his hand.
“You have a very high opinion of yourself.”
“But am I right?”
With a heated glower, she refused to admit her weakness for him. “Believe it or not, you can’t get everything you want, Rashad.”
He tilted his head to the side. “Since when?” Raw arrogance took over his body, and the mocking light in his eyes set her teeth on edge. As far as he was concerned, nothing was beyond his reach if he worked hard enough.
“Sincenow.”
“I’d believe that if you didn’t lie about remaining in Atlanta. You were afraid if we saw each other, I could have you.”
His gaze strolled down her body, and her cheeks heated. She looked anything but sexy in the jacket, joggers, and tennis shoes, but by the way his eyes were eating her up, you’d think she was standing before him in lacy lingerie. Perhaps that’s what he was imagining. He bought her sexy lingerie a couple of times, and she’d loved modeling the pieces for him as he leaned back on his elbows, eyes dark and hungry with male appreciation.
“Have me, like a piece of meat?” Layla asked with an arched eyebrow, determined to win this battle of wills.
“Don’t make the comment ugly. You know what I mean.”
“Maybe I didn’t want to see you.”
Rashad smirked. “Nah, that’s not it.”
Her lips firmed, and she flexed her fingers, itching to smack the smirk off his face. Averting her eyes again, she let the stony silence speak on her behalf.
“Layla.”
Her jaw tightened as she fought the barrage of emotions that came from him whispering her name.
“I messed up, but I miss you like crazy. That’s the truth.”
He spoke in a voice that she’d never heard before and wasn’t accustomed to. Even more unnerving were the words he’d said.He’d missedher?Rashad didn’t talk about feelings or share his innermost thoughts. He wasn’t the type to bare his soul and certainly wasn’t the type to admit he missedher. How was she supposed to fight against all of this?
She returned her attention to him and wished she hadn’t. It was so unfair how absolutely beautiful he was, with his perfect features and perfect skin and perfect… everything. He was made to seduce women. Even his laugh was seductive—smooth, throaty, with a sparkle in his eyes that matched the diamond earrings in each ear.
“I lied. I don’t want to be your friend.” He braced his hands on either side of her shoulders, and her heart started to race in panicked excitement. She knew what he was about to do.
“Don’t,” Layla said.
“Don’t what?”
“Kiss me.”
“If I thought you meant that, I wouldn’t.” He spoke in a low, gruff voice, one that she’d heard before and was accustomed to.
“Stop,” she whispered weakly, shrinking into the wall as far as she could.
