Page 638 of Rock Me All Night
His voice is utterly to the point. He didn't even have to think about it.
"Are you falling in love with me?"
"This isn't going to be a relationship."
"That's not an answer."
"I'm not answering. It doesn't matter." His stoic facade breaks. For a second, his expression fills with vulnerability. He runs his hand through his hair. It's like the words are on the tip of his tongue. Like he's desperate to tell me how he feels. "This isn't going to be a relationship."
"Why can't it be a relationship?" I swallow hard. "You tell me things you don't tell anyone. You get carried away calling me baby. You have feelings for me too. Give me one good reason why you can't throw away that idea and let yourself fall in love with me."
"I can't."
That's it. He can't.
No. I shake my head. "Bullshit. You don't want to."
"Fine. I don't want to." He takes a step backwards.
"That's a choice you're making."
"Yeah."
"I can make choices too."
He stares back at me.
"I'm not going home with you tonight. That's my choice. I…" I thought I could trust him. I was wrong.
Pete holds strong. "They're gonna—"
"Miles already knows. He more or less told me." I smooth my skirt, but the gesture doesn't soothe me. "If they don't want me here, I'll take a cab somewhere. I'm not going home with you. Not tonight."
"You said you could handle this."
"You didn't mention that you'd lead me on." He certainly didn't mention that he'd be fucking perfect in every fucking way. "How do you expect me to feel when you hold me and whisperyou'll be okayin my ear, with that sexy, reassuring voice?"
His expression hardens. "Fine. I'll see you tomorrow. What do you want me to tell them?"
"I don't care. You think of something."
He takes a step backwards. "I'm not trying to hurt you."
Yeah, but he's succeeding. "It's only another week until your brother's wedding. I'll be fine as long as you stop pretending."
"Pretending what?"
"That you care about me."
"Jess. I do—" He runs a hand through his hair. "Okay. You're right. It's better if we don't hang out for a while."
My stomach rises up in my throat. He's barely fighting this.
I manage to nod. Manage a poker face. "Glad we're on the same page. Have a safe drive."
"Call me if you need anything."
"I won't."
