Page 3 of Exes That Puck
He watches me walk past him. “Okay, fine. I’ll make sure you’re safe on your little walk around the block.”
I stay two steps ahead of him, annoyed that he’s here but also a little relieved.
“You know,” he starts. “You don’t have to do those things to get my attention.”
“Do what?” I ask.
He walks up beside me and does charades of what he saw in there. Me with my tongue out, beer being poured down my body, and then kissing.
I playfully push him and roll my eyes.
He grabs my wrist, and I stare into his eyes at the heat of his palm.
“Zeke,” I warn.
“What’s it going to take?” he whispers, pulling me closer.
“For what?” I ask but I already know the answer because this is what we do. We’re always breaking up and getting back together. It’s embarrassing at this point. And this time I swore I wouldn’t go back. No healthy couple breaks up this much. We are no good for each other.
He rubs the back of his hand on my cheek and says, “You always resort to breaking up with me, Kare. It’s not fair. And I’ve given you space in the last two weeks.”
He’s right. He has. It’s the longest breakup we’ve had so far, but I really can’t go back.
His eyes look at my lips, and my stomach pinches with butterflies. When he leans in, I close my eyes. I don’t know if it’s denial, adrenaline, or desire, but I don’t pull away. I should though. I should not let this happen.
He kisses me gently, and it feels like it’s the first time all over again. His warm lips caress mine, seeking permission. I peak at him, and he’s watching me. Both hands are on my cheeks, and then he closes his eyes, kissing me deeply.
I’m a little shell shocked at how natural this feels. It feels like the first but like I could do this forever. It’s not fair when we’re talking bodies.
Fuck, I just made a big mistake.
I break away, stumbling back a step, my gaze locked on the ground. Shame twists in my gut. “We can’t—”
“Kara, just come back to my place and we can work it out.”
For a weak moment, I want to say yes. I want to be wrapped up in him, accept his apologies because I deserve that much, but then I remember all the nasty things he’s said to me. Anger flares hot in my throat.
I open my mouth to tell him off, but Payton’s voice cuts through the night. “Kara?”
I spin, heart lurching.
Zeke whispers, “You’ll come back. You always do.”
Payton jogs toward us, worry stamped all over her face. Her eyes flick to Zeke, narrowing in instant judgment. My eyes snap to Zeke’s. Arrogant jerk.
I hope Payton didn’t see my moment of weakness. I really don’t want to hear it.
I force a shaky smile at her. “Just needed some air. Can we go?”
She slips her arm around my shoulders, already steering me back toward the house. I let her, refusing to glance over my shoulder, even though I can feel Zeke’s eyes burning into my back.
“Did you find wolf boy?”
She shakes her head. “He’s not here. Maybe next time.”
My stomach sinks because I don’t know if I want there to be a next time.
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