Page 80 of Full Tilt
With a clenched jaw, Tommy makes no sign of moving. “We really are the same in so many ways, Hellion.”
I shake my head at him, still pointing toward the door. “No, we aren’t. Kendra knows we’ve slept together. She warned me you were just doing it to mess with my head after I turned you down, but I defended you tonight. I told her I could see the good in you, the conflict when you tried to act like the asshole you always are.”
I redirect my outstretched arm and press a finger into the center of his sternum. “You say that you’re disappointed I didn’t text you back? Well, I’m disappointed I was even tempted to reply in the first place.” I press my finger even harder into his chest. I know it isn’t hurting him, although inflicting physical pain was never my intention. I want him to feel the weight of my words and hear me when I end whatever fucked-up shit we have going on between us.
Right here, right now.
“I’m done with you, Tommy. Finished.”
My words slice through the air like a sharp knife through melting butter. And then …
Silence.
Tommy doesn’t move or speak.
All I can hear is the traffic below us.
All I can feel is the soft beat of his heart.
All I can smell is the addictive cologne he wears that I’m certain I’ll never smell again.
All I can see is goddamn wetness as it coats and blurs my vision.
I drop my gaze and focus on the finger that’s still pressed into his body.
“Jenna …”
“Don’t say my name,” I scold. “I prefer it when you call me Hellion.”
“Jenna,” he repeats, reaching up to pull my finger away from his chest. He interlaces our fingers, dropping our joined hands down between us.
More tears emerge, and I use my free hand to swipe at them.
“I’m not playing games, Jenna.” Tommy’s rough thumb wipes under my eye, pausing over my beauty spot.
I’m powerless to stop myself from looking at him. While he isn’t crying, I see so much emotion in his gaze. So much concern.
“Stop calling me Jenna.” I try one more time to regain some control.
Dropping his head down, he rests his forehead against mine, and I squeeze my eyes shut.
“I swear to God, Tommy, if you’re fucking with me and you’re about to burst out laughing and leave, I’ll … I’ll …”
“You’ll what?” He releases a slow, easy breath, which fans my face. “Call the police? Have me locked up for emotional manipulation? Or will you demand I buy you a whole new wardrobe this time?”
I’m tempted to laugh at the memory of me haphazardly adding Lululemon leggings into his shopping cart. Instead, I draw my bottom lip between my teeth and bite down hard.
“Because I will if that’s what it takes. I’ll empty my accounts and serve a lifetime behind bars.”
Butterflies shimmer down my spine. “If that’s what it takes to what?” My voice is weak when he hooks his pointer finger under my chin, tipping my mouth up to his.
How I’m still standing is a mystery that will likely never be solved. Bones aren’t supposed to melt like this and still function.
Our mouths have never been this close as we swallow down each other’s exhales.
Tommy wets his lips, and I watch the column of his throat work.
“If that’s what it takes to spend one more night with you. Give me tonight, and I’ll prove why you were right to let me stay. I’ll prove that your instincts were right when you stopped me from walking away that night I punched Ethan.”
