Page 10 of A Very Merry Enemy
Her breathing picks up. “I don’t want you.”
“No?” I let my nose brush against hers. “I remember you dating someone else and you trying to fuck me. What’s changed?”
“Shut up,” she seethes.
“Make me.”
Her hands come up to my chest, fisting in my shirt, but she’s not pushing me away. She’s holding on. And I see that look in her eyes, the one that says she wants this.
I lean in, my mouth hovering over hers. We’re so close I can feel her breath on my lips.
Her eyes flutter closed. Her mouth parts.
She’s going to let me kiss her, and I move a little closer before pulling back. Sarcastic laughter falls out of my mouth.
Her eyes snap open with confusion, followed by fury.
“Proof you’re pathetic,” I say, still smirking. “You really thought I would kiss you?”
Anger takes over her face.
“You’re a?—”
“Asshole, right? Might want to get a better catchphrase. Asshole is getting boring.” I step back. “So glad I’m not desperate.”
“I’m not des?—”
“Poor Theo. He’s always been second best, hasn’t he?”
She places her hands on her hips. “Get out of my way.”
“Oh, now you want to run away. Typical. Thanks for proving my point.” I reach for the door. “Go back to your date. Maybe if you focus hard enough, you can pretend it’s not me you’re thinking about.”
“Go to hell, Lucas.”
“Oh, I’m already there.” I unlock the door and walk out, leaving her standing there alone.
My heart is racing, but I’m smiling because she desperately wanted it. She would’ve let me kiss her. And she knows I know.
Everything I said to her is true.
I head back to the bar wearing a cocky smirk. Becca’s waiting for me, but I tell her I need to leave because I have work early in the morning.
She’s disappointed but gives me her number. I take it, knowing I’ll never call.
After I tell Sammy I’m leaving, I pay our tab. Holiday returns to her seat next to Theo. Her face is red. I catch her eye one more time and raise my half-full beer to her in a mock toast.
Holiday’s eyes narrow.
“Shit, she looks pissed,” Sammy says with his eyes wide.
“I’m sure she is,” I tell him with a grin. “Gotta go.”
I walk out into the cold November night and text Jake tocome pick me up because I drank too much. As I go to my truck to wait for him, I think about Holiday.
She’s still the same girl who can’t figure out what she wants. Still desperate for attention. Still looking for something she’ll never find. And Ihateher for it.
I hate that she came back.
