Page 44 of Until We Burn
“Is there anything you can do?” I ask.
“There’s nothing Icando,” Diana stresses. “They made me the villain of a story I was never a part of, and nobody believes me.”
“I get the feeling.” I swallow hard. “Look, I’m not…I’m sorry for how I’m reacting. I’m just not mentally in a good place right now.”
Guilt flares across her face. Diana frowns and moves away from the wall. My senses heighten the closer she comes.
“I should’ve cooperated with you the moment we became project partners,” Diana laments, “You wouldn’t have had a bad practice that led to all of this.”
I sigh, trying to keep the edge out of my voice. “You really think that was the only reason I fucked up on the ice? No, I had a bad practice because I couldn’t stay focused. I should’ve fought harder to get the thought of you out of my head.”
“Exactly! Itwasmy fault!”
“Why are you so insistent on making it your fault?”
“Why are you so insistent on refusing to hold me accountable?”
“Because I hate admitting that the thought of you affects me,” I growl. “I should be staying focused on hockey. On getting signed. On the internship. But you know what I’m thinking about instead, Diana? You in those fucking heels. You in my clothes. Every time you smile at me. Every time I bait you, and you bait me right back!”
“At least you didn’t have someone take up your mind like that for the last three years!” Her eyes go wide in shock.
“Three years.”Goddammit, Luke was right.“Is that how you know my coffee order?”
“Y-Yes!” Diana relents. “But it doesn’t matter. It never has.”
“Why?”
“Because you will never see me the way I see you!”
I snap. Impulse razes down restraint as I back her into the wall.
Diana’s breath catches. Her hand flattens against my chest, cleaving the smallest distance between us.
“You have no idea how I see you,” I whisper.
My eyes drop to her lips. They part for me, challenging the last shred of desire and frustration I’m fighting to tame back.
Diana’s eyes flutter as if she’s caught in a trance. “I just want to stop thinking.”
“So do I.”
Her fingers curl into my hoodie. Diana’s chest pulsing up and down sends shivers through my body. They scatter across my bones, coaxing me to give in and feel what it’s like to take her against this wall.
“Fuck it.”
I rake my fingers through her hair and kiss her.
CHAPTER 21
DIANA
All of myrationality and manners break under Kai’s hands.
My tongue grazes his, coaxing a deep moan from his throat.
I’m breathless, utterly numb to the dangerous repercussions of giving in.
But I can’t stop it.
