Page 94 of Inevitable
But they didn’t hear or didn’t listen.
A moment later, Jonathan stepped inside the bathroom, closing the door and locking it behind him. His suit fit him to a T, and it reminded me of our time in New York. Of the flight back and everything since. Which only made me angry.
Why had he tempted me with the promise of what could be when he knew we’d inevitably break up? And worse still, why had I agreed?
I used to think we were inevitable—fated for each other. Now I realized I’d been wrong. The only thing certain about Jonathan and me was that we were destined to hurt each other.
“Um, excuse me.” I glared at him, lip gloss poised midair. “What are you doing?”
He leaned against the door, crossing his legs at the ankle. Crossing his arms. I shrugged and returned my attention to the mirror, needing to avoid his powerful gaze. I took my time, leaning forward slightly and pressing my lips together. I could feel his eyes on me, scanning my legs.Good—I hoped he was thinking about the fact that they could be wrapped around his head, his waist. I hoped he was regretting his decision.
“What areyoudoing?” he asked in a tone that conveyed boredom. Or was that distaste? Either way, his placid demeanor was a façade. He was annoyed with me, and I knew him well enough to know that he was fighting for control. And losing.
“Applying my lip gloss,” I said, intentionally misinterpreting his question.
He let out a deep sigh, pushing off the door and stepping closer. I could see him in the reflection, feel his presence. “Sumner,” he chided. “I thought you were better than these immature games.”
“I’m not playing.” My blood boiled. He’d accused me of playing games, but he was the one yanking me around. He was the one who ran hot then cold. He was the one who lured me in with compliments and encouragement only to push me away. To act like we were was a mistake. Like it couldn’t happen again.
“Did you bring him to make me jealous?” His voice was low, the words said with an edge of malice.
I pressed my lips together, making sure the color was applied evenly. “Not everything’s about you, Jonathan.”
I’d agreed to come with Damien as a favor to Lea, but Jonathan didn’t need to know that. But also, a small part of me wanted to see what it would feel like to give another man a chance.
“Ask him to leave. Tell him you’re not interested.” Though the words were said quietly, the force behind them ricocheted them around the bathroom, bouncing off the tile walls and reverberating into me.
I scoffed. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? If you can’t have me, no one else can?” I glared at him, challenging. I leaned forward so I was in his face. The air sparked with anger and passion, desire and duty—a storm brewing between us. “Well, you can’t have it both ways.” I dug my finger into his hard chest, wondering if there was actually a heart in there or not. “I’m done. Let me go.”
He stepped closer so our bodies were pressed together, my breasts crushed to his hard chest. Our pelvises kissing. His gaze was so intense I nearly looked away.
My heart danced within my chest, hope and fear and desire and every other emotion warring within me.Just do it. Just kiss me. Claim me,I screamed in my head.
I didn’t know what he was waiting for, but I was holding my breath. I’d been holding my breath until he finally pressed his lips to mine, giving me the oxygen I so desperately needed. The breath, the life, only he could give. It was as if I’d been drowning, and he’d saved me.
I gasped when he released my lips to kiss down my neck. I moaned when he started to pull my dress aside. But then I remembered how it had felt the last time. Not the amazing sex, but the pain that had followed. How gutted I’d been when he’d acted as if I meant nothing to him.
“Stop,” I said, even as my body shook when he slid his hand up my thigh. “I’m not doing this. Not again.”
After months of misery, I was finally in a better place. I couldn’t go back to where I had been. Piper was right. Jonathan would never change, and I couldn’t let him drag me in again with vague promises and unrealistic fantasies.
I deserve more.
He removed his hand, and I stepped back, adjusting my dress and then crossing my arms over my chest. “I will not be your dirty little secret. I will not be a mistake. I willnotbe nothing.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Nothing.The word echoed throughout the room, pounding into my skull. I’d never regrettedanythingmore in my life.
I couldn’t win. I’d tried to stay away from Sumner out of respect for my friendship with Ian, and it had nearly broken me. But loving her would wreck Ian and destroy a friendship spanning decades. Worse still, though, it was hurting Sumner.Iwas hurting the woman I loved. Even though I thought I’d done what was best for her in letting her go.
I squeezed my eyes shut. I was fucking this up even more than I already had. “You’re not nothing, and I’m sorry Ievermade you believe that. The truth is, I’m nothing without you.”
Her lips tilted upward but then quickly reversed course. “It’s too late. I’ve moved on.” She turned for the door.
I couldn’t let her leave. Icouldn’t. She was mine.
“I sold the Wolfe Group,” I blurted.
