Page 119 of Well Played

“Too many choices, huh? I suppose that’s what happens when you can have any woman you want. It’s tough being you.”

My brows drew together. “That’s what you think?”

She exhaled, her tone softening. “I don’t know, Levi. I don’t know what to think anymore. I just know being around you after everything we’ve been through is too painful for me. It’s way harder than I ever imagined. And just the thought of you with someone else—”

“You think I’ve been out here messing around with women?”

“I have no idea what you’ve been doing because you haven’t reached out to me!”

My voice shook. “I haven’t reached out because it’s too damn painful, Presley. All I’m trying to do is the right thing for all of us. But if you think I can just move on and start dating random women again like nothing ever happened, you’re underestimating my feelings for you.” I moved closer to her. “I haven’t been with a single person since I got here. Meanwhile, I find out Tanner’s been taking you on dates. I’ve been freakingconsumedwith jealousy, even though I’m supposed to be accepting all of this.”

She shook her head. “Nothing is happening between Tanner and me. Yes, I went out with him, but it wasn’t a date. I’ve sounded like a broken record trying to drill into his head that I’m not interested in him that way.”

My pulse calmed down a bit. “I called my mother’s house the night she was watching Alex. I thought—”

“I know what you thought. But it simply wasn’t the case, Levi. Tanner and I are getting along, but it’s nothing more than that. We went out to meet Tom and Lily. And once Tom mentioned your name at dinner, you were all I could think about for the rest of the night. It’s so pathetic.”

Immense relief came over me. And that was messed up, because it was the opposite of what I should’ve been feeling. Wasn’t I supposed to want her to work things out with Tanner, for Alex’s sake? But did he even deserve her? The way he acted tonight had me second-guessing if my brother had really changed all that much.

“I could read your face tonight, could see how upset you were that Tanner brought that girl to our table,” I said. “I didn’t want you to get the wrong impression and think I went home with her or something. I somehow knew you would be worried.”

That set her off.

“You didn’t want me worrying or upset?” She lifted her arms into the air. “How do you think I felt when you shut me out of your life and took off to Denver early? Why should tonight be any different for you? You suddenly care about my feelings?”

I tried to defend my actions. “You know why I did what I did. It was a sacrifice.”

“You sacrificed me to your brother, like an object that can be passed around. You can’t justgiveme to someone, Levi. What you and I had wasn’t interchangeable.” Her voice cracked. “If you don’t want to be with me, then just leave me alone. You don’t need to check on me or coddle me. You can’t have it both ways. You’re either in my life or out of it.”

When she started to cry, I couldn’t stand it any longer. I took her into my arms and held her so tightly. Surprisingly, she didn’t resist. All of the feelings I’d tried to control since arriving back in Denver pummeled me at once.

I kissed the top of her head and whispered, “I’m so fucking sorry.”

When she looked up at me with tears in her eyes, I lost all control, lowering my mouth to hers. A hungry groan escaped me as I savored her taste. My dick hardened as I yearned to be inside of her again. Wrapping my hands around her cheeks, I kissed her even harder.Fuck, I missed this. I missed us.In my mind, she wasmine. Despite this time that had passed, there was no part of me that was okay with losing her to Tanner—or anyone else, for that matter.

We got lost in our kiss until she suddenly pulled back.

Panting, we stared at each other. We’d always had a hard time resisting the physical pull between us, and tonight was no different.

What she said next nearly undid me.

“It doesn’t matter how much I love you,” she said. “I’d rather never see you again than have to see you with someone else or be reminded constantly of the fact that I can’t ever be with you.”

My chest constricted.Love?

She’s in love with me?

I’d knownIwas in love with Presley. But to hearheruse that powerful word came as a shock.

I examined her eyes. “Youloveme?”

Presley blinked repeatedly, looking as if she hadn’t meant to utter it aloud. But it was too late. She’d said it. Instead of addressing my question, though, she shook her head. “Does it matter? If I say yes, will it change things between us?”

When I took too long to answer, she looked away.

“That’s what I thought.” She frowned. “I have to get back to Alex. Goodnight, Levi.”

That was the last thing she said before running away and disappearing into the hotel.

---