Page 53 of Don't Let Me Fall (Don't Let Me 1)

The bastard’s jaw tightens, but he stays quiet, leaving me even more uncomfortable. I feel like the walls are closing in on me. Like the cab of his truck might as well be a sardine can. Like all of the oxygen has been sucked out of the space, leaving nothing but annoyance and resentment in its wake.

Which only pisses me off more.

“I didn’t ask for your help,” I remind him.

He scoffs and shakes his head, continuing to pretend like I don’t exist.

Frustrated by his iciness, I finally spit, “You know what? Pull over. I’m just going to walk home.”

His hand darts out, and he grabs my upper thigh, branding me with the heat from his palm.

“Stay,” he orders.

Twisting in my seat, I look at him and say, “You don’t want me here.”

The seat belt digs into my shoulder as he pulls the truck over, slams on the brakes, and looks me dead in the eye. “Why the hell are you still with Logan? He’s an asshole.”

As soon as our gazes connect, I realize I wish they hadn’t because the dark look? Those eyes? They’re bad news. Promising passion and lust and heat in a way I can’t even imagine. Scratch that. I can imagine. Because I have imagined how much passion, lust, and heat could transpire if I gave in to him.

But it’s a bad idea.

Terrible, actually.

I stay quiet, unsure what to say while squirming under his intensity because, honestly? I’ve been asking myself the same question for far too long. But I can’t help it. When you’ve been with someone for years, it’s easy to write off the little things. To stay loyal because it’s what a loyal person does.

And I am loyal.

Despite my feelings for Colt.

Despite my waning feelings for Logan.

I am loyal, dammit!

Swallowing thickly, I look down at his hand still clutching my thigh. His fingers flex, digging into my skin in the most deliciously rough and desperate way possible. Then, he lets me go.

“Answer the question,” Colt pushes.

“I can’t believe you called him an asshole.”

“He is an asshole.”

“And here I thought you two were friends,” I quip.

“Used to be,” he mutters, losing a bit of his sharpness.

“What changed?”

He looks at me but stays quiet.

“Tell me,” I push because there’s something in his eyes. Something that’s been driving me crazy ever since we first met, and I’m about ready to snap from the weight of it.

“You should dump him,” he murmurs numbly. The headlights of a car passing us light up his sharp features before blanketing the cab in darkness again as my eyes widen in surprise. Sure, we’ve danced around whatever is going on between us, but he’s never been this bold. This outspoken. I don’t know how to handle it.

After another few seconds, my quiet voice breaks the silence. “And why should I dump him?”

“Because you deserve better.”

I laugh, blown away by Colt’s audacity. “Oh, really?”

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