Page 39 of Don't Let Me Fall (Don't Let Me 1)

I look down at the white fabric stretched across my chest and down my stomach. Hell, it barely reaches mid-thigh. But with the way he’s towering over me, Colt can probably see the same sliver of cleavage I can from this angle. He can probably feel the way my breathing is staggered from his simple touch. The way I feel exposed. Like when he airdropped his phone number before he even knew my name. Like when we spoke with the orange juice. Like the time he saw me in his T-shirt and refused to tell me. Like our tutoring session when we talked, and I got to see a side of Colt Thorne I’m not sure he’s ever really shown anyone else.

And yet, here he is.

In my entryway.

About to take my best friend on a date.

Screw. Him.

My frustration finally boils over, and I turn on my heel to face him, but he doesn’t let me go. He simply looks at me, his expression unreadable. However, I have no doubt he can see the jealousy and hurt twisting my insides into knots as it flashes across my face.

“You’re not allowed to like my dress,” I spit through clenched teeth.

His voice drops low and husky as he checks the hallway behind me, stepping closer. So close, I have to tilt my head up to hold his gaze.

“Then, you’re not allowed to be jealous,” he growls.

“I’m not jealous.”

“Could’ve fooled me.”

I jerk my arm away from him again, and this time, he lets me. But as I march toward Mia’s room, trying to get a handle on my emotions, I still feel his gaze branding my ass.

And I hate him for making me oh so aware of every tiny look. Every tiny movement. Every simple syllable and touch and smirk and…everything when it comes to Colt Thorne.

And I shouldn’t. I shouldn’t be aware of him. I shouldn’t be thinking of him. I shouldn’t be wondering what’s going through his head or if he looks at Mia the same way he looks at me.

“Mia,” I call without bothering to knock when I reach her bedroom door.

She looks absolutely gorgeous in a pair of skinny jeans, a fitted white crop top, and a black leather jacket with her hair pulled high on top of her head and tiny tendrils framing her face.

She freaking matches him.

Hot, thick jealousy surges through my veins.

“Yeah?” Mia answers, putting in her earring as she glances at me through the mirror’s reflection on her vanity.

I clear my throat. “He’s, uh, he’s here.”

She grins and lifts her hands from her side, doing a quick turn. “How do I look?”

The slight tang of blood explodes across my taste buds as I dig my teeth into the inside of my cheek, pasting on the fakest smile I’ve ever felt in my entire life. “Gorgeous, as always. Have a good time.”

“Thanks. Don’t forget protection with Logan.”

My face scrunches. “Ew.”

“Just sayin’.” Her hips sway as she walks toward me, wiggling her fingers. “See ya later, Ash.”

“See ya.”

My heartbeat is loud in my ears, blocking out whatever Mia says as she greets Colt at the door, and I hate that I’m watching, torturing myself like this. But I can’t help it.

Colt smiles back at her and tilts his head toward the driveway. With a light laugh, she hooks her arm through his. His gaze meets mine one more time through the cracked door as Mia closes it behind her, cutting off whatever connection we’d shared.

And what I hate most? How it hurts to watch them go, especially when I have no right to let it.

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