Page 33 of Love to Hate You

“How do you know?”

“I shouldn’t be ovulating yet,” I say and realize how weird it is to be having this conversation with him. I suppose it’s even stranger that I just succumbed to temptation, and we fucked like bunnies even though we can’t stand each other.

Or maybe that’s all changed now. I have no idea and my head is starting to hurt. I drank too much tonight and, even though that had nothing to do with my decision to sleep with Nash, it made it easier.

“Are you sure?”

“No, but chances are it’s fine.” I’m getting the urge to bolt and before he can climb back into bed, I slide off the opposite side and start searching for my clothes.

“What’re you doing?” he asks.

I turn away from him, slipping my bra and panties back on fast. “Leaving.”

He moves up behind me, grabs hold of my arms and nuzzles the curve where my neck and shoulder meet. “Don’t leave. Please,” he adds when I don’t say anything. “Stay the night.”

My heart catches in my throat. “I can’t,” I say and pull away from him. He watches as I attempt to pull my pants on. The stupid cuff gets caught on my heel and I drop down on the edge of the bed, fighting with it.

When I finally look up, he’s smiling. “See. Your pants want to stay.”

“Ha ha.” I finally get them on and reach over to swipe my shirt up. I slide it on and when I go to button it, I realize there are no buttons anymore. “Shit,” I say and pull the edges together. “You didn’t even leave one button.”

“No, I didn’t. You know why? Because I don’t want you to leave.”

Ignoring him, I push up off the bed and walk past him. At this point, there’s nothing else to say. We’ve done the deed and now I’m freaking out. The sooner I get out of here, the better.

Back in the living room, I grab my purse and briefcase. Nash, still naked as a jaybird, follows me and I try not to look at that delicious body of his. Forcing myself to keep my eyes above his collarbone, I clutch my shirt together.

“Charlie.”

“What?” I ask, voice laced in panic.

“You’re running.”

“I’m not running,” I say, eyes on the door, unable to look him in the eye. “I don’t stay the night. That’s all.”

He slowly nods his head. “Okay. Maybe you’d like to make an exception tonight. It’s late.”

But I shake my head and turn around, grabbing the door handle.

“At least let me drive you home.”

“That’s not necessary,” I say and dart into the hallway.

“Charlie!”

As I hurry toward the elevator, my right ankle twists in the heel and I bite down on my lip, so I don’t cry out. I have to get out of here.

I have to get as far away from Nash as I can.

13

NASH

Charlie runs out of here as though her ass is on fire and after she disappears into the elevator, I sigh and close my apartment door.

“Fuck,” I swear and run a hand through my hair. I just scared her off. She was already skittish and I’m sure it didn’t help when I told her the goddamn condom tore. I don’t know what the hell happened. Defective piece of shit.

I know I’m being a baby about it, but I wanted her to spend the night. I wanted to wake up in the morning, surrounded by her vanilla scent, and with her warm body curved against mine.

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