Page 61 of Mine To Take

I pull in a quick breath, unable to deal with anything from him that comes close to praise, gentleness or flattery.

“As for conquering the world,” he continues with a shrug. “There’s time for everything.”

A time to love and a time to hate.

Except I don’t hate him, not really. I want him too much for that.

Without warning, he reaches out and flicks something off my bare shoulder. I shudder at the brief contact. “A time to have fun torturing me?”

“Is that what I’m doing? Torturing you?”

Yes.

“What do you want from me?”

“You want the truth?” His voice is gentle and almost contemplative.

I don’t reply.

Moving closer to me, he traces a finger along my chin. When I don’t step back or brush his finger away, he smiles. “I don’t know, Cora. Maybe I want to know why being around me disturbs you so much.”

“That’s easy.” I meet his gaze, feeling the deep arctic blue like a scorching wind on my bare soul. “It’s because I hate you.”

He chuckles at the lie. “Hate is very far from indifference, and very close to love.”

“You’re crazy if you think there’s anything close to love in what I feel for you.”

He’s still smiling. “Okay, Cora.”

“You’re nothing but an unpleasant memory.”

He nods. He’s standing so close, his face barely an inch from mine. My stomach is tight, my breaths hot and angry. I want to put him in his place, to tear down his confidence, to assure him, and myself, that he means nothing to me anymore.

But how can I do that when my heart is beating so wildly? I feel almost dizzy, electrified by his proximity, transfixed by his lips so close to mine. Panicked and confused, I push away from him.

“Run away.” His voice is low and mocking. “You know you want to.”

Cursing him under my breath, I hurry back inside the restaurant, my steps almost jerky, his mocking chuckle following me as I go.

Back at the table, Matt seems to have barely noticed my long absence. He’s transfixed by Celine, watching with something like wide-eyed awe as she laughs at something he said.

I take my seat and help myself to more wine, pouring it down my throat just as Tristan returns to the table.

“What happened to make you so thirsty?” He mocks.

I don’t reply. “Bastard,” I mutter under my breath.

Matt leans close. “Are you all right?”

I’m annoyed with him, even though I know the shit-show of an evening is not totally his fault. Just as I start to nod, his phone buzzes. He gives me an apologetic look, then reads the message.

“I’m sorry,” he looks around the table. “There seems to be an emergency at my office. I have to leave.” He rises to his feet.

“Matt…” I reach for my purse.

“You can stay and finish your dinner,” Tristan offers, sounding oh-so-friendly and magnanimous. He looks at Matt. “Celine and I will make sure she gets home safe.”

Matt looks grateful. Which is annoying. I’m not a helpless minor who needs to be taken care of. “There’s no need,” I shoot Tristan an acidic glare. “I’ll just…”

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