Page 56 of Come Here and Kiss Me

“Tell me what’s going on,” he urges, and against my better judgment, I do.Because I don’t know what the fuck else to do, and I’ve already hurt her too much.

I pray this doesn’t come back and bite me in the ass, fully aware that it might.But I tell him everything, and I admit I need help. I need this to stop before I lose my Brooklyn forever.

CHAPTER21

Brooklyn

My chest heaves with a steadying breath. I glance down at my phone, knowing Aspen will be here in a second if I need her.

I tug on the black lace blouse collar, feeling as though it’s suffocating. I glance at the door to Ro’s place, then down at my black skirt.

All black is for mourning, Aspen said when I left her to return here. That I know, and it’s exactly how I feel. I ring the bell and wait. My heart hammers, and the little voices in the back of my mind argue and worry, not knowing what to do.

He opens the door, looking like a sex god in silk pajama pants.

No shirt means I’m met with instant heat. I wish that was enough to make it all better.

“Brook.” He breathes my name like it’s a prayer, and I second-guess everything.

“Did you lose your key?”

I shake my head and respond, “It didn’t feel right to use it.”

It’s then he realizes. I see the flash of recognition in his eyes, but he’s quick to play it off and opens the door wider.

“Come in,” he commands.

I’m past the point of wanting him to do that.

I’m past the point of anyone else commanding me.

“I don’t know that I want to.”

“Why are you here, then?” he asks.

“I wanted to tell you something…” The gaze in his eyes keeps me from saying what I came here to say. Instead, I tell him something else that happened.

“I got an email from the dean on my student account.” I swallow thickly, remembering how much it felt like salt in a wound.

His tone and expression harden instantly, and I grip my purse strap tighter with both hands as my palms sweat.

“Your father?”

“Yes.” I part my lips.

“Forward it to me.” His matter-of-fact, dominating side takes over, and for a moment, I’m swayed.

For only a moment.

“I will, but I am conceding as well. I don’t want you to stop it.”

“Conceding to what?” he asks in a tone that grates me.

“Their judgment that my behavior is against the student code of conduct.” I can’t help that my bottom lip quivers. They don’t allow scandals at the university. The hits just keep on coming, but this has to be the last one. What else can they take? I don’t have any dignity left, so if they try for it, they’ll be sadly at a loss.

Anger flashes in his beautiful green eyes, “That is bullshit. And I’ll?—”

I don’t even have the energy for anger anymore. “I give in, Ro. I just… if I’m not there, it might all just stop.”

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