“What do you meannot looking like this?” she asks.
“You… like this, all cute and sexy, about to walk into another man’s sight. Not happening, sweetheart.” I let my hands slide slowly down her arms, feeling the goosebumps rise under my touch.
“For a man who’s done nothing but avoid me these past few days, you’re behaving awfully possessive and territorial,” she says, forcing a smile.
I know I pulled back these past few days. Not because I wanted to, but because I needed her to feel it too. I needed her to realize how much space I leave when I’m not around, to feel the emptiness of my absence and understand just how much she needs me.
And now, seeing her like this… so clearly affected, I know it worked. She missed me. Hell, sheneededme.
“I asked you earlier, and I’m asking again,” I say hoarsely, reaching for her arm and pulling her impossibly close. “Just answer me. Does my ignoring you bother you?”
Her breath catches. “Let me go, Landon.”
“Never,” I whisper, my grip firm.
She yanks her arm free, but I don’t move an inch. I remain rooted in front of her, like a wall she can’t break through, no matter how hard she tries.
“Never?” she scoffs, her voice dripping with mockery. “Newsflash, you were the one who left me. And now you’re claiming you’ll never leave?” Her laugh is sharp, but her eyes betray the hurt she’s trying so hard to hide. “Been there, done that. Not falling for it again.”
“The past needs to stay in the past. I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere again. Why are you making it so damn hard to give me a chance? I’ve literally begged you, why can’t you just fucking trust me again?” I rake my hands through my hair, frustration burning through me.
“Because I don’t make the same mistake twice.” Her eyes flash at me, a mix of fire and fear, and I can see the war playing out inside her. “And to answer your earlier question? Your little game of ignoring me… it didn’t bother me one bit.”
Hearing that lie spill from her lips is my kryptonite, and it drags me a step closer to her.
“You can act tough all you want, Anna. But I see it—the way your body betrays you every damn time when I’m close.” I lean in, close enough to catch the faintest tremor in her breathing, my lips brushing her ear. “You burn for me, whether you admit it or not, sweetheart.”
“You’re wrong,” she whispers, her voice trembling despite the mask. “I don’t burn for you. Not anymore.”
“Want me to prove you wrong?” I murmur, taking another step forward.
She instinctively takes one back, trying to hold her ground but retreating all the same. But I don’t stop. I keep moving until her back hits the wall, trapping her effortlessly.
“Wh… what?” she stammers as she tries to keep her chin high.
“Exactly what you heard.” My eyes darken with promise. “One touch, and you’ll remember just how much you burn for me.”
“You… you need to step back,” she breathes unsteadily.
“Why?” I counter, leaning in just enough to feel her breath ghost across my skin. “Scared I’ll prove you wrong?”
She lets out a shaky laugh and tries to push past me, but I slam my arms to the wall, caging her in. My eyes devour her face before dropping to her mouth, those luscious lips pressed into a tight, stubborn line.
“Can I touch you and prove you wrong?” I whisper with need.
“I… I… don’t think we should,” her breath stutters, the words weak against the desire pulsating between us.
I trail my finger slowly along her neck, feeling the rapid thrum of her pulse beneath my touch. The tiny shiver running through her gives her away completely.
“Why not?” I whisper.
Her eyes flutter shut as my fingers move over her skin. The way she reacts, helpless against the simplest brush of my hand, feeds the fire roaring inside me. She has no idea how easily she unravels me, how every small response makes the hunger in me surge higher.
My hand drifts lower, grazing over her hardened nipple, and she stiffens, pressing her lips together to hold back a gasp.
“Tell me again,” I murmur, my voice a low growl against her skin, “that you don’t burn for me.”
Anna opens her mouth and pulls in a shaky breath before forcing the words out. “You’re wrong… It’s only sex.”
