I meet eyes with Carter and watch as his hands ball into fists at his side. As we exit the car, he storms toward us with an authority I’ve never seen him display.
Even though Carter is bigger than me, I’m ready to stand my ground and not back down if he wants to actually go to blows over this entire situation. Shit, it will probably help my built up frustrations.
Evangeline is quick to get in between us, putting her hand up to Carter as he approaches. “He was just giving me a ride home from school.”
“Yeah, I’m sure that’s not all he hoped you’d ride,” Carter spits out, glaring at me.
“Real nice, Carter,” Evangeline says, shaking her head.
Even I’m shocked he’d say something so vulgar to Evangeline, and I love to know I’m getting under his skin so much that he’s not thinking straight.
“Fuck, I didn’t mean it like that,” Carter says, grabbing her hand.
“Don’t forget he’s the one who knew it was you the entire time at the club. Why do you think he was sosecretive?”
Carter gasps and stares at me. I smirk, glad I hit a nerve. Obviously, that hasn’t been brought up between the two of them.
“He’s the one who tried to kick me out of the club so you’d never know it was me,” Carter fights back.
“You know what, you’re right. Screw both of you guys. You can have your pissing contest alone, without me here,” she states, turning to walk down the hallway to her place.
I glare at Carter. “Real nice, asshole.”
He turns to follow her, and even though I don’t want to, I walk back to my car. Since I know I was dealt the short stick here, I’ll do anything I need to do to make sure I stay on Evangeline’s good side while I still have a fighting chance.
Evangeline
“Just go away, Carter,” I state as we walk down the hall.
“Let me explain.”
I turn to face him. “Explain what? That you knew it was me the entire time? That you let me have sex with you knowing I didn’t know it was you.” I push at his chest.
He stands still, not saying a word.
“I’m sorry, Evangeline. I didn’t know what to do. I was in shock. Here I’ve looked for you for ten years and then you show up out of the blue. What was I to do?”
“Hmm, well, gee, how about tell me who the fuck you are?” I yell.
I can’t believe I was so caught up in seeing him again and didn’t think that I should still be mad at him for this.
Quietly he says, “I was afraid you’d run again,” while reaching out to hold my hand, looking down at the way they interconnect. “You don’t understand. I had to play it cool. I found you, and I was terrified to lose you again.” His head tilts up, and our eyes meet. “I wanted to see if our connection was still there. I wanted to know if you could feel me the way I felt you.”
I turn in the hallway to lean on the wall and rest my head against it, taking in a deep breath.
He steps closely in front of me, placing his feet on either side of mine. His warmth overwhelms my senses, and suddenly, I don’t remember why I was mad at him.
“You did too. You realized it was me without me having to say anything. That’s how strong this is.”
His hand reaches up and moves my hair out of my face, tucking it behind my ear.
My lips tremble with want and fear. Everything he said is true. When he kissed me that first time, I was gone. Even then my body knew it was him, my brain just hadn’t caught up yet.
When his lips lightly brush against mine the thought angers me again, and I push him away, walking into my apartment and closing the door behind me. Leaving him alone in the hallway.
I hear him slam his fist against the wall, and all I can do is pray he didn’t leave a mark for me to be reminded of him every day.
