She faked a smile, her words dripping saccharine sarcasm, “the pot calling the kettle black, wouldn’t you say?”
“Put it on, or I’ll do it for you, and I don’t care what comes off,” I threatened, aware she might be open to the idea of me stripping her in my car but not as much if I did it just to tease the fuck out of her.
Grumbling incoherently, she snatched the jumper from my hand and slipped it over her head. “Happy?” she snorted when she’d righted it over her body.
Admittedly, I liked having her in my clothes. The soft blue brought out the deeper hue to her eyes—a beautiful colour I’d only seen in the tropics. Coupled with her rosy cheeks, pink lips and wet hair, she appeared innocent, vulnerable. I couldn’t help staring.
“What?” she asked, her tone flippant while fingering her hair.
God, why was I letting this little girl get to me—a feat I’d never allowed another before. “What were you doing with that boy?” I didn’t hide the exasperated iciness from my voice.
“What’s it to you,” she retorted.
“Have you fucked him?”
Her eyes widened, the gasp flying from her lips, “what?”
I leaned closer and she pushed back into the door. “Have. You. Fucked. Him, Levana?”
“I head you the first time, asshole,” she muttered, regaining her confidence quickly.
“Call me arsehole again, and I’ll—”
“You’ll what?” She poked a finger in my chest, catching me off guard. “Screw you,MrSinclair, you had your chance, and you gave it a miss, remember? Now I’ll fuck whoever I damn well please.” She shoved out the door before I could stop her. Giving me the two-finger salute, she raced through the gate to her home, slamming it in her wake.
Unfortunately for her, I sprang out of the car and followed just as quickly. I grabbed her around the waist from behind before she reached the stairs, suddenly not caring if her father saw us. “You can’t run from me,” I hissed in her ear.
“God, you’re acting like a demented ex.” She struggled against my hold.
“Maybe because you’re fucking driving me crazy.” I tightened my grip, forcing her to sag against me in defeat. “Tell me you haven’t fucked Davien yet.”
“Just like how you didn’t fuck that beautiful woman in your apartment?” she snapped. I stilled for a moment and just as I did, she elbowed me in the stomach. My grip loosened for a split second. “Let me go,” she shrieked. I covered her mouth, and the little wench bit my hand. Pulling it off her mouth, I tightened my grip around her waist. “If dad sees you, he’s going to kick your ass.”
“We could’ve done this in my car, if you weren’t so damn stubborn,” I grunted, amused that she thought her father could take me down.
“I’m done letting you mess with my life...” Her voice broke.
The knowledge I hurt her, squeezed my heart, jolting the hell out of me. What the fuck was happening to me?Releasing my hold, I turned her around to look at me, still holding her arms to keep her from running. Even in the rain, I saw the tears. “Christ.” I crushed her to my chest, my lips on the top of her head. “Please, don’t cry, Levana. I’m sorry.”
She hit her small fist against my chest repeatedly and even though it was ineffective, I couldn’t explain the pain slicing through me, it tore me from the inside out.
“What do you want from me?” She sobbed into my shirt and when I didn’t respond, she slid her arms around my waist, gripping my shirt in tight fists. I let her cry until she leaned back to look at me, her large red rimmed eyes searching my face, thick dark lashes fringed by raindrops. God, she was so fucking beautiful.
“I’m sorry.” Cupping her face, I pressed my brow to hers. “You deserve so much more than what I can give you.” It was the godforsaken truth. Nothing from me would make any of this better.
She pushed against my chest, stepping back. “Why do you say that? What are you hiding? Why won’t you be honest with me?” The questions flew out of her mouth amid new tears.
Not sure what to say, I shook my head. I couldn’t tell her the truth, it would just bring more pain. “I should go.” I walked away.
“You’re such a coward, Saint. You act like you care for me, but you don’t. I’m done with you.” she threw at my back. “Do you hear me. Done.”
I stilled for just a beat, clenching my fists but I didn’t turn around to look at her. Because in my heart, I knew if I did, I’d never let her go. For her sake, I had to. I heard her sobs right up until I passed through the gate, and only when I slid behind the wheel once more, did I stop gritting my teeth
“Fuck!” I slammed the wheel with the palm of my hand, over and over, relishing the burn it brought. Only, it wasn’t enough to rid me of the cloying sadness I felt deep inside regions I didn’t believe possible in my body, my mind or my fucking soul, none of which were mine to keep.
My cell rang, pulling me out of the mindfuck. Starting the car, I took the call on my handsfree. “Father?”
“Hello, son.”
