Strong arms closed about my waist before I could dodge away. “Got you.”
“No!” I shoved against his chest. “Let me go.”
Elijah tightened his hold, his breath rough and jagged. “Stop running.”
“Stop chasing!”
People nearby slowed to stare. Oh great, a public scene. My favourite.
I shoved at him again. “Go back to your girlfriend.”
His entire body went still. “No.”
“Oh, you forgot? The one in your bed,” I snapped. “Blonde. Perfect. Clearly very familiar with your sheets.”
Frustration dawned across his face. “Bonnie.”
“Don’t,” I cut in sharply. “Just don’t.”
I tried to get away. He held on tight. Not hard, but firm enough that I couldn’t slip away.
“Listen to me.”
“I won’t.”
“You walked into a misunderstanding.”
I laughed bitterly. “Of course I did. Silly me. Women just randomly appear in your bed all the time. My stupid fault for not asking the right questions about who else you’re sleeping with.”
His jaw tightened. “I’m not sleeping with her. I barely know her. She’s the daughter of my mother’s friend.”
“Oh, fantastic. Family history. That makes it so much better.”
“She’s staying there temporarily. I’d been told but didn’t know any dates, and I just didn’t think.”
I didn’t want to believe him. “Right.”
“Bonnie.”
“Stop saying my name like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like I’m supposed to believe you.”
Silence stretched between us. The London street bustled, life carrying on. Cars passed and people gawked, but none of it touched the storm twisting in my chest.
Elijah’s grip on me loosened, and he gave me space. “Please.”
I looked away. “I don’t want to hear it.”
“I need you to.”
“Why?”
“Because losing you isn’t an option.”
My heart stuttered. Damn the way he could say things that made my resolve crumble. “I saw her,” I whispered. “In your bed.”
