Page 272 of A Matter of Time

“Look at me.”

But I didn’t.

“Look at me,” he growled, grabbing my arm again, yanking me back to him.

I tried tugging free, but his grip was like iron, no way was I going anywhere.

“You’re not trash, it’s just that none of those guys are right for you.”

I had no snappy comeback, because what he thought was exactly how I felt. Silence seemed the best option, so I went with it.

“I think you wanna belong to me, and if it ain’t gonna be me, you don’t want anybody.”

I turned back to look at him. “That’s crap, and you’re full of shit.”

He shook his head, reached out, and put his other hand on my cheek. “Nope, I’m right.”

“Sam—”

He closed the small distance between us. “Why are you trembling?”

“’Cause it’s cold out here.”

“But that’s not why,” he said, running his fingers over my jaw, smiling.

“Sam—”

“You need me bad.”

How did he know? My skin felt prickly, itchy, my muscles so tense I could barely breathe. Everything in me was ready, waiting for him. I ached for him even as my flight reflex was choking me. I wanted to run away at the same time as I wanted to stay.

“And I don’t just mean in bed.”

He knew me so well…even after so long, he still knew me.

“Your eyes are a mess, J.”

I wanted to give in, but I was drowning in fear. He could shred my heart so easily.

“I’m sorry I didn’t come for you the minute I got back.”

“You don’t hafta⁠—”

“But I’m here now.”

“Sam, you⁠—”

“Jory!” he yelled at me. “I’m right here.”

I shook my head.

“I want you back.”

Everything blurred as my eyes filled. “You can find another guy.”

“I don’t want another guy, I want you.”

“You’re no good for me.”