Page 30 of Burned By Love

Fear sent Jonathan’s heart racing, but he wasn’t only protecting himself.He was protecting West, and it gave him the push he needed.He might not be able to stand up for himself, but he could do it for West.

“What do you want?”

“What, not even a hello?We shared so much, darling.I can’t imagine you’ve already forgotten it.”

“I wish I could.”Jonathan glanced at Christy, who already had her phone in her hand.He nodded, and she grinned as she dialed 911.

“There’s no need to call the authorities,” Sal said in a voice that told Jonathan that he wasn’t one bit worried.

Of course he wasn’t.His father was rich and influential.He’d have Sal out of jail faster than it would take Jonathan to call West to warn him about what happened.

“You need to leave,” Jonathan said.

Sal raised his hands.“I’m going.I just wanted to warn you.”

There it was.Sal was here for a reason.Sal wouldn’t let it go until he had what he wanted.Jonathan wasn’t sure what that was, but he knew it included him being terrified and alone.

“I just wanted to warn you to stay away from your boyfriend,” Sal continued.“You know my father wouldn’t be happy to find out who you’re dating.”

“West is none of your business.”

“Oh, I think he is,” Sal said smoothly as he opened the door.“Or rather, he will be if you don’t dump him.You’re mine, Jonathan.That’s never going to change, no matter how far you try to run.”

Jonathan opened his mouth, even though he didn’t know what he’d say.Maybe he’d tell Sal to fuck off.It was time someone did.

Sal didn’t stop to listen to what he had to say.The door banged as it closed behind him, leaving the shop completely silent except for the buzzing and the soft voices coming from the back rooms.

“What was he talking about?”Christy asked.

“He doesn’t want me to date West, and he’ll do everything he can to make sure I don’t.”

Sal wouldn’t stop until he knew that Jonathan wasn’t with West anymore.Jonathan didn’t know what would happen, but Sal usually got what he wanted.

And he wanted Jonathan.

Chapter Ten

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WEST WAS HUMMING AShe walked into the tattoo shop.He grinned at Christy, who was behind the counter, drawing on a pad.She smiled back and visibly relaxed when she saw him, which gave him pause, but he raised the bags he was carrying.“Late breakfast?”

“Is there coffee in there?”

“Of course.Who do you take me for?”

“I love you.Do you think Jonathan would mind if I stole you from him?”

West laughed, bright and happy because that was how he felt.“I’m sure he wouldn’t mind since there’s coffee for him in there, too.”

“I would mind very much,” Jonathan said as he came into the waiting area from the back room where he worked.

He looked a bit tired and had dark shadows under his eyes.He didn’t hesitate to come up to West, though, and when West dumped his bags on the counter to wrap his arms around him, he felt Jonathan’s body relax.

They’d been taking things slow because West never wanted to rush Jonathan, so he was surprised when Jonathan was the one who reached up and kissed him.It was quick and nothing that would be out of place in front of Jonathan’s friends, but it was their first kiss, and it left West blinking.

“Sorry about that,” Jonathan said as he tried stepping away.

West didn’t let him go.Instead, he leaned down and kissed him again.“Sorry about what?”he murmured.

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