Page 69 of Brutal Sin

Her world became one mass of tingling sensation. Then just as quickly, it faded.

Starbursts turned into twinkles. Pulses lessened to twinges. She pulled back, panting into the night air while his rhythm lessened to a slow dance.

She slumped against his shoulder, his scent filling her lungs, his sweat coating her cheek.

One moment, bliss conquered. The next, the hard weight of reality made her numb. She hadn’t merely fallen a few steps for this man—she’d toppled down a slope the size of Everest.

“Ella,” he whispered into her neck, a hint of regret tinging his voice.

She closed her eyes, not wanting to know the harshness inevitably due to follow all the sexy sweetness she’d received. “Mmm?”

“I’m sorry this had toend.”

Her heart swelled as she worked the tight silk from around her neck. “Had to end? What do youmean?”

He spoke in past tense, like this was already over. As if it had been a foregone conclusion that they would share a monumentally deep connection, then wave each other goodbye.

He settled her on her feet and stepped back, frowning. “You knew this was the end, right?”

Her eyes seared, threatening to betrayher.

“Ella?” His voice turned into a warning. “You knew this game was over once we fucked.”

She blinked and blinked, trying to hide her cluelessness while he righted his clothing.

“I told you from the start. I tell everyone from the start.”

“Yeah.” She swallowed. Licked her lips. “I knew. I just…” She tugged down the hem of her dress and snatched her clutch from the top of the car. “I didn’t—” She clamped her mouth shut and inched away, taking close, cautious steps.

“Wait.” He reached out and the connection of his hand missed its mark. “I thought you understood. You spoke about this not ending well. I made sure you wanted to finish this here. Now. I asked you, Ella. I thought we were both on the samepage.”

She hadn’t even been in the samebook.

She’d momentarily forgotten his rules and regulations, too blinded by the dreamy thoughts of what could be. She’d made herself believe that something special was a possibility. Just like she had with Lucas.

“We were,” she lied with a jerky nod. “Weare.”

“Then why are you looking at melike…”

Don’t say it. Please don’t sayit.

“Why are you backing away from me?” he amended.

“Because that’s what you want.” She stopped, commanding her feet to remain in place even though she itched to kick off her heels and sprint. “I’m giving you space. I know how much you hate clingy women.”

He winced, and for the briefest second she expected him to tell her to come back into hisarms.

Yet again, she was wrong.

Why did she keep getting this so wrong? She pinned her hopes on love when it was nowhere in sight. She continued to fall for men who had no intention of falling forher.

“Did you expect this to turn into something more?” His jaw tensed as his hands stabbed through his hair. “I can’t fucking readyou.”

“No,” she lied and scrambled to come up with solid reasoning. “I just didn’t think you’d be fucking me one minute and kicking me to the curb the next.” She backtracked, each step bringing more necessary space. “But I get it. You made your position clear. And I certainly don’t want to be classified as one of your groupies.”

“Fuck.” His curse rang through every inch of the parking lot, startling her. “Just stop.” His hands fell to his sides. “I don’t want you to be pissed atme.”

“Why does it matter?” Her question held too much heartache, the weakness ringing in her ears. “You know I want to cancel my Vault membership. After tonight, you’ll never see me again. So, who gives a shit if I’m pissed?”

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