Page 113 of Broken

“Yeah well.” He shifts and this time my hand falls away. “It was a long time ago. I haven’t drawn in that book for years.”

It’s time to leave it alone. He’s already said he’s heard it all before. It’s heartbreaking he blames himself for something he had no control over.

“Explains a lot, huh?” his lip lifts on one side in a sardonic smirk.

“You’re not all bad.”

He lifts his brows in surprise.

“I’m not letting you off the hook. You were an asshole when I first met you. Well, that time at the shop. The other time you were different.”

I thought he was a delivery man when I was moving into my apartment. Why didn’t I remember that before now?

Garrett suddenly gets up. His body blocks the sun from my eyes, so I’m not blinded. I guess that hit a nerve. I was trying to make light of the situation. Is he angry? Garrett holds his hand out to me and pulls me up when I slip my palm in his. I lose my footing from the force and fall against him.

It’s a surprise when his arm wraps around my waist to steady me. My gaze locks on him. This man is a bundle of contradictions, with a side to him he rarely shows.

“Don’t look at me like that Calli.”

“Like what?” I whisper.

“Like I’m a decent guy. The first impression you got of me is who I am.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“Then you’re fooling yourself.”

“What is this then? You took care of me this morning.”

Garrett looks over the top of my head. “It doesn’t mean anything.”

He’s lying but I will not press him, or make him admit something he doesn’t want to. One thing I adhered to when I left San Antonio was never to chase anyone. Especially a man. I’ve got to look out for me.

“I should get back to the shop.”

I don’t understand the conflict on his face. His bike is at my place. I’ve got no choice but to walk back with him. We make small talk, because it’s weird as hell saying nothing.

The bike is parked right by the main entrance. We stop and once again, I have that awkwardness about how to say goodbye to him.

“Keep the tattoo moisturized.”

“That’s the plan.”

I go to turn away, but he grabs my wrist to stop me. I face him, waiting. He says nothing. I don’t need this confusion right now. He’s hot and cold. No matter what Sin and Ruby think, they don’t know Garrett like I do.

“You don’t need to push me away, Garrett. I know what this is between us.”

“That’s not what I’m doing…”

He takes a deep breath but never takes his eyes off me, except for when they dip to my mouth.

“Fuck it,” he growls out and pulls me toward him, our bodies flush.

His kiss takes me completely by surprise. I readily accept it, despite my earlier thoughts. Garrett grips my hip with one hand, the other cradles the back of my head. All I can do is let him take what he wants, what I am willing to give.

When he pulls back, I’m breathless. The way he gazes at me is holding me still

I’m more than aware there are people passing by on the sidewalk, watching us. Nothing else matters. Just the two of us, locked in some indescribable battle of who will pull away first. It won’t be me. I want to challenge him, let him know I’m not a woman afraid of what I want. And I want him.

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