Page 37 of Desert King

“I just want my food and coffee, okay? Then I’m out.”

He tugs my braid twice, leaning down. “You better. I’m done looking at this scrawny chicken-ass of yours, mouse. Tell Edge, I send my regards.”

“I’m not with him. I already told you this.”

“Oh yeah? Let me see your phone.”

My spine stiffens. He’s all in my phone. Sweaty, half-naked and lost in incantations all in an effort bring back his dead girl. Instead he got me.

“Look. I’m leaving, okay. I’ve already cleared out of Santa Fe, like you asked. Can you just let it go?”

His skin draws tight over the sculpted cheekbones I traced by hand. “He has no conscience. There’s no limit to how far he’ll go. Thinking you—of all people could get hooks into me.” He sneers, looks down his nose at me and I just break. Completely break at his feet.

Tears spring from my eyes. My body shakes. I run out of the bakery no longer wanting my food. Now that I know how sweet his words and touch can be, I want them back. And not as some stand-in. I want them only for me.

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