Page 73 of Love or Leave

Next time?

She fought off a wave of nausea.

"See ya later," he said, then turned and walked to his car.

Cara stood on the porch and watched him drive away, and when his car turned out of the driveway, she sank down on the cold wood steps.

What the hell was wrong with her?

She didn't have long to ponder before a set of headlights turned down the driveway and blinded her. She checked the time. It was too early for anyone to be home.

Was Jalen coming back? Had he forgotten something?

Maybe it was Chelsea and Jae and she'd have someone to talk to about her problems. Not that she could tell them about Antonio, but maybe she could change some names and get some advice while still keeping it secret.

But when the car was close enough for her to recognize who it was, she froze.

"Antonio?" She'd said it out loud and shook her head as her heart raced. She hadn't expected to see him. He'd said he'd be free after ten, but they didn't make any actual plans.

She shook her head and rolled her eyes at herself.

He probably wasn't there to see her at all. Maybe the guys had a hockey group chat she wasn't a part of, and they decided to go to Chelsea's after their game instead of the pub for beers.

He pulled to a stop in front of her and she realized she was still sitting on the porch, in the freezing night air, like a weirdo.

She stood as he stepped out of his car and walked over to her.

"Hi," he said.

Her heart, head, and vagina all stood at attention at the sound of his voice. There was more chemistry in one syllable from Antonio than three hours of conversation with Jalen.

"Hi," she said back, wishing she could find the resolve to break eye contact with him. "No one's here."

Antonio's brows knitted. "I came to see you."

Her body ignited. Literally ignited.

Suddenly, she was no longer cold. She couldn't even feel the air.

He climbed onto the porch, stopped in front of her and let out a deep exhale.Was he nervous?

"Why are you sitting alone in the cold?"

"Jalen just dropped me off."

His face went blank, like he was trying hard to cover his emotions. "How was your date?"

Cara shrugged, looking down at her feet.

Antonio came in close and lifted her chin with the knuckle of his index finger, forcing her to look at him. Their eyes locked for a long moment before he lifted his hand to her cheek. She tilted her head into his touch, wanting more of the warmth from his palm.

God, he felt so good. She loved his hands. Lust radiated through her body, from her stomach outward. Her brain began melting with memories of the last time they touched.

But somehow logic forced its way in, and she remembered she was supposed to be keeping her distance from him—not letting him stroke her cheek.

She took a step back and narrowed her eyes.

"Why are you here, Antonio?"

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