Page 54 of Bittersweet

She’s here. She’s standing two feet away from me, and she looks like a goddamn angel. Or a devil.Atemptress.

She wears spiked heels and a dress that should be illegal. Not because it’s too short, or too revealing, but because it leaves a lot to the imagination—and mine is runningriot.

My body moves of its own accord. I don’t give a shit that I’m half drunk and that she’s been avoiding me, despite her middle-of-the-night visit late last week. I don’t give a shit that she rejected me—rejected us. I don’t give a fuck about any of that, because I need her. I need her like I need air, and seeing her means I can breathe for the first time indays.

I step closer. She opens her mouth as if tospeak.

I crash my lips into hers. She startles. Her body freezes, but it only takes a beat and her tongue is lashing at mine, her hands on my torso as greedy as my own. I push her up against the wall, threading my fingers through her hair, kissing her as if I’m dying and she’s the cure. In a way, that’s true. I didn’t realize how lost I was without her. How alone. How in love I am with this incredible fucking woman. And I do love her. I didn’t know it before, but it’s as clear as day now. I love her, and there’s not a God damn thing I can do aboutit.

I trail my hand from the nape of her neck down her side, holding her waist as I wedge myself between her legs, wanting her closer. Needing to possess every inch of her body, a body that’s a hell of a lot smaller now. She’s lost weight, too much. Her curves are still present, but nowhere near as dangerous as they used tobe.

Romy moans and hooks her thigh around mine. My cock pushes against the thin fabric of her skirt, her body molding to me, so pliant, so needy. So sweet. I want more.Yes.

“No!” She shoves me away. Her eyes are wild and livid, her lips full, too red from my beard scratching at her skin. “Don’t you dare touch me. You lied tome.”

“Romy—”

“You make me sick. God, I can’t believe I fell for yourgames.”

“I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry. I should have told you.I—”

“Did you really think I wouldn’t find out? That she wouldn’tknow?”

I blink in surprise. That who wouldn’t know?Coco?

“I’m seeingsomeone.”

My whole world comes crashing down around me. “What?

“I’m trying to forget you, Elio.” Tears well in her eyes, and she schools her features as if she’s trying to hold them at bay. “I’m trying to move on, and if you have even one shred of decency, you’ll stay away fromme.”

She walks away, and I watch her go because she’s right. I should have talked to her about Coco a long time ago. I watch her go because it’s clear I don’t deserve her, and now it’s toolate.

21

Romy

Itake a deep breath,staring Marc’s door down.Date number two. You can dothis.

I needto.

I need to do anything and everything I can to get the taste of Elio out of my mouth and the feel of his body from under my skin. I can’t believe I let him kiss me. I can’t believe I let a married man light a fire inside me like I’ve never feltbefore.

I raise my hand to knock, once, twice, threetimes.

All the more reason to be here, on a date with someone who has no skeletons in hiscloset.

The door swings open. Marc stands there, a big cheesy grin on his face. “Hey, baby,” he says, leaning in to kiss me on the cheek. “You look good enough toeat.”

“Thanks,” I reply,surprised.

His words should make me feel warm. They should make me feelgood.

Theydon’t.

“Come on in.” He gestures to the room beyond, and I step through and into his temple of motivational prints. “Is everythingokay?”

“It’s fine. Why do you ask?”I’m just upset because I kissed a guy who was a total douche.Obviously.

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