Page 70 of Only Ever Yours

He reaches for the roll of his sleeve, his eyes focusing on it, adjusting the already perfect fold. “You don’t need to thank me, Ellie. It’s really not a big deal. You're important to my sister, and you know I would do anything for her.”

I’m crushed by simply hearing his words, like a dagger to my already battered heart.

He’s doing it all for his sister.

Not for me, or that he feels something for me. His eyes never meet mine when he speaks, and I’m stupid to have thought it was anything more.

Looking away, I reach for the laptop he placed on the table, feeling my eyes go misty. The room feels like it's shrinking around me. I close my eyes and fill my lungs with air.

I can't do this.

Why am I being so dumb?

This isn’t me. I don’t cry. I know he doesn’t like me that way. He fucks with me on purpose. I know this.

“Well, thanks anyway, Jay,” I force out and offer a glimmer of a smile, blinking away any moisture. I’m over the hurt. At least that’s what I’m telling myself. Then I force myself to ask the question floating around in my head. “So, uhh, are we seriously not gonna talk about what just happened?” I bring my coffee to my lips once again, like a life raft, using it to keep me from drowning under his stare.

“Nothing to talk about. It shouldn’t have ever happened here. It won’t happen again.”

How many times can a heart be crushed in a matter of seconds?

I don’t even respond to his statement. I can’t.

I pull the laptop between us and stroke my fingers down the side, “Show me what to do on this thing.” I say, forcing a small laugh, totally ignoring the way he's studying my face from the side.

I’m simply just a game to him.

Chapter 20

Jaydon

I feel my arms about to give out on my final rep, and I barely push the bar back into place.

Fuck. I normally have a spotter, but this was a last-minute decision.

I sit up, catch a whiff of stale sweat and rubber, and feel the sting of sweat drip into my eyes. Reaching for the bottom of my shirt, I pull it up, swiping the moisture from my face.

I feel the heat of someone's stare, and when I look over, I see a woman ogling my rippled body. She can look all she wants, but that’s all she’ll be doing. I roll my lips inward and bite back any comments that roll through my head.

Sure, she looks good, and I would have taken the chance in the past to talk to her. But the only woman I want is probably sitting at my house right now andthinking of ways to make my life a living hell. I’m sure she’s wearing those tiny little shorts—the ones that show off her perfect round ass—driving me fucking insane in the process.

My phone buzzes with a notification, and I feel my face turn up with a grin when I see who it's from.

Speak of the devil herself.

Peachy:Where the hell are you? I thought you were making dinner tonight, and I’m starving.

Fuck. I forgot all about dinner.

My mind has been preoccupied with thoughts of eating something else all afternoon—her.

I pulled back after our little heated session earlier, not wanting to push, and I felt the change in her mood instantly. I want to fucking ravish her body, spend days worshiping her, showing her all the ways she deserves to be treated. Sure, we play this back-and-forth game, but I’m only taking what she’s willing to give me.

I had to get to the gym and work out my frustrations. But it still isn’t helping with the buildup of emotions swirling inside me.

Jaydon: Be home shortly… picking up dinner on the way home.

I wipe down the equipment, grab my stuff, and head out—already craving more than just food.

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