Page 81 of Sweet Hate
His eyes roam my face, likely assessing my reaction, but I try to keep it blank as I process his question.
Everything in me wants to yell yes, and carry on where we just left off, but I need to think rationally for a minute.
This isn’t any different from what we did before. We never labeled it, but essentially, it’s the same.
How would it end any differently?
The first time around cost me the most important person in my life. This dangerous game we’re playing now when we’ve barely even recovered a sliver of that relationship feels like an incredibly stupid idea.
No matter how much I want a repeat of last night.In person.
But the alternative is just as scary. If I say no, we’ll likely crash straight back into that weird hostile tension, or worse still—silence.
I don’t have to worry about him not finishing the bakery. Whatever happens between us, I trust him implicitly to stand by his word. But the atmosphere would be bloody awful. He has no idea that I’m considering staying in Sweet Haven totake over the bakery from Grams. That’s another conversation we need to have before I agree to this.
Shit,beforeI agree to this?
Apparently, my mind is half made up even after listing all the cons.
He silently waits, his thumbs brushing slow circles on the bare skin at my waist, making me shiver as goosebumps break out.
Wishing I had a crystal ball, stuck between a cock and a hard place,pun absolutely intended,I want nothing more than to throw my arms around his neck and lose myself in his kisses.
But I also want my best friend back. I thought I’d made peace with coming back and Axel not having such an integral role in my life, but I don’t think I am okay with that at all.
Can we fix our friendship if we don’t muddle it with sex?
I reach up to cradle his face and trace a scar that slices through his left eyebrow.How did he get this?His eyes close as he leans into my touch, and that subtle move flays my heart wide open. Why does he have to be so cute?
He’s slowly winning me over with the three c’s. Coffee, kisses and cock. No wait, ones a K. He’s making me forget the whole damn alphabet.
I brush my other hand through his hair, pushing it off his face, and he opens his eyes, his piercing blue gaze spearing me with its intensity.
I open my mouth to say something, but words won’t come out.
Taking a deep breath, I bring my hand back down to cradle his jaw, my thumbs inadvertently stroking his cheeks. I can’t seem to stop touching him now that I feel like I have permission to.
ButI’m not sure I’ll survive this blowing up a second time, no matter how casual we keep it.
I brush his lips with mine briefly just in case it’s the last timeI can get this close. I drop my hands from his face, breaking his hold on my hips as I stand.
“Let me have until tomorrow to think about it?”
I should walk away. It’s the safest move. But every instinct in me screamsit’s the wrong one.
I need to think about it. Be smart.
But hey, why start making smart choices now?
27
LEFT ON READ
Kim
So…is anyone going to address the elephant in the room or are we expected to come to our own conclusions right now?
Swayze
