Page 29 of Tangled Up In You
His reaction was unexpected. I’d thought my words would piss him off and fuel his own anger, but instead it was like throwing water on the fire. It was as if he’d finally uncovered some truth he’d been desperately searching for.
“That’s why you broke up with me,” he said, more as a statement rather than a question. But then his voice grew louder. “So you’re saying that you fucking broke my heart because you weredoing me a favor? All this time, I actually believed you dumped me because you didn’t want me. And now you’re saying that it was just some bullshit reason that could’ve been resolved if you’d just told me the goddamn truth?”
“No. You donothave the right to be pissed, Corbin,” I snapped, getting in his face. “What was it you said to me that day before you pushed me down and ran off? ‘I’m going to leave this town and make something of myself. All you’ll ever be is another kid who didn’t have the balls to chase what he wanted.’I think that’s almost verbatim.”
It was then I realized I was crying, and I angrily wiped at my eyes.
“You were the one who didn’t wantme,” I said, glaring at him through my tears. “So I let you go to spare you from making a mistake you’d later regret.”
Corbin lifted his hand and cupped my cheek. I tried to jerk away, but then he used his other arm to grip my lower back and hold me in place.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. His lip trembled and his eyes brimmed with unshed tears. “If I could take it all back, I would.”
“No you wouldn’t,” I said, trying to hold onto my anger. I knew once I let go of it, I’d give in to him. “You wouldn’t give up your fame, career, and supermodel girlfriend just to go back and choose me instead.”
“What?” he asked, looking genuinely confused. “Girlfriend?”
“Don’t play dumb, Corbin,” I said. When I tried to shrug from his hold again, he let me. “Just admit you’re fucking her.”
“Veronica and I are just friends.” He ran a hand through the top of his dark blond hair before rubbing the side of his face, something he used to do when he was anxious. “When the rumors started about us after the perfume ad, I didn’t deny them because, as you’re well aware, I haven’t come out yet and yeah, maybe I was shitty for not being honest about myself, but she and I aren’t together. We talk a lot and she’s been my date to some of the athletic banquets and red carpet shit, but we’re just friends.”
“I’m sure she’s tried to sleep with you, though,” I said, feeling my skin prickle at the thought. Damn jealousy. I hated it. “You’re the sexy Corbin Taylor after all. All-American athlete with a nice ass and pretty face. You’ve probably fucked the whole modeling department, cheerleaders, and anyone else who waved their pussy in your face.”
“Enough!” Corbin grabbed the collar of my shirt and tugged me toward him. “Why are you acting like this? You know damn well that girls don’t do anything for me.”
“No, I don’t,” I told him, shaking my head. “I don’t know who you are anymore.”
“Yeah?” He pulled me so close our noses touched. “Well the feeling is mutual, Hunter, because I don’t fucking know you either.”
And then he crushed his mouth to mine.
At first, I tried to shove him away, but then I stopped fighting it. I moaned, and instead of pushing him away, I tangled my fingers in his short hair and brought him closer. His lips were soft and just as I remembered. The way they fit against mine was perfect.
In that moment, I forgot that I was supposed to keep my distance. That I’d sworn to myself I wouldn’t let him past my emotional barriers.
Strange howhewas the one who’d left all those years ago, but having him back in my arms mademefeel like the one who’d come home.
Chapter 10
Corbin
I was seething with rage one moment and kissing Hunter the next. He just made me so damn crazy sometimes. I’d hurt him in the past and I regretted doing so, but he had to realize he’d hurt me too. I’d lashed out at him like an impulsive kid and said awful things, but he’d lied to me about our relationship, saying he was glad I’d left.
So the hurt had gone both ways.
But none of that mattered as I held him in my arms.
Hearing his soft moans was like a memory that’d been suppressed for years and was now recovered. As the years had passed, I’d forgotten so much, no matter how tightly I’d tried holding onto the details. Everything had started to fade the longer we were apart—the feel of his warm body next to mine, the sound of his pleasured sighs, and the smell of his skin in the sun. Even the sound of his voice had begun to fade.
But we’re together now.
Maybe not tomorrow or the day after that, but as forthatnight, we could forget the past and embrace the present.
“I’m so pissed at you,” Hunter growled between kisses. His hand tightened in my hair as he grazed his teeth over my bottom lip. “I don’t know if I want to punch you or fuck you senseless.”
He pushed me against the counter and gripped my waist, holding me so tight that his fingertips pressed into my skin. When I broke from the kiss, he nipped at my jaw.
“I’d definitely go for the latter,” I said, peering at him with heavy-lidded eyes. Something about him being aggressive was the biggest fucking turn on ever. He used to be more soft-spoken and sweet when we’d had sex.
