[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
. Had he stopped breathing?She laughed again. About as long as it takes you to wake upand remember who you really are.Jacob Hansen, ex-convict, highschool dropout and trailer park trash. Her arms went about his waist. Don t you see, Jake, we re two of a kind.You and me.I know youbetter than anyone else.Who was there for you when your fatherfinally drank himself to death? I was.Even when & even when youwent to prison I still came by to see you. He pushed her away. I went because you lied to me, Brielle.Iloved you more than anything in this world, and you messed aroundon me. Not just with one man. I made a mistake.A big one.Give me a break, Jake.I wastwenty years old.I m different now.I swear it.I ve thought about youevery day since you broke it off.I m positive you think about me, too.I make you feel.I bet your little mouse can t do that.Why else wouldyou have done that to the tattoo of my name? Like it or not, you stillwant me as much as I want you. Was she out of her mind? He stared at her again, and for somereason the feeling from earlier settled in the pit of his stomach again. Can t deny it, can you? She wet her lips. Brielle& Jake stood still, unable to move as she inchedcloser.She glanced up at him.Her soft red lips were parted and greeneyes, seductive and filled with promises gazed up at him, remindinghim why he d fallen so hard. Where s your place? Chapter Twelve Here we are, Brielle said.She strode ahead to open one ofthe two doors of the plain duplex she d directed them to.He gazed atthe lackluster pink building and released a muted sigh.Theneighborhood was less than ten minutes from the trailer park.Thelawn in front of the duplex, if you could even call it a lawn, wassmattered with dried brown grass and empty plastic wrappers.Helooked up at her, knowing he was the last person to judge. Are you coming in or not? She held the door propped openwith one leg.Jake hesitated.He should have thought this out more.Hestood unmoving, watching as impatience and annoyance flickeredwithin her eyes. Oh for fuck s sake.I hope you re not feeling guilty about thatlittle wanna-be housewife.You and I both know she would havedumped you sooner or later. She let out a coarse laugh. For someblack guy, too, you can bet. You re an expert on people now? he asked, walking towhere she stood.Brielle gave him a saucy smile. I m an expert at a lot ofthings, and I know you haven t forgotten, have you? Jake stiffened as her hand traveled upward to rest against hischest. I haven t. Now that we have that settled, how about we go inside? Gently, he eased her hand away. I didn t bring you home forsex. She gaped at him in surprised amusement. Gone soft on me,Jake? You don t have to wine and dine me to get a hit. Jake cringed.The awkward, almost burning feeling inside hisstomach returned.He recognized it for what it was.Pity.So intense itwas almost nauseating.He forced himself to meet her green eyes andhold his gaze there. I know you don t expect that.But you should.You shouldwant more. She rolled her eyes. Did you have to wine and dine yourmouse before she gave out? Funny though, cause I don t rememberyou doing any of that with me.Unless you consider sharing a six packof beer as your way of romancing me. Jake wanted to deny her accusation, but how could he whenshe was only speaking the truth? As much as he d loved Brielle, histreatment of her and Charity was worlds apart.It hadn t beenintentional, yet there was no way to move ahead without letting herknow it. I m sorry I wasn t a better boyfriend to you.I never thoughtthose things mattered to you. They didn t, and neither does your apology, Jake. Her handclung to the door handle. The only thing I want is to know is ifyou re coming inside with me or not. He took a deep breath.If he hadn t given her much before, atleast he could give her honesty today. I m not. Her lips drew into a thin line. Hmm.If I m not good enoughto sleep with you anymore, why are you here? I brought you home because this is the last time we re goingto talk.I don t wanna hurt you, Brie, but the truth is you don t wantme any more than I want you.When we were together I wasn t givingyou everything you needed.Physically? Maybe, guess I ll neverknow, but emotionally, no.I can admit that now.I don t blame youanymore for screwing around on me.I m over it.Messed up aseverything turned out between us, I can honestly tell you it was forthe better.I have someone I love, and that s not about to change. Hesent her a pointed look.Brielle made a sound of disgust. You re a bastard, Jake.I hope toGod you know that.Do you expect me to give you a pat on the backfor not being a total fuck up like me? Was that the point of yourLifetime moment right there? I m not saying these things to make you feel bad.Just because I mno longer in love with you, doesn t mean I don t still care about you.We ve been through too much together for me to just turn it off likethat, he said, snapping his fingers. We won t ever be togetherbecause I know I m not, was never the person you needed to buildyou up. She laughed again, the sound devoid of its luster from before. I don tneed anyone to build me up
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]