across the table and placed one hand on my arm, the other on Gavin’s shoulder. “Guys…”
“No, fuck you,” I snapped, still staring at Gavin. “You could’ve told me the truth.”
“Yeah? Well, you could’ve told me the truth, too. It’s a two-way street, Presley. And trust goes both ways.”
I tried to come up with something to say to that but couldn’t find the words. Instead, I pushed my seat back and shot to my feet, glaring at Gavin for a long second before I turned and stormed out of the building.
I didn’t stop until I got to my condo, but when I reached my floor, it wasn’t my door I headed for.
No, the last thing I wanted was to be alone.
Chapter Sixty-One
Jake
I was sitting on the couch, rereading the first few chapters of my book, when there was a soft knock on the door. Tossing the notebook to the table, I got to my feet, sidestepped Cat, who was lying right in the way, as usual, and headed for the door. I checked the security hole and noticed Presley standing in the hall, her head down.
I pulled open the door, ready to greet her by pulling her into my arms and admitting how much I’d missed her, but then her eyes lifted to mine, and I noticed she’d been crying. That primal part of me took over.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, reaching for her hand and tugging her inside my condo before closing the door behind her. I stared down at her. “What happened, Presley?”
She swallowed but shook her head, and I knew she wasn’t going to tell me. I didn’t want to admit how much that hurt me. I’d thought we had made some progress over the weekend, but it was evident she was still closing herself off to me. I had suspected as much since she hadn’t called or texted in the past two days, but I’d been trying to give her some space.
Then again she had shown up at my door when she clearly needed someone, so that was a start.
Rather than give me some lame excuse, which would’ve truly pissed me off, Presley looked up, and then her face fell again, more tears spilling down her cheeks. I couldn’t help it, I pulled her into my arms, wrapping her tightly in my embrace, and kissed the top of her head. I didn’t say anything, not sure what to say because I didn’t know what was wrong.
Several seconds ticked by, and I tried to come up with a question, something that would convince her I wasn’t her enemy, that I would listen to anything she had to say, but it appeared Presley had other ideas. When she slid her hands beneath my shirt, lifting it, I closed my eyes and welcomed her touch. I’d missed her since we’d come back from the cabin, and though it had only been two days, it felt like an eternity.
I didn’t want to think too much on that, because I didn’t even like the way it sounded in my head.
“Jake,” Presley whispered, pulling back and looking up at me. “Make me forget for a little while?”
Forget what? I wanted to know, but I could see she’d effectively put up that wall. That wasn’t what I wanted to hear, because I knew it meant she was using me. After what we’d shared over the weekend, I had been hoping for more. But still, I couldn’t tell her no, so I lowered my head and met her mouth with mine. The kiss started out gentle, but it grew hotter, more intense within seconds, and I realized she was working off the pain, using me to escape it. I hated that she didn’t trust me enough, but there was a give-and-take when it came to Presley. And I was willing to give her what she needed.
Her hands fell from my skin, and the next thing I knew, she had ripped my shirt open, sending buttons scattering, pinging off the hardwood and the walls. That single move triggered something in me, that primal instinct kicking in.
Our clothes made a quick disappearance, hands and mouths roaming; the only thing that mattered was touching her, tasting her.
I jerked her to me, then lifted her off the ground, continuing to kiss her while she wrapped her sexy legs around my waist. I’d made it halfway up the stairs when she stopped me.