Stud Muffin (Donner Bakery #2) - Jiffy Kate Page 0,101

Don’t you get it? You’re so… you, and when I’m around you, I’m not myself. I think what Anna said is right… you’re the first man to show me any interest and I think I’ve been using you… like a diversion… or a rebound…” I pause, knowing those words don’t settle well in my chest, but I can’t take them back now. “You shouldn’t want—”

“817-222-4561.”

“What?”

“That’s my phone number,” he says, standing up and grabbing his slacks from the floor, making quick work of pulling them up before he turns back around. “I should’ve given it to you earlier… meant to a few times, but kept forgetting. I’m sorry.”

His tone is no-nonsense and the look on his face is fierce as he walks around the bed and into my space, but doesn’t touch me. Just stands close enough that I can feel his warmth. And it’s all I can do to keep from reaching out to him, knowing a touch from him would make all the crazy thoughts and second-guessing fly out the window.

But I can’t.

“I’ve never been married.” His tone is the exact opposite of everything I’m feeling—rational, right-minded, calm, cool, collected. “I’ve only had two serious girlfriends. My last long-term relationship was in college. I’ve had sex with quite a few people, but always wore a condom and I’ve been checked for STDs on a regular basis. My favorite food is steak. I’m a Scorpio. My birthday is a month from tomorrow. My mom’s name is Janice and my dad is Kristoph. I was born in Dallas. Moved to Boston for college, but moved right back when I dropped out, so Green Valley is only the third place I’ve lived, but I’ve been practically everywhere, in and out of the country. I’m an Independent, but hate talking politics.”

He finally stops, taking a deep breath and scratching the back of his head. “Anything else you want to know?

I shake my head, but not in response to his question, because deep down, I want to know everything about Cage Erickson, but I can’t… I don’t trust myself.

And that’s the bottom line. That’s the real problem here. It has nothing to do with the man standing in front of me and everything to do with me.

“You shouldn’t want to be with me,” I tell him, finishing my thought from a second ago before he began pouring out his heart on the floor. “I’m damaged goods and I’ll probably never be able to trust anyone ever again… let alone myself. So, if you want a relationship with someone, I’m not your girl.”

“I want whatever you want,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest. “I told you already… the ball’s in your court.”

“For how long?” I ask, my voice rising. “I know you don’t have plans to stay… I overheard you talking to your brother about going home. Back to Dallas. And I can’t stick around and get my heart broken again. So, let's just end this now and save ourselves the trouble.”

And by us, I mean me.

Because as much as I’d like to deny it, I have feelings for Cage… big feelings. He could easily break me, far worse than anything Asher has done.

When he stands there, stoic and rigid, not budging, I try another tactic.

“I… I don’t want to be with you...” I stammer, struggling to get the lie out of my mouth. “You were a fun time… and you, uh… helped me clear my mind, but that’s it. Thanks for that,” I say, my eyes going to the floor because I can’t look him in the eye. “And thanks for playing the part and going to the reunion with me.”

We stand in silence for a moment, but I can’t stand this any longer. As I turn to go, he reaches for my hand, but I hide my face from him, tears already trickling down my cheeks.

“Tempest,” he pleads. “Don’t do this.”

The slight break in his tone is what sets my feet in motion. I’m a horrible person. I must be, because it would take a monster to break a heart as good as Cage’s.

“I need… I have to go,” I say, turning for the stairs. “Please don’t follow me.”

Chapter 28

Cage

I did follow her, from a distance, watching her until I knew she was safely inside her apartment.

But then, I walked away, letting her go.

Chapter 29

Tempest

“Well, you’re early,” Jenn says, walking in the back door and scaring me just a little.

I’ve been here for over two hours, but I don’t tell