Love Triangle Six Books of Torn Desire - Willow Winters Page 0,537

and let out every bit of tension and cry is overwhelming. I need the pain to go away; I need someone to take it from me, because I’m a hopeless wreck.

“It’s very sweet of you and I won’t lie,” I start to say and then hesitate to finish the thought, but settle on the basic truth. “I wouldn’t act on anything because I just can’t right now. I would never forgive myself and it wouldn’t be fair to you.” My words are rushed at the end, trying to defend my decision and assuage me of the guilt I’m feeling.

“Hey,” Jacob says with an easy tone that breaks through the anxiety washing over me. His reassuring voice forces me to look into his gentle gaze. It’s comforting and relaxing and makes me not trust myself. “How about this?” he asks as he takes a step closer toward me. “How about you call me if you think you want to hang out or talk, or whatever it is that’s on your mind?” he asks in a soothing tone that’s almost melodic. It calms me, each word a consoling balm to the hurt that rages through my body.

I want that. More than anything, I want this pain that I feel to stop. I would give anything to make it go away. Jacob could do that, but it would be short-lived. I blink away the haze of lust, the cloud of want and desire leaving me slowly, very slowly. I clear my throat and look him in the eyes as I tell him, “I can’t.”

“’Cause we’re going to work together?” he asks, although the way he tilts his head and strains his words makes it more than obvious that he knows why I can’t. My lips form a thin straight line as I shake my head no.

“You love him?” he asks me, and the bit of control I have on my emotions slips.

“I do, but that’s not why. I’m just–I’m not okay and I need to figure things out …” I can’t finish the thought, but thankfully I don’t have to.

“I understand,” Jacob says and runs his hand through his thick hair. My eyes are caught in his as I nod in thanks.

“Let’s pretend this didn’t happen then?” I ask him.

“I’d rather you remember,” he says with a grin that makes me crave him more. “I’ll be here when you’re ready,” he says and then turns to leave. To walk away from me and leave me alone in my misery, just as I asked.

For a second I want to reach out and stop him from leaving; I don’t want to go back to what’s waiting for me. I don’t want to face what I have to do.

But my fingers grip onto the edge of the foyer doorway as Jacob turns away and heads to the front door.

“I’ll talk to you later then?” he asks as he opens the door to see himself out.

I should say no. I should cut off whatever this is. It’s dangerous and I can feel myself slipping toward an edge where I won’t be able to balance. I can see myself falling. And that’s why I give him a small smile and nod my head. “Later,” the word slips from my lips like a sin.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

EVAN

I won’t stop fighting,

I won’t let this tear us apart.

One mistake won’t take her from me,

One mistake can’t break her heart.

I’ll plead with her and do what’s right,

And pray that she will see.

She’s all I have to live for,

On my knees, I pray she’ll forgive me.

The radio in the car is silenced as I turn the ignition off. It’s not often I get a parking spot so close to the townhouse. It was a sacrifice we made when we bought the place a few years ago.

My head falls back against the leather headrest and I stare up at the building, at the top two floors on the right side, knowing that Kat’s in there. So close, but so fucking far away just the same.

My phone pings just as I open the door to get out and drag my sorry ass up to tell her everything. To lay it all out there, beg for her forgiveness, her understanding. But most importantly for her to stay with me.

If she can still love me, after all this shit I put her through and everything ahead of us, then we can get through anything.

But it’s not her that texted me. It’s Samantha.

I heard you quit.

News travels fast, I respond