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“What?”

“Dayton. Your ex. You’re dressed likethatto see him, right?” He clenches the doorframe, his biceps bulging inside his dark blue Henley. He throws an accusatory glare at my outfit.

“It’s none of your business, right? I’m just acollege studentyou’re tutoring as a favor, remember?”

“Answer me.”

I roll my eyes and close the door—I have no time for this bullshit.

He shoves his foot in.

“Go away, Ethan. Come back when you grow a pair.” I kick his boot, trying to dislodge it from the threshold.

“He’s not good for you. Didn’t you used to say he never listened to you? He didn’t understand you? He was hiding things from you? Wake up, Lexy. Don’t throw yourself at men because you don’t want to be alone!”

My mouth drops open as fury shoots up my spine. I fling the door open, and it crashes against the wall in a loud bang. Ethan stands there, his arms crossed over his chest, his lips curving in an annoying smirk.

“That’s low, Ethan. I never thought Delaney would have this ugly side to him, but like you’re implying, I have horrible taste in men, so what do I know?”

Lips twitching, I can barely see straight. I march up to him and stand on my tiptoes. He arches a damn elegant brow, appearing completely unfazed.

“You know what? I was going to catch up with Dayton because he’s a friend. But then, I’m a believer of fate and second chances. He just so happened to call me when you started pissing me off. That’s got to be a sign, right? And it’s been a while, so maybe he’s changed. So fuck off. You’renotmy keeper.”

The sneer slips off his face, and a muscle twitches in his jaw. His eyes darken, a blistering fire brewing inside them.

You started it, asshole.

I lean in closer, our faces inches apart. “Don’t mind me, I’m only a silly teenager, desperate for love, right? Maybe I’ll even let him fuck me tonight.”

Ethan’s body stills—his fingers dig into the doorframe, a slight tremble in his arms betraying his coiled strength. His chest stops moving, like he’s forgotten how to breathe.

It’s then I know.

I may have pushed him too far, unleashing the animal caged inside him. A sudden awareness seizes me, and I realize now is the time for me to escape from the beast who may pounce on me at any second.

My heart shoots up to my throat and I step back to shove the door closed.

But before I hear the telltale click of the latch engaging, the door flings back open and I jump back just in time.

Everything is a blur, and before I know it, he’s inside the apartment and the door is shut behind him.

I back up, my lungs raking in quick inhales, my legs tripping over the carpet.

My eyes never leaving him.

Ethan’s prowling toward me in measured steps, a forceful energy rolling off his towering frame.

Strength. Power. Passion.

The inferno burning inside my sensitive poet.

“What. Did. You. Say?”

Chapter 20

The grays in hiseyes appear almost silver under the daylight as he advances toward me. He looks like the god of war, demanding retribution, the anger and lust sizzling off his body.

“Y-You heard me.” I’m breathless, my skin is on fire, and he hasn’t even touched me yet.