Page 43 of How to Break My Heart

“Yes, Aston.” I look him straight in the eye and beg myself to remember all the bad things about him, and ignore the part of me that suddenly wants him…naked. “I’m tired. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

He drops his arm, allowing me to pass, but as I step forward, he stops me again by grabbing me. I glance down, focused on the tight grip around my wrist.

“Sweet dreams, Everleigh. If you need inspiration tonight, I finished twice in the shower after you left. It’s a shame you couldn’t join me.”

My heart almost falls out of my chest. I scramble to respond, but my tongue is tied because my body has now betrayed me entirely.

Then, I shift my gaze and look into his teasing green eyes. He releases his grip on me, the absence of his touch catching me by surprise.

He’s just playing. His ego is so big, he thinks he can push my buttons—and for what purpose? All we need to do is get this wedding over and done with, and then he’s back in Manhattan where he’ll forget all about me—the shiny toy left behind.

“Perhaps you’re good for something, Mr. Beaumont. Aside from being the biggest pain in my ass.” I pull out my keys to placethem in the lock but turn around again. “Tomorrow, and since you’re so eager to share your stamina in the shower with me, I expect your attendance at nine will be no problem.”

And with those final words, I enter the building and hurry to close the door behind me.

Later, when I’m tossing and turning in bed, I beg myself to fall asleep.He got to me.

And I hate him so much for it.

Thoughhateis such a strong word especially for someone who desperately needs to release this tension building down below. I close my eyes, sliding my hand between my legs. The simple touch is enough to make me moan.

Slowly, I move my fingers in a circular motion, this build inside my belly warning me it’s only a matter of moments. I bite down, squeezing my eyes shut as the desire climbs and a spread of warmth reaches every part of me.

“Holy fuck,” I gasp while arching my back, unable to catch my breath.

My body collapses on the bed, trying to come down from the euphoria. The echo of my heavy breathing is loud inside my room. Surely, this will knock me right out.

An hour later, I find I was wrong.

Another best self-induced orgasm of my life.

And the worst part of it all?

I imaginedhimfor the very first time.

Big fucking rookie mistake.

CHAPTER 13Eva

I wake at stupid o’clock.

I lie in bed beneath the warm comforter, staring at the ceiling in the dark, fidgeting with the bedsheet while trying to find some excuse to get out of seeing Aston today. Every few minutes, I turn my head to look at the clock, only to spiral even further.

Sweet dreams, Everleigh. If you need inspiration tonight, I finished twice in the shower after you left. It’s a shame you couldn’t join me.His voice replays in my head, causing me to groan loudly in frustration. I throw the comforter over my head, desperate to drown out his voice and the anxiety of having to face him this morning. We never agreed on a place, only a time, but then my phone pings with a text message at the same time as the sun begins to rise.

Aston

See you at nine at the café. I promise to show up this time.

I contemplate a thumbs-up but decide against it. I make myself an extra-strong coffee, double the shot, then continue reading my book. The scene turns spicy when the billionaire takes her on the desk and commands her to look him in the eye while they’re screwing. I’m living for the fact that he’s in love with her and she’s playing hard to get.

The familiar warmth spreads between my thighs, so I put the book down with a huff. The last thing I need is to be physically charged in Aston’s presence.

As much as I need a cold shower to bring my body back to reality, outside, the weather is anything but warm. It feels like another cold front hit overnight, and the last thing I want is to get sick before the wedding.

Billie is already downstairs baking, and the smell of vanilla fills the café. Every morning, when I step inside the quiet space before customers arrive, I take a moment to relish it all. The scent of freshly made donuts mixed with coffee brewing is like heaven on earth, and there’s nothing in the world I want more than to be here in my happy place.

Sometimes, I think about expanding and opening another store, but nerves get the better of me. What if it fails? What if I throw all my money into my business and end up without any to put a roof over my head? Let alone restore my dream house.