Page 121 of Meant to Be

“I need you, Josie,” he says in a choked voice, eyes burning into mine, his breath stifling hot over my skin.

“Then take me.”

Closing his hands around my face, he kisses me.

Harley kisses me so hard, my head dips back at the pressure. His tongue slides against mine, sending a fury of electric bolts through me. My entire body throbs to be closer to him. He gathers my dress in his hands, plastering me to his body, until we can’t possibly be any closer.

My fingers sink into his thick hair. He smells, tastes, and feels so delicious and perfect. It’s making me dizzy.

His hands tug and grip me, exploring expertly in all the right places. I moan into him, the desire to be alone, in a bed, somewhere far from here, consuming me.

And then I hear it.

Her.

Jess calling out to Nick.

Icy cold liquid bursts through me and I launch myself away from Harley. I’m hot everywhere, and disorientated. My eyes adjust to the flickering lights as I see Nick disappearing through the side door.

“Wait!” I try to shout, but it comes out as a slur. I fumble for my bag the strap having slipped off my shoulder.

“Josie,” Harley says, fingers curling around my bicep. His skin burns mine and it takes all of my self-control to detach myself from him. “Don’t.”

“I said I didn’t want to hurt him,” I cry.

“If you go after him, then you’re hurting me.”

His eyes are pleading with mine. Those gorgeous, baby blues.

“I’m sorry.”

I stumble, weaving between sweaty bodies, until I reach the exit. The cool night air slaps harshly at my face as I burst through the door.

Nick is striding away. I call out to him. At first, he kept walking, until I shouted his name again. He whirls around and suddenly, his face is right in front of mine.

“What!?” He snaps so viciously, I jump back a step. “What do youwant?”

Words stick inside my throat as if I’ve just swallowed a tube of super glue. Nothing comes out when I open my mouth.

“Hmm?” he presses, stepping closer again. “What do you want, Josie? Because for the life of me, I can’t figure it out.”

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I’m so sorry, Nick. It wasn’t supposed to come out like that—”

His face blanches, his lips spreading into a thin line.

“Come out like that?” he demands. “As in, this has been going on beyond tonight?”

I feel small. So incredibly small. My insides sink slow and heavily.

“Jesus Christ.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I’m not enough. I’m never fucking enough for you.”

“Nick …”

“Why him?” he growls. “Why that fucking prick?” I flinch. Nick never curses. Hell, I’ve barely heard him ever insult anyone. He’s Good Guy Nick. “After what he did to you? How could you forgive him?”

“The same way you forgave me,” I murmur.

He breathes hard for a moment. “Yeah. Well. Look where that got me.”