Page 45 of She's Like the Wind

We lingered in silence, my heart thrumming like a caged creature within a sinking vessel.

"You need to leave, Gage."

"I can’t."

Her eyes blazed with an intensity that burned through me. "You don’t have a choice. I won’t do this with you. I won’t be your fuck buddy. I want more. I want it all.”

I knew she did.

Then why the fuck was I here?

Because I couldn’t stay away.

“I…can’t see you with another man,” I admitted, letting her see me weak, vulnerable, a mess.

Her mess?

She closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened them, there was only sadness. “How do you think I felt seeing you with so many other women? You kissed one in front of me. Had sex with her later?—”

“I didn’t. I lied.” I couldn’t let her think that. Not anymore. “I haven’t been with anyone since you. I…I’ve tried, not gonna lie, Naomi, but….”

“But what?” she screamed. “You came here to fuck me because you haven’t gotten laid in awhile? Is that what I am to you?

“You’re everything,” I murmured.

CHAPTER 16

Naomi

The silence that followed was unbearable.

I smoothed my skirt down, my thighs slick.

He still owns me.

And I hate it.

I hate him.

I hate myself.

He moved forward to touch me. I backed away, shaking my head.

I studied him—his flushed face, his swollen mouth, the raw hunger in his eyes—and for one terrible second, I wanted to fall into him.

Again.

Always.

“You’re everything,” he repeated, watching me with a hunger thatmade me want to cave.

If he wanted me so much, it meant something, didn’t it? It meant I was more than my body for him, didn’t it?

“I’ve seen this movie before, Gage,” I whispered softly, my eyes on him. “I’m not interested in a sequel; you know they’re never as good as the original.”

“You came like a fucking geyser so don’t pretend you didn’t want me.” He glowered. “Any other man make you come so hard, so fast, baby? Does Jonah make you scream his name like I just did?

I slammed my hand on the register to silence him.