Page 31 of Surviving Slater

Then, as quickly as it had started, it was over. He released me and stepped back. I swayed and held the counter behind me to keep from falling.

"Words can lie, actions don't." What the hell did that mean? My fingers went to my bruised lips. "You know where to find me when you're willing to be honest with yourself."

And with that he left me standing, slightly confused. I felt like I'd been on a merry-go-round and I was still trying to find the horizon on my unsteady legs. I didn't have long before someone walked in and I had to get myself together.

The rest of the night was a bust. I didn't see Slater again but after our intense connection in the kitchen, there was no sweeping what was going on between us under the carpet anymore. I was still so confused by his behavior. The last time I had seen him, he had told me there would be no chance with him once I had slept with Steven.

So if he believed there was still a chance something was going to happen, he had to be sure I hadn't done it.

"I don't want his seconds."That's what he'd told me when I'd told him I was going to sleep with Steven.

"You okay?" Levi asked from beside me. I was lost in my thoughts.

"Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind."

"You want to share?" he asked. "I've been told I'm a good listener."

I wasn't one to reveal my innermost thoughts and I was still trying to figure out what was going on with Slater.

"It's depressing," I said, giving him a smile to ease the brush-off.

"Boy trouble?" he asked lightly, giving me a side-glance.

"When isn't it?" I said, giving him a hollow laugh.

"So tell me what's going on?"

I looked at him and studied him for a moment. "I'm trying to save myself the heartache of falling for the wrong guy."

There, I'd summed up my whole predicament in one sentence. I hadn't mentioned the magnetic attraction or how my world tilted when he touched me.

"From the looks of it, you're already there."

Could he be right? Had I already fallen? It was a sobering thought and it scared me. I sipped on the rest of my drink quietly as Levi sat beside me, watching some of the partygoers stumbling out of the house.

Later, he drove me back to my apartment.

"Thanks," I said just as I slid out of his car and shut the door.

"You're welcome."

I made a move to leave but he called my name. "Anytime you need someone to talk to, I'm here."

My heart filled with emotion. "Thanks."

"Your guy is lucky to have you."

I swallowed my emotion, giving him a nod before I turned and left.

Slater wasn't my guy. He didn't belong to anyone, and that was the problem.

I remembered his kiss and the feel of his hands on me. But despite all the warning lights going off, I knew this was something I couldn't resist any longer. Even knowing I was fighting a losing battle, I held on for another week before making the conscious decision that I was going to give in to my physical need for Slater.

It wasFriday night and I was home alone. Surprisingly, Sin and Taylor had decided to go out for dinner, and Matthew had gone with them. It was the first time in a good long while I had the apartment to myself.

On the sofa with my feet propped up on the coffee table, dressed in my comfy clothes, I was eating popcorn. I popped another mouthful into my mouth as I contemplated my next move.

Should I go around to Slater's place unexpectedly? But then what if he had another girl there? The thought ruined my appetite and I placed the popcorn bowl on the table.