![]() Burning for the Truth
-- EXCERPT: The ride to my apartment is silent. When we get back, I keep quiet as I get ready for bed. “Is everything okay?” he finally asks. “Fine. Why wouldn’t it be?” I clip frostily. “I don’t know, maybe because you’ve been acting like a spoiled brat since we left the diner.” I stop what I’m doing and face him with my jaw clenched. “Excuse me?” “You heard me, Bree. You’re mad because she talked to me. Admit it.” “I’m not mad. What you do and who you do it with is none of my business,” I reply coolly even though he’s right. I don’t want to think of him with anyone else even though I have no right to those feelings. He steps closer, almost nose to nose. “You’re lying.” He searches my face for a crack in my armor. I step closer so there’s no space between us. “I don’t tell lies. It sounds like you made your move with her and I’m happy for you.” He scoffs and laughs humorlessly. “I was on duty and checked her detectors, one of the other guys was with me. We were in and out in a matter of about fifteen minutes. This dinner she keeps wanting to have with me is her idea, not mine.” “So go. You might have fun. You might even be able to give your heart to her and be happy. You won’t know until you try. What do you have to lose?” My chest is aching as I say the words. I don’t mean them. I want him to be happy, but not with her. “You.” He slides his hand into my hair at the base of my neck; his stormy gaze blazing with fury and passion. “I stand to lose you. Chelsea’s nice, but she’s not you. I can’t give my heart to her or anyone else. You have it. You took it a long time ago.” His breath fans my face as his lips lightly brush against mine. He brings both hands to either side of my face as I lean into him for an instant, my body and my heart responding in every way, until I think about all the ways this can go wrong. “No. You don’t mean that. And even if you did, we can’t.” I take a step back with my hand placed firmly on his chest as if it will keep him from coming closer. “The hell I don’t. But if you don’t want me, then I’ll back off.” He takes a few steps back as if demonstrating what he means. My heart squeezes painfully. “It’s not that I don’t want you. This isn’t only about me and you. If we take a chance and we fall instead of fly, we risk hurting other people too,” I admit honestly. He comes closer and pulls me into his arms. “We won’t fall. I won’t let go. We can do this if we’re in it together. Hold on to me, Briella. Don’t let go.” His lips crash down on mine as he pushes me toward my bed, and I know with certainty I’ll do exactly as he says. I won’t let him go. I don’t think I ever truly did. ![]()
GIVEAWAY!
1 Comment
Sue G.
3/1/2023 11:07:45 pm
Fun excerpt! Nice cover.
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