Page 70 of Brutal Sin
He clenched his teeth. “I do, okay? I want you back at the club. I want to help you find someone.”
“No, thank you.” Not when she wanted that someone to be him. “Your help tonight was enough.”
He stepped toward her and froze when the crunch of plastic sounded under his sole. “Shit.” He crouched to pick up his wallet and the scattered credit cards. “Look, Ella, I’ve got a truckload of bullshit on my shoulders. My family is fucked. The guys at work are on my back about the argument we had at theclub…”
“And the last thing you need is what? Me causing you problems?” When had she become a liability instead of an asset for his demonstration?
His lips parted, but an answer hovered out of reach. Everything hovered out of reach. If only she had the heart to stretch a little further. To find the perfect words to make him realize. To do something, anything, to make him wake up and see the possibilities right in front ofhim.
“You’re a great guy, Bryan,” she whispered. “But I deserve better thanthis.”
He scoffed, his hand paused on a dirty business card, his hair framing his gorgeous face. He didn’t look at her. Didn’t move. “Ain’t that the truth.” His voice was barely audible, the softness far more punishing than if he’d growled ather.
He sat back on his haunches, those brilliant eyes hitting her with feigned sincerity. “What a fucking mess, right?”
She slowly nodded through the disbelief. “Yeah…”
What else could she say? She wasn’t going to stand here and argue with him while her heart slowly bled out. “I’m going to catch a cab.” A chill took over her skin, sinking deeper to penetrate bone. She wanted to hate him and couldn’t. Wanted to stop adoring him and failed at that, too.
“Wait.” He rushed to pick up more of his scattered belongings. “Let me get all this shit first and we can leave together.” He snatched at the coins, notes, and credit cards strewn across the asphalt. “Give me a second.”
“No. You want this to end now. At least let me have the dignity of walkingaway.”
“You can, after I get you home safely.”
The concern was a weighty sucker-punch. He cared about her, but not enough to ditch his stupid rules. “I’ve been single a long time. I’m sure I’ll be fine on myown.”
“Ella.”
The word tore her apart—her skin, her ribs, her heart. She gave him one last look, taking in all the severity framed by pure gorgeousness and turned on her heels. “I’ve told you before, that’s not myname.”
