Elliot stood, his brow furrowed. “Is everything okay here, Brittany?”
“Fine,” I said quickly.
“Not fine,” Ace corrected smoothly, his hand closing around my wrist. “We’re leaving.”
Panic flared in my chest. “Ace, let go!”
“Mate, I think you should—” Elliot started, but Ace shot him a look that could freeze bone.
“Stay out of it,” Ace murmured. “She and I go way back.”
Before I could stop him, Ace tugged me up from the chair, wrapping his arm around my waist like it was the most natural thing in the world. I shoved at his chest, but he didn’t budge.
“Ace, stop it—”
“Sorry, mate. Dinner’s over,” Ace said without a flicker of apology as he pulled me toward the door.
I struggled, my heels clicking against the floor, half humiliated and half furious. “You don’t get to do this!” I snapped,wrenching my arm free for a moment, but his hand caught mine again, firm and unrelenting.
“Brittany,” he murmured darkly, “outside. Now.”
---
The cold night air slapped me in the face as we burst out onto the pavement.
“Ace!” I shoved at his chest with both hands. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
He dragged me toward his sleek black car parked by the curb, his jaw clenched tight.
“Get in,” he ordered, yanking the door open.
“No!” I crossed my arms, planting my feet. “We are not doing this. You don’t get to crash my date, pull me out like some jealous asshole, and bark orders at me. We’re not dating. We’re not anything, Ace!”
His eyes flickered, something dark and unreadable passing through them.
“All you do is show up when it’s convenient for you, say a few cruel things, disappear, and then act like you have some claim over me!” My voice broke, raw and shaking. “I’m done, Ace. I’m done being your emotional punching bag.”
His jaw tightened. “Get in the car.”
“No,” I whispered, blinking back the angry tears that threatened to fall. “You don’t get to own me. You don’t even like me, Ace. You only show up when you’re bored or drunk or pissed off at the world.”
I jabbed a finger at his chest. “You’re toxic. And I’m done.”
For a second, the world was still. Ace’s gaze burned into mine, his breathing ragged. Then, before I could process it, his hand was in my hair, and his mouth crashed down on mine.
The kiss was brutal, desperate — a collision of anger, hurt, and everything unsaid. I shoved at his chest, but his arms only tightened around me, pulling me flush against him. And then… then my body betrayed me.
My hands fisted in his coat.
His fingers curled around the nape of my neck.
I hated him. God, I hated him. But I was kissing him back like I was drowning, like I needed this, needed him, even as every part of me screamed to run.
When he finally tore his mouth from mine, his forehead pressed to mine, both of us breathing hard.
“Say you’re done now,” he murmured, his voice rough and low.
I squeezed my eyes shut. “I hate you.”
