I would have rather she punched me in the face than the tears that filled her eyes. I felt like a shred of a human being as she spoke, her voice full of anger.
"Are you for real right now? Wow. So you weren't helping me. You were seducing me," she said bitterly, her voice full of emotion as my eyes met hers.
"No, it's not like that. I didn't realize I would feel how I do about you."
She shook her head in disbelief, and I reached out for her again, in vain.
"Please, leave me alone. I never want to speak to you again."
"Anna-"
"It's fuckingAnnabelle, Bailey,Annabelle. Not that I will need to correct you anymore."
Forty-Eight
Bonus Chapter 6
ELIJAH
It didn’t matter how many times I read the same chapter; the words just weren’t sinking in. I sighed and leaned back, gazing into the garden. My mind drifted easily as I remembered I had promised my boss I would be on call that afternoon. I groaned, logging on to my computer when there was a knock at the door. I frowned, glancing at the time. I was the only one home, and I wasn’t expecting anyone.
I strolled to the door, opening it wide as my eyes drank in the vision of my little sister’s best friend, Ray.
“Oh! Um, is Annabelle in?”
God alive, her voice was as sexy as hell. I shifted my position so she could step inside.
“She’s not in. You can come in if you want.”
Our eyes met, and she opened her mouth in surprise.
“She’s not in?” Ray repeated as I smiled in amusement. I knew she was nervous around me, but I wasn’t sure why.
“No,” I said, unable to peel my eyes away from her curves.
Her silky dark hair spilled over her shoulders, and my fingers twitched as I imagined touching it. “She's out with my mom. Are you going to stand there or come in? I’m sure she won’t be long.”
She hesitated, glancing back to her car before walking forward slowly. She shut the door and chewed on her lip as she finally looked at me.
“Why do you hate me so much?” Ray whispered, her eyes wide as I raised my eyebrows.
“Hate you?” I repeated, staring at her in disbelief. Her flawless skin had a pink tinge as she shrugged, hugging herself.
“You look at me like you hate me.” She pouted naturally, her brown eyes boring into mine. My heart began to beat erratically in my chest as I wondered what she would do if I told her the truth.
“I don’t hate you. When I look at you, it’s definitely not with hatred,” I said quietly, wondering how she would react.
“What did you say?” She whispered, stepping closer to me.
Oh boy.I swallowed, stepping forward so we were closer together than we had ever been.
“I don’t hate you,” I repeated, and she nodded.
“So what do you look at me with? Because I don’t know what I’ve done to upset you—”
“Ray.” I interrupted, laughing nervously. “You’ve never upset me; I’m sorry if I’ve ever given you cause to think that. But, um, do you want a drink or anything while you are waiting?” I tried to change the subject, running my hand through my hair when she reached out, her hand on my jaw as she brushed her lips against mine, pulling away quickly. Her eyes searched mine as I stared at her in shock, not knowing what to do or say next.
“I’m sorry.” Ray stammered awkwardly, and I shook my head.
