She turned, trying to shield her face from the sudden shower, but before she could reach cover, she collided with a solid, rock-hard form.
Raindrops pelted the black canvas overhead, offering her shelter, and that unmistakable, intoxicating scent of Jamie flooded her senses.
His presence enveloped her like a rush of heat, making her skin tingle. Confidence radiated off him, his height commanding her attention. She looked up and swallowed hard as her gaze clashed with his.
The intensity of his amber gaze pinned her in place, rage and hurt swirling in those depths.
“You backed 56, yeah?” His voice, deep and sultry, wrapped around her like a velvet rope.
Shannon swallowed hard, trying to find her voice. “Uh-huh.”
“Good choice. I didn’t expect to see you here, love,” he said, his tone sharper now.
“Clearly.” The irritation in her voice was unearned, but it came out anyway. “You looked cosy.”
A flash of something dangerous flared in his eyes, and his voice dropped an octave, low and controlled.
“I’ve had a shitload to drink, and it seemed like the only way to stop thinking about you.” His free hand grazed over her bicep, sending a shiver through her.
“You’ve always had that effect on me, but right now? Fuck, I’m struggling here, Shannon. What went wrong?”
She arched a brow, trying to hold her ground.
“Jamie… I—” The words faltered in her throat. “Too much happened. I swear I didn’t want to push you away…and I didn’t want to know that woman had you.”
The heat of his sigh washed over her, and the pressure of his fingertips on her arm made her body sway toward him.
“She didn’thaveme, Shannon,” he murmured, his voice rough and raw with emotion. “You made me think I was fucking stalking you, which I’d happily fucking do if you enjoyed it. But you spelled it out for me, so I had to step back.”
She shook her head, trying to collect herself.
“Jamie, I need time to explain…” she said, all breathy and tattered. “I want to tell you everything…because I didn’t want to say those things.”
39
Shannon
His grip on her arm tightened, his eyes turning to fire. “Why did you push me away so hard, when your eyes said something else. Were you afraid I’d hurt you, or what?”
“Hurt me? No.” She shook her head. “I mean…maybe I knew you’d move on easily. Which you did, right?”
“I hardly think I was moving on.” Jamie’s voice was a low rumble. “I could chase a hundred women around the world and none of them would ever replace you, love. Truth is, I couldn’t even bring myself to kiss her. I made a fucking mistake shoving my dick down her throat. Anyway…”
His chest rose and fell with quick breath. “You told me to fuck off. What did you think would happen?”
Her throat tightened. She fought to hold back the emotions threatening to spill.
“Just because I said those things doesn’t mean I meant them. It’s complicated.”
Every nerve in her body was on fire. Anger, fear, hurt, desire all coursed through her, making her dizzy. It must have been the uncertainty in her eyes, or the raw honesty in her chest, that made his brow furrow.
His breath stilled, and for a moment, he simply stared, trying to read her.
“What’s so complicated?” he asked, his voice gravelly. “I’m still here… I mean… I never knew I could feel this way… Fucking upside down. What happened between us gave me a huge fucking ache in my chest.”
His free hand slid to her waist, bumping her into his body. The intensity of his protection sent a shiver down her spine.
“I want to know how you are, love,” he said, his tone commanding, pulling at something deep inside her. “I need to understand why you pushed me away.”
