Heartless (Enemies to Lovers 1)

“I don’t like her,” I growl.

Deep down I know I’m talking shit. I do like her and it’s scaring the shit out of me.

“You don’t kiss women you don’t like.” Rhett starts to leave but at the door, he looks back at me from over his shoulder. “The really fucked up part is that she blames herself. She says she enticed you. That she pushed you too hard. You need to make things right with her.”

I just stare at him as he leaves, because he’s right. I owe Della an apology.

It feels like I’m losing my mind and it’s all because of her.

I don’t like her because I like her. How fucked up is that?

CHAPTER 6

DELLA

Between my studies and working every extra hour I can squeeze in, I’m dead on my feet as I grab my bag.

It started raining an hour ago. I didn’t come with my truck because I’m trying to save on gas money.

When I step out of the dinner, it’s pouring buckets. At least it’s warm. I start to walk up the street and within minutes my shirt and shorts are wet. My sandals start to squeak with every step I take, so I stop and take them off.

Bright lights fall over me as a car pulls up to the curb. The window rolls down and Carter leans over the passenger seat. “Get in.”

I give him my most dignified glare, considering that I look like a soaked cat.

He closes the window, but instead of driving away, he switches off the car and gets out.

I sigh loudly, really not in the mood for another fight with him.

He comes to stand in front of me and I’m surprised when the usual scowl he always has around me, is nowhere in sight.

“Look, I’m sorry for being a dick to you.”

His apology catches me off guard. I blink up at him through the rain drops, not sure if I can trust this sudden act of peace.

When I apologized to him, he told me I smelled like shit. I should return the favor.

“Oh.” The word falls lamely from my tongue, instead of me telling him to go to hell.

I don’t know what else to say. I rock back on my feet. He keeps looking down at me as the air tenses between us. I swear, I’m a sucker for punishment when it comes to this guy.

I pull my wet shirt away from my chest and swallow hard. I better just accept his apology and make a run for it before he changes his mind. This kind of shit just isn’t for me. This is no way to keep a low profile.

“It’s fine.” I try to think of something else to say, but again I come up empty-handed. Screw this.

I turn to leave but disappointment starts to swirl inside of me. I’m hurt that Carter thinks an apology can atone for everything he’s done.

I turn back and I’m slammed with the full force of Carter’s penetrating dark eyes.

Spit it out, and haul ass girl.

“I tried to make things right after I judged you unfairly, but you wouldn’t accept my apology. You told me I smell like shit, Carter. Who says something like that to a person? I’m not dismissing what I said to you, but at least I was standing up for my roommate. You just attacked me because you got some sort of perverted pleasure from hurting me.”

“I’m sorry, Della,” he says again. There’s still no trace of disgust on his face.

“Why?”

Droplets of water trail over his face and I can honestly say I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life. The most beautiful things in life always come at a high price. I’m not sure I can afford whatever price I have to pay to have Carter in my life.