Tempting Love (Cowboys & Angels 3)

“Mitch, yes.” My breath was needy and rough, but I didn’t care. I was in his arms and that was all I could focus on.

His breath was hot against my ear. “You drive me crazy. Do you know how much I want you?”

Hope bubbled in my chest. I shook my head, my chest rising and falling while his blue eyes stared into mine.

When I smiled, something in his eyes changed. He dropped his head and buried his face in my neck, kissing me in the most tender way. My skin was on fire beneath each kiss.

He pulled on my earlobe with his teeth, sending a zip of energy straight between my legs. He softly whispered, “You’re so precious. I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”

Closing my eyes, a tear rolled slowly down my cheek. When I felt him pull back, I met his gaze.

I was positive the sadness in his eyes mirrored mine. He let my body slide down his until my feet touched the ground. He wiped away my tears with his thumbs, then pulled my dress back down.

He stepped away and dropped his hands to his side. “I can’t do this, not like this. You don’t deserve to be fucked against my brother’s office door.”

My mouth opened while I nodded, but then I realized what he was saying.

He took another step back and reached for the door. Before he opened it, I grabbed his arm. “Why are you doing this to me?”

He stared.

Anger raced through my body as I glared in disbelief. “Do you have any idea how fucked up this is?”

He winced at my use of fuck. Anyone who knew me knew I rarely swore. “You can’t ignore me for months, and then haul me into your brother’s office, feel me up for your own cheap thrill and walk away. Were you using me to warm up for the brunette?”

“What? No!”

I hit him as hard as I could on the chest. “You bastard! How could you?” Tears streamed down my face. I covered my mouth as I stumbled back. “How could you do this to me…again?”

“Corina, I—”

I hit him again. “I hate you, Mitchell Parker. Just go! Go fuck whatever flavor of the month you’re into, but don’t you dare ever touch me again!”

“It’s not like that, sweetheart. Please, let me explain.”

He reached out, and I screamed. He stopped. A look of horror moved across his face.

The door to Cord’s office opened, and Amelia and Cord stood there.

“What’s going on?” Amelia asked as she glanced between her brother and me.

My chin trembled as I looked at Amelia and Cord, then back to Mitchell.

Mitchell’s eyes were pleading. “Corina.”

I’d never in my life felt so defeated and broken. I’d foolishly believed that Mitchell Parker might care about me. I didn’t bother to look at him as I took in a deep breath and blew it out. “You’re right. I deserve someone who actually cares about me and wants to be with me. Someone who will cherish my heart.”

Looking up, my breath caught when I saw his tears. “I’m tired of waiting for something that was never mine in the first place. I’m finished waiting for you, Mitch.”

As I walked out, Mitchell called out, “Corina! Wait!”

I tried to hold back my sobs as I pushed my way through the crowd. I needed air. I needed to leave and get home.

My eyes met Tripp’s. His brows drew together as he held out his arms, and I rushed into them.

The last ounce of strength I had left my body when he wrapped his arms around me.

“What in the hell happened?” he asked.

“Please take me home, Tripp. Please.”

He lifted my chin. “Why are you crying, Corina? Tell me what happened.”

His eyes drifted over my shoulder. From the look on his face it was clear Mitchell must have been standing there.

Tripp looked back down at me and forced a smile. “Let’s get you home.”

He placed his hand on my lower back and guided me through the bar. The farther I walked, the worse I felt. I could feel Mitchell’s eyes boring into me. One glance over my shoulder proved I was right.

Looking straight ahead, I made the decision I should have made months ago.

It was time to move on and forget about Mitchell Parker.

“Fuck!” I cried out as I watched Tripp leading Corina out of the bar.

Cord pulled me by the arm. “Get back to my office, now!”

I followed him back to his office and took a seat in one of the chairs. I buried my face in my hands.

“Totally just fucked that all up,” I groaned.

“Mitch, what happened?” Amelia asked. “What in the world did you do to Corina?”

“Nothing! I mean, things got a little hot and heavy, and I stopped because I didn’t want to fuck her against a goddamn office door. I wanted to get her out of here and take her back to my place to talk…she thought I was trying to back out. She wouldn’t even let me explain.”