Needing You Close (Ex-Con Duet 2)

Once I’m out of the shower and have dried off, I slip on a pair of shorts and look for food. I see a note on the counter from Everleigh.

Hanging out with Ruby at the pub and will probably crash at her place. See you tomorrow!

PS–Can you take Sassy out for me PLEASE?

That little shit.

She probably didn’t text me because she knew I’d give her hell for leaving me to dog-sit.

“C’mon, Sassy. Let’s go for a walk.” She immediately bounces when she hears her favorite word. I grab her leash, and we go around the block. She stops at every tree and doesn’t leave a fire hydrant unmarked. By the time we get home, it’s been thirty minutes, and my stomach is raging with hunger.

After warming some leftovers, I sit down on the couch and click on the TV. As I flip through the channels, I scarf down the food and stop on an old episode of Seinfeld. Once I’ve finished eating, I take my plate into the kitchen and grab a beer. Just as I settle back in my spot, a knock sounds on the door.

It’s late, which means Everleigh’s probably drunk as fuck and can’t find her keys again. I’m gonna give her so much hell for this.

As soon as I open it, I’m pleasantly surprised to find Gemma standing there.

“Hey.” I smile. “Wasn’t expecting you to be here.”

“I know.” She steps in when I shift to the side. “But this couldn’t wait.”

After I close the door, I notice something’s wrong. She looks like someone stole her prized possessions—bloodshot eyes, tousled hair, fidgety hands. Gemma frowns, and when I scan down her body, I notice red marks on her wrist.

What the fuck?

“Gemma, what’s going on?”

We walk into the living room, and I cross my arms over my bare chest as I wait for her to answer.

“Did something happen?”

She swallows hard as if she’s trying to find the courage to tell me the worst fucking news on the planet.

“I don’t wanna hurt you, Tyler, but I have to be honest with you.”

My jaw immediately tightens. “Alright.”

“I’ve realized we can’t rewrite the past and just pick up where we left off twelve years ago. I can’t pretend you didn’t crush my heart when you left. I still carry resentment from how badly you hurt me, and because of that, we can’t be together. Robert has always been there for me, and I was having mixed feelings, but they’re clear now. I love him.”

Blinking hard, I wait for her to admit she’s kidding and this is some cruel joke.

“Excuse me?” I nearly stutter.

“I love Robert, and the wedding is happening. I’m so sorry, Tyler.” She stares at me emotionless, and it’s obvious something isn’t right.

“Bullshit,” I blurt out, lowering my arms. “I can see right through you, Gemma. You’re lying.”

“I’m not. It’s the truth. Robert and I are getting married in a couple of weeks, and I’m quitting my job after I find a replacement.”

Now I know she’s playing me for a fool. She’d never quit working at her dad’s shop.

“What happened between today at work and now?” I challenge, not taking her words at face value.

“I already told you. I had a realization…”

“Goddammit, Gemma,” I hiss, stepping closer and causing her breath to hitch. “What’d he say to you? Why’re you doing this?”

“It’s not gonna work out between us, so stop trying to—” I close the gap between us, cup her face, and crash our mouths together. Her words are full of fucking shit, and the way her body responds gives her away.

At first, she tenses, but then she quickly relaxes in my hold and wraps her arms around my waist. Sliding my hands down, I grab her ass and lift her off the ground. Her legs wrap around me, and I push my erection against her. She releases a moan, and I’ve undoubtedly got her. Walking to the couch, I sit with her straddling my lap. She grinds against my cock as I hold her in place.

“You wanna tell me again how we’re over?” I growl, moving my lips to her neck and sucking on her soft skin. “Tell me you don’t love me. Convince me you love him. C’mon, repeat it,” I demand.

Gemma shakes her head and looks down. I cup her face and watch as tears form in her eyes. “What’d he do to you, baby? Please, tell me.”

The tears fall, and she becomes visibly more emotional. “He showed up at my house and told me he owned my dad’s land. If I don’t marry him, he’ll bulldoze it to the ground, and everything my dad and I love will be forever gone. Robert’s fucking crazy, so I have no doubt he’ll actually do it.”

“What?” I look at her in shock. “How’s that possible? Are you sure he’s not just BS’ing you?”