2brown-eyes rocks!


If I Could Turn Back Time—Cher

Ordinary World—Duran Duran

Alone—Heart

"Thanks for the ride," I say to Mase as he brings the Pinto to a stop along the curb in front of my house. "I'm sorry I'm no fun tonight."

He shifts into park and turns to face me. His palms cup my cheeks, and he leans in, pressing a solid kiss to my lips. It breaks my fucking heart because it feels good. I enjoy his attention, but it's not enough when he's gone. Thoughts of him fade completely.

I grip his wrists and close my eyes, opening my mouth for him to push inside. For a brief few minutes, I let him soothe the torment. His tongue explores, and I twirl against it, getting frustrated when all I see in return are flashes of Edward's expression behind my closed eyes.

I pull away, breathing heavily. "I can't do this tonight."

"Bloody hell." He bobs his head, pulling back like I've burned him. "That wanker has gotten in your head."

I giggle because Edward went from bloke to wanker in a hot second. "I'm sorry. It's not funny," I say when he looks at me incredulously. "You're right. He has gotten in my head, but if I'm being completely honest, it was the other day."

"If I could turn back time," he belts, holding his chest. "If I could find a way…"

I grab his arm and pull it over until I'm cradling his hand between my own. "You're fucking amazing, Mase, and don't you ever let anybody tell you differently. But I think we both know this is the end of the line for whatever this was."

"Whatever this was?" He huffs a laugh, brushing my cheek with his free hand. "It was a lot of fucking fun with a cheeky little bird, and I'll never regret a single second of it."

"So much fun."

"You make sure you tell that tosser he'd better treat you like the fucking Queen of England, or I'm gonna make another trip across the pond to kick his arse." He leans in and kisses my cheek before sighing. "Now what am I going to do for the last few weeks of my American hiatus?"

"I hear Kate's looking for a rebound."

He moves in slow motion, bringing his widened eyes to mine. "She the blonde with the red-headed best friend?"

"Yep."

"Hmm."

I burst out laughing for the first time in a while, jabbing him in the arm. "I bet she's still at the party."

"You're seriously okay with it?"

"I want you to have a kickass time for the rest of your visit."

"Okay." He smashes a kiss to my lips, but this one is different. It's in thanks. "Just know that I'm settling."

I laugh again, pulling on the door handle. "Thanks for that. Even if it isn't true, I needed it."

"You're welcome, love." He cranks the car. "Will I see you again before I leave?"

"Absolutely."

He smiles like the sexy fucker he is and shifts the car into drive. "See ya, Bella."

I stand there until the taillights are long gone, my stomach strangely settled for the first time since the disastrous attempt at getting off with a guy who isn't my guy.

Lesson learned.

Now to figure out what I'm going to do about it.

I head inside and up to my room. I toss my tank as soon as I enter, and my tight jean shorts fall to the floor next. When I'm in nothing but my panties and bra, I twirl over to the stereo and turn up the volume.

It's always on by default.

Ordinary World is playing, and I turn the dial, looking for something more mellow to match my mood. I slow the dial as I get closer to one of my favorite stations, and Heart breaks through the static with Alone.

And the night goes by so very slow

Oh I hope that it won't end though

Alone

I'm singing along with the lyrics as I flop to the bed, every part of me relaxing for the first time in days.

And that's when I hear it.

Pounding.

Incessant pounding at the front door.

I run to the window and pull back the curtain, leaning out so I can see.

And I do.

Edward is there, looking up at me on wobbly legs. "Let me in, B," he slurs, waggling his brows. "Looks like you were hoping I'd show."

"You're delusional." I cross my arms, not caring that I'm mostly naked.

"Please," he says, swaying on his feet. "I need to talk to you."

And as much as I should deny him.

I can't.


The Marriage Pact is available for preorder (comes out Tuesday) on Amazon. All you have to do is paste this into the search bar, and it comes right up.

B0CJXDRXZZ

The paperback is ready now (at the same link), but Amazon hasn't gotten it completely live yet… should be today or tmr.

See ya MONDAY :)