James just arched an eyebrow at me. I headed for the bathroom and when I returned, I had my first aid kit in my hands.

“Sit down on the bed,” I said.

“I told you I...”

“Sit.” I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. Besides, I didn’t want him to bleed all over my carpet and bedding.

He obeyed, and I settled next to him and set the first aid kit down. He flinched when I dabbed gauze with antiseptic over his cuts. His intense gaze was trained on me the whole time I was cleaning his wounds, and it was a little unnerving.

“Anything else I should take a look at?” I asked when I was done.

He only shook his head, his lips slightly parted.

“Good.” My knees were a bit shaky as I got to my feet and grabbed the first aid kit and the used gauze. I could still feel his eyes on me as I made my way to the bathroom. God, what was it about him that was so...? I wasn’t even sure what it was that I was feeling. It wasn’t quite like anxiety or excitement, but something in between. I’d never felt like this before, and it scared me a little.

Chapter 9

“ARIANNA,” BRENT SAID as we were about to pass each other in the hallway. “Do you have a minute? I want to talk to you.”

“Yeah, sure.” We made our way down the hallway, and Brent opened the door to the room where he and I had talked after his fight with James. I hoped this time he had something smarter to say.

“I wanted to apologize for yesterday,” he said, stopping very close to me. “You were right. I shouldn’t have let that bastard provoke me and I’m sorry.”

“Apology accepted.”

“I miss you,” he suddenly said, reaching out and placing his hand on my cheek. “I miss us.”

“I’m not in the mood for...” I couldn’t finish the sentence because he bent his head toward me, searching for my lips, his hands grabbing onto my ass and pulling me toward him. Before his lips could touch mine, I placed my hand on his chest. “No.”

“Come on. I know you still want me.” He didn’t let go of me.

“Not right now.” I pushed him away, and his lip twisted in anger.

“You’re fucking him, aren’t you?”

“Even if I did, that would be none of your business.”

“Then maybe I have to show you you’re settling for less. You seem to have forgotten what a nice time we had together.” He got closer again, his touch rough. When he tried to kiss me, I moved my head away.