Free The Best Kind of Trouble by Courtney B. Jones Page B

pushing his hips into mine. He leaned forward and cupped my head in his large warm hands, tangling his fingers in my long hair.
     
    My breath came in short quick bursts and my heart hammered against my ribcage.  He grinned as he read my reaction.
     
    I tried to hide it.  I didn’t want him to have this effect on me. What the hell am I doing?
     
    His smile faded and he leaned forward, grazing my ear with his lips.  “Too late, sweetheart. I can see it.  Feel it.”
     
    As if to emphasize his point, he ghosted his lips along my jaw and down the column of my neck.  I shivered, and breathlessly asked, “What?”
     
    “You miss me,” he husked.
     
    Before I could protest he slammed his mouth against mine. And for a moment, I gave in.  His full lips pulled and pushed against mine and then his tongue darted out, licking at the seam of my lips until I opened and he stroked my tongue with his. Something about this kiss was different. Desperate in a way it had never been before. Tainted with anger and bitterness and regret.
     
    He grabbed my hips in his hands and pressed against me.  I stiffened.
     
    In my mind, I head his voice, scratchy with tears and regret.
     
    I can't give you all of me right now either.
     
    I pulled away and he reluctantly let me go with an audible sigh.
     
    “Ashley,” he said.  I looked away. He grunted and then leaned forward.  Grabbing my chin between his thumb and forefinger, he tilted it up.  “Ashley,” he said again. 
     
    I can't give you all of me right now either.
     
    I swallowed hard and shook my head, surprised by my next words even as they fell from my mouth.  “He’s waiting for me.”
     
    I had to get out of there. Before I made some huge reckless decision again.  Whatever vulnerability had been in his face before faded, as anger darkened his eyes and clenched his jaw.
     
    He barked a laugh. “Okay, Ashley.  Go to your precious perfect boyfriend.”
     
    I moved to leave, but he snaked an arm around my waist, pulling me hard against his chest.  I could feel the evidence of his want pressing against my belly.  He kissed me again, harder and more passionate that before, bruising my already swollen lips. He pulled back abruptly and rasped, “I miss you too.”
     
    Then he let me go, grabbed his bag and walked out, leaving me standing there, with my hand pressed to my mouth, gasping for breath and fighting tears.
     

Chapter 11
     
     
    I should just breakup with him , I thought.
     
    I looked over at Daniel, talking animatedly with one of his frat brothers.  His arm was curled around my waist possessively.  Just as I opened my mouth to tell him we needed to talk, I caught Nathan’s eye from across the room.
     
    Leaning against a far wall, he glared at me, his jaw rigid.
     
    This whole thing was a fucking mess.
     
    “Daniel,” I said, trying to wiggle out of his grasp.  “Can you take me home? I feel sick”
     
    Daniel looked down at me and frowned. “Are you sure?”
     
    I nodded.  He sighed, both frustrated and annoyed.  Then he looked up and locked eyes with Nathan.  His frustration quickly turned into anger as he made a noise of disgust in the back of his throat.
     
    “Yeah okay,” he said, softening with a forced smile.  “Let’s go, baby.”
     
    He leaned down kissed me, forcing his tongue into my mouth and crushing me against his hard chest. Before I could protest or push him away, he wrenched his lips from mine and pulled me roughly through the crowded frat house.
     
    When we got back to my apartment, I got out of the car and slammed the car door in his face.
     
    “Ashley!” he called, running after me.  He grabbed my arm and spun me to face him.
     
    “No Daniel, stop,” I said, anger boiling up inside me.  I looked up into his eyes that sparked with anger.  I wrenched myself free of him and backed up two steps.
     
    “I’m sorry, Daniel,” I said, still backing away.  “It’s…I can’t…we’re