Free Intrigued and Enchanted by Eva Simone Page A

fine, because I wanted to spend time with you. But, I don’t want to be the girl you use to make her jealous and come running back to you.” I’m far from fine but my pride won’t let me admit that to him.
    “I’m not that kind of girl, and I don’t think I could deal with the fall out when you’re done with me if I let this go on any longer.” I turn my head to stare out the window to hide the tears forming in my eyes. I do not want his lasting memory of me to be a pathetic crying mess in his car.
    “Look at me Lily.” I can’t.
    “God Damn It Lily. Look. At. Me. Now.” As I turn to face him, his hands are gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles are white. I don’t want to look into his eyes. He sounds angry. When I finally make eye contact, I’m frozen. I couldn’t look away even if I wanted to. His eyes are no longer icy blue and sparkling, they’re darker, menacing.
    “Firstly, why the hell would you Google me? Secondly, why didn’t you mention this yesterday? And thirdly, is that really what you think of me? That I would use you like that?” I see a flash of hurt cross his beautiful face before the anger returns.
    “Am I missing something here? Did we not have the same fucking amazing weekend? What the fuck am I saying? Of course we didn’t.” I hate seeing him like this, annoyed with himself, because of me.
    “I was dumb enough to think it meant something. I’m such a fucking idiot. You would think I would learn from experience. I love how Victoria can still fuck with my life, even now.” Oh my God. I’m pretty sure he didn’t mean to tell me all of that, but I need to take the opportunity.
    “Who the hell is Victoria?”
    “She’s the woman in the pictures. Fuck…I don’t like talking about this stuff Lily.” I can’t speak; a crushing feeling pressing down on my chest.
    “We dated for three years, which ended last year. I thought we were in love, and that we had a future together but she had other ideas. Obviously my money and business contacts weren’t going to get her where she wanted to be as an aspiring model. I found out she had been sleeping around with any guy that said he could get her on a magazine cover. Of course, she didn’t leave me until one made good on his claim. She left like it was nothing, and the next thing I knew, she was on the cover of Sports Illustrated.”
    “I’m so sorry Brandon.” I don’t know what to say. My heart is breaking for him, but at the same time I feel a little guilty. I’m happy he’s not with her anymore. I know it’s selfish of me, but I want to be with him and I don’t want her in the picture. Does he still love her? As if reading my mind he answers me.
    “You are not a fucking rebound from that bitch Lily. She doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as you. I realise now that what we had was not love, it never was.” He swears under his breath.
    “Lily, this weekend meant something to me, and I hoped it did to you too.”
    “Oh God Brandon. It did mean something to me. It does mean something to me. I’m not very good at this stuff and I’m not used to letting anyone in.”
    His hand clasps mine tightly, as if he’s afraid I’ll disappear.
    “I get that. I really do. I’d like to give it a try though…with you.” The look in his eyes - vulnerable.
    “Ok Brandon, I’ll try.”
    “Are you sure? Because if this goes any further, I don’t think I can walk away.”
    “Yes, I’m sure.”
    Brandon places my hand on his firm thigh, covering it with his own as he drives us the rest of the way home. The drive has taken hours, but it wasn’t long enough. I’m not ready to leave him and return to my apartment - alone. I already miss him and I’m still sitting in the car. We pull up outside my apartment at around 8 o’clock.
    Brandon jumps out of the car to grab my bag and places it down next to us as he pulls me tight to his chest. I have a twisting feeling in my gut and I don’t like it. His hands travel up