Knowing she wouldn’t go to jail, he’d still tricked her.
That made his betrayal hurt more.
Jake shut off the engine, threw his door open, and got out. She didn’t wait for him. She opened the door and stalked up the driveway. “I’ll see myself home. Let me in so I can get my stuff, and then leave me the hell alone.”
“I’ll give you a ride home.”
“No.”
“Yes,” he said, spinning on her. “You’re allowed to be angry. You’re allowed to hate me, even. But I’ll be damned if I leave you to fend for yourself when I have fucking breath left in my lungs. I’m driving you home.”
She didn’t bother to answer. He wasn’t driving her anywhere. He let her inside, gripping the knob so tight it must be under the threat of snapping. “Tara, please. Forgive me.”
Closing her eyes, she bit down on her lower lip and shook her head. “I…I can’t. We’re done.”
She walked the rest of the way up the stairs. Every step she took hurt, because she knew after she left, she’d never see him again. They’d be over forever.
He’d seen to that.
When she got to her room, she made a quick phone call before gathering her stuff. Something crashed downstairs, and she flinched. What had that been? Had he broken something, or had he fallen? She forced herself to remain behind the closed door. To not seek him out. Nothing good would come of it.
Once the cab parked in front of his house, she grabbed her bags and headed down the stairs. He ran his gaze over her and tugged on his vest. Why did he have to be so damn hot in that stupid thing? He pushed off the wall and reached for her stuff.
She gripped it tighter and held it behind her back. “I’ve got it.”
For a second, she thought he would fight with her. Rip it off her shoulder. But then his jaw softened and he cupped her behind the neck and towed her close. “If you’re leaving me, then I’m going to add one more regret to the pile.”
She dropped her luggage to the floor in her panicked rush to push him away, knowing if he kissed her then she might lose her strength to resist him, but she moved too slowly. His mouth covered hers, and he kissed her with so much passion she was surprised the sheer force didn’t knock her to the floor. Despite all the hatred, anger, and hurt stewing in her blood, her body responded.
Boy, did it respond.
He backed her into the wall, covering her entire body with his. Her hands, which previously pushed him away, pulled him closer. And she kissed him back, knowing this was the last time she would get to do so. And as his tongue moved over hers, she realized with picture-perfect clarity why she’d been so easily had. And why she’d been so desperate to save him.
She’d been falling in love with him.
Gasping for air and blinking back tears, she broke off the kiss. “Stop.”
“Don’t go.” He dropped his forehead on hers, his own breathing harsh. “I didn’t lie about wanting you to be mine. I still want that. Please don’t leave me, sweetheart.”
Part of her wanted to stay. But she couldn’t. Wouldn’t.
He’d used her. Lied to her. Played her.
Her heart seemed to be trying to claw its way out of her chest, one painful inch at a time. “I don’t want that. I don’t want you. I no longer belong to you. We’re over.”
His grip tightened on her. “You’re pissed. Take some time to—”
“I hate you now,” she choked out, recognizing it for the lie it was the second she said the words. “Did you expect anything else?”
He lingered on her for a second, but then he stepped back. The trembling of his hand as he let go of her almost did her in, but she refused to let herself waver. “No. Not really,” he said, his voice hollow. “Seems to be a common emotion with the women in my life.”
It was time to go, before she made a mistake.
Before she gave him a second chance.
“I-I think I forgot my purse in your room.” Tara crossed her arms. “I don’t want to go back in there and see where you…can you please get it for me?”
His forehead scrunched. “Okay.”
She watched him climb the stairs, waiting until he reached the top. As she bent and picked up her bag, he turned around. She could tell the exact moment he knew she was leaving him. The exact second he knew he’d been had. He stumbled down a step, obviously trying to rush back to her, and failing because of his leg. For a terrifying flash, she thought he might fall, but he caught himself on the banister.
“Tara, wait—”
She shook her head, swallowing past the huge aching lump in her throat. Without another word, she opened the door and bolted out, heading directly for the cab that she’d called. As she threw herself and her bag in the backseat, she shouted, “Go. Go!”