Contingent by Livia Jamerlan Read Free Book Online Page B

watching. I sensed his eyes on me. “I’d like that. But I have to be honest, Landon. I’m not ready for anything serious.”
    “We can be friends.” He gave me a boyish grin. If my heart wasn’t shattered, I might have had butterflies. Landon retrieved his cell from his back pocket and handed it over to me. I added my number to his contact list and hit the call button so I had his number in mine.
    Landon and I sat on the couch, looking out at the ocean. Prior to Peyton, I couldn’t recollect the last time I had a conversation with a man I was interested in.
    Am I interested in Landon?
    I couldn’t deny it. He was extremely sexy and had enough swagger that he could have any girl wrapped around his finger. So yes, I was physically attracted to him. Any girl would be. He seemed kind, attentive, and never pushed me to talk about Peyton. But my heart belonged to someone else.
    I left Landon on the couch and headed inside to use the restroom and pick up some food. Hopefully, Peyton and the twiddle witch were long gone. I slid open the glass door, and focused on locating the small half-bathroom located in the foyer. I resisted the urge to glance in every direction to see if they were still there.
    Please don’t be occupied.
    Whispering a silent prayer, I turned the door handle for the guest bathroom—it was locked.
    Fuck.
    “Lynnie, there’s one right up the steps,” Kennedy called from the kitchen.
    When I reached the final landing, my heart was accelerating with nerves. I had heard Devon’s voice while climbing the stairs. He was somewhere nearby and it was only a matter of time before I saw him again.
    I turned the bathroom doorknob at the same time the person inside pulled the door open. I apologized and let Kennedy’s coworker pass, then locked the door behind me. After using the restroom, I stood in front of the sink, splashing cool water on my face.
    Get a grip, Wolf. He’s just a guy. A guy who broke your heart more than once. A guy who is an asshole. A coward.
    It wasn’t wise to let him control how I acted around my friends. This was my best friend’s party and I had spent most of the time ignoring her because I was too afraid to see him. I found myself walking along the banister, searching the crowd below. Looking specifically for him so I would have the upper hand.
    “Lynn?” he called from behind me, his voice a low whisper.
    I twirled, my heart rate picking up with each second. “What are you doing?” I was annoyed that he had tracked me down before I found him.
    “I was waiting for you. We need to talk.”
    “No.” I stepped back. “We’re adults. You’re a grown ass man hiding in a bedroom, waiting for me to leave the bathroom so we can talk. All the while whispering so your girlfriend doesn’t hear us.” I turned to walk away, but his fingers laced around my upper arms.
    “We need to talk.” He pulled me into the empty guest bedroom. “I saw you with Landon. I don’t want you seeing him.”
    I laughed and tugged my arm from his firm grasp. He looked delectable in his white button down and jeans. I ignored the pinch in my heart and pushed hard against his chest. “You’ve made it very clear that we are over, so now it’s my turn.”
    My words slipped through gritted teeth. “I’m not yours, buddy. Not anymore. I don’t have to do what you want. I don’t go to places or stop walking because you want me to. And if I decide to see someone else, it’s none of your damn business. I. Am. Not. Yours. Anymore. You can’t claim me. This is over. You. Chose. This.”
    I turned on my heels to walk away but was again stopped by his grip. This time he wasn’t asking. I was halfway past the bedroom door before he dragged me inside and slammed the door, holding me against it.
    He closed the space between us, his hands caging me in. My right hand swung up and slapped him. My skin burned where it connected with his face. When he didn’t speak or move, I lifted my hand to hit him