Take (Need #2) by K.I. Lynn, N. Isabelle Blanco Read Free Book Online Page A

space, suffocating me with his interrogation.
    “It’s complicated.”
    He lets out a strained laugh and lifts my chin, forcing me to look up at him. “Complicated? Screw complicated, then. I want you. I’ve wanted you for years, but him and your brother were always there, blocking everyone. Then I finally get the chance to be close.” His jaw ticks and he looks around. “I’m laying myself out here — I like you, a lot. I want you to be my girl. Do you feel anything for me?”
    The blood in my veins heats up again to a raging boil. “Really? You’re asking me out after having sex with her?” I can’t even say Jennifer’s name. I want to rip her hair out, slam her face into the ground, and kick the shit out of her.
    He shakes his head, but I don’t know if it’s at me or at himself. “I’m sorry.”
    No. Not that. “Fuck your sorry! I’m fucking tired of that word!”
    His head hangs. “Please, Kira, I’ll do anything for a chance with you.”
    “Another thing I’m tired of hearing,” I hiss. “I thought about it, you and me. I really did. I wanted to give you a chance, to see if we could be something.” He looks up, eyes meeting mine, a mixed look of happiness and horror. “Then you stuck your dick back in that slut. So tell me, what the fuck is so great about her pussy that it always seems to win out over feelings for me? Why am I not enough to win out over an easy, well-worn pussy?”
    His expression morphs, eyes narrow on me. “You seem to think I’ve been with sleeping with Jenn this entire time. The last time we were together was years ago, Kira. Years ago .”
    I blink back at him, my hands shaking. Oh, no.
    How could I be so stupid?
    He steps forward, making me back up. “And you’re really worked up about it. Now I’m left wondering . . . or more like realizing, that all your anger is about Brayden. Is that what happened between you two?”
    I gasp and look away. “I don’t . . . It doesn’t matter anymore.”
    “Yes, it obviously does. Brayden used to be my friend. Used to be.” He stresses the last bit, and it dawns on me how much their relationship has changed. “The second I showed interest in you, I lost my friend.” The sorry, feeble Austin is gone, replaced with a strong, angry version. “And I didn’t fucking care. Do you want to know why?”
    He steps closer, but this time I don’t back up. His body almost presses to mine and I’m forced to lean back to look up at him. There’s a spark in his blue eyes that were so dull moments ago, and an energy radiating off him. Part of me wants to reach out and calm him, but another part is afraid.
    I’m stuck, captivated by him, by the curiosity.
    His hand rests on my hip, but I can’t seem to slap it away. “Because all I want is you.”
    The words snap me back to focus on how close he is, and I press my hands against his chest as I glare up at him. “Then, again, why sleep with her?”
    “Because all you want is him, and I couldn’t take it and got shitfaced. All I can tell you is I’m sorry that I did and that it was with Jenn, who you clearly hate.”
    I stare up at him, at a complete loss of what to say. I’m tired of this conversation. I feel like I’ve been having it for years.
    “Stop. Just stop.”
    “No.” He grabs hold of my chin and makes me look at him. “No more of this bullshit. I like you, a lot.”
    He leans down and presses his lips against mine. I gasp against them, slow to respond, but I do. His kiss is soft, tender, and so different from Brayden’s. When our tongues meet, there’s no spark.
    This kiss is still good, just . . . lackluster.
    “Your indifference kills me,” he whispers against my lips. “Pick me. I can help you get over him. I can love you better than him.” He steps back, releasing me. “Think about it, Kira. Please promise you’ll think about it.”
    I nod, staring after him as he walks out of the room. The telltale thump of the front door closing is my signal to fall