Can’t Win Me Back

When Jonah reached the bedside, he leaned in slowly, giving Julien an unobstructed view of his tanned skin, well defined abs, and that devastatingly captivating face.

Reclining against the headboard, Julien found himself lost in Jonah's eyes. His breath hitched, and his mind momentarily blanked as Jonah's mesmerizing gaze locked onto him.

What could he do? His heart still betrayed him, a frantic drumbeat against his ribs. He was a fool-a pathetic fool.

Jonah braced his arms on either side of Julien's head, his dark eyes overflowing with a raw, possessive affection. It was as if he sought to consume Julien-just as he had last night.

"Julien, does it still hurt—"

"Fuck you!"

Julien's bloodshot eyes blazed as he swung his hand, landing a sharp slap across Jonah's face.

The illusion of his frailty shattered. A crimson handprint bloomed on Jonah's cheek in a split second, the flesh puffing up visibly.

But the sting barely registered. Not when the ache in Jonah's chest was already unbearable.

"Jonah, right now, not only do I loathe you, but everything about you every single thing you do disgusts me!"

With all his strength, Julien shoved Jonah away. Shaking, he yelled, "What made you think that you could touch me? What made you think you had the fucking right?"

entire body locking up. He looked lost for the first time—like a stray dog caught in the rain, cornered with nowhere to

drink you had at the bar

so, that still has nothing to do with you!" Julien cut him off, his voice sharp enough to wound.

and hastily put them on. Then, digging into his wallet, he pulled out a stack of Aerian

a resounding smack, he slapped the

last night. And don't ever show your face in front of

another word, he turned on his heel and

only by the leaden thud of Jonah's heart, a

off! You fought so hard to find him! You can't give up now! You have to win him

motionless, his face

witnessed Jonah's last heartbreak, watching him spiral into an abyss so deep that it

hates me," Jonah said, his voice barely more than a

up the scattered bills one by one. He clenched them tightly, his fingers pressing

You actually believed the shit he just spewed? Words said out of anger don't mean

fit of rage. Does that mean I'd actually do it? Are

my dignity-just to hold onto him. But what would be

looked like a

We were over a long time ago," he murmured. "I was the one who