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?"

for the first

drink you had at the bar last

him off, his voice sharp enough to wound.

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

smack, he slapped the money against

it payment for last night. And don't ever show your face in front of me again. I

he turned on

room was silent, broken only by the leaden thud of Jonah's heart, a lonely

panic written all over his face. "Mr. Lovelace took off! You fought so hard to find him! You can't give up now!

remained motionless, his face pale

watching him spiral into an abyss so deep that it nearly swallowed him whole. He

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

down, picking up the scattered bills one by one. He clenched them tightly, his fingers pressing into the crumpled notes. "Evan...

voice rose. "Fuck! Are you mad? You actually believed the shit he

president's house in a fit of rage. Does

up everything-my pride, my dignity-just to hold onto him. But

on himself, he looked like a discarded tin can,

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