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?"

up. He looked lost for the first time—like a stray

drink you had at the bar last night

voice sharp enough to wound. "Who the hell do you think you are?

Then, digging into his wallet, he pulled out a stack

he slapped

face in front of me again. I never want to

turned on

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

burst open, and Evan rushed inside, panic written all over his face. "Mr. Lovelace took off! You fought so hard to find him! You can't give up now! You have

his face pale

last heartbreak, watching him spiral into an abyss so deep that

said, his voice

tightly, his fingers pressing into the crumpled notes. "Evan... Perhaps it's time for

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

fit of rage. Does

laugh. "I'd give up everything-my pride, my dignity-just to hold

looked like a

ago," he murmured. "I was the one who refused to see it. I was the