All For You (Boys of the South) by Marquita Valentine, The 12 NAs of Christmas Page B

apartment complex down in Charlotte.
    Drawing myself up to
my full height, I curse the fact that I’d worn flats instead of
clogs. I need to feel tall, powerful, and in control.
    West pushes open the
door and walks in, all smiles. He’s wearing a gray long-sleeved
thermal tee with the Georgetown bulldog printed across the front, and
dark jeans with brown boots. His ears are pierced, diamonds on each
lobe.
    The kryptonite to my
inner supergirl.
    “We’ve
already got your house on the schedule this week,” I say, all
business. Now
turn around and leave ,
I want to add, but don’t.
    “I brought
peace offerings, or as I like to call it, breakfast,” he says,
ignoring me and shaking the bag a little.
    I’m not sure
what to make of this. Everything about him makes me wary. His looks,
his family’s money, the car he drives, and his attitude. So
charming and full of himself, despite the years of torture he’d
put me through.
    “I’ve
already eaten,” I say, rearranging the ornaments on the
Christmas tree by the door. Candy canes hang from each branch.
There’s a star at the top, a little crooked and a whole lot
perfect. Empty boxes wrapped in festive paper sit beneath the entire
thing.
    I concentrate on all
of that, because then I can’t concentrate on him. I can’t
concentrate on how he makes me feel. How when I look at him, I see
two people: the tormentor of my sophomore, junior, and senior years, and the guy who gave me my first kiss, my first…well, everything.
    His expensive boots
appear in my line of vision. The heat of his body touching mine. “A
snack for later, then.”
    “ You are
the prettiest girl at Forrestville High,” he whispers in my
ear, before kissing me senseless. His hand steals up my shirt,
fingers stopping just at the edge of my bra. I arch my back,
desperate for him to touch me there. “And you taste so sweet.”
    “ Please,”
I beg, the buzz of the drinks I’d consumed making me reckless.
“Kiss me again.”
    “ You don’t
have to take all of my kisses right now, greedy girl,” he
laughs against my cheek. “Save some for later.”
    I blink, then tip up
my chin to look at him. He’s still smiling at me, white teeth
flashing against permanently tan skin. His black hair is messy and
there’s stubble on his cheeks and jaw. His chocolate-colored
eyes rake over me, like the night before, and I want to cover myself.
    West makes me feel
raw. He makes me feel seventeen all over again, where I’m back
at that stupid party, playing a stupid game that had led to us ending
up in his bedroom, making out on his bed. Which had led to us…
    “No, thank
you.” I turn away from him, and take measured steps to the
desk. My knees are wobbly, and I can’t afford to show any
weakness. He’ll forget all about whatever’s in that bag
and eat me up instead. “I have work to do.”
    “I’m
sorry for tormenting you. I’m sorry for not doing a damn thing
about Charlie and her—”
    “Don’t
you dare.” I round on him, poking a finger into his broad
chest. “Don’t you dare try to place the blame on everyone
but you.”
    He captures my wrist
in his large hand and places my palm on his chest. His heart beats
hard beneath my palm. “Please hear me out.”
    “Say whatever
you want, but I’m not forgiving you.” Tears clog my
throat and prick at the back of my eyes. I have to turn away before
they betray me.
    “I’m not
here to make you forgive me.”
    My head snaps back.
Angry tears cannibalize the helpless ones. “Excuse me?”
    He takes a deep
breath, as if he’s trying to find the right words to say. “I
don’t want you to do, or say, or feel anything you don’t
want to, but I have to apologize. I’ve waited too damn long as
it is. And I can’t go another day…another hour, or
minute, or second longer.”
    Stunned, my jaw
falls open.
    “I’m
sorry, McKenzie Walsh, for being a bully and a coward. I hope by
saying this, that you can find peace.” He gives me this sad
smile, a