Final Surrender by Jennifer Kacey Page B

what? The scar is so distasteful you don’t want anyone to have proof we share the same air?” He stiffened and backed up.
    “No, you ass. Your scar doesn’t bother me, though your attitude sucks. You were always hard around the edges, even when we were kids. It just adds to your mystique. So don’t put words in my mouth.” He tried to speak but nothing could stop her when she was on a roll.
    “I don’t like seeing my private life on YouTube or the newspaper stand. I’ve worked really hard to keep my life just that. Mine. And the last thing I need is a picture with a cute guy to rile the gossip mongers.”
    Silence filled the space between them until he asked, “So you still think I’m cute?”
    She stared back at him with an incredulous sneer on her lips. “Of everything I just said, that’s what you picked up on? Great.”
    She reached both her hands up and rubbed her neck. She turned around for a second and felt his eyes on her ass. It was like lover’s hands reaching up beneath her skirt. Why hadn’t she gotten laid lately? If she had, maybe craving him wouldn’t be so severe.
    “Where’s Mark?” Angela asked as she let her arms fall to her sides and turned to face him.
    “Waiting for the food I’m sure. It didn’t look that busy so it will probably only be a few more minutes.”
    “Good,” she answered, walking away down the block.
    Clay followed after her as if he were her shadow.
    She stopped at the end of the block then turned to go back, and there he was standing behind her. She jumped before she could stop herself.
    “The least you can do is not hover behind me. Walk beside me or not at all, got it?”
    He lengthened his stride until they were side by side. “You’re quite used to getting your way, huh, princess?”
    Angela snorted and shook her head. “Hardly. I just don’t trust you to walk behind me.”
    Clay cocked his head to stare at her. “Why’s that?”
    “Because when you’re behind me, I can feel you. Even without seeing you, I know you’re watching me. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt that and I’m honestly having a hard time with all of this, so if I need you to be in front of me, it’s for my own sanity, not selfishness.”
    Well, it might have been a bit of selfishness, she thought. He was so good looking, she wanted to see him as much as possible before he left, but still be able to keep her distance.
    “I’m sorry this is making life hard on you. I want to help the situation, not make it worse. Just give me a chance to figure it out and you’ll be better off.”
    Like last time? she wondered.
    Utter despair rushed at her and made her feel numb. Last time. Her entire world shattered last time.
    Separating herself from any other relationship with a man had obviously been her choosing and she couldn’t help questioning that decision now since she was so hyperaware of him.
    The way his muscles bunched when he was frustrated and trying to keep his face free of emotion.
    How he would cast her a sidelong glance and his breathing would catch just as hers did.
    She knew him, still.
    She wanted him.
    And that scared the hell out of her, especially after so many years had passed.
    Goose bumps ran up her arms as they came to a stop in front of the restaurant.
    “Are you cold?” Clay asked.
    “A little bit,” she answered before she thought it out.
    He closed the distance between them and laid his hands on her arms.
    Angela held her breath, waiting to see what he was going to do.
    He stared deeply into her eyes, rubbing her arms ever so slowly to warm her.
    She licked her lips nervously and he saw every lick.
    The pull on her insides to claim this man’s mouth right in the middle of New York traffic was overwhelming, so she looked away and took a step to put some distance between them.
    “Thanks,” she muttered as she walked to the front door of Meli Melo. She had decided waiting inside with Mark was a much better idea as she heard Clay chuckling behind her.