Layla by E. L. Todd Page B

didn’t want to date him and be in a relationship but I felt like that was exactly what happened. It made me feel panicked. After what just happened with John, I wasn’t ready for that.

9
     
    When I got to work, I was a total zombie. Joanna asked me to help her with her solitaire game and I was totally useless. I couldn’t even see the cards. I went to my office and worked at a snail’s pace. I had to double check all my work because I had a strong suspicion I made a lot of errors.
    Kyle came to my office for lunch. “There are sandwiches in the break room.” He placed one on my desk and sat across from me. “So no, I didn’t buy it for you,” he teased.
    I nodded but didn’t say anything.
    “What do you want to do tonight?”
    “Uh, nothing.”
    “You want to come to my place and watch a movie?”
    “I’m just going to lay low tonight.”
    “You want me to come over?” he asked.
    “No, it’s okay.”
    He watched me, suspicion clouding his mind. “What’s on your mind, Layla?
    “I’m just tired.”
    “Well, there’s this new French restaurant I want to try. We should go tomorrow night.”
    “Are we in a relationship now?” I snapped.
    He abandoned his sandwich and put it aside. “Sorry. What?”
    “You’re kissing me…and…expecting to see me every night….and I just don’t want that. I said I didn’t want to date you and you just did it anyway.”
    Kyle stared at me for a long time, his eyes empty and dead. He rubbed his chin then ran his fingers through his hair. Finally, he stood up then closed the door to my office. He marched to my desk and stared me down. He took a deep breath before he exploded.
    “You better be fucking kidding me.” His voice was low so he wouldn’t be overhead, but the anger and menace in his voice made me flinch. “ I just risked my life to protect you, attacking a guy with a goddman knife, and this is how you are acting? That’s just…wow. I only kissed you because I knew you wanted me to. Perhaps this is a news flash for you because you are only aware of your surroundings but nothing that has to deal with you personally, but we’ve been in a relationship since the day we met. You’re one of those annoying people that can’t stand labels, but that’s exactly what we are. We’ve been on dates, we’ve spent time together, we are intimate together, and you love being around me. There’s absolutely no reason why you can’t trust me. None whatsoever. So pull your head out of your ass and stop acting like a child.”
    I stood and glared at him. “I said I didn’t want to date you. You manipulated me anyway.”
    “Yeah. What’s your point? I knew I had to take things slow with you. That’s exactly what I did. And to be honest, most guys wouldn’t put with this, Layla.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean? No one else would ever want me?”
    “No, it means that I really fucking like you if I went above and beyond for this relationship. I know you have feelings for me and I know you want me. Just accept me. Stop making it complicated. Stop ruining it. Just be happy, Layla.”
    “I’m not ready for a relationship.”
    “Why?”
    “It’s none of your business.”
    He came around the desk an d pushed me into the chair, leaning over me and blocking me in. “Yes it is my fucking business. Was that guy your ex-boyfriend? So you were in an abusive relationship and you finally got out of it and left? I suspected it that night you asked me to walk you home. I was prepared for something like that to happen. Don’t let him ruin your life, Layla. I’m not like him. I’m not controlling, abusive, or even mean.”
    “I—I don’t know.”
    “I’ve been fighting for you for a long time. I’ve never dated someone who treated me so poorly. I’ve been putting up with it because I know you need that time, but I’m not doing it anymore. Accept me as your boyfriend and let’s take this slow. I’ll be as patient as you want, as understanding as you need,