Read Burn for Me for Free Online Page B

pressed his brow to hers, staring at her, all but falling into those pretty eyes. Most of the time, those eyes were misty and soft. He’d seen them soft with hunger, soft with humor. But now they were hard. With determination. He started to realize, then, as he stared at her. Feeling desperate, he rubbed his mouth against hers. “I want you. You know that. I want to breathe.”
    It was a fucked-up time to realize it, but there it was. He hadn’t held himself back enough. If he had, it wouldn’t hurt so much. The words ripped out of him as he lifted his head to look at her. “I love you, too, damn it. I love you, I love your kids. But…”
    Love wasn’t right for him. It never could be. He had to be careful. Had to make sure she was safe. The kids. That was why he had to keep that distance, never give in too much.
    Blackness swarmed around as the voices in the back of his head screamed even louder.
    Shoving away from the counter, he grabbed the gift bag from the floor. He’d spent way too much time in the mall over in Louisville that morning looking for it. Dumping it on the counter, he shot her a look and then shook his head. “Look, you…” He sucked in a breath, tried to get some oxygen moving inside his lungs. It might help. Had to do something to ease the ache spreading through him. But nothing helped. “Look, I do love you. I love your kids. But … I … I can’t be what you seem to think I can be.”
    Desperate, he turned to look at her. “I’ll give you whatever I can. But I…”
    “I just want you, ” she said, her voice stark. “All of you.”
    What the fuck did that mean? It wasn’t like he was seeing anybody else. He thought about her all the time. She was in his head, in his blood. He could smell the scent of her skin even when she wasn’t there and he dreamt about her. Except … no . Not a good time to think about those dreams.
    Shaking his head, he tried to make her understand. “I’ll take you out. I’ll stay the night. I…” Pleading, he stared at her.
    “That’s not enough.” The pain in her eyes sliced at him, straight through the heart.
    “What is?” Hands clenched into fists, he fought the urge to grab her, haul her against him. Why was she doing this? Desperation filled him, made him want to yell, but he managed to throttle everything down, kept his voice flat and empty as he watched her.
    “If you have to ask, then there is no way I can explain. But it’s all or nothing, Tate.” She turned away.
    All or nothing — The sight of her averted back was like a brutal punch, right to the solar plexus and only sheer will kept him from staggering back.
    “Ali—”
    “Don’t.” She tipped her head back and he saw her throat working as she swallowed. “I tried, you know. I tried to make myself happy on what you could give me. But it’s not working anymore. This just hurts too much.”
    She turned away from him, resting her hands on the counter. “Please go.”
    Legs wooden, he took a step.
    Don’t do this . He didn’t know if that voice in his head was a plea to himself or her.
    He went to take a step toward her and then froze as she flinched.
    “I’m sorry.” Unable to say anything else, he turned away. He could’ve sworn he heard something crack as he walked away.
    It could only be his heart.

Chapter Four
    The door slammed shut and part of her wanted to tear off after him.
    The wiser part remained in control. Barely.
    But she almost shattered after she pulled the tissue paper from the bag and peered inside.
    Tears all but blinded her as she reached inside and pulled the purse out.
    “You bastard.”
    It wasn’t red.
    Trust Tate not to just grab what he’d seen her eyeing.
    He went and did one better, finding a rich, vibrant shade of blue that she absolutely adored.
    The buttery leather was even softer than she’d imagined it would be and she stroked a hand down it, trying not to sniffle.
    A Coach purse.
    The bastard.
    Tate had given her presents, and more