Page 3 of Hollywood

I surged forward, mouth slamming into his, far too desperate and eager for a first kiss. A surprised noise left him. He didn’t think I’d really take that final step, did he?

Still, he didn’t push me away. His hand clamped around the nape of my neck, and he pulled me harder against him. God, he was fucking delicious, an earthy flavor mingled with the fruity tones of the gum he chewed so often. Ourtongues met, hot and slick, and a quiet moan of need escaped me.

Tex jerked back, eyes wide.

Scrambled to his feet.

I jumped up. “Tex?—”

“This was a bad idea.” He shook his head. “I don’t do this.”

“You could,” I said tentatively. “With me.”

His eyes darkened, and he turned, jaw so tight a muscle twitched. I should be grateful he hadn’t punched me. But he wasn’t exactly making a guy feel welcome, either.

“I’m not staying,” he ground out.

“Uh, okay. Sleep on it, then. I’ll see you at the Redemption Road meeting tomorrow and?—”

“No,” he cut in, voice harsh. “I’m leaving town.”

My heart dropped. “What? But the program…”

“I’m dropping out of the program. It’s not working out. I’m always fucking everything up.” He gestured toward me. “Just like this.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Yes, you do. I’mleaving, Holly. I’m taking off. I’m gone, okay? So this”— he waved a finger between us—“isn’t happening.”

A different heat flashed through me, one threatening to blow my head off my shoulders. “You’re running away from me?”

“It’s not about you.”

I curled my fists, nails biting into tender flesh, but that sting hardly registered next to Tex’s rejection. “Bullshit! You’re afraid. I’ve sensed it all along. I knew this would eventually happen because you don’t want to face the truth! You want me, Tex. You want a man.”

“Shut the fuck up, Holly. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Why couldn’t he just punch me? At least it would distract me from the vise in my chest, squeezing my heart to an aching pulp.

“Then stay,” I challenged. “Prove it.”

“I can’t.” His voice was hard, leaving no room for negotiation. “I’m going to the meeting tomorrow to say my goodbyes to the guys. Then I’m gone.”

“Don’t walk away from this.” A pleading note clung to my words, and my cheeks heated. I didn’t want to beg, but my mouth kept going, digging the hole deeper and deeper. “I see how you look at me. I know you want me too. We could be something together, you know?”

He barked out a mean laugh. “So vain, aren’t you, pretty boy? Not everything is about you.”

“What is it about, then?”

“Me. I’m done here. That’s what.”

He turned his back on me and walked away.

“Hey, we’renotdone!” I shouted after him, but he just kept walking. He didn’t even look back. “Fuck you, man! Your loss, then!”

He reached the door to the building and turned back, a strange smile on his face. “Wouldn’t be the first thing I’ve lost. Won’t be the last. It’s what I do best.”

He stepped inside and let the door fall shut behind him.