Between Loves (The Pendant Series Book 2) by Cynthia Austin Page B

mate or something, right?”
    Now Adrian’s smile was in full force as his perfect teeth gleamed at me. “So you’re checking my phone to verify if we’re soul mates or not?”
    He took a step toward me, taking this opportunity of my weakness to regain the upper hand in this little game we seemed to be playing with each other.
    I wasn’t ready to place the ball in his court yet, so I responded a tad harshly, “You’re such an ass. I don’t know why I even tell you these things.”
    He was still creeping towards me and I didn’t want to get lost in the whirlwind of emotions that usually hit me when he closed in. So I dodged his advances and quickly climbed the wooden stairs, heading toward the front door. Adrian quickly followed.
    “So now I’m an ass just because I think it’s weird that you’re looking for your soul mate, even though you told me you have already found him.”
    Ignoring him, I went to open his door and retreat into the house but just as I pushed it open I felt Adrian’s hand cover mine as he shut it in my face.
    Angrily, I spun around to confront him but once I saw how close his face was to mine and felt the heat of his body searing into mine, I once again lost the use of my tongue and stood there dumbfounded as words failed me. I could never compete against him. He was the master when it came to making someone feel vulnerable.
    “I thought your soul mate was Ray,” he persisted.
    “So did I but I never expected my soul mate to hurt me like he does.”
    It was as if Adrian’s gaze hypnotized me and forced the truth right out of me, no matter how private the matter was.
    "The song in your head, there's a line about taking down walls and opening doors for you. I would do that for you, Sidney."
    Adrian’s face was now dangerously close to me and his eyes were burning into mine, asking—no begging me to make a move. But I was terrified. I was so frightened I couldn’t even breathe. Instead, I just bit my lip and remained frozen on his porch. It had all been fun and games when I had just assumed he was interested in me but now he had trapped me against his front door as he was inviting me into his heart. I wanted to run.
    I bailed. “I should go.”
    His arm dropped and he breathed a sigh of defeat. He turned around, not allowing me to see his face. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out that red and white box, but then decided against it and placed it back in his pocket.
    “Can I show you one thing before you go?”
    Before allowing me time to answer, he turned back around and brushed past me as he swiftly entered through the big red door. Slowly, and very apprehensively, I followed. If Adrian gave it even the smallest push there was no telling what I would do.
    I knew that I still loved Ray, but for some reason I couldn’t stay away from this dark-haired stranger. Chrissy was right, it was a bad idea for me to come here and I knew it was an even worse idea to follow him into the house.
    But I was never one for good judgment and so I followed him inside.
    We passed the wooden staircase and entered one of the rooms on the right side of the foyer. It was a small office with dark wood paneling that ran up the walls. There was a large desk with a computer.
    Once I entered the room, Adrian pushed me against the wall and slid his hand into my pocket. I held my breath as he repaid me for the uncomfortable feeling I made him suffer earlier. I reminded myself that no matter how well I played this game, he was a hundred times better. I watched helplessly as he pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and plugged it into his computer. He fumbled around with the keyboard and after a few seconds he unplugged my phone and tossed it back to me.
    “I guess we’re soul mates now.” He smiled.
    “I’m not going to L.A.” I blurted out. “Ray goes back on Friday and I’m staying. I just wanted to let you know that. Goodbye, Adrian.”
    Very quickly, while I still had my head on my shoulders, I spun