The Darkest Danger (Shattered Series Book 2) by Chloe D. Ashton Page A

Jarrod---a fantasy. Nothing about us and what we shared on the island was real.”
         “The hell it wasn’t real, and by you saying otherwise, you’re lying to yourself and me,” he quipped tightly. “What’s going on with you? The things that you’re saying, they’re not making any sense.”
         “Of course it makes sense,” she stressed, swallowing hard, and wondered if she could continue with her façade. “You were dealing with a broken past and I was too. Our being together was just a convenient escape for the both of us.” Talking fast, she rambled on. “Seeing you again tonight, it was a shock at first, and then as usual, I settled into the comfortable habit of leaning on you for answers and guidance. My needy behavior from earlier with me trying to seduce you and everything, please forgive me for it. Old habits die hard, I suppose.”
         “Olivia, would you just cut it with all of this nonsense and just be straight with me---”
         ”I’m sorry for leading you on this way,” she said as if he hadn’t spoken. “I suppose like you, I’m not a perfect human being and make mistakes as well. And I made one by leading you on just now.” She paused. “I do care about you, and maybe I’m infatuated with you in a sense. But, we can’t be together, not like that anymore. It’s not right. It’s best if we just be friends from this point forward.”
         “Friends? Certainly, you can’t mean strictly platonic friends and nothing more,” he scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. “That’s not even a possibility for us---”
         “Well, that’s what we have to be from here on.”
         “So, you just turn your emotions and feelings off like a light switch?” he asked with a hint of anger. “Damn it, Olivia! That’s not who you are---”
         “I’m sorry if my words hurt you. But, the truth is just what it is, Jarrod. On the island, I had no clue as to who I was or what I really wanted. You were the only thing that represented life for me then. Like I’ve said before, it’s only natural that I still want to cling to it like a child, especially since my memories are still broken.” As the deep silence hummed, she didn’t look at him. For if she did, would she get the lies out? “Back then, you were my only hope. A part of me is still trying to cling to that. But, now, I have my real life back, and it’s time that I truly embrace it. That means letting you and Meghan go.” Finally, she forced herself to look at him, and again, she nearly crumpled at the raw pain on his face. “I want you to leave.” She shoved the clothes in his waiting arms. “If you don’t go on your own, I’m going to call security.”
         “Fuck, call whoever in the hell you want,” Jarrod cursed, angered, and the veins bulged in his neck. With barely restrained patience, he hurled the clothes to the floor. “But, if you believe for one second that I’m going to allow you to stay here---
         “Allow? Don’t tell me you’re about to throw one of your infamous temper tantrums,” she scoffed, carrying her act further. “In case it’s escaped your notice, Mr. Sabatino, this is my life, not yours. And I’m going to live it as I please. No longer can you control the things that I say and do.” Turning away from him, she crossed the room to the sitting area. “I’m going to get dressed, and it’d be best if you’d just get your friends, take leave, and go.”
         Just how she found the chaise lounge in the darkened area of the room, she didn’t know. She grabbed the expensive gown from it. But, as she whirled around, she collided into nothing but solid muscle.
         “Jarrod, I want you to go, now,” she said, wetting her lips, planting her hands against his chest. The heat from his skin nearly seared her alive. “Please, just go.”
         “No, I’m not going anywhere without you.”
         “Why are you doing this?”