Page 121 of Falling for the Enemy

“Because I’m trying to understand you. We were fine, and now you’re trying to shut me out again.”

“No. I’m not⁠—”

“Sure as hell feels like it.”

Maybe she was, but she didn’t mean to. She just wanted to protect herself, even if it meant self-sabotaging the shit out of herself to do so.

“Don’t do this, Jocelyn. Just talk to me about whatever you’re feeling. We can work through whatever it is together.”

Everyone thought her directness came fully stocked with a combative attitude, but the truth was, she hated confrontation. “I’m sorry,” she said softly, and his head lifted, stark alarm clear across his face.

“No—”

“Soren, just listen to me⁠—”

“No!” he yelled, on his feet and pacing. “You want to fight? Fine, we’ll fight. You want to yell at me about something? Come at me. But you do not get to pull this bullshit where you shut me out, Jocelyn. We’re past that!”

But she didn’t want to fight with him. She hated that she was even hurting him. “Please stop yelling at me.”

“Then talk to me.”

“I can’t. I don’t know how. Maybe I’m just bat shit crazy! I warned you something like this would happen.”

“No. You don’t get to push me away and blame it on a character flaw. I deserve better than that.”

“You do,” she agreed. He was too much. Too confident, too aware of her flaws, too important to her, and everything he made her feel was too intense. It was killing her. “Please, just go.”

“Jocelyn, don’t do this.” She hated the flash of doubt that flickered in his eyes.

Her heart pounded hard and fast. Blood rushed to her head, and she felt like she could vomit.

“I can’t believe you.” Brow tight, he picked up King’s leash.

Both dogs came running the moment they heard the clink of metal.

“Cordelia, you’re not going anywhere.” Jocelyn’s voice sounded small and waterlogged, strained under the pressure of coming tears.

Soren hooked King and led him to the door. “Call me…” He hesitated. “…When you’re ready to talk.”

Twin tears tripped past her lashes as the door closed. She angrily dashed them away. He did what she asked and gave her space, but how did getting her way feel so much like losing?

CHAPTER 14

“LIKE A HURT, LOST, AND BLINDED FOOL, OH NO, I’VE SAID TOO MUCH”

Soren threw his keys against the wall of the foyer and let King off his leash. The dog ran straight to the kitchen where his food bowl waited, oblivious to the world burning down around them.

“Fuck!” His voice cut across the cold tile and ripped up to the vaulted ceilings.

He should have known she’d pull this shit. This was so typical of Jocelyn and yet… He honestly thought this time would be different.

He thought she was right there with him, feeling what he was feeling. He was a fucking fool to⁠—

His thoughts cut off as headlights fanned across his walls as someone pulled into his driveway. Soren flung open the double doors, not in the mood for visitors, but then did a double-take as Jocelyn’s car raced up the driveway.

He stepped onto the porch, his anger immediately replaced with the fear that something was wrong. He rushed to her car. “Joce?”

She sprang out of the car and practically catapulted into his arms. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” She was frantic and dripping tears. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I panicked. I don’t want space. I don’t want to push you away, Soren. Don’t let me. Please. I’m so sorry.”