Broken

• Chapter 145 •

- BRANDON -

"What're you looking for?" I let out an exasperated sigh as Aurora continues to avoid eye-contact and speeds down the streets.

She wraps her jacket around herself. "A place to eat," she mumbles.

I sigh tiredly, "We passed like ten restaurants, and you said no to every single one I pointed out."

"I didn't want any of those," she snaps.

I click my tongue in irritation, "Yeah, because I'M THE ONE WHO POINTED THEM OUT TO YOU!"

Her eyes pop as she finally looks at me, I clench my jaw and shake my head, "I don't know what the fuck your problem has been with me, but I'm over it."

I brush past her, rushing down a busy street towards our hotel. I have a feeling we're going to have to get an extra room and check out early. Five days early.

"Brandon!"

My heart sinks as I hear a familiar warmth in her voice I haven't heard in a while. I sigh and turn back to see her rushing down the crossing to get to me as the light turns green for the cars.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what's wrong with—"

I reach out and grab her arm, yanking her towards me before an idiotic driver with the patience of a toddler runs her over. She topples over and stumbles on the sidewalk, I grab a hold of her elbows before she can fall onto the concrete.

- AURORA -

"Are you okay?" he breathes with concerned eyes.

My heart swarms with warmth when I bore my eyes into his, I haven't looked into them in so long, a fire is rekindled inside my soul as I look into his loving doe eyes.

"Yeah, thanks..."

"None of these taxis are stopping!" I turn back to Brandon, complaining.

"It's rush hour," he says with a bored expression, leaning back against the building.

Suddenly, his eyes grow wide and he sprints towards me. I flinch and turn around to see a car approaching me at a ferocious speed. Instead of moving—like I should—I freeze in place (like a moron). Brandon yanks me out of the way, and I stumble and fall onto the curb.

"COULD YOU WATCH WHERE YOU'RE STANDING? YOU ALMOST GOT KILLED!" Brandon turns back to me furiously.

His frown disappears when he sees me on the floor, he walks towards me and sighs. He lifts me up—and instead of letting go—he stares deeply into my eyes. His eyes flick down to my lips.

Next thing I know, Brandon's lips are on mine. I'm kissing Brandon! My eyes go wide in shock, but I almost immediately respond and melt into the kiss. His arms wrap around my waist, my hands slide up to his neck, pulling him closer.

As soon as our lips connect, I feel alive. I can feel how much he wants me—but behind that desire, I can feel anger. I draw back, startled.

"You don't want to be doing this..." I whisper into his mouth, hands still firmly placed on his neck.

He backs me up onto the building, hands clinging onto my waist and eyes focused on my lips.

"This is all I want to be doing," he growls. I can hear the bitterness and desire tangled up in his voice.

"And you hate that..." I say with a sudden flash of comprehension.

He sighs and stares into my eyes. "Maybe I do..."