His Heart, Mine

Alia has learned to plan every detail of her life to perfection - whether it is her career, her social life or even her emotions - because chaos has already cost her too much. A survivor of a chronic heart illness, an abusive brother and an absent father, she had no choice but to become this way after she vowed not to let anything get in the way of her life again.
But nothing could have prepared her for the return of her ex-best friend - the one person she swore to never forgive.

Ali has always lost what mattered most to him. A survivor of a heartbreak, a broken family and the loss of a loved one, he's now decided to reclaim what he lost - even if it involves his ex-best friend who hasn't forgiven him.

As their lives collide again, Alia must confront her old demons, face new ones and deal with her growing desire for the one man she's vowed to always hate.
~~~~~
He kisses me, again and again, raw and consuming, and then pulls away; I can feel his green eyes piercing my soul.
"What you told me last time, say it again," he whimpers breathlessly.
"What?" I manage to ask, confused, and reels him in again for another kiss.
He pulls back again, his breath hot against my skin.
"That you hate me, tell me that you hate me."
"I hate you," I tell him almost instantly, the lie burning on my tongue.
He kisses me harder and more hungrily and the words slip out again from my tongue:
"I hate you. I hate you. I hate you,"
His murmurs deepen into groans, and at this exact moment, I ask myself how I'm still standing, still breathing, still present.
~~~~~