My head shoots to the door when I hear a soft knock. It can’t be. With hesitation, I reach for the handle. Maybe it’s Mark or Phillip here to warn me off. They had clearly figured out what we were doing the second they laid eyes on us.
It’s neither of Bonnie’s dads.
“Bonnie,” I say stupidly.
“Can I come in?” She’s wringing her hands, clearly nervous. I step to the side and allow her to pass. I’ve only just shut the door when she’s all up in my space. “You kissed me!”
“I did.”
“Why?”
“I wanted to.” It’s like I’m on a game show and this is the quickfire round.
“You think I’m beautiful?”
“Yes.”
“But not in wool?” Why on earth is that something to focus on? I’d said it as a joke…kind of.
“You are beautiful no matter what. I just don’t care for the material.”
This is bizarre, but I’ll play along if that’s what Bonnie needs.
“You took my clothes.”
“I did.”
“I like the ones you gave me, and that makes me mad.”
“Okay. Sorry.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Okay, I’m not.”
She’s so close I could pull her into me in a second and claim those delicious lips again, but I restrain my urge. Bonnie is working through something, and I don’t want to ruin my chances by doing something stupid.
“I wanted to kiss you, too.”
“You should hate me,” I say. It’s true. Sheshouldhate me—everything about me—and I don’t understand why she doesn’t. I know I explained how things work around here, but I didn’t think for a second, she would suddenly go from her original judgements to…this. “Unless…”
“Unless?”
It suddenly occurs to me that Bonnie’s recent behaviour may indicate this is a revenge thing. I know the kiss in the kitchen would have led to sex if we’d not been interrupted. It’s more than likely Bonnie was subconsciously trying to hate-fuck me. Just like her drinking, it’s a way for her to cope. And the thought sends acid shooting to my throat. How could I have been so stupid?
“Allegra,” she says, her eyes boring into me.
“It’s okay,” I say, “I understand.”
“Well, that’s fantastic. Care to fill me in because I haven’t got a bloody clue what you’re talking about.”
“Bonnie, there is no chance on this earth you like me that way. Look how we started.”
“So, for what reason do you think I was kissing you?”
I shrug. “A hate-fuck is a great way to take back power.”
I regret it the second I say it because the look on her face is one I never want to see again. She takes a step back but doesn’t say a word. It’s my turn to wring my hands.
