I shake my headno.
“Prove it.” After getting the jacket on, she leans down to pick up the note only to hold it out in front of my face. She stays there, likely anticipating me to analyze it. But I don’t have to.
I decide to tear it from her fingers and toss it back down on the ground where it flutters into the snow. More and more people are making their way to the pit and everyone is starting to find seats. Not as many people are watching us now, but that’s only because she’s lowered her voice and others are starting their own conversations. But I know a few eyes still linger on us.
I stand to face Olivia. Our bodies are so close that I can practically feel her heart pounding. I lift her chin with my finger and force her to look at me while I lower my tone to a deadly, dark whisper. “And howdo you propose I do that?” I lean in, putting my lips to her ear. “Would you like me to trace the letters on your skin with my tongue?” I let tongue slide along the edge of her ear lobe for effect and I feel the way her body shivers.
But she makes an effort to shove me and I chuckle, choosing to turn and step over the log. She leans down to pick up the note once more before following me.
“Write a replica,” she says. Desperation in her tone.
I don’t make it too far before I stop and face her once more.
“Look around, Olivia. Unless you want me to literally turn one of these trees into paper, there is nothing I can do for you.” My smart-ass remark doesn’t seem to impress her, only agitating her more and causing her to roll her eyes at me.
I scoff. “Careful, Reckless. You like rolling your eyes at me so much, I might just have to make a habit of it myself.”
“What the fuck does that mean, Trace?”
I step up to her, closing the space between us. Her eyes look up at mine before fluttering away. She never could stand to hold eye contact with me for too long. I have a powerful effect on her that way.
I grip her chin tight with my fingers and yank her head back up to me. “Why tell you, when I can just show you, Livie.”
I push her face away gently.
“You fucking-”
“Olivia.” Olivia flinches and turns her head in the direction of the person calling her name. Him along with a few others observing our conversation.
I don’t even have to look to see, I can already feel my blood boil just at the sound of his voice. It sets my teeth on edge.
Jensen.
Olivia and I aren’t too far off from the bonfire, most people having settled in. But not far enough for them to consider the interaction we just shared as private. Some people are oblivious to what’s going on, while others stare over, curious as to what’s going on. But I don’t care who sees. Now they know who the fuck they’re messing with if they ever decide to come for her.
Jensen is standing near the center of where everyone is sitting.
“Everything good?” he asks, and I can feel the discomfort pour off of Livie’s body. It angers me.
She goes to speak, to answer him. But I grab her by her elbow to urge her silence.
“Mind your own fuckin business,” I answer instead. Causing a few people to gasp and look between each other.
Olivia tenses in my grasp before turning to look up at me.
She yanks her arms from my hold and pure disgust contorts on her face. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” Her tone tells me she’s annoyed, and I know that it’s only for appearances, but her eyes bleed with appreciation and that’s what I hold onto. That, I know, is all for me.
“You can keep running, Olivia. But I told you, I’d always find you.” My words come out in an eerily calm warning, and I watch as she shivers.
She steps up to me, pulling me in with the claim of her midnight blue eyes. She twists her tongue between her teeth before lowering her voice, a challenge lingering in her tone.
“I’m right fucking here, Trace. What are you going to do about it?”
And then, she walks away.
17
OLIVIA
