“Oh, so now you guys are best buddies or something? That what this is? You two sharing tips on how to fuck with me? Or are you two just plain fucking?”
“That’s not fair,” I snarl, anger flaring hot in my chest. “I didn’t have a fucking choice back there.”
Her eyes narrow. “I felt your dick, Kai. That wasn’t fear making you hard.”
My face burns. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I?” She tilts her head, eyes suddenly cold and calculating. “Because that kiss sure as fuck?—”
I grab her throat before I can stop myself. “Shut the fuck up,” I hiss. “You have no idea what’s going on.”
She doesn’t flinch, doesn’t look away. Just glares at me with those fierce blue eyes. Eyes that always saw right through me.
“No. I don’t,” she says. “So why don’t you tell me?”
The fight drains out of me. I let go of her throat, running a hand through my hair. But I don’t step back. Don’t release her.
“Rooke’s...got something on me.”
It’s not a total lie. But it’s not the whole truth either.
“What?” she asks, voice softer now. “What does he have on you?”
I look away, unable to meet her eyes. “It’s complicated.”
“Uncomplicate it.”
“I can’t.” I let out a frustrated growl. “Please, just trust me when I say he won’t bother us again.”
“Oh-ho, trustyou, Mr. Bring It On I’ve Got a Fucking Lifeboat Now?” She chuckles dryly. “I wouldn’t trust you to piss on me if I was on fire!”
“Haven—” I reach up to touch her face, but she knocks my hand away and then starts counting on her fingers.
“You choked me on the first day of class. Spat on me. Made me blow you in the library. Fingered me against a tree while you choked me,again. Then you held me down forhimso he could?—”
Each accusation hits like a knee to the groin, but I hold her gaze as I cut in with a low, “I didn’t?—“
“Don’t youdaresay you didn’t mean it.” Her voice turns to acid. “Youdidmean it. Every disgusting, degrading thing you’ve done to me since I came back. You meant it all.”
I swallow hard, fighting the urge to wrap my fingers around her throat again, if only so she’ll stop fuckingtalking.
She’s right.
I did mean it.
Every single fucking second of it.
I couldn’t help it.
Her sweet sixteen was a fucking disaster, I’ll own that. I made a promise I couldn’t keep. Butthe dayafter I refused to sleep with her, she just up and disappears? Then I getoneletter, one measly hateful letter, then she goes and ghosts me for three years.
And I could have forgiven her for all of it…if I hadn’t been so madly in love with her myentirefucking life.
It’s a whole other ball game when you can’t sleep because you’re wondering where she is. If she’s okay. If she’s even stillalive.
…If it’s your fault she’s gone, because you made it impossible for her to stay.
So, yeah, I guess I should have been happy to see her the first day she strolled into AHC.
