Page 101 of Abundance of Obsession

I turn around, as if this were the most fascinating place on earth.

And then I meet Owen’s blue eyes, staring back at me. He’s sitting on a bench in only his shorts too. Bare-chested. Hands clenched into fists.

He’s bigger than I remember him being. Terrifying. Suppressing this is my only option.

Once again, I break into a giggle. Inside, I’m trembling.

Does he recognize me?

Because if so… I’m dead.

“Oh, this definitely isn’t a bathroom. And you aren’t… my future… husband.”

“You’re right about that, little bird.” His voice gives me the same chills as it used to.

He doesn’t recognize me.

“You’re one of those, huh? The one who gets their ass kicked?”

I take a step in his direction and stagger, but I spread my legs wide to maintain some balance.

“No. I’m the one who beats people up, never the other way around.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see his sports drink sitting by the bench. Still unopened. I couldn’t have made this up better.

“No wonder,” I mumble. “You’re so big!”

I try to take another step, praying silently that he’ll show a shred of humanity.

I’m falling. I’m falling forward, the floor is coming closer and closer to my face…

Fuck.

Owen jumps up, takes a step, and I land right into his outstretched arms. That’s enough to paralyze me for a few seconds.

Fear overwhelms me; breaking free from his embrace feels like a natural reflex. In a split second, scenes of him hurting me flash before my eyes. It’s just a moment, but it’s enough for me to gasp for air in the way I did when he was drowning me in that icy lake.

“Little bird, are you okay? Come sit down for a moment,” he says, pulling me up. He puts me on my feet and helps me walk over to the bench.

My ass lands right where he was sitting a second ago.

“It’s a little stuffy in here.” My tongue gets tied. “Why is it so stuffy in here?”

“It’s not stuffy,” he replies.

“Yes, it is.”

His gaze wanders to the wall by the entrance. He walks over there, unsure if he can leave me alone.

One second.

That’s all I need…

I switch the drinks. A weight lifts off my chest.

A quiet hum appears as Owen touches the panel; cool air flows down on me from the ceiling.

“Phew… That feels good. Divine.”