Page 52 of Fueled Hate

His eyes bore into mine, penetrating thoroughly because I know it’s not just words. He’s claimed me as his from the beginning, and while it freaks me out a bit, it also thrills me at the same time. I just hope whatever is happening between us doesn’t end badly. In the short time I’ve known him, the pleasure he’s presented has been real and powerful. It’s unlike anything anyone else has ever provided. I don’t want to know how the reverse would feel coming from him, the profound heartache. Physics wasn’t meant to explain pleasure and pain, but I’d paid enough attention in class to know that when the pendulum swings past the center of gravity in one direction, it must swing the same distance in the other. I could have it wrong. Hopefully, I never find out.

28

Dylan

The bright sunlight beaming through the window is a sunny reminder that not everything is good. Yeah, okay, at this particular moment with Sadie snuggled close to me, it couldn’t be better. Her blonde hair is draped across my bare chest, so I slip my hand under her T-shirt and close my eyes, begging for strength. It had taken every bit of my restraint to resist burying my dick inside her. Touching her, her touching me—it wasn’t enough. I’d wanted more. I still want more. But I can’t. I shouldn’t have caved and let last night—or actually this morning—happen. Being in her bed now is a mistake. Staying the night with her just to sleep complicates things more in the long run than if I’d nailed her and gone back to my place. Yet, I wouldn’t change a thing. Fuck.

I’ve screwed over myself and her already because I can’t keep the promises I made to her even if I wanted to. My loyalty is with Noah, although it doesn’t appear that way right now. It has to be with Noah. For her sake and mine, I should back off. But there’s no chance of that happening unless it’s by her doing, not mine. There’s already little hope that I’ll be able to walk away from her when it’s time and even less of a chance she’ll be unscathed. Because for me to find out the complete truth, she’ll have to find out everything too.

Sliding out from under her, I move off the bed and pull my jeans on over my boxer briefs before walking to the kitchen. Opening the fridge, I grab a bottle of water, twist off the cap, and down half its contents. Leaning against the counter, I glance around the simple yet cozy apartment.

The front door opens, and Willow walks into the apartment. Sadie had mentioned she’d be back sometime this morning after deciding to stay at Parker’s for the night. She’s fumbling with her phone when she glances up, looking away before halting and glancing back to me. Her eyes quickly look to my chest and back up before she tilts her head to the side.

“What did I miss?” She fails at hiding the amusement behind her question.

A lot. “Nothing,” I say, downing the remainder of the water before tossing the plastic bottle in the trash and heading back to Sadie’s bedroom.

“She’s had a rough couple of years,” Willow says, stepping closer to me. I watch her concern grow into determination. “If you hurt her, I will cut you … and your car.”

“My car?” It’s my turn to be amused even though I’m sure Willow would probably cut someone if she were pissed off enough. I’m sure I’ll see that moment eventually.

“Yes. All you little boys only care about your dicks and your cars. So just know, both will receive damage if you break my best friend’s heart.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Little does Willow know, someone should be looking out for her too. And I’m sure Sadie is. Hopefully, they can rely on each other when this all comes to a head, because they’ll both need a friend.

Once inside Sadie’s room, I head straight to the bathroom to brush my teeth and piss. When I’m done, I watch as she rests peacefully, curled up in a ball with the quilt pulled up to her chin.

What the hell am I still doing here? I should go. Bryce has been blowing up my phone nonstop all night. And I need to go talk to him about the latest development—the one where I blabbed to Sadie about Noah and go over the plan for Thursday. Instead, I lift the blanket and slide under, Sadie’s back pressing against my chest as my arm drapes over her side. My hand slides under her T-shirt, knuckles rubbing against the soft skin of her stomach as she stirs. I know the moment she’s fully awake, completely aware I’m in the bed with her, because her body tenses before slowly attempting to pull away from mine.

“Too late to run away now,” I mutter against her neck, keeping my arm wrapped snuggly around her as my palm presses against her stomach.

“I wasn’t.” She relaxes against me for a moment before removing my hand and sliding off the bed. “I’ll be right back.”

She slips into the bathroom for five minutes before heading out of the bedroom, returning a few minutes later. And I’m way too thankful that she resumes her position beside me, her body aligned with mine. It’s a good thing I’d kept my jeans on because her ass pressing against my hard-on is making it damn near impossible to think about anything other than finishing what we started last night.

“Willow knows you’re here.”

“Yeah. I was instructed to take good care of you for the sake of my dick and my car.” I chuckle as Sadie shakes her head.

“She’s just trying to protect me. She always has tried.”

I’ve witnessed on more than one occasion Willow’s distain for Kyle—definitely something I can relate to—so I’m sure she’s tried to steer Sadie away from the bastard many times. Thankfully, she’s finally done with the SOB. It’s clear he’s a self-centered prick, and I have a feeling he was even more selfish in bed. I don’t want to think about them together, but I sure as fuck can’t figure out how any guy, even one as ignorant as Kyle, wouldn’t worship Sadie every moment of every day. The image of her naked body fills my mind as my eyes close and my hips shift, pressing my cock against her ass instinctively. Fuck. I need to get a grip. I just wish the only one I had to worry about was the one with her ass in my hand.

“How well do you know Parker? Is he a good guy?”

Her body tenses a little before relaxing. She knows where the questions are leading. Parker had been there that night, running the bets. Money or drugs, one was the cause of Noah’s death. The question is which one and by who’s hand.

“Parker’s wonderful,” her soft voice trails off before continuing. “He’s kind, caring, generous. I was always envious of their relationship. I’m happy for them, but I wanted it too. They’re perfect for each other. They get along so well and have faith in each other.”

A pang of jealousy strikes my gut at the way she’s talking about Parker and his relationship with Willow. The complete opposite of me, of us.

“Hm. Sounds boring to me,” I tease, trying to turn off my frustration.

“Sometimes boring is a good thing.” She exhales, no humor in her voice.

Gripping her hip to rotate her back against the bed and shift above her, my elbows dig into the mattress at her sides, pinning her beneath me. Her hands grip my shoulders, hazel eyes studying me intently.

“I don’t believe for one second that you want a boring, mundane life.” Dropping down, I nip at her gently with my teeth, teasing her lips. When her nails dig into my skin, I embrace the slight bite and pressure of her hands clinging to me. “That you don’t want someone who challenges you, ignites your passion instead of holding it at bay, or worse, smothering it out.”