Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 142764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
If I wasn’t so sure he’d pull the trigger, I’d swing on his ass, but that’s what he wants. To see me react, to get under my skin and piss me off. When I do none of those things and simply continue staring blankly at him, he continues.
“It doesn’t really matter. I'll find a way to get control of her. Who knows? When I'm backed into a corner, I can be very creative. So tell me, Son, do you want me to take matters into my own hands, or are you going to do what I tell you to? You can still have a piece of the pie. There is still a spot for you here beside me.”
I’m backed into a corner. There’s nothing I can do but agree. If I don’t, there’s no saying what he’ll do. At least with my agreement, I can buy myself some time.
“Consider it done,” I announce, my voice low.
He smiles, and it makes my stomach churn. "Good, and don’t fuck this up, Drew! You’ve caused enough issues. You’re lucky your mother is still alive after all the shit you’ve done. Now, let’s fix this. I'll set up a little date for you two. Show me how creative you can be, and maybe you'll get through this in one piece. Although I can't guarantee the same thing for your friends."
28
BEL
Acouple of days pass, and I find myself still thinking about the things Drew shared with me. My heart aches for him, bleeds for him even, but there’s nothing I can do to help him. It’s a potent kind of helplessness.
Forgiving him takes time, and I refuse to rush into a full-blown relationship, especially with his father still actively meddling in his life. If Drew wants a relationship with me, he’ll have to find a way to stand up to his father. I refuse to let our love be a secret. There’s no way in hell I’ll ever allow that. And I don’t think Drew would either if the tables were turned.
He wants me and wants us. I can see it and feel it. Every kiss. Every time he slips inside me. He’s worshipping my body, saying things he can’t put into words. It pulls me a little closer every time. His confession about his father, about all of it, means I need to forgive him.
Hell, deep down, I know I already have, but I haven’t brought myself to tell him yet. Not when I fear he’ll revert to his old ways at any second. He’s still very fragile, and any little thing could set him off, sending him back to the way he used to be.
Drew never was a snuggly bunny to begin with. There was always a darkness in him. A darkness which drew me in and whispered depraved things in my ear. Maybe accepting that, and forgiving him, means I will finally have to accept this part of me too. The part of me that likes what he does when he takes control, when he uses and commands me.
That part of me is the part I’m afraid to confess to, even if there is no confession needed between Drew and myself. It's the simple fact that I need to acknowledge it and accept it without bashfulness or embarrassment.
I starfish out on my bed and let out a long sigh, just to release some of the pent-up energy that’s rolling through me. My stomach rumbles, reminding me that I skipped lunch in favor of studying. When will I ever learn? Rolling over and off the bed, I leave the confines of my room and head downstairs, making a beeline for the kitchen.
Maybe I’ll make a cup of coffee too. It's almost dinnertime, and if Sebastian sees me drinking coffee this late, he'll give major side-eye, but I'm willing to risk it. The guy is a nut when it comes to his concern over other people, but God forbid you tell him what to do. I walk through the side entrance of the kitchen and pause, my entire body clamming up when I spot Sebastian and Drew together across the room.
They’re hunched over the counter, and it looks like they’re discussing something. I dart back around the corner because I know both of them will shut down the moment they spot me. And for once, I want to know what the hell they’re up to. I swear if this is another macho 'she belongs to me' bullshit talk, I’m going to murder one or both of them.
Mmm, yes, both probably.
As I hide on the other side of the door, Drew’s quiet whisper fills my ears, “It’s a solid plan, but I don’t know if it’ll work?”
I crane my neck to hear, trying to block out the low hum of the refrigerator only a few steps away.