Page 100 of Consumed By You

“Spite? I did it because I hadn’t looked at another man in six months! And when I did, I realized Icanfind a man that wants to want me! Who wants to love me!”

“He doesn’t love you, Darcy. It was a one-night stand.”

“He asked me to stay with him. He asked me on a date. I would have done it if I hadn’t had plans to come here. He was sweet, he was gentle, and heappreciatedme, most of all. Something you never did!”

“I always appreciated you! The entire fucking reason we ended was because of you! Because you couldn’t get over me not wanting to saythree fucking words!”

“Benjamin!”

I spin around to find Doris gaping at us from the hallway. “Is that any way to speak to a lady?”

He looks down at the floor in shame, his chest heaving.

I suck in a gasp. “I-I egged him on, Doris—”

“No, she’s right. That was unforgivable of me.” He snatches his jacket from the counter and storms toward the door.

“Benjamin, don’t go,” Doris pleads.

“I’m sorry for this, Doris. Please say good night to Arthur for me.”

And with that, he’s gone. No last glance in my direction. No goodbye, only the unresolved tension floating above my head.

***

“I’m so glad you called,” I gush as soon as Luke opens the door. I practically throw myself at him and he stumbles back a step before catching me and bringing me inside.

“I’m glad I called too.” He chuckles between kisses as I frantically pull his shirt over his head. He hits the side of his couch and we fall back onto it clumsily, but it doesn’t deter my mission.

“Wait…wait,” he argues when I grab the buttons on his pants. “How was the dinner, Darcy?”

“It was strange.” I kiss his neck and he groans loudly, grabbing my head when my teeth graze the skin.

“I don’t want to just fuck you, Darcy.”

“I want you. Please.” I rock myself freely onto his erection and he bites down on his lip hard. I rake my hands through his brown hair and try to get the memory of Benjamin’s inky locks out of my head.

I stand up, turning him so his legs are planted on the floor, then pull his pants down. He springs free before my eyes and I grin, ready to rock his world. I pull my shirt clear over my head, then remove my pants. He strokes himself, watching me slide my panties down my legs. I move forward and straddle him.

Our lips connect and for a minute, I realize I’m actually enjoying this. Until I remember the reason why I’m so aroused.

Don’t let him own you, Darcy!

Luke positions himself at my entrance and within seconds, I’m lowering onto him.

“Wait,” he whispers when I move. He unclasps the back of my bra and it comes undone, and he slides the straps off my arms.

“Skin on skin.” I clamp down on my lip in shame. Why does he have to be so nice? He brings my head down to his.

“You’re so beautiful.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, hating myself and hating the man in my brain. I open them and see familiar green eyes staring into mine before they quickly change back to hazel.

Fuck.

“Stop…stop.”

Luke opens his mouth in shock as I scramble off of him. “Darcy,” he pleads, reaching out for my hand.