Page 29 of Consumed By You

I hoist my head from the crook of his neck and look into his eyes, beaming at the completion of our arduous feat. “That wasamazing.”

He plants a soft kiss onto my mouth. I try not to read into how fast his lips actually rest against mine before they are gone. “Yeah, it was.”

I reach out to touch his face but he quickly shifts away, forcing me to dismount him with haste.

No. What the hell is going on?

I watch in confusion as he stands and strides in full glory to the bathroom, shutting the door behind him without another word.

Wait.

I inspect the hinges of the white doorway as the shower turns on. My mind churns wildly, realizing.

No. No. Oh no.

I’m horrified, embarrassed,angry. I snatch my clothes off the floor in a hurry, a silent hysteria seizing hold of my emotions. Scalding tears betray me as I make it to my room, locking the door behind me.

I wince, shoving the mussed strands of hair from my face, recalling the detached dullness in his eyes as he got up. Does he do this with every woman he’s with? Screw them and then treat them like they are nothing, merely a vessel for him to stick his dick in?

I pull back the untouched sheets and climb into bed. I can still feel his hands on me, his lips on mine. My skin tickles sensitively against the coolness.

Thirty minutes later, there’s a knock at my door. “Darcy?”

I hold my breath, remaining silent.

“Darcy, why is this door locked?” Benjamin questions, his tone suspicious. He has no idea, does he? No fucking clue.

“Just leave me alone.”

There’s a pause; it’s long and telling. He speaks again. “What’s wrong?”

“Go away, Benjamin,” I reply angrily, my eyes glued to the pastel wallpaper.

“Darcy,” he says sternly. “Darcy, just open the damn door.”

After a few moments, he eventually walks away from the barricade between us.

I knew it would end this way. He told me he didn’t want more—I just didn’t listen.

***

A text on my phone wakes me. I check the clock. It’s three in the morning. I rise, expecting it to be Benjamin telling me he can’t sleep, can’t eat because he feels like shit after what he did, but it’s not him, only a reminder with notes about the fundraiser tonight. How am I going to work for this man? I can’t imagine even looking at him right now.

My stomach growls and it dawns on me I haven’t eaten all day. I go to the closet and slip into my black robe. I hope there’s still some of that fettuccine left.

I open the door to an empty, dark living room, tiptoe to the kitchen, open the fridge, and take out the pasta. I shove the plate in the microwave and wait. When I realize I’m tapping my fingers against the marble impatiently, I go over to the window and behold glorious downtown Seattle. It looks so beautiful at night. The rain is coming down hard, making the tall, brightly lit buildings blur together.

There’s a loud noise, startling me, and I jump. Benjamin’s door opens and he’s standing there in sweats and nothing else. I look at his beautiful face, feeling only anger.

Walk away.

I whirl around and head for the kitchen.

“Darcy,” he says incredulously.

Yes, I’m ignoring you.

I don’t turn around even though I know he’s following me.