Page 99 of Consumed By You

I hear him stand up behind me. Dear God, where is Doris?

“When I kissed you, you moaned, whether you were mad at me or not.”

He’s behind me now. His fingertips at the curve of my neck, grazing the skin there. My body trembles as they travel farther down my back until he curves his hand around my waist, pulling me into him.

“You submit to me without even realizing it. Even now.”

I swallow. “Are you saying you own me?”

“I’m saying the exact opposite.”

He turns me and I move easily since I’ve lost all feeling in my legs. He brings my hands to his chest. I’m awestruck and highly aroused when he shivers violently beneath my touch.

“I’m sayingyouownme,” he whispers heatedly. “You have for a while now.”

“Benjamin, stop.” Trembling, I push myself away from him.

“I’ve seen no one in four months, Darcy. I’ve been with no one.”

“I don’t believe you,” I hiss and he grabs my arms.

“Believe it! Darcy, I’ll say whatever you want me to. I just want you!”

“No!” I shove him away and try to get my bearings. “You’ll say anything I want you to? Why do you think I’d want that? I don’t want you to say it, I wanted you to mean it!”

“Darce, please—”

“I met someone!” I shout.

His mouth shuts like a flytrap and his teeth grind together as he stares at me in horror. “What?” he chokes out. “Who?”

“His name is Luke.”

“Luke? Wh-When did this happen?”

“That’s not important.”

“Yes, it damn well is!When, Darcy?”

“Yesterday…after I read the article about you.”

“When you mean met—”

“I mean, I’ve been with him.”

His eyes flash in rage. “What fucking possessed you to do that?”

“I was messed up. I was hurt! I was trying to forget about you!”

“Well, you succeeded.” He pins me with such a look of disappointment that anger blossoms inside of me.

“Where do you come off?”

“Excuse me?”

“Where do you come off reprimanding me after we haven’t spoken in months? It’s only natural for me to try and move on.”

“Out of spite? That’s not natural.”