Page 103 of Fixation

Harper’s lips part. Red splotches bloom on her cheeks.

Power surges through me. I’m terrifying her with this one simple act.

She’ll have more to worry about once she gets home.

Plenty of surprises to freak out over there.

To be grateful for.

“You’re delusional. I’m not staying for breakfast.” Christ, her growl is adorable. She’s beautiful, standing tall in the doorway to my bedroom, chin held high. “This…What I’m feeling for you, it’s messed up. It’s a lie. I won’t stay here.”

“Okay.” That part hurt. My heart twists, by some. “As I promised, you’re free to go.”

“You said discharged.” She stalls, her teeth disturbing her bottom lip. “You won’t admit me…here…again, right?”

Her emerald eyes. Her wavy red hair. The cute button nose and those damn freckles I want to lick, kiss, and bite.

The way she studies me.

Fucking addictive. Fascinating. I could look at her for hours.

I could lock her up here.

My legs move on their own. I’m advancing on her. Backing her out and into the hall.

“Anderson.” Her voice is half-reproach, half-fear. Her hands grip the wood railing behind her. “Please.”

Against my better judgment, I stop. Breathe. “No one’s holding you here. You’ve healed. You’re well-rested. You can go now.”

“Seriously?”

Over the weeks I’ve spied on Harper, I’ve learned a lot about her.

This look is one I haven’t seen before. Thiscuriosity. Thewonderon her face.

She’s been searching for these qualities in herself for months. Told me about this numbness in her heart.

She’ll have it back in no time.

She’ll haveme.

“Yes, seriously.”Absolutely not.

“And you’ll leave me alone?” Harper rubs her arms, though it isn’t cold outside. She tucks a lock of her hair behind her ear. I wish I were the one doing that.

Touching her.

“Anderson?”

“Go home, Miss Arlington.”

Home, where I have cameras watching you. Home, where you’ll sleep, with only a thin wall separating us.

Home, where I swapped your pills for mints.

I slide a pair of flip-flops her way. I kept them here by the door sine I had a feeling she’d run out of here first chance she got. That she’d want me, but still be confused enough to flee like a bird that just learned to flap its wings.

No way was I going to let her walk outside barefoot.