Page 27 of Heavy

“Wait!” I step away from Ronan, and this time he doesn’t resist. “It’s dangerous over on this side, lots of nails. Come on, I’ll walk you out.”

“Will you come?” She wraps her arm around my shoulder, and I mirror her around the waist.

I swallow. “Yeah, I’ll be there.”

“I’ll need your support. Thank you, Cal. I’m not too interested in meeting his brother, but having you there will help.”

She’s genuinely concerned. Ronan can’t be that bad… can he?

I glance over my shoulder to see him rising, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off tension. Our eyes lock, but instead of a smile, I’m met with that same cold, unyielding gaze—one that ignites a desire deep within me. One I know I should run from, not want to drown in.

They say you attract what you are.

Whether it's him, the monster, drawing me in, or me, the darkness, pulling him toward me… I can't say.

10

Ronan

Nowthatwasentertaining.My intention was to mess with her, and I was quite successful.

I’d already received the text from my brother asking if I would come for dinner, and agreed to go. I want to understand why it was so imperative to Calista that she stay here with me, and not her parents.

I’d been working out, turning the garage into a makeshift sauna, when a ping from the security feed alerted me to a car pulling into the driveway. It looked expensive—not the same as Eamon’s when he picked me up. I assumed it was one of her friends, but to my delight it turned out to be her mother.

I’ll be honest, I may have fucked myself over. I didn’t plan to touch her, but when I saw the goosebumps rising on her skin as my fingers hovered close, resisting her became impossible. I meant what I said to Ken. I don’t plan on fucking her, but I never said I wouldn’t touch.

Now, as I lean against the table I’d been hiding behind moments ago, Calista walks back into the house, her face flushed crimson, her gaze fixed on the floor.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I smirk.

“Thank you,” she says before taking a deep breath. “Please don’t go to dinner.”

I wet my bottom lip, sucking in air through my teeth before letting out a low tut. “You don’t get to tell me what to do, baby girl. Who am I to skip a family gathering?” My tone is laced with mockery, leaning into the edge of condescension. She lied and ran from me, so I’m going to be an asshole and tease the fuck out of her.

Her stunning green eyes finally meet mine, and I can see the silent plea in the slight quiver of her bottom lip. It’s cute, in that bratty kind of way. I shouldn’t be attracted to it, but alas, I’m fighting an erection.

She doesn't say a word. Instead, she throws her head back and turns toward the hallway leading to the bedrooms.

I take two wide strides and block her path. She’s getting better at not touching me, and if I weren’t such a prick I’d praise her for doing what she’s been told. Except, it’s the bare minimum I’ve asked—no, demanded. If she’s a good girl, like earlier, I’ll leave her alone. Until then…

“You know.” I tuck one hand into my pocket, and rest the other against the wall, leaning into it. “You smell so much better than you did before.”

Her sharp intake of air gets caught. “My pussy, or my body wash.”

Her cunt smelled fucking divine, and I imagine she tastes just as perfect.

“Be careful with that tongue of yours, or else.” I huff out a laugh. “Cucumber, I think is what that is. Now you don’t smell like ass.”

Her eyes widen. “Fuck you, I didn’t smell like ass. Just because you don’t like the smell of coconut and vanilla doesn’t constitute you being a dick!”

“Just use the lotion, it works perfectly fine.”

My head ticks, and I take a step back. “Keep in mind, I’ll burn this place down if you bring that smell in here again.”

She basically shouts in my face. “What is with you? Why are you so—”

“Violent?” I cut her off. “You have no idea what that word means if you think what I’ve done thus far is under that definition, baby girl.”