Page 36 of Finding Gwen

“My flight is booked and I’m coming out to see you! Just two more weeks, sweet pea!” Ivy squealed into the phone, nearly causing me to drop it into the sink full of water.

“How long are you staying?” I asked, scrubbing away at a pot that I believe Anthony used to make scrambled eggs. There was no way I was letting him near the stove any time soon unless he learned how to properly use non-stick cooking spray and correct cookware.

“Just a week. But to tell you the truth, my contract is up with the hotel soon and I think it’s time I start living close to my bestie again. I’m going to look at places to work and apartments while I’m out there.” Ivy seemed excited, and I was happy thinking about Ivy being in the same state as me. While our friendship has not wavered a bit since my move to Chicago, it wasn’t the same. Though, she hadn’t been too happy with me when I told her about the attack two days after it happened. She threatened to hop into a plane right then if Anthony wasn’t going to keep me safe. Even Carol felt awful, saying I would have never been put in that situation if she hadn’t left me there alone.

“How have you been doing?” Ivy’s question pulled me back to the present.

“I’m okay,” I sighed. It had been weeks since the incident. For the most part, things were back to normal, and I was feeling more like myself. There were still times when I was skittish, especially with loud noises, and would wake up suddenly from nightmares.

None of that was an excuse for the sexual back-and-forth Anthony had been putting me through. One minute, his hands would be exploring every inch of my skin, but the next, he would pull away and ignore all of my advances. I was frustrated, to say the least. There was a wetness gathering between my legs even now.

“Any news about that dumbass ex of yours?” Ivy asked.

“No. The police in Pittsburgh haven’t been able to serve him with the restraining order because they don’t know where he’s at, if he’s even in Pennsylvania. Honestly, I don’t care.” I shrugged, scrubbing harder at the burnt eggs. “It’s been months since he showed up here. I think Anthony successfully scared him away.”

“Well, I hope for your sake, something bad has happened to him and he’s gone for good,” Ivy said. I would never say it out loud, but I agreed with her. “I’ll text you the flight details. Call me soon, okay?”

“Of course,” I laughed. “I love your face.”

“Love yours more.” Ivy blew me a kiss, and I returned it.

Just as she ended the call, the sound of the garage door let me know Anthony was home. The door leading into the house slammed closed, a line of expletives following quickly after as heavy footsteps echoed through the kitchen. I jumped, causing water to splash from the kitchen sink onto the floor, keeping my eyes forward while I dropped the dish towel from my shoulder onto the floor to soak up the water.

The hair on the back of my neck stood up as Anthony walked behind me to the fridge, the smell of pine and bourbon lingering in the air around me as I followed him out of the corner of my eye. Anthony pulled out a beer, opening it and drinking half of it before he closed the door. He turned toward me and I looked away, not sure what kind of mood he was going to be in.

“Is everything okay?” I asked softly. All signs pointed to Anthony having had a rough day, and I didn’t want to make it worse.

“Just great,” he paused. “You didn’t have to get those. I would have done them in the morning.”

“That’s what you said yesterday, and the day before that,” I muttered, not sure if he’d hear me, while I put the now clean pan in the drying rack. The chuckle coming from him told me he did. “It’s not funny Anthony!” I whipped around to see he had snuck up beside me. A smile stretched across his face as he placed the bottle down on the counter next to me. He knew just how much it annoyed me that he constantly left dirty dishes in the sink for days at a time.

I turned back around to drain the water from the sink and he moved behind me, warmth radiating from him and setting my skin on fire. His arms around my waist teasing the waistband of my pants with his fingers as he kissed my shoulder. I sighed, leaning into his touches and laying my head back. A shiver ran down my spine when his fingertips brushed over my hips and his lips found the crook of my neck. I pushed against him with my hands gripping the edge of the sink, feeling his hard cock pressing against my lower back.

“Anthony…” I moaned, wanting more and ready to beg if needed. His body froze against mine before he slowly pulled away.

I spun on my heels, pissed that this was happening once again. This time, though, I wasn’t going to just let him walk away. Our gazes locked, and it became a stare down, each of us waiting for the other to break.

It was me.

I shoved at his chest, wanting some kind of reaction from him. When he didn’t, I tried again, and this time one of his hands wrapped around both of my wrists, pulling me close to him and pinning them against his chest. He dipped his head close to my ear, the rough stubble on his jaw rubbing against mine and sending electricity down my spine.

“You do not want to do this right now,” he growled. His tongue flicked at my earlobe as if he couldn’t help himself and I was once again putty in his hands. As quickly as he started, he stopped. Anthony pressed his forehead against mine, our breathing the only sound in the kitchen.

“What if I do?” I whispered.

“I can’t—,” he started, pulling away to look down at me, but I cut him off.

“Let go of me,” I demanded, my voice surprisingly steady with the amount of emotions flowing through me. He immediately dropped my wrists, taking several steps back with his head down, refusing to look at me. Anger was rising in my chest, the constant rejection from someone who weeks ago worshiped my body finally causing me to snap.

“What the hell, Anthony? Why are we doing this back-and-forth dance after everything that has happened? Did you finally realize I wasn’t worth the trouble?” His head snapped up and his eyes found mine once again. They darkened, a warning to stop, but I needed to say this.

“The last three weeks have been nothing short of torture, having you touch me in all the right places and then having you pull away as soon as things start getting good. You have been treating me like I’m going to break at any second. I’m not some fragile flower, Anthony. Do you regret what you did? Cause I sure as hell don’t. If you don’t want to do this, if you don’t want me, then say it cause I can’t do this anymore.” I was yelling by this point, my chest rising and falling angrily as I let out all the emotions I had bottled up for the last three weeks. Anthony didn’t move the entire time, his gaze fixed on me. Irritation replaced the anger that had been coursing through my veins.

“Message received. If you don’t need anything else, I’m going downstairs before I start throwing dishes.” I rolled my eyes as I turned to leave the kitchen. Anthony stopped my retreat by stepping in front of me. “Move, Anthony.”

“Did you just roll your eyes, luce mia?” His voice was as intense as his stare.

“And if I did?” Don’t do it Gwen. Don’t poke the bear. “Nothing you can do about it.” I poked the bear. The glint in his eye and every instinct in my mind told me to run. But I was frozen in place by all the thoughts of what I wanted him to do.

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