Page 32 of Ruled By Their Desires

Her parents talked while she kept her eyes on her plate and a smile fixed to her face when they spoke to her, wondering how quickly she could get away from the dinner from hell. She was off kilter. Him being there in their personal space was rocking her foundation. He didn’t belong here.

And what the hell was that kiss? In front of her dad?

She nearly face palmed. Thank god her mother hadn’t seen it.

This was their sanctuary, and he was ruining it by being here. Asking for her plate, her father cut into her thoughts as he filled it and passed it back doing the same for her mother, then Marcus and finally his own.

Too late she realised, she was stuck with no way out. She’d have to suck it up.

They passed the gravy and she concentrated on eating and drinking, managing to get the pleasantries out. “This is good mom thank you.” They all talked around her, her parents pulling Marcus into the conversation about the base. They tried with her too, but she had nothing to say they’d want to hear and thought it better to keep her mouth shut. Her nerves were frayed enough, her body on a knives edge, how the hell she swallowed any food she didn’t know.

Picking through her food, she kept her glass topped up wishing for that something stronger. After a while, her mother sighed loudly. That was never a good sign.

“So I’m guessing by the silent treatment Moon is dishing out, you two still haven’t sorted out your issues.” she sounded pained. Moon had a moment of doubt. “Isn’t it time?” her mother asked. She frowned. “Moon you love him, you’ve always loved him and you Marcus, you’ve always loved her too. Everyone knows it but you two!” Her mother threw her arms in the air.

Moons mouth dropped open. She picked up the wine fully intending to neck the damn bottle.

What the fuck?

“Actually, we are getting on better than ever Julie.” Her head swung in his direction not sure she was hearing right, narrowing her eyes. “We’re talking and working together. Isn’t that right Moon.”

He needed to shut the fuck up….

She wanted to shove that food down his throat and make him choke on it. Refilling her glass with a shaky hand she picked it up taking a huge swallow. “In fact today, was quite the milestone in both of us understanding that endeavour and what it’s going to mean going forward.” She choked on her wine.

He didn’t….

“Really?”

Oh god her mother sounded so hopeful it was embarrassing….

“Oh yes, we’ve come to quite an understanding. Quite a few of them actually and I intend to make sure we build on that progress. Daily. Several times a day if possible.”

Now she frowned at him. Knocking back the rest of that glass.

He wasn’t suggesting….

“Well I’m glad to hear it.” her mother sounded jubilant. “She’s not getting any younger and I want those babies!”

Scratch a needle on a record. The room stilled. Her eyes flared and her anger roared through her. Exploding at last.

Her own mother wanted her to have….. babies, plural, with… Marcus.

It felt like the ultimate betrayal that was it. She was done and did choke this time and stood, knocking her chair over as she took a breath.

“What the fuck!” she exploded. “Am I in the twilight zone?” she asked her father. Who gave no reaction. So she turned to her mother. “What the hell are you talking about? Discussing me with him like I’m not even here. Like I have no choice. I’ve told you repeatedly, over and over again, not happening.” Her mum went to protest but she put her hand up and turned to Marcus. “And you,” she sneered. “You think you’re in now? Some playing around cos I had a moment of weakness and you think that’s all it takes? “ she laughed mechanically at him.

“This would be hilarious if it wasn’t so fucking sad. You’re more delusional than I gave you credit for. So let me be clear, we are not a thing, will never be a thing. I have NO intention of being anything other than what I am right now. Got it?” And left the room throwing her arms in the air. “Fuck!” she shouted out.

Dinner was over. She needed to get out of there before she killed someone.

She went straight to her room and started pulling clothes of racks and out of drawers. It was time to go.

She’d been back five damn minutes and it started again. Now Marcus had inserted himself in to her life. That had to stop. The quad turned up like they’d heard every damn word and watched her. She couldn’t even shout at them she was so pissed. Grabbing the two bags she’d packed, she went to walk out but Hawks arm barred her.

“Going somewhere little bit?”

“Yeah on vaca, haven’t you heard the wars over. Mother’s marrying me off to some douche fuck job and I thought I’d catch some rays at Venice Beach before that happened.” There were several sniggers. The only thing she’d catch in Venice Beach was a KC. But they got the inference. She was spitting blood.

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