Page 260 of Obsession

“Why?!” I repeated the question, emphasizing that the reason should have been obvious. “Harris, it’s a car, for heaven’s sake! A very expensive one, I’m sure.”

He pulled his lower lip between his teeth and I realized that he was struggling not to laugh.

“Mmm,” he said, pressing his lips together to hide the laughter.

That was it? That’s all he could say? Now I was really losing it.

“Why?” I asked the simplest question, but the only one I wanted an answer to.

He hugged me and ran his fingers through my hair.

“Because I want you to have all the peace and comfort I can offer. A car was necessary. There will be days when I won’t be able to drive you to school or anywhere else. I don’t want you to be dependent on anyone else.”

I narrowed my eyes, because it seemed like he was subtly referring to Zac.

“You thought about getting me a car when Zac drove me home?”

He bit his tongue and evaded the answer.

“Unbelievable,” I sighed, and he finally let out his laugh.

“That was one of the reasons, but not the main one. I just wanted to give you a present.”

“I would have been happy with a flower, you know?”

He wrinkled his nose, not impressed by my statement.

“Something so cliché?”

I punched his shoulder.

“Flowers will never be a cliché, but I forgot I was having this conversation with a demon.”

He laughed.

“Honestly, baby, it’s no big deal. It’s just a car.”

His words sounded like a synonym for “So, I punched you in the face, it happens” in my head. To him, it really wasn’t a big deal.

An exasperated gasp escaped my lips.

“If you don’t like it, you can tell me, I have others and maybe one of them…”

“What?” I stared at him, shocked by his words.

That was what he had heard from my refusal, that I didn’t like the car.

“Harris, that’s not the point. I have already told you it’s great, but I can’t believe you bought it for me. I can’t accept something like that, not so fast.”

He smiled like he had me right where he wanted me.

“What if I told you I’ve had it for a long time? I never got it out of the garage because it’s not really my color, but it seemed perfect for you.”

“I’m not a redhead,” I arched an eyebrow, and he leaned over and touched his nose to mine.

“No, but you’re pure fire, just like this car. I never knew why I bought it, but now I do. It came here to be yours.”

I quickly typed in the six numbers and everything switched on. I couldn’t help but smile enthusiastically, especially when I noticed the red ambient lights.

---