Page 32 of Origins

She wrapped it around her body as if to hide from me. But that didn’t derail my train of thought.

“Callie, if you’re pregnant, I need to know,” I said, trying to sound stern rather than anxious.

“For fuck’s sake.” She scrubbed her face with her free hand. “I’m not pregnant! Also, having your boyfriend think that doesn’t feel good, in case you were wondering.”

I looked away from her and tried to hide just howguilty that made me feel. I was used to sleeping around with girls, but none of them, and I mean absolutely none of them, stayed around. That was all to say that Callie was my only real venture into the world of women.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” I explained, trying to keep my thoughts as clean as possible. “If it helps, it looks good on you.”

Callie’s jaw practically dropped before she pointed to the bathroom door.

“Out,” she ordered.

I hesitated, not wanting to leave our argument at this, but the intensity in her gaze made it clear she wasn’t about to let this slide.

“Get. Out,” she repeated, her hand slightly trembling as she did.

“Callie—”

“Leave!” Angry tears brimmed in her eyes as she swallowed. “Or I’m calling my sister and asking her to come get me.”

That threat hit me harder than any punch ever could. I’d fucked up so badly that she was ready to walk away as long as it meant not having to look at me right now. So, I raised my hands in mock surrender.

“I’m going,” I whispered, taking a step back.

She didn’t respond. Instead, she looked away. I waited just a moment longer, hoping she’d change her mind or say something to help me feel better about what just happened. But those words never came, and I knew better than to push it.

So, I left, slowly shutting the door behind me. After a beat of silence, a muffled sob echoed from behind the door. Part of me wanted to barge back in, but I didn’t. Instead, I silently vowed that I would never let anyone, including myself, make Callie cry ever again.

***

Callie eventually emerged from the bathroom with damp hair, dressed in my shirt.

Part of me hoped she’d forgotten about our disagreement and would fall into my arms. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the chance. The second she was within my grasp, Kane claimed his reward.

She rested her head on his chest, and he brought her pizza closer so she didn’t have to reach far. Jace asked her what she wanted to watch, and she ended up picking a movie that felt like it documented a realistic kidnapping. But while everyone else ate and watched the movie, I was fixated on Callie—mostly on the fact that she was ignoring me.

At first, I convinced myself it was justified—I deserved to be punished after what happened in the bathroom. But as the minutes dragged on, my patience thinned, especially because I had a feeling that Callie knew exactly what she was doing.

She wanted to drive me crazy, and it was working.

I wondered if she was in my head right now, reveling in how much space she was taking up in my thoughts. And if she was, I wanted to take this opportunity to prove just how far I was willing to go.

She looked so comfortable with Kane, and while I loved that, it stirred something deep within me. Something dark and possessive, something I wasn’t sure either of us would be ready for.

I wanted the world to know she was mine. I wanted a way to keep her connected to me. A way there was no escaping from. Something that would link us together no matter how far she ran. She wouldn’t be able to ignore me then.

I let out a low, rumbly breath as my cock pressed into my jeans.

Angel, are you in my head?I thought, daring her to give me some sort of sign.

It wasn’t immediate, but after a moment, she shot me a fleeting glance. One in which her eyes met mine before she quickly grabbed another slice of pizza, trying to hide it.

But she could only hide so well. Her hand trembled slightly as she reached for the pizza.

Angel, if this is your attempt at punishing me, I’m giving you three seconds to stop. Or else.

Her breath hitched ever so slightly as she returned to Kane, and I knew, without a doubt, that my sweet, sweet angel was doing her best to be mean. That knowledge caused my desire to burn hotter.

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