Page 122 of Toxic

I didn’t even know what to feel now—disappointment? Anger? Hope?

Was I really supposed to do something so cruel now, go to Liam and say, "Hey, I’m breaking up with you because—bummer—my emails didn’t get through to Skye?"

It was all so absurd and tragic, like some dark comedy drama.

That night, I sat curled up on my bed, staring at the wall when Liam came over.

He sat next to me and wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his head on my shoulder. "I ran you a warm bath. I can see you’re a bit tense today. Wouldn’t you like to relax?"

Liam was still trying! Every single day, he kept trying, doing everything he could to make me like him the way he wanted me to… the way he, to be honest, deserved.

"Thanks, maybe I do need that," I muttered and stood up, gently freeing myself from his embrace. I headed to the bathroom, where a warm bath awaited me, filled with bubbles and scented oils.

I stripped down and got into the water, but just as I submerged myself, the door opened, and Liam walked in.

Recently, he rarely came in when I was already inside, so it was a bit surprising.

"Mind if I join you?"

Now that he was here, it was hard to kick him out. I slowly nodded.

"I’ve got something for you, Soren."

Oh no, not a gift. This could only end one way: awkwardly.

But the worst part was still coming! Liam started undressing slowly, and I just froze, staring at him in panic. He’d never undressed in front of me before—not even at the beach over the weekend. We both wore those swim shirts omegas often use. I had a chest like many omegas, and I had no desire to show it off on the beach, trying to avoid any whistling alphas. As for Liam, he probably wanted to hide that his muscles weren’t exactly impressive. For a beta, he was rather willowy, but not completely bony—he definitely had some ass on him.

Now, however, he didn't seem to care about any of that. He pulled up his T-shirt, revealing his lean chest. Then unexpectedly, he turned around, and, with shock, I saw a large tattoo on his back, spreading between his shoulder blades! Itwas an artistic design of swirling lines that formed one word: ‘Soren’.

No, I didn’t see that coming. I froze, tempted to curse under my breath with every vulgar profanity I knew. I stared and stared, my brain going completely blank. What had this idiot done? He had tattooed my name on his skin in his twisted need to appeal to me.

Now I just HAD to feel guilty about refusing to have sex with him! The fucker…

Liam slowly turned to face me and studied my expression for a moment.

"Why did you do that, Liam? Tattoos aren’t easy to remove," I choked out, fighting through the tightness in my jaw.

"But I don’t plan on removing it."

Fuck, fuck, fuck!

He pulled off his shorts and stood naked in front of me. I made a conscious effort not to look at his crotch—I really didn’t want to see what he had there. Liam slowly approached the tub and, to my yet another shock, lifted his leg to step into the water.

"What are you doing?" I shrieked out in disbelief.

He didn’t answer. In no time, he was in the bathtub, straddling my hips and lowering himself into the water with me. His butt settled on my lap, but if he was expecting to find something hard there, he was disappointed. My dick set a record for shrinkage.

But he didn’t seem discouraged. He placed his hands on my shoulders and leaned in toward my lips. I wanted to turn my head away, but for God’s sake, he had tattooed my name on his back! Trap! What was I supposed to do? Slap him?

His lips moved over mine, seeking access, but I stubbornly kept them closed. And still, that didn’t deter him. He pulled back, then turned around and lowered himself again, laying with his back against me so that his plump butt was on my groin, andhis shoulder blades rested against my chest. He also placed his head on my shoulder.

In any other situation, this position might have been sweet and intimate. Two lovers relaxing in a tub full of warm, bubbly water. But I couldn’t enjoy it. I felt his fleshy ass cheeks pressing against my private parts. Any other guy would probably be excited about Liam’s meaty ass, but I didn't care about asses. What I wanted was for the other person to be interested in… my ass! I tried—really tried—for a moment to stir up something more in myself, but I couldn’t. Nothing worked. I didn’t even feel the slightest twinge in my crotch. I had no desire to penetrate him—it was me, who wanted to be penetrated. But the only problem was—not by him.

I realized that Liam had slipped his hand under the water, moving it toward his dick. I squeezed my eyes shut as I understood what he was doing.

A trap—like I said. How was I supposed to deal with this? I had locked myself in this nightmare, and there was no end in sight. Was I ready to end it anyway?

Liam and I were best friends for years.

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