Page 115 of Seeds of Malice

He doesn't. Rage flares around him.

I don't know why.

I kissed Bobby.

No, he kissed me.

Dax pulls me into another bedroom and slams the door. He spins me against it. He snarls, "Is that who you want? Bobby?"

There's something other than anger in his tone. Is it vulnerability?

Maybe I'm making it up since I've been drinking.

No, it's there.

"Well?" he questions, and it sounds a tad desperate, making me feel guilty and horrible.

But I've never wanted Bobby's lips on mine, so I object. "I didn't kiss him. He kissed me. I tried to push him away, but he wouldn't stop. You saw it!"

"Didn't look that way to me," Dax claims.

"No." I shake my head and then I wince. It's painful and makes me dizzy, and I curse myself for letting Bobby pressure me into the shots and then downing his.

"You kissed him back," Dax states.

"I didn't."

"You did. Marcey saw the same thing I did. Your fingers relaxed on his chest."

"What? No," I deny, but Dax keeps his narrow gaze pinned on me in disapproval.

I cry out, "It's Avery's fault. She wouldn't stop. I just want to be good enough to fit in here. But every time I turn around, everybody's out to get me. I don't understand why."

"Didn't look like you were that mad at Avery a minute ago," he accuses.

"That's not true!"

"Isn't it? Pretty sure you would have played tongue tag with Avery had I not interfered," he claims.

"Not true," I declare, as tears fall down my cheeks. And I can't stop them.

Dax stares at me a moment, then takes several slow breaths. My waterworks continue, and the fire in his eyes doesn't cease.

I'm scared I'm going to lose him. "Please. I love you. I don't want Bobby or your sister. I wantyou."

He doesn't reply.

My silent tears turn into a sob. I'm so confused and frustrated. Dax is the only person who's been kind to me and welcomed me. Now he thinks I don't want him.

Something changes in his expression. He pulls me into him, and I keep sobbing until his shirt's soaking wet. I slowly look up, sniffling. "I only want you, Dax. I love you!"

He takes a deep breath, then turns his face away from mine, grinding his molars.

Did I just say I love him?

My insides quiver harder.

"Dax?" I question, not wanting him to be done with me. He's quickly become my everything, and all I want is him.

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