Page 29 of Blades of Obsession

If I had known, I would’ve demanded one from a man a long time ago. I’ve been thinking about it all day, the way it made me feel. The way an endorphin-filled rush shot through my whole body and sent a wave of pleasure straight to my core. Twice. The second one was almost unbearable. I thought I was going to pass out.

No. No. No. I shake my head.

This can’t happen. I can’t enjoy the things he does to me. I just have to endure them to keep my father alive,notenjoy them.

But damn it, it felt good.

I’m dragging myself towards the class where my professor always gives me a hard time, the usual sense of dread creeping over me as I make the walk. I come to a stop when my phone rings, the obnoxious ringtone blaring—the one Skye insisted on adding to my phone so mine would “match” hers.

It’s my dad. What does he want?

“Hello?” I answer.

“What are you, a two-dollar whore? Having your tongue in his mouth out in the open like that!” his sneer hits me like a slap, and I gasp at the sudden insult. He didn’t even bother saying hello. “If you like him because he’s rich, you can focus onschool and get a good job instead of being a pathetic gold digger, you know.”

How dare he?

“What? H-how did you—”

“I had someone following you to make sure you were safe and that he wasn’t bothering you too much. Imagine my surprise when I got sent pictures of him grabbing your ass and you kissing him back. Your mother would disown a whore like you if she were still alive.”

My heart drops out of my chest and down to my toes. How can he talk about my mom in that way? I feel a searing pain in my gut, one that serves as a reminder that the one person who’s supposed to love me, doesn’t. The usual embarrassment I would feel knowing my dad saw those pictures is bypassed, and replaced by pureanger.

Screw this.

And screw him.

I’m done with him.

This is my only chance to free myself of the shackles he’s kept on me for so long. And I’m going to take it.

“Dad, I’m going to be with him no matter what you say. And my mother would be dang proud of me for choosing whatIwant because that’s always what she taught me to stand up for.”

I quickly hang up before he has a chance to object or spew another round of hurtful words, my mind heavy with emotions I can’t even explain. I’m finally letting go of my dad—something I’ve dreamed of doing for the last six years.

Now I just have to solidify my decision.

I stare at the message I’ve typed out, my finger hovering over the send button. Do I really want to go through with this? I’m all out of options, really.

I guess there are worse people I could be forced to be with. At least he’s not some disgusting old man who doesn’twash his ass. And he’s my only chance of getting from under the reign of my father.

Okay. Send.

Me: I’m all in <3

Blade: If I knew taking you to dinner would make you like me, I would’ve done it a lot sooner. Or was it the orgasms I gave you? You leaking all over my fingers?

Blade: Your moans sound delicious by the way, I can’t wait until you’re screaming my name for real. Although you may have a hard time speaking when I’m inside you

God, he’s so crude and arrogant. I can picture him smirking, staring down at his phone while typing that. I roll my eyes, but a small smile tugs at my lips as I wipe away the dried tears from my conversation with my dad. Another message chimes in.

Blade: Why are you crying?

My head snaps up, and of course, Rhett is standing off to the side with his phone in hand, eyebrows furrowed as he stares at me.

“You don’t have your own classes to go to?” I yell to him.

“I do. But I’m graduating this year whether I go to them or not,” he says, closing the distance between us.

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