Page 2 of The Fallen Ones

Just before what I knew would be a blazing, intense sweep of pure bliss, I shoved him away.

He blinked at me through hazy green eyes, his blond hair a mess from our steamy session.

“What’s wrong?” His words came out in a breathless rush as he made to reach for me again.

“We can’t do this,” I said, my voice thick and low.

“I think we can.” He let out a soft laugh and came back for more, but I shoved him harder this time.

“We can’t. I-I can’t,” I stammered out. “I’m just…don’t want to.”

“What?” Darkness seeped into his handsome features as he stared back at me from the driver’s seat. “You don’t want to? Your pussy tells a whole different story.” He held up his fingers to show me the dampness still clinging to them from fingering me beneath the streetlights in the parking lot we were in.

“Jace, I’m not interested in having sex. You know about my mom?—”

He let out a scoff and moved back in his seat, his brilliant green eyes focused ahead of us and not at me.

“Lily, a relationship involves sex. So what? You want to be with me but not actuallybewith me? How is that supposed to work?”

“I don’t know,” I whispered. “Maybe it doesn’t.”

He snapped his attention back at me. “What aren’t you saying? You want to break up with me?”

I swallowed hard, knowing it was the best option and would set him free so he could have what he wanted. Clearly, I wasn’t able to give him what he needed and keeping him around was selfish.

“Yes,” I finally said, my voice so soft I wasn’t even sure he heard it.

“No,” he snapped back at me, making me jump in my seat. “I want you.”

I shook my head, taking in the wild look in his eyes. I always knew there was a little undercurrent of darkness in Jace, but I was really catching a glimpse of it now.

“I-I can’t. I’ve let this go on too long.” I fumbled with the handle on the door, hating myself more than I’d ever hated anything in my life because deep down, I did care deeply for Jace. Maybe even more, and I’d be doing us both a disservice by continuing on when I didn’t even know what I wanted.

“I can’t give you what you want.” I pushed the door open and tried to flee, but Jace was fast and was on me in a moment, shoving me roughly against his car, his hands cradling my face.

“You belong to me, Lily,” he whispered fiercely. “I want you. You can run from me all you want, but Iwillhave you. You just need to fucking let go. If you do this and leave, one day you’ll let your guard down for a moment. Then… I’ll own every fucking part of you there is to own. I promise you that.” He released me and backed away, the darkness oozing from him now.

I stared back at him for a moment before getting my wits about me.

“We’re done, Jace.” My words came out in a cracked sob before I quickly pushed past him and went to my apartment. It wasn’t until I was in tears safely inside that I went to my window and peered down to see him still standing outside, staring up at me.

And the darkness I’d seen from him tonight?

It positively engulfed him.

Slowly, I backed away and let out a deep breath, more tears making their way down my cheeks.

I often made wishes.

Tonight I made another one.

That Jace would force me to break my vow and change me. Morph me into something really beautiful that could be free.

Until then, I’d just be me.

And this me was alone.

Chapter 2

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