Page 56 of Inevitable

“That's not fair, M. You don't know the whole story,” Bash accused. I was taken aback.

“Then tell me the whole story, Bash. Make me understand because all I get from this is that you're giving up and letting your dad run your life without even trying to fight it,” I retorted, but I was losing the energy to argue about it anymore since nothing I said would affect the outcome.

“I can't fight it, M! I told you it would be insanely selfish of me to do so, especially because of what I stand to lose. I can't take that risk!” Bash's eyes were wide and begging me to understand his reasoning, but it was pointless. We'd never see eye to eye on this since all I could seewas him letting me go.

“Then I'm so sorry, BB…I really am,” I breathed, waving the white flag once and for all.

“Sorry for what?” Bash asked, the panic clear in his tone. “What does that mean, M?”

I forced myself to hold his gaze, not wanting to forget a single detail of those haunting, irresistible emerald irises. “It hurts too much to know what it's like to have you, but not be with you. I can't just be friends with you anymore…not when I'll always see you as something else.”

“Then make me something else. Let me be more than a friend,” Bash said, strong and sure.

It had me freezing in place, not wanting to guess at what he was saying. I needed the words. “What would you be?…”

He reached for my face, cupping my jaw while his eyes roamed over me as if he were memorizing every inch. “Let me be yours. Only yours.”

I was speechless, my heart beating so wildly in my chest that I could nearly feel it against my ribs. I didn't want to move or breathe for fear that I was still asleep in bed with Bash and would wake up realizing this was just a dream.

Bash lowered his forehead to mine and breathed in deep, “I can't just be your friend anymore either, Micah. I can't have only one night, baby. I need them all.”

He barely got the words past his lips before I was devouring him, throwing my arms around his neck and giving him everything I had in me. Every breath, every heartbeat, every drop of blood was his. Every atom that made up my being was completely his.

I broke the kiss, panting heavily and grinning from ear to ear. “Bash, are you serious? You're really going to do this with me? Ainsley's gone for good?”

Bash's smile fell off his face, looking worried and my stomach dropped. “M, I can't break up with her…if I do, my dad will follow through with shit that Icannothave happen. But I will never touch her again and I'll be only yours, always! It shouldn't matter!” he exclaimed, trying to kiss me again but I pulled out of his grasp.

“Wait, of course it fucking matters, B. You're telling me that you're going to keep being Ainsley's perfect, golden boyfriend and what? Bang me behind her back like some side piece?” I asked incredulous and angry. Bash's eyebrows shot up at my crude words, looking flustered.

“What? No! You are not a fucking side piece! Micah, you are everything to me!”

I looked him dead on, willing him to see that I wouldn't back downfrom this. I deserved more. I was willing to admit that much at least.

“Then prove it. Tell me that you'll break things off with Ainsley and just bemine. Tell me that you couldn't stand being with me in the shadows while she gets to have you in the light,” I challenged, praying that I wasn't about to lose everything I had come so close to finally having.

Bash just gaped at me, offering no words of reassurance or oaths of love. No fealty sworn or promises of banished girlfriends. Nope. He had no words for me now.

Frustrated and close to angry crying, I gathered my clothes and dressed in record time, heading toward his front door.

“Baby, wait! Stop!” Bash pleaded, snapping out of his shell-shocked state and coming after me. I stopped and turned on him so fast that he came within two inches of knocking into me. He must have practically felt the anger radiating off of me and took a step back nervously.

“No. Do not “baby” me until you figure out what you are going to do about this. You are either picking me or Ainsley. You can either say “fuck you” to your father or let him rule your life. You can't have both. Call me when you get your shit together because I willneverbe okay with being your dirty secret,” I barked at him, not waiting for his response as I stomped out of his apartment, slamming the front door behind me.

*****

I was upset and irritated beyond belief as I headed home from Bash's apartment. I understood that he was worried about dumping Ainsley and incurring some great retribution from his dad, but I couldn't think of anything that would be bad enough to be forced into an engagement at twenty one years old. Mr. Backwards-Ass Dupont was basically pimping out his son to Ainsley and her parents, which I wasn't terribly shocked about, but to go so far as to threaten him? And with something clearly big enough that it had Bash terrified to go against him, even for me?

There was definitely more to that situation than Bash was telling me, and that frustrated me even more. What happened to telling each other everything?Son of a cocktail, I need a fucking drink. It's 10am, so one or five mimosas couldn't hurt…

Although, underneath all the annoyance and simmering anger there was also…elation. Sleeping with Bash was absolutely life-changing, and it wasn't even the first time for us. It might as well have been where Bash was concerned, but it was beyond what I had dared to hope for. The way he handled me so perfectly and made me fall apart under those talented fingers was a religious experience, and dear Heaven above, that filthy mouth of his would be my undoing. I couldn't even begin to imagine what sex would be like with him or I might have burst into flames right there from my sinful thoughts alone.

All my lewd imaginings were brought to a screeching halt when I saw who was standing in front of my apartment door, looking none too pleased.Oh, goodie…a two for one shitshow sale going on today. First the fight with Bash, and now I have to end things with…

“Kit? What are you doing here?” I asked him, baffled that he was back early from his trip and that he was waiting here for me. I definitely didn't miss a call or text from him, so it was out of the blue. I awkwardly stepped around him to unlock my door and let us inside.

Kit's eyes held a glint of displeasure and his jaw appeared locked down tight, but I didn't understand why he'd be upset. Yeah, I had turned down the visit to his parents' house over the break, but surely he couldn't still be annoyed over that. I didn't want to give it a ton of thought because this conversation needed to be kept as short as possible.

“Thought I'd surprise you when I got back in today. Why didn't you text me while I was gone? Are you just now getting home? Where were you?” he questioned, an edge to his voice that didn't sit well with me.

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