Page 24 of Consume Me

At times, I wish that were true.

Whenever I notice her stealing glances at me from the corner of my eye, I smirk, enjoying this little back-and-forth between us. I’m thoroughly fucked because I crave her next move… no matter what it is. Control, it was nice meeting you, but I think you just found the opponent to knock you down.

His masculine smell floats around me, making me drunk on him. Danger hangs a dark cloud over our heads again. I feel better knowing he’s here, though. My body will always be safe in his presence. It’s my heart that isn’t.

In the side mirror, I see our friends following us. I trace my finger over the window, doodling random shapes to keep my mind busy.

“What’s on your mind? We both know you can’t keep silent to save your life.”

I bite into my cheek to stifle my smile. “Nothing. Everything.”

“Heavy topics, then?”

“You’re awful at small talk.”

“You still wanted more.”

I suck in all the air in the car. “Happy to have provided youwith some entertainment. I must have been quite the laugh.”

He swerves the car to the side of the road, bringing the car to an abrupt stop. He leans in, our noses almost touching. “I dare you to say that fucking again.”

Tension sizzles in the air, sending an electric current rippling through me. I can’t keep looking at him. His intense eyes bore into me, and there’s hurt flickering in them.

“I don’t even know anymore…”

Horns blare, interrupting our moment.

“Never think that. It wouldn’t be true.”

“Yeah, I mean, we had nothing.”

“Keep that shit up, Mia. But make sure you’re aware of the consequences.”

A delicious shiver runs down my body. I clench my legs instinctively, and tiny breaths puff out of me. It’s astounding how easily he can affect me.

He puts the car back into drive, and the tension accompanied by the silence is so thick it suffocates me.

“Could you tell me where you were and what you did?”

“Traveled by bus from one city to the next. Fought my way through.”

A pensive look crosses his face. This family and I keep him in shackles. I could only have him for a short while. That reality butchers my heart, but I can’t snub out that ember of hope.

“You liked it?”

“I enjoyed knowing I don’t need my last name, this legacy, or family to get by.”

“Did you win them all?”

“I did.”

“And now?”

“Now there’s another fight coming up. One I doubt I will win.”

That silences me.

When we reach the Family compound, he parks the car in front of the estate.

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