Page 28 of Bloodlust

"It seems like a place worth exploring," he replies,taking a step back from me. "The darkest minds often hold the most treasure."

"You think I have a dark mind?" I ask, frowning. "How do you know?"

Dr. Malcolm smiles. "It's my job, Miss Bianco."

"You're a shrink, not a god," I say, feeling Malik's presence moving closer to me. I pocket Hayden's business card. "That's the problem with all you doctors. You think that you know everything."

"You seem to have a doctor complex," he notes. "We can talk about that if you would like."

"I don't talk."

"You talk plenty, Miss Bianco," he says. "You're practically screaming right now."

"I don't?—"

"Enjoy your evening," he says as Malik stumbles toward me and glares at Hayden. "Goodbye."

"Who was that?" Malik asks, peering down at me.

"No one," I say, watching Hayden disappear inside. I'm no longer numb. "Let's go."

"Where are we going?" Malik asks. "I need to finish my dessert."

"No." I smirk up at him as I grab his balls and give them an expert tug. "You seem more of a spice man to me."

Malik's eyes close as he lets out a squealing groan. "Yes, mommy."

See? They're all deranged.

Well...maybe notall.

Yet.

Chapter 8

Break

Dirty.

I feel dirty. Like my skin is covered in grease and grime and garbage. It's been days, and I can't wash it away. It's stuck on me, soaking into my pores, spreading through my system like a disease.

I just want to be clean.

Please.

I reach for the wash brush, closing my eyes as scalding hot water spurts down my body. I press the bristles against my arms and scrub. I scrub and scrub and scrub until it hurts. Until his scent is gone. Until the evidence of his touch vanishes. Until he's no longer a part of me.

I did what I had to do. I don't regret it. I don't. It was necessary. A tiny little sacrifice in the grand scheme of things. Regular business is always dirty. And ours? It's filthy.

I just... I didn't expect to feel so defiled.

I like games, I do, but only when I makethe rules. And even though Malik was playing bymyrules, it somehow seemed likehisgame.

And I hate that.

Ifuckinghate that.

Letting out a sigh, I turn off the water, a shiver instantly gripping my spine as I step out of the shower. I grab a white towel off the hook and wrap it around my body, frowning as I glide my fingers against the soft material.

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