Page 49 of Brutal Kingdom

I chuckle darkly, imaging a situation that would result in her having to marry me. Now that would be the perfect way to make her pay for what she did. We’d have a two-year engagement, making the rounds in public, appearing in the society pages. The perfect couple. Then, as soon as grad school was over, I’d lock her away from the world. Oh, I’d let her go to work and a few mandatory social functions, but other than that, she’d have no life outside of me and my wants, needs and desires.

A car honks, breaking my fantasy.Fuck. What the hell is wrong with me? Ido notwant a life with her.

Turning the key in the ignition, I ignore the voice in the back of my head, callingmea liar.

I came right home and hopped in the shower, to wash the stress of today away. Too bad there’s nothing I can do to wash away the memory of Logan’s cruel words or his punishing touch. I step out of the shower, wrapping my robe around me, belting it tightly at the waist. Padding over to the bench where my bag is, I pull out a clean pair of panties, carefully stepping into them, and placing each foot back on top of my shower shoes.

The contractors are still working on this building. They started at the bottom, jumped to the roof and worked on the third floor last week. My floor looks like a disaster area. They gutted the empty rooms and the shower at the end of the hall, so I’m traveling down five flights of stairs to shower six days a week. The seventh day, I spend with Kassidy and use hers.

I pull on my bra next and then the sweat pants and t-shirt I’ll be wearing to dinner tonight. Looking around to make sure I didn’t forget anything, I pick up my shower caddy and slog back up to the seventh floor.

I feel better once I’m back in my room. The week after I moved in here, there was a fumigation notice on the building, so I went home to see my mom. When I got back that Monday, my room was deep cleaned. I also had a new bed and furniture and a fresh coat of paint on the walls.

My heart plummets a little when I think of this afternoon and the way Logan spoke to me, and my reaction to being close to him even in his anger. Is this what I’m always gonna feel when he’s around? Burning hate and unquenchable lust?

Exhaling forcefully to relieve more tension, I remind myself that this is just a small layover on the way to the rest of my life. Next year, I’ll be in grad school at NYU. That’s hours away from here and I won’t have to see his sexy smug face any more, or endure his hateful words or torturous gazes.

Logan hates me as much as I hate him. I thought my revenge plan would finally quell the ache and need I have when I see him, but it didn’t even make a dent. How is that level of passion and attraction still there, and how do I get rid of it?

I don’t have time to dry my hair, so I pull it up in a messy bun, and slip my keys in my pocket. I grab my phone and turn out the lights on my way out the door. Giving the door a good shake to make sure it’s locked, I jog down the steps and out of the building to meet Kassidy.

She’s waiting for me in front of the dining hall, a huge smile on her face. I’m surprised when she pulls me into a hug. “Hey, what’s that for?”

“I just got my test back, and I aced that fucker.”

“Like I knew you would.”

“Thanks so much for the late night quiz session last week. I know you were tired of hearing me go over the DSM-5.”

“Nonsense. I was happy to help.” I hold the door open for her to step through first. It’s a safety mechanism. She goes in first and alerts me to impending danger.

“All clear.” She says as I step up beside her. Should I tell her I got hit with a grenade earlier today? Looking at her face and how happy she is that she aced her exam, I decide to hold that off until later. The topic of Logan and the BPs is a mood killer.

Since she’s celebrating, we decide to do full service. We grab our number and pick a table, waiting for a server to come take our order.

“How was your interview?” She asks once we’re seated.

“I feel great about it. I know he’s seeing more candidates with way more experience than me, but it was nice to talk about art and what I’ve done and my vision with someone who really gets it.”

She nods. “I get that. It’s like talking about human behavior. People may have a passing interest or want free advice, but the conversation is just way more meaningful when it’s someone who speaks the same language.”

She flips the menu over, reading the back. “So what’s up with the dorms. They still have it looking like a construction site over there?”

“Yup, and I still get my steps in to go shower.”

“Girl, I really wish you’d just come crash with me. My roommates wouldn’t mind.”

“I would mind, and eventually, so would you. It’s one thing to share a huge dorm space, and another to share a tiny room. The weekly sleepover is more than enough Kass.”

“Fine, you don’t want me to buy bunk beds, so I can make you sleep on the top bunk. I get it. Have you at least thought about petitioning to have your dorm changed again?”

“I have, and I keep getting the same answer. They’re all full.”

“They’re not. I know this for a fact, but somehow Bella’s got you blacklisted in any residence hall that’s not the dungeon.”

“It’s fine. I haven’t seen any more furry or hard shelled friends. I have a door that locks. A window and a new bed. I can deal with the stairs to and from the shower.”

“I know you can, but my issue is that the only working showers in the building are on the first and second floor. Which are occupied by men.”

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