Page 75 of Deviant Obsession

She hesitates another moment before nodding slightly. As she turns away, I grip the counter edge, forcing myself to breathe normally.

One step at a time. Get her fed. Get her talking. Figure out what's wrong.

Fix this before I lose her completely.

Ten minutes later, the soup steams between us as Rhea curls into the corner of her couch, blanket pulled tight like armor. I settle on the other end, giving her space while every instinct screams to pull her close.

"You should eat while it's hot." I gesture to the untouched bowl, praying it’s not a flavor she explicitly told me she hates.

She picks up the spoon but just stirs listlessly. "You didn't have to do all this."

"Yeah, I did." I watch her carefully, searching for any hint of what's really going on. "You've been avoiding us. Both of us."

"I've been busy?—”

"Bullshit." The word comes out sharper than intended, making her flinch. I soften my tone. "Talk to me, babygirl. What's really going on?"

She sets the spoon down, still not meeting my eyes. "Nothing's going on. I just needed some space to focus on school."

"Space from what exactly?" I lean forward, heart pounding. "From the club? From the scenes? From us?"

Her silence speaks volumes. I run a hand through my hair, fighting back panic.

"Is it..." I swallow hard, forcing myself to ask. "Is it the marks? Are you freaking out about what we did? Because if you regret letting us?—”

"No!" Her head snaps up, eyes finally meeting mine. "God no, Dean. I don't regret the initials. Not for a second."

"Then what? Please, don't pull away from us. Whatever's wrong, we can fix it."

Tears well in her eyes as she shakes her head. "I don't think you can. I don't think anyone can."

"Try me." I slide closer, relief flooding through me when she doesn't retreat. "Whatever it is, let me help."

"That's the problem." A tear spills down her cheek. "You can't help. Neither of you can. Because this isn't about the marks or the scenes or anything like that. It's about me not being able to handle how much I..." She trails off, wiping roughly at her face.

"How much you what?" I reach for her hand, encouraged when she lets me take it.

"How much I feel." She’s whispering so quietly, I’m barely sure I’m hearing her right. "For both of you. It wasn't supposed to be like this, I tried to shove it down. But now..."

Understanding dawns, hitting me like a freight train. She's not pulling away because she wants less. She's terrified because she wants more.

"Rhea." I squeeze her fingers gently. "Look at me."

She does, those gorgeous eyes swimming with tears. I reach up to brush one away with my thumb.

"You think you're the only one feeling more than you planned?" My heart pounds as I lay myself bare. "You think Ethan and I are just playing here?"

"I don't know what to think anymore." She leans into my touch despite herself. "I'm scared, Dean. Of how deep this is getting. Of how much it would hurt to lose either of you."

"Then don't push us away." I pull her closer until she's practically in my lap. "Let us figure this out together. All of us."

She buries her face in my neck, fingers clutching my shirt. "I don't regret the marks," she mumbles against my skin. "I meant what I said that night. I want to wear both of them. Forever."

I hold her tighter, breathing in her familiar scent. I can’t be sure whether or not to believe her. Something has definitely shifted. But for now, while she's here in my arms, I want to cling to the possibility that she means every word.

Chapter 25

Rhea

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