Page 95 of Destined To Fall

“Why are you here?”

“I came over to yell at you.”Oh. No…

I watch as he tries to even out his features, hiding his amusement, but his eyes are still sparkling with entertainment.

“Is that right?”

“Yes.” I fold my arms over my chest.

“And you’re going to leave before telling me off?”

“It can wait…I’m exhausted,” I throw at him with a crooked grin. But he’s not buying it.Damn it.

“Vivienne,” he purrs,“why are you only now exhausted? You came all the way here after—wait, straight after?” He pauses, looking at me pointedly, and a little warmth fills my cheeks, stupidly giving him the answer he seeks.“That’s why you wouldn’t let me touch you?” His eyebrows shoot for his hairline, and he takes a step closer.

I take one back, shaking my head, and another, until I realize I’m walking backward with every one of Jeremy’s approaching steps.

“Yes,” I whisper.

“Sit.”

“Why—” I’m cut off as I collapse onto the armchair that miraculously appeared behind my knees.

“Good girl.”

“Hey!”

He smirks again, placing an arm on either side of the chair, caging me in, and my pulse spikes dangerously high.

“Tell me why you’re here.”

“I told you. To…to yell at you.”

“And why, pray tell, was it so important that you headed straight here at two a.m. after days of no communication?”

“It wasn’t. That’s why I was leaving. Am leaving.”

“Vivienne.”

“Goddamn it, I can’t come, and it’s all your fault! You broke me.”

His eyes go wide, and for a moment,I think he’s not going to respond. God help me, I want to take the words back and crawl under the nearest rock, but the smug satisfaction that replaces the surprise makes me want to punch him in the face instead.

“Is that so?”

I say nothing, scowling in response.

“And how did I manage this?”

“You know damn well what you did, what you said.”

“What do you want me to do about it?”

“I…” The challenge in his tone is plain, and a million and one images flash through my head of him and me, every which way, for hours, days, weeks…

He cocks his head to the side, waiting, and I swallow back my retort, unwilling to say what I want him to do.

“Nothing. I wanted to tell you you’re a jackass. Mission accomplished. Now I’m leaving. Good night, Jer.”

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