Page 38 of Corrupt Obsession

“Please stop,” she begged.

He shrugged her off as if he couldn’t stand her touch, as if she was contaminated. He skirted around her, looking anywhere but directly at her. Once again, he ran his fingers through his hair, not registering the dust, plaster, and blood that was getting all over him.

“You’re hurt,” she said quietly.

He began to pace again, head bent, hands flexing at his sides.

“Let me clean your hand.”

No response. No reaction to her voice. Cautiously, she started toward him. She had to snap out of this agitated state. This wasn’t the Jesse she knew. For nine months, she’d known there was more to him than what he presented to the world, but somehow, this side of him was more shocking than the late-night visits. Anger wasn’t a part of his makeup. Neither was violence. Seeing both made her feel like she was talking to a stranger.

“What can I do?” she whispered, willing to do anything to make this right.

“You should leave,” he said in a flat monotone as he stared at the floor.

“Jesse.”

“I thought I knew you better than I knew myself. I never thought you would let anyone…”

His leg flashed out, sneakers colliding with an old dresser that shuddered, but otherwise didn’t move. Encouraged by this, Jesse kicked it again and then kneed it in a move that she knew would hurt tomorrow. Knowing even in the depths of his rage that he would never hurt her, she inserted herself between him and his target. Just as she expected, he immediately backed away from the dresser, which was apparently indestructible.

Despite the wild look in his eye, she reached for him and clasped his face.

“Stop hurting yourself,” she pleaded.

He tried to jerk away, but she wouldn’t let him, tightening her hold and matching the steps he took to put distance between them.

“Look at me,” she ordered.

He looked over her head, jaw set. Her eyes filled with tears as she stroked his cheeks.

“Please.”

He tugged her hands from his face. Knowing he was about to push her away, she plastered her body against his. He went rigid.

“I’m sorry that I put you in that position. I’m sorry you had to see… I wasn’t thinking.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “Please don’t be angry at me.”

“Step back,” he said coldly.

The compulsion to obey was strong, but she stayed put. The moment she backed away, he would continue taking his anger out on the room, which would make it impossible to keep anything from their parents. She needed him cool and rational. She didn’t know what to do with the Jesse before her, who was trembling with the need to wreak havoc. All she knew was he wouldn’t hurt her, and although he wanted space, her presence was the only thing stopping him from going nuclear.

“Please don’t tell Dad,” she said.

He glared at the wall and didn’t respond.

“I swear, I won’t do it again.”

Again, nothing.

“Jesse.” She went on tiptoes to force him to look at her, and when that didn’t work, she yanked his head down. Stubbornly, his gaze remained averted. Anxious, frustrated, and exasperated, she did the only thing she could think of and brushed her mouth against his. Stormy blue eyes immediately snapped to hers. She jerked back, hands dropping away, stunned by her own impulsivity. What the hell was shedoing? First Tucker and now she was kissing her stepbrother. What was happening to her? She backed away, twisting her hands together, cheeks hot.

“Is that how you get your way these days? With kisses?” Jesse asked in a cynical tone.

Her mouth dropped before she glared at him. “No!”

“Then what was that?”

She flung her hands in the air. “I just wanted you to calm down!”

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