Page 68 of Corrupt Obsession

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw he sat facing her, completely motionless.

“Please take me home,” she said quietly.

“You think you can end it, just like that?”

Despite the way her heart banged around in her chest like a trapped bird, she turned her head to meet and hold his gaze. “Yes. Just like that.”

Although his face remained blank, something shifted in his eyes that made the fine hairs on her nape stand up. Everything in her went on high alert. Obeying a gut instinct, she undid her seatbelt, yanked on the door handle, and tumbled out of the SUV all in one motion. She staggered before she caught her balance and stared at Jesse, who hadn’t moved. Feeling frightened, foolish, and embarrassed at her overreaction, she glared at him.

“Get in the car, Vi,” he said coldly.

She’d always trusted Jesse implicitly, but for the first time in her life, she hesitated. He seemed to be in control, but something told her if she got back in the car, he would cross every boundary she just set. She was ashamed that a part of her wanted him to. It would be so easy to get lost in him, but her fear of ending up alone was stronger than her sexual desires.

She slammed the door in his face and headed for the trail. They both needed to cool off. She’d go for a walk while he sat in the car and… She stiffened when she heard a door closing, the familiar beep of the SUV’s alarm, and the sound of someone running toward her.

A hand wrapped around her upper arm. “Violet.”

She pivoted to face him, squinting into the sun as she went on tiptoes and enunciated through her teeth, “We’re done talking. Nothing you say is going to make a difference. I’ve made up my mind. You have to accept it.”

He searched her eyes. “That’s your final word?”

“Yes!”

He nodded and glanced around. “You want to see the park?”

She blinked, taken aback by how quickly his mood had shifted. “I… I think I’ll take a walk.”

He gestured for her to precede him. She eyed him for a moment before she turned on her heel and strode off. She expected him to continue the argument, but he gave her space, staying a few paces behind her so she didn’t feel crowded. After minutes passed without a word exchanged between them, her hunched shoulders dropped.

His forceful pushback unnerved her. He had grounds to be disgruntled, even angry, but she expected him to accept her decision with grace. He’d always been so easygoing, respectful, and willing to cede to her wishes and now… Now, she had no idea what was coming next.

She was seeing him in a new light. His broody edginess thrilled and alarmed her. She shouldn’t be aroused by it, but there was no denying that she was. There was something wrong with her. There was no other explanation for why she’d gotten wet when he ordered her to get back in the car. This wasJesse, the brother who braided her hair, comforted her when Mom and Dad fought, and helped her with her homework. Why hadn’t sheever picked up on the steel beneath his guileless smile? Why was she simultaneously attracted and repelled by it? This wouldn’t do. She was supposed to be purifying her thoughts, but her mind was overwhelmed with graphic, inappropriate fantasies that she tried to smother without success.

Why had no one ever mentioned how addictive sin was? It was a drug one could get hooked on by partaking of the forbidden just once. Jesse was so consumed by it that he wasn’t himself. He hadn’t been for some time, though. Jesse had been sipping from the pool of debauchery far longer than she had. Who knew what he’d been doing with his exes, who were so eager to get back together with him? He hadn’t been caught, which had emboldened him to this point. Being outed by Tucker should have been a wakeup call that he wasn’t going to get away with everything. Why didn’t Jesse get what he needed from another girl? Why put so much in jeopardy to sleep with his stepsister?

Her calves cramped as she went uphill. She slowed to catch her breath and made a mental note that she needed to exercise more. She was grateful when the path curved beneath some trees. As she paused to enjoy the shade, she cocked her head when she heard running water.

“There’s a stream that runs parallel to the path. Want to see it?” Jesse asked.

When she nodded, he led the way through the trees. She perked up as she got a glimpse of blue up ahead. When they came to a small clearing, she put her hands on hips and surveyed the tranquil scene. Sunlight danced on the surface of the fast-moving water.

“I can see why you like coming here. It’s beautiful,” she said.

She closed her eyes for a moment, letting nature soothe her troubled thoughts. If only she could rewind the clock. She longed for a time when things were simple and innocent, but a part ofher knew those days were gone. Like Eve, she’d taken a bite of the apple and now there was no going back to seeing the world in cute, pastel shades. Now, she could see every vivid shade of the rainbow and had firsthand knowledge of the temptations in the shadows. With adult decisions came severe punishments, complications, and impossible choices. But she was doing her part and keeping her promise to God. That’s all that mattered.

A soft gust of air was her only warning. She opened her eyes to find Jesse in front of her. Her hand flew up in a protective gesture as she stumbled back.

“What are you…?”

“I can’t go back to what we were.”

His flat delivery made her freeze, but it was the strange, unholy gleam in his eyes that made her heart begin to beat like a drum.

“I-I want to go back to the trail.”

Even she could hear the anxiety in her tone. Jesse’s only response to this was to match her retreating steps. His eyes were fixed on her like she was prey. He wasn’t even blinking.

In a distant part of her mind, she noted that he had pretended to accept her decision so she would let down her guard and bring her somewhere secluded where no one would interfere. They were a significant distance from the path without a soul in sight.

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