Page 344 of Hate Mates

But I think Desmond knows that. I can tell by the way his eyes narrow as he watches me watch Ana. Like he knows the possessive, over-the-top destructive way she makes me feel.

Fuck, maybe he does. He watches Blaise the same way. Only there is love in his eyes where mine is hate.

Ana’s eyes widen as she takes in the penthouse we’ll share. She thought she could escape me, but that was never the plan. Hutton University gladly took the Rickman's adopted kids. After all, this is where they went.

Ana smiles and my mood plummets further. I need my adopted parents gone. I don’t want or need an audience for what I’m going to do once we’re alone. For years, I’ve had to watch her smile, listen to her laugh. If I wasn't so obsessed with her, and it wouldn't break Blaise's heart, I’d probably kill her. But if I break Blaise’s heart, Desmond will kill me. And I’ve got a list to finish.

Finally, they begin their goodbyes and somehow I’m wrapped up in a hug from Blaise and a threatening look from Desmond and then they’re gone. The shutting of the elevator, finally, as I turn, zeroing in on my target. Chestnut hair that used to be tight ringlets now falls in curls around her waist. Her golden eyes widen in fear, the same look that gets me hard every time I see it. Something about her frightened look does it for me. Always has. Ever since my dick started to take notice of the female population.

She spins, curly hair flying around her as she makes a run for it.

My lip hitches and I give chase, loving when she runs like my prey. My long strides eat up the distance between us. I snatch her locks, yanking them back and pinning her to the wall. I take delight in the way her body trembles, her eyes glazing over and shutting briefly before snapping open.

I allow my lips to curl, overpowering her body with my hand tangled in her hair, pushing down until she drops to her knees. Bowing before me. “Did you really think you could escape me?”

Her liquid pools of honey blink rapidly, her mouth agape but no words seem to form as she stares with fear in her eyes at me. My hand grips tighter in her locks and I give them a sharp tug. “Answer me,” I demand.

She blinks the tears away, her eyes going over my shoulder. “Yes, and I still will. I’ll find someone older, bigger, meaner than you and then you’ll have to leave me alone.”

I raise a single brow before I can’t hide my laughter anymore. “You think anyone is going to want you?” I sneer, jerking her head back so she has to look at me. “Your own parents didn't care enough to keep you. What makes you think anyone else will?”

Her face contorts, cheeks heating in anger. “I think you want me, Trenton. That’s why you act like this.”

My jaw ticks, eyes narrowing as I release her harshly, causing her body to bang back into the wall. “Pathetic,” I hiss out, walking away.

My head throbswith anger as I make my way to the hockey arena. The ice calling my name like it always does. The place is empty but Desmond scored me some keys to the place so I could come and “practice”whenever I needed. We both know I don’t need the practice. What I need is to deal with my anger. Although the thought of stuffing my cock so far down Ana’s throat until I came had a certain appeal to it. Which is the main reason I left. I couldn't trust myself around her. Living under the same roof as her has been torture and now that there is no one to stop me…

I sit on the bench, lacing my skates up. Shaking the thoughts from my head. I needed to focus. Remember why I’m here. What I’ve been living for. Remember my fucking list.

Grabbing my stick and bucket full of pucks, I skate out onto the ice, stopping a little ways from the goal to practice my wrist shots.

Two days after I moved in, Desmond had me on the ice. Eleven was a little old to get into the sport, which I tried to tell him. He didn't listen. Not to anyone but his wife. So there I was, clumsy as fuck on skates while my adopted brother Clyde skated around me at the age of five. Hell, Claire, my adopted sister, who was only three, did better than me.

Desmond didn't give up on me. He worked with all his kids in his spare time, which wasn't always a lot being a big shot NHL goalie. Claire eventually got tired of it, picking up ballet slippersat the age of four and never putting them down. Clyde and I got addicted.

The Rickman house was loud and wild growing up. Roller-skating in the house, hockey pucks shattering priceless artwork, but they never said a word to us that wasn't encouraging. Well, when I broke a vase, Desmond pointed out my wrist was in the wrong position and then walked away.

I never pictured myself having younger siblings, but I would kill anyone who messed with Clyde and Claire.

Ana was a different story entirely.

I miss my next shot as soon as I think about her. She has this effect on me. Making my focus disappear, my mind cloud and my anger spike. And my dick fucking loved her.

Since the first time she stumbled into the orphanage at the age of five, I’ve been mesmerized. I didn't realize it then, that she’d be my obsession. If I did, I would have gotten kicked out. No one needs this kind of trouble.

I bring my focus back to the task at hand. Losing myself in my shots for hours before I finally stop and make my way back to the penthouse.

When I arrive everything is quiet, darkness covered the sky hours ago.

I push the door open at the opposite end of the penthouse and pause. She’s asleep. Long hair fanning over her pillow, plush lips partly open. I make my way over to the chair that sits opposite of her bed and sit. Watching her sleep like I’ve done for years.

THREE

Ana

Iwas relieved when school started. Being stuck in the same place as Trenton for the past few days has been stressful. I’m so aware of him, I can’t hardly sleep at night. Imagine he’s watching me sleep and waiting for the perfect moment to slit my throat.

He hasn't spoken a word since I accused him of wanting me. I wish I could wipe the look of disgust on his face from my memory. Because somewhere deep in my soul, I wanted him to want me. I always have. It may be from the rejection, or because through everything, he’s been a constant in my life. I couldn't understand my reckless heart when it came to him.

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