Page 62 of Choke

Sighing, he speaks quietly.

“I’ve known Liberty for years.”

“And that gives you the right to give him access to my home?!”

He’s starting to piss me off.

“No. That’s not what I mean.” He scrubs a hand over his jaw, eyes darting away. “I mean—I’ve never seen him like this over anyone.”

I laugh. Really laugh.

“Like this? Obsessed? Stalker? Dangerous? Please explain what this is, in your opinion.”

“I don’t know.”

His shoulders drop slightly, and he looks toward his feet. He looks regretful. A twinge of guilt punches me in the stomach. I’m not actually mad at him, and none of this is his fault. The lock situation is, but Adrian could have gotten in without his help. He did it the night before.

As we stand there in silence, a chill runs up my spine.

Someone is watching us.

I shift my gaze to the left and right but don’t see anyone. I don’t need to see him to know he’s here. Not surprised, even a little. Undoubtedly, he watched me leave with his friend, and whatever semblance of control he held was likely shattered.

Calloway mustn’t notice. If he does, he makes no sign of it. He rocks back and forth on his heels a little. His light eyes rise to meet mine, and he offers a crooked smile and shrugs slightly.

“He won’t hurt you…” He starts, but I stop him.

“I don’t want to talk about him anymore.” I force my tone to be soft. Sultry.

His eyes widen, and he stands up straight.

“Lex…”

I silence him by stepping into him, letting my chest press against his. I almost feel bad for this, too. I’m not interested in this sweet cop who offered to get me out of a tense situation. I’m entirely interested in fucking with his friend, who’s currently lurking in the shadows.

I press a finger to his lips, tilting my head up to him.

“Let’s not talk about anyone.”

Without warning or hesitation, I press my lips onto his. He doesn’t immediately pull back. I will, however, give him credit. He doesn’t return the kiss, so I sling my arms over his shoulders to pull him closer. I feel his shoulders relax a little at the same time he kisses me back, ever so slightly.

I revel in the feeling of triumph that rolls across my skin. The air is charged with something electric, and I don’t need to see him to feel him. Adrian’s rage burns into my back, hot and lethal, like a brand.

Calloway reaches up and grabs my arms gently, pushing me back. His expression looks almost tormented as if it was one of the hardest things he’s had to do in a while. I’m unwilling to give up so quickly, so I try to step forward again.

“No.” He says firmly.

Well, then. I’m not sure how men can ever misinterpret that word. I suspect it has the same effect as being doused in ice water. I take a step back, putting an arm’s length between us.

“I—” I don’t know what to say.

Adrian saw his friend reject me.

My cheeks feel like they’re on fire.

“Lex, I’ve never seen him like this. Anyone else? I wouldn’t stop. He wouldn’t care.”

As he speaks, the hair on my neck stands up. What Calloway was trying to say before sets in.

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