Page 22 of Touch Me Not: Anniversary Edition

“A manwhore?” Lily supplied. “I know that, Adam. No one has to tell me who he is. I know who he is and his opinion of women.”

“Then why the hell would you go out with him?” Adam shouted, his blue eyes starting to burn with his own anger.

“Because I wanted to!” Lily shouted right back.

“You really have lost your damn mind!” Adam growled, sitting up. “He will eat you alive, Lily.”

“Again, none of your business!”

“Yes, it is my business!” Adam stood and stalked over to stand barely inches from her. “You’remy business.”

“Adam, like I said at Joe’s, I’m not your sister, and I’m certainly not your girlfriend. You can’t tell me what to do, who to do it with, or where I can do it. If I want to screw the entire football team in the locker room, I can, and it still won’t be any of your business!”

His eyes glowed with fury. She could read it in every muscle in his body. His fist landed against the wall beside her head. She’d never seen him this mad. Nikoli was right about one thing. Adam was jealous.

“Lily Isabella Holmes.” His eyes softened. “You have been my business since you beat the shit out of Jimmy Carson in fourth grade when he tried to take my lunch. You’re my best friend, and I’ll be damned if I sit and watch you fall victim to Nikoli Kincaid. You’re better than that. You deserve to be treated like something more than a piece of ass.”

“Nikoli has been very upfront and honest with me.” Panic started to creep in as Adam moved closer, blocking her in. “He never promised me forever, only a good time. If I do anything, I will go into it with my eyes wide open. I’m not stupid, Adam.”

His hand came up and pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She flinched and whimpered. The small touch made her start to shake. She couldn’t bear it, and Adam knew it.

He laughed. “I don’t think I’ll have to worry about that, anyway, Lils.”

“Really?” she asked. “Why’s that, Adam? Explain it to me.”

“You won’t let him touch you, Lily.” The anger bled out of his eyes. “You and I both know it.”

It took a moment for her brain to process what he’d just said to her. Hurt welled up, quickly followed by rage.How dare he?

“Bastard,” she whispered, tears welling up despite her attempt to keep them back. “Get the hell out!”

His face blanched, realizing what he’d said. “Oh, God, Lily, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it…I’m so sorry…”

“Get. Out.”

He moved away from her, and she yanked the door open.

“Get out!”

“No!” he yelled. “I didn’t mean it. Please, Lily, I didn’t mean it!”

She could hear the doors opening down the hall, and she closed her eyes, mortified. “Adam, I can’t talk to you right now. I need you to leave. Please.”

“Not until you forgive me.” He pulled the door from her and shut it. “I can’t leave until you forgive me, Lily, please. I’m sorry. I swear to you, I didn’t mean it. I would never try to use that to hurt you.”

“Adam, I’m going to ask you one more time to leave, then I’m calling Mikey to come haul you out. I can’t talk to you right now, I just can’t. Please, leave me the hell alone.”

“Lily…”

“No,” she cut him off. “I want you to leave. Go find your perfect little girlfriend who can stand for you to touch her.”

“Shit, Lily…”

“Shut up!” she shouted. “You have no right, none! Now. Get. The. Hell. Out!”

She opened the door. His whole body slumped, defeated. “I’ll leave, but this isn’t over, Lily. I’m not about to lose my best friend because I can’t control my own stupid mouth.”

“I already lost you a long time ago, Adam,” she said softly. He frowned, confused. “Please, just leave.”

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