Page 60 of Look My Way
“It’s not. You’re bleeding. I hurt you.”
“It is okay, and I’m okay. It’s going to take more than a few scratches to hurt me. And yes, I want you to see that as a challenge for next time.” He winks.
“I’m sorry,” I say, not feeling any more at ease than before. He kisses my hand again, licking the blood, and then brings my fingers to his hips, collecting more before sucking them between his lips.
“It’s okay. My blood tastes good on you. You can take as much as you want. And look . . .” He lifts his hips, twisting his body to reveal more of the torn skin. “You’ve left evidence on me too.”
“I hurt you,” I say again.
“No, love. You didn’t. I promise. It’s just that you’re so strong, you can’t help but leave your mark behind when you’re at your best. Every important person leaves their mark on the world somehow, and I feel honored to be the only thing you leave yours on.”
I look in the mirror again and I’m smiling. I’m fucking smiling. My lips turn up so high my whole face shifts, and I reach for my glasses, sliding them on. He’s still there. I didn’t think they’d make him disappear, but I wanted to make sure.
I turn around to face him and he kisses my nose. I’m looking his way without a mirror or window between us. His forehead presses to mine and our hips align, cocks knocking together.
I’m strong. I’m Zavier’s. I’m my Daddy’s boy.
His words are in my head even when he doesn’t speak, and when Daniel’s come back I’ll just ask him to say his louder. To repeat them in my ears over and over, programming them inside me forever. Lifting my fingers, I stroke his cheek, and his lips brush over mine. “You hungry?”
My stomach grumbles and he chuckles. “Yeah. Yeah . . . I don’t think I had dinner—” My words stop as I remember last night. Daniel brought me to bed when I got lightheaded after Zavier left. I don’t remember falling asleep or when my head even hit the pillow. Everything was so heavy. My limbs and eyelids didn’t feel like my own. It was like I was drugged.
My stomach twists. Did Zavier drug me again? It was the plan, though we didn’t agree on it. “Did you put something in my drink last night?” I tilt my head. “I don’t remember drinking anything . . . only when I took my meds.”
His brows lift. “What? No. I wouldn’t do anything like that without us talking it over first.”
“But someone did.” I shove at his chest, backing away. “You. It had to be you. You—you’re lying.” Everyone lies to me.
“Never. Ask me whatever you want and I’ll tell you the truth.”
“No matter what it is?”
“No matter what.” He nods, eyes burrowing into mine.
“Did you hide my curtains in the shed?” I have my suspicions but want to hear it anyway.
“Yes.”
“Did you follow me before I saved you at the diner?”
“No. I hadn’t found you yet.”
My chest rises and falls at a rapid pace. “Did you purposely get a job at my house?”
“No. That was by chance.”
I suck in a breath. “Did you follow me home from the diner?” I blow out a puff of air, lips shaking.
“Yes. I did.”
“We hadn’t discussed that ahead of time either, but you did it.”
“I know.” His bottom lip tucks under his top lip. “I needed to be near you. To know you. I know it wasn’t right, but there’s been something broken in me for a long time and I don’t alwayschoose the right path, but I’ll try to learn for you. At least when it has to do with you. Only for you.”
“I don’t know what any of that means.” I pull further away, taking the sheet with me. “Did you do something to me last night or not?”
“No. It was your cop boyfriend. I saw him mess with your pill bottle through the window.”
“Daniel?” My voice goes higher.
