Page 21 of Anathema
Fuck Monika. She can rot in hell.
Chapter 9
Derek
Forty-eight-fucking-hours.That'showlongI had been waiting to find Alexis. I lost her location late Thursday night, and it never recovered. Panic consumed me as I moved back and forth between the apartment she seemed to frequent as of late and her own—nothing, not even a remote glimpse of her.
Finally, after a long, draining day of work and worrying about where the fuck she was, I broke down and returned to her apartment, banging on the door with my fist like a furious ex-boyfriend, only this time, instead of being met with silence, she answered.
Alexis hesitantly opened the door, peering at me through the crack. Her ice-blue eyes gave me the peace of mind I had sought after all this time, but it did nothing to calm how pissed off I was at her disappearance.
“What the—”
“Where the fuck have you been?” I demanded, cutting her off as I forced my way into the apartment and kicked the door shut behind me.
I didn’t care if I was making a scene or if anyone else heard me out in the hall. I was furious at how calm and relaxed she looked after being missing for days—fucking days.
“Why does it matter where I’ve been? Quit stalking me. I told you to leave me the fuck alone, Derek. I’ve made that more than clear.” Alexis crossed her arms and leveled me with a glare that said she wanted to stab me with the closest sharp object.
She was wearing a baggy T-shirt and tight bike shorts that hugged her perfect ass. Even in her loungewear, she took my breath away. Just the sight of her got me hard. I’m sure I looked every part of the obsessive and overprotective boyfriend right now. If only she’d actually let me be that.
My pretty viper thinks she could tell me to leave her alone and that I would comply. It’s cute, but not a fucking chance. I respect her, but not enough to let her run loose all over this city. It wasn’t her I was concerned for either; it was anyone who’d dare to cross her. She may look sweet and innocent on the outside, but I damn well know better than to underestimate her.
Alexis was a wildfire and, if left unchecked, would burn this entire world to the fucking ground.
I moved forward, backing her into the wall and stepping into her. Her scent washed over me, and I breathed her in deeply. Alexis always smelt so damn good, like fresh rain from a storm.
I had to have her in every way possible, and I wouldn’t wait any longer for her to come around to me; my patience had worn out. After months of chasing her, I needed to cross the finish line that constantly ridiculed and tortured me.
Pressing my body into hers, I leaned down and brushed my mouth against the shell of her ear.
“Where you are always matters to me, whether you want it to or not. If I could strap you down to my bed all day just so I’d always know where you were, I would do it without a second thought. You can’t run from me, Lex. You’re the kerosene to my fire, and I will fucking burn for you.” I murmured into her ear, pulling my face back and looking deep into her ice-blues. “Ignite me, pretty viper.”
I licked my lower lip as my eyes dropped to her mouth. Alexis’s lips parted, and she peered up at me through her long dark lashes. Our breaths mingled; we were so close, and yet I felt so far away from her.
Flexing my hands at my side, I gave in to my deep-seated desire and constant craving for her. There was nothing in this world that I wanted more, and I was at my breaking point when it came to waiting for her to be ready for me.
Fuck it, I’ll make her see just how badly she wants me.
I brought my hand up behind her head, gripping her hair, my other arm wrapping around her waist, as I pulled her from the wall and into me, claiming her mouth with mine.
She stiffened before relaxing in my grasp, her lips parting to let me in, and I took full advantage of the opportunity. Her handstrailed up my sides before she began digging her nails into and down my back. Alexis returned the kiss with a blazing fire all her own, pushing her body against me with enough force to throw me off balance and stagger to the side.
Breaking our connection, she rose on her toes, sliding a hand up to grip the hair at the back of my head, and pulled at the roots with enough force to make it hurt. I groaned at her touch.
I loved that she played rough with me; it would make it all the more fun to fuck her until she saw stars.
“Derek.” She whispered through clenched teeth as she looked up into my eyes.
There was a war raging behind that wall of ice she always stood behind, and I witnessed every second of it.
She cursed, fisting her free hand tightly in my shirt; I could hear the strands of the fabric straining under the pressure.
“One night, pretty boy. Show me what you’re made of.” Her voice trembled with uncontrollable lust—a challenge.
Her mouth crashed onto mine as she pushed me further back in the direction of her bedroom.
Fuck,she was magnificent when she took control. I wanted to own her, but I’d be fucking stupid not to be ownedbyher instead.
