Page 14 of Under the Influence
Zach’s shocked tone blows out behind me. Perfect. I twist around and wink at him. “You’rewelcome.”
All he can do is nod. Unable to tear his greedy eyes away from the girl writhing in ecstasy from being eaten out only ten feet in front of him. “She’s allyours.”
Without a word he somehow manages to walk, yank a condom out of his back pocket, and unbuckle his belt. Caressing over her hips, he accepts her hand flying backward and grabbing his cock as approval to proceed. In a few short seconds, he’s wrapped and thrusting. He fucks blondie, while she fucks red. I catch Tucker’s disgusted expression above the orgy. What in the actual fuck? People really arefilthy.
My gut churns from the knock in the hallway. Time for the real performance to begin. I suck in a deep breath. Please forgive me,angel.
I slide open the door, keeping the gap narrow. Pretending to try and block Chryseis’ view. Scarlet races up her neck to her forehead as she takes in the orgy playing out behindus.
“Gio?”
More of my soul dies from her astonished whisper. But I play the part so god damn well I’ll win a fucking Oscar. Slowly gliding to her with a playful smile on my lips. “Something’s come up babe. Tucker’s going to take youhome.”
I meet her confused gaze. My phony term of endearment and brusque tone triggering even more worry on her beautifulface.
“What’s goingon?”
I love you and hurting you is fucking killing me. “Nothing. I’ve just got something I have to take careof.”
Tucker clicks the knob, shutting out the smacking skin and sloppy sucking noises. Fucking relief of silence until Chryseis murmursagain.
"I don't..." She’s not blind or stupid. Just shocked. “I don’t understand.I–”
“Nothing to understand except that you’re leaving,okay?”
I don’t ever talk to her like this. Never speaking to her like she means nothing to me. As if she's a fucking annoyance rather than the only person who brings goodness into my world. Happiness into mylife.
Appalled by all of our behavior although not enough to keep her from fighting back, she attempts to twist away from my tight grip on her bicep, the small muscle trembling under myfingers.
“What’s really going on?” She glances back over her shoulder as I try to steer her down the corridor. “That’s not you. You’renot…”
"Not what?" I force irritation into my voice. Showing her the asshole I've been hiding from her all along. "Damn Chryseis. How the fuck do you know what I am? We date for a few months, and now you think you're a fucking expert on me orsomething?"
Outrage from my cruel words stiffens her body. Small fingers clenching as she studies me. Penetrating the blackness engulfing my heart with her intense gaze. That breaks with every breath she pants inshame.
Unable to keep quiet, I berate her more. Fearful I'll cave in the silence. That I'll utter the words I really want to say instead of the bullshit I'm forced toutter.
"You hearing this Tuck?" Snickering at him while he leans against the wall. Casual and unconcerned. "I let her suck my dick a few times and now she thinks she knowsme."
His humorless chuckle answers me back. Which is good because I'd be furious if he ganged up on her too. As stupid fucked up as I am over losing her, I'd still have to defend mygirl.
Seconds pass in stillness except for the faint thudding of the bass from upstairs. But the beat has nothing on the pounding of my head and chest. Witnessing her struggle not to break. To not crumble under the abuse I doleout.
The lines on her forehead finally smooth with a realization and her quivering lips part. "Is this charade because I invited you to my cousin's wedding? You think I'm pressuring you for a commitmentalready?"
My Books. So eloquent and well-spoken despite her mortification. I cup the tiny box in my pocket. There's nothing I want more than to make her mine. But, yeah, let's go with that. If that's her rationale for my irrational behavior, I won't dispute the accuracy of her assumption. "You're suffocating me babe. I mean you think I want to spend a weekend with your family? Or fucking have dinner with your parents all the time? I don't need that shit." I lean closer. Near enough to see the tears glistening on her thick lashes. "I don't want that shit. Especially with a woman likeyou."
Humiliation drowns her indignation, and her body droops. Now my insults are personal. It's not me. It'sher.
"What's that supposed to mean? A woman likeme?"
“You're a fucking librarian. Excited about getting a job at a fucking library for fuck's sake. Big deal it's with a university. Fucking pathetic how lame that is. I need more than that. I need more thanyou.”
Too stunned to speak, she doesn't react. Doesn’t do anything but cover her gasping mouth with trembling hands. So I take matters into mine. Because I can't do this anymore. I can't degrade her anylonger.
Abrupt and impatient, I guide her through the club. Taking the long way up the stairs and across the jammed dance floor. Bodies parting from my purposeful steps. Garnering attention from the watery trails streaming down her beautiful face and dropping off her chin. Letting everyone witness the spectacle of me dumpingher.
Once outside, we bypass the cab line of course, and I steer her to the front. A parade of embarrassment for everyone to watch. Whisper about. Immortalize with the phones popping up and tracking our path. I’m as fucking popular as fucking JustinBieber.
