Page 12 of I Despise You
“What are you doing here?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.
He pulls the photo out of his pocket and waves it. I throw myself at it, but he lifts it just out of my reach, above my head.
Why the fuck does he have to be so damn tall? I’d have to climb him like a tree to get it, but I feel like that’s exactly what he wants.
“Give that back to me,” I demand, glaring at him. “It’s mine.”
If he doesn’t want to return the photo, then I have no idea why he’s here.
“And I’ll give it to you.” He grins. “For a price.”
“What?” My jaw goes slack.
He’s joking, right?
He has to be.
“I want a photo of you in exchange.” His eyes dip to my legs. “Let me take one of you right here, right now, and you’ll get your photo back.”
“You’re out of your mind!” There’s no way in hell I’m letting him take a photo of me.
Why does he even need one? So he can show it to his friends and make fun of me? So he can use it for more nefarious activities?
“I’d accept the offer if I were you. The price will only go up. So if you really want that photo, you’ll give me what I want. If you don’t, I just might ask for a nude.” His lips spread into a wicked smile, and the way he’s looking at me makes me think he’s already picturing me naked.
I stare at him, waiting for him to tell me that he’s just messing with me and that it’s all a big joke, but he doesn’t say anything.
I want the photo back, but I don’t want to give him what he wants either.
We stare at each other for what seems like an eternity.
Finally, I take a step forward so we’re face-to-face, and his scent of sandalwood, pine, and musk envelops me like a thick blanket. My insides quiver, my hands getting sweaty, as his lips hover so close to mine it’s hard to focus.
I tilt my head, shifting on my feet so I can get even closer. His eyes are trained on my mouth as I part my lips just a bit.
He lowers his hand just as our lips are about to touch.
I snatch the photo out of his hand, and before he can do anything, I push at his chest as hard as I can. My action surprises him enough that I manage to shove him through the door.
I kick the door closed and lock it, my chest heaving, my heart thudding loudly.
I look down at the photo in my hand and a smile spreads across my lips.
I got it back! I got my photo back! And Chase didn’t get what he wanted.
A win-win.
But as I lean my head against the door, still trying to catch my breath, I hear him laugh just outside my door.
My smile fades.
That doesn’t sound good at all.
Why is he laughing?
He should be annoyed or angry, so why isn’t he?
I decide not to worry about him, at least not until the morning. He can’t get to me here. I’m safe in my room. And what is he going to do to me anyway?
He doesn’t have a photo of me. If he says anything to anyone, he’ll be admitting that he stole my photo. I don’t think that’s what he wants. If he tries something else, I’ll have to be ready.
He doesn’t scare me.
He shouldn’t.
I take a deep breath and trace my finger over my mom’s and my sisters’ faces in the photo. They will help me not to forget why I’m here.
It’s not for Chase or anyone who wants to play stupid games.
It’s for my family and me.
