Page 14 of Deepest Obsession

“You don’t own me.” I shove at him, but he barely moves. “And I don’t need you.”

He hums, taking another sip and smiling smugly. His eyes are dark. Predatory. “That’s not what you said last night. If I recall correctly, you were begging for me.”

I stumble backward as his words hit me. “That was a mistake. All of this has been a mistake.”

He closes the space between us, pulling me close with his free hand. “Go ahead. Run. You know I’ve always loved the chase.”

“Fuck off,” I yell.

“Is that what you want?” He pulls me closer, until I can feel his heart pounding through his chest. “Really. Or is that what you want to want?”

My breath hitches as his lips brush my cheekbone.

“I know you, Sophia,” he whispers in my ear. “I can read you like a book, remember? And you want me to shove you into the nearest alley and rip your clothes off, tie you up with this little apron, and then fuck you until the whole city hears your screams.”

I can feel my cheeks heating, and while heat might also be pooling between my legs, my mind is reeling with anger. “Do you think I’m stupid? That I’d really fall for you again? You broke me, Xander. Broke me. And I’m not going to let you do it again.”

His face fills with fury. “You think I wanted to—”

“Sophia? Are you okay?”

I turn to see Brent standing a few feet away, a concerned look on his face.

“I heard you yelling, so I turned back.” He’s standing straight, puffing out his chest a bit. He’s not tiny, but he’s definitely not big—and no match for Alexander.

“I’m fine.” I pull away, but his grip on me tightens. “Fuck off, Xander.”

“Let her go, man.” Brent steps closer.

The two of them glare at each other, and for a second I begin to think that the air between them is going to spontaneously combust into flames. But then Alexander releases me.

“This conversation isn’t over, Sophia.” His tone is smooth as he moves to the other side of his car and slides in.

I let out a breath, but then jump at the feel of a hand on my shoulder. Brent.

“Are you okay?” His brows are furrowed as he glances between me and Alexander’s car pulling away from the curb.

I nod, brushing a few stray hairs out of my face. “He’s just an ass. I shouldn’t’ve come out here. Thanks for turning back.”

He lets out a little chuckle. “The one time I was going to make it to work on time.”

“Fuck. Brent, I’m so sor-”

“Don’t.” He gives me a warm smile and squeezes my arm before letting go. “You’re worth it. You’ll be okay back inside?”

My body relaxes. Compassion. That’s what Alexander seems to lack. And it’s so comforting to see it in Brent’s eyes. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. Thanks.”

With another smile, he heads off, and I slip back inside. Lissa scrambles away from the window where she was watching.

“That looked intense,” she says. “I see why you’re uneasy.”

“Uneasy barely describes how I feel.” I grab the broom from the back and start sweeping the dining room. It may not need it, but I need the distraction. “I don’t think I ever want to see him again.”

Lissa is silent for a moment, then shrugs and heads to the back to do up the dishes.

Thankfully, the day goes by quickly. I get off at two and decide to walk home instead of waiting for the bus. It’s not a terribly long walk, and I need to clear my head.

When Alexander came back to take me to work this morning, I’d felt a mixture of pleasure and dread. Pleasure because I’ve missed him. What we had. Because his hands on my body last night were the best thing I’ve felt in ages.

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