Page 147 of Sweetheart: Part One

The scent dampeners would be gone by the morning.

“I think, if you left here, you’d go running to Love, or Drake or—”

“I swear,” I begged. “You can come with me. I’ll come back here and give you your night.”

“Chill, Vex. I was going to get you new clothes while you warmed up, anyway.”

“Please let me go,” I begged.

“If it’s just about the clothes and you aren’t planning on giving me the slip—or… perhaps… something else?” he cocked his head. “Then why does it matter if I get them or you get them?”

I stared at him, finding no words at all to that. Fresh tears were spilling down my cheeks. Desperately, I reached up to him, praying that something of this fucking scent match might come through. That he’d change his mind and show some goddamned mercy once in his life. “Please Ebony.”

He tilted his head just slightly, brows furrowed as he leaned into my touch just the slightest. As if he were exploring something new.

“I…” He swallowed, scrunching up his nose again. “I didn’t believe you when you said you couldn’t swim.”

I stared at him, pleading in my eyes as I held his, hope lighting in my chest.

“Obviously, I was wrong.”

And with that, he was gone.

He shoved me back and slammed the door. I leaped at it, grabbing for the handle desperately, but already hearing the sound of the key turning on the other side.

* * *

I had to get myself together.

I showered in full clothing under steaming hot water until the door clicked open. He was respectful, at least, slipping in without looking my way once, and setting my dry clothing down on the vanity. Then he left without a sound.

I peeled my clothing off and changed. There were bigger problems for me to deal with. I was shaking as I splashed my eyes. I fought the quiver of my lip as I checked my contacts, hating how sore my eyes were.

I had to calm down. If there was any chance that the scent dampeners would survive until morning, I’d blow it by being terrified all night.

Taking a breath, I focused next on my hair.

I pulled it aside, examining the dark bond on the back of my neck the best I could. The makeup was the best on the market—made for covering tattoos for extended periods of time. It wasn’t built to withstand chlorine, but it was holding up okay. I could see a few cracks of darkness here and there, but with my hair down, I could make a good attempt.

On top of that, the only fucking blessing of the night, was that he chose one of my oversized t-shirts, which offered a bit of coverage over the dark bond. He’d also picked out a pair of my shortest shorts, but I was past caring at this point.

Hair towel-dried as much as it could be, and some of it tucked into the collar of my shirt for maximum coverage, I faced the door.

Calm.

I had to act calm.

It was literally the only hope I had.

I shut my eyes, taking a deep breath.

I was his Sweetheart, and he wanted me to stay for the night, that was okay. I could manage one night like that.

Ebony wore a cold mask as I stepped out into the sprawling room. I was in his quarters, I recognised it from the one time I’d come in here without him knowing.

He was seated on the edge of his bed, watching me intently as I stepped out. My eyes darted to the door I knew led to the hallway.

I made for it instantly. He didn’t move, and it came as no shock at all that when I rattled the doorknob, it was locked. I tried the lock on it, but clearly whatever key he had overrode it.

---