Page 34 of Up in Flames

He raises his eyebrow. “Something on your mind?” He starts to trail light kisses up and down my neck.

I decide honesty is the best policy right now. “Yeah, what’s with this ‘you belong to me’ shit? That’s so dominant. You’re not into BDSM, are you?” I ask jokingly.

He frowns, looking like I’ve completely insulted him.

Shit! Maybe heisinto BDSM.

“No. But don’t be so judgmental, Makaylie. They won’t judge you for living a vanilla life, so don’t judge them for their needs and wants.”

My forehead crinkles, and I purse my lips as he continues, “And in answer to the other part of the question, I like to be in control of every situation and everyone in that situation. You belong to me because I want everyone to know that no one else can touch you,” he answers straight-faced.

Huffing, I scrunch my brows, not completely convinced. “Why do you get to decide who can and can’t touch me? Shouldn’t that bemydecision since it’smybody they’d be touching?” I defend, and his brows crease so far together they’re almost touching.

“No. Like I said,youbelong tome, and all decisions regardingyouhave to go throughme. I want what’s best for you, and me being in control is how I do things.”

“Well, what if I don’twantto be controlled? I’m my own person, Cain. I should be able to do what I want when I want and definitely not have to run it past my boyfriend first,” I say harshly.

He screws up his face. “Don’t say, boyfriend, Makaylie. It’s so adolescent… I’m your partner.”

I frown at him. “Partnerships are a two-way street, Cain. You decide on things as a team, not one dominating over the other. If you want me to be with you, you have to accept that I can make my own decisions and look after myself. I don’t want to be one of those girls who has to ask her boyfriend…” I roll my eyes, “… sorry,partner,to be able to do things. That isnothow I work.”

“This isnotup for discussion, Makaylie. Either you be with me my way, or we’re done.”

My eyes widen with that comment.

I’m baffled.

Outraged.

Disgusted.

Anger seeps through my every pore, the atmosphere bubbling with tension so rife you couldn’t even cut it with a fucking chainsaw.

Gritting my teeth as my chest heaves and my breathing becomes more rapid, I sit up in bed, take the bed sheets with me, and bend down to pick up my shirt.

“Fine! Then I guess we’re done.”

He sits up in bed and stares at me while I fumble to get dressed.

“You can leave now,” I spit as my blood boils so feverishly I feel like my skin might bubble and begin to flake off.

He grunts and stands, letting the blanket fall from his naked body. I’m momentarily caught in his magnetism as I stare at his glorious physique, his amazing back tattoo on show—a marvelous work of art—as he pulls up his briefs and then his jeans. When he turns around and looks at me, I snap out of the moment and continue to get dressed. My emotions are wreaking havoc with me right now. I am so beyond angry with him, but I don’t want this to be it for us.

Is this really going to end?

Right here and now?

I turn to look at Cain and watch him staring at me as if he’s going through the same emotions I am. Our eyes lock for a moment, and his shoulders slump as if he’s letting his guard down for a second. I step toward him, but his eyes glaze over, and I know he’s adamant about having me his way or no way at all.

I exhale and turn, walking out of my bedroom and into the living room. I know he’s close behind as I make my way to the kitchen and the refrigerator.

How can a perfect night be ruined so quickly?

Are we seriously over before we’ve had a chance to begin?

Cain grunts as I continue to ignore him. He’s in the living room while I bang about, making a start on the coffee machine, briefly wondering where Joey is. But right now, I don’t care. I’m trying not to concentrate on the awkwardness between Cain and me.

“I fucking knew it!” Cain bursts out loud as he storms toward the front door.

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