Page 99 of Unravelling The Beast

"Shall we just end this here, then?I mean, you've just made it very clear that I mean absolutely nothing to you."

As I begin to step toward the door, I feel his eyes following me before he suddenly pounces, slamming me against the door by my throat, causing me to wince as my head bangs on it.

I turn my face away from him, and he presses his forehead against the side of my head, his eyes tightly shut, both of us breathing heavily, and my heart thumping in my chest.

"Please let me go, Arlo."

I wait for what feels like forever; both of us are silent and I sense he wants to say something but he is reluctant to say it to me. When he carefully releases my throat, he lifts his head from mine before facing away and turning around.

I watch his every move as he heads towards his bathroom, his hands balled up into fists, before he opens the door, walks in, and then slams it shut behind him, causing my body to jump.

I rest back against the door, my eyes pressed shut, trying to settle my unsteady breathing and pounding heart. When I'm feeling more at ease, I open his door and go to my room to get into my shower.

As I stand under the hot water, allowing the hot water to burn my skin, I think about how Arlo will now understand what it's like to want me for more than just sex. If he doesn't, then it is what it is. He can attempt to belittle me all he wants; that's fine with me.

I mean, I like Arlo a lot, and it will be difficult to break away from him since he is like a drug deep within my veins, and my body will be overwhelmed with withdrawal, but I can't keep letting him take everything he wants from me yet give little in return.

If he wants to be in denial and defensive about us, I'll leave with my dignity intact, even if it kills me to move on from him. Cree comes back today, and I need to give all of my attention to him. I've missed him and I am looking forward to seeing his cheeky face. It makes everything worthwhile and gives me a reason to be here.

When I step out of the shower, I wrap a fluffy, white towel around my wet body before going to my closet to pick something comfy to wear because I'll be spending the day with Cree.

I dress down in a black bandeau top, high-waisted blue jeans, and a see-through kimono before straightening my hair and adding some light make-up to my dull-looking face.

When I'm finished, I open my door and as I close it behind me, I notice Arlo leaving his bedroom as well at the far end of the corridor.

Our eyes connect from afar, and we both stand at our doors to take one another in, and that's when I realize this is going to be a lot harder than I initially thought. He looks so hot, wearing black, ripped jeans and a plain white tank top, displaying all of his perfectly inked skin.

I manage to peel my gaze away from him reluctantly and peer down the hallway, getting ready to take the stairs. Just as I'm ready to go, I hear his heavy, calculated footsteps coming this way and I watch him from the corner of my eye.

When he comes to a halt in front of me, I cease breathing and keep my eyes low, attempting to avoid eye contact. As my anxiety grows, I attempt to step past him, but he quickly places his fully tattooed arm on the doorframe, bringing me to a stop.

He tilts his head, attempting to get me to look at him, but I turn away as I speak.

"What do you want, Arlo?"

"You know what I fucking want."

As his deep, arrogant voice trembles through me, I close my eyes.

"I'm only here for Cree now; not for you."

I can sense his annoyance pouring from him. Arlo likes what he can control, yet he doesn't have any right now, and he knows I'm serious, or he would have forced himself upon me already.

"Is that what you think?"

As I turn to look at him, my stern eyes meet his, and he lifts an eyebrow, clearly testing my patience.

I bring my face close to his and grit my teeth to assert my power.

"Let's get one thing straight, Arlo: I'm not anyone's fucking 'meat'’. I deserve better than that.Better than you!"

I attempt to push by him again, but he doesn't budge, and he speaks calmly as his eyes explore my face with his head cocked to the side.

"You weren't saying that when you told me to fucking use you. Allowing me to tie you and fuck you so hard that I could feel your tiny body shattering beneath me time and time again."

Before responding, my angry eyes scan his face for a brief pause.

"You're good at fucking me; I'll give you that, and maybe I even used you too, but anything beyond that, you're a nasty, cold cunt, and you're not fucking worth it."

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