Page 98 of Unravelling The Beast

I give him the side eye, and he rises up on his elbows before talking firmly again.

"You know what the fuck I mean."

I purse my lips, annoyance creeping in, and glance down at my hands.

"I just thought—"

He immediately cuts me off before I can finish what I was about to say.

"You thought wrong. You know what the fuck this is and who the fuck I am. Don't ever get things twisted up between us."

I squeeze my eyes shut as I respond quietly.

"So you don't see us?"

I cast a glance at him over my shoulder, and his jaw tenses as fire builds in his eyes while he declares through clenched teeth:

"I don't see fucking anything. "

I grow defensive and spin around to confront him, narrowing my eyes and raising my voice.

"You're fucking fooling yourself, Arlo! Two people can't have as much sex as we do without feeling some—"

My words are cut short by him tossing the duvet off of himself and standing off the bed before storming at me, causing my body to freeze.

When he is entirely in my space, he glares down at me with a bitter expression on his face and speaks aggressively.

"Feel? You think I fucking feel?"

I swallow hard as I stare into his angry eyes, trying to maintain my confidence before responding gently.

"You must have done so at some point because you were in love, Arlo."

He grinds his teeth, his eyes not leaving mine and the silence grows uncomfortable. I decide to take a slow step forward, closing the gap between us, and bring my palm to his face, but he turns his head, looking away and stopping me.

"Why in the fuck would you ever want more with a cold cunt like me, Wren? Haven't I shown you enough not to catch feelings? Enough red fucking flags?"

I drop my hand as I observe his side profile, his sharp jaw tense, and after a moment, I softly speak.

"I don't think you're entirely bad, Arlo. I can feel it deep inside me that you’re not—"

His harsh eyes collide with mine, and he lowers his face down close to mine with such hatred in his eyes that any normal person would be scared.

"You're so fucking wrong. You know absolutely fuck all about me. Your feelings are way off balance!"

As his furious words echo through me, I straighten up.

"And let's get one thing straight: I fucking use you, Wren. When are you going to get that into your head? You're nothing more than a piece of fucking meat that I fuck anytime I want!"

Rage swells up within me, and I smack him hard across the face while breathing heavily through gritted teeth.

He keeps his face to the side, and I watch as his red jaw tenses with irritation, but I can't stop my eyes from welling up with tears, and my lip trembles as I whisper.

"Fuck you."

That one hurt. I felt that. He can call me your little slut all he wants; talk to me dirty; fuck me like a whore; but never talk to me like that when I'm trying to express myself and expect me to take it.

When his cold eyes meet mine, he rises tall, his big stature overshadowing my petite frame. I draw my teary eyes away from his, glancing away and trying to control myself before exhaling an uneasy breath.

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