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She has no fucking clue. No idea the lengths I will go when it comes to her.
I gasp for air and shift on the floor, swallowing down the pain. "You can run, Wallflower, but you can't hide, not from me."
She pauses at the door, her hand gripping the handle. Then she twists around and stares down at me. There I see a fire in her eyes that threatens to burn me to fucking ash.
"I'm not trying to hide, Drew. I'm right fucking here, and when you can be honest with me, then maybe we can have a real conversation. Until then, we’re done."
When she walks out, I let out another shuddering breath. The roar of the four-wheeler engine fills my ears. Lying flat on that floor, I don't think I've ever been more attracted to her than I am right now. Even in her anger, she's beautiful, and when she directs it at me… Fucking hell, it turns me the fuck on.
My balls ache, and I adjust my still raging hard-on with a twinge of pain.
After a few minutes, I roll over and sit up so I can get the fuck out of this cabin. Memories of Mom laughing with me on the floor before she started to get really sick assault me. This place used to be a sanctuary, but now it’s nothing but a house of horrors.
I stand so fast that I’m hit with a wave of dizziness, but I don’t slow. The pressure on my chest is too much. I barely manage to turn off the lights and fireplace before walking out the door, slamming it closed behind me, hoping none of the memories inside come home with me.
Once outside, everything feels lighter, and after I lock the door, I turn to face the river and listen to the sound of the rushing water.
I smile, staring up at the night sky. Bel thinks she’s calling the shots, but I know she’s simply waiting. Waiting for me to hunt her down and make her mine all over again. I will. I’ll claim her, and when I do, I’ll make sure she understands that nothing and no one will ever come between us again.
10
BEL
School is still taking some getting used to. Things are different in both good and bad ways. Memories of Drew and Jackie overshadow everything. Thankfully, I haven't seen either of them since I restarted classes.
It’s also incredibly lonely. But I guess I’d rather be alone than surrounded by people who don’t care about me.
At least today is Friday, so once the day is over, I’ll be free and won’t have to return for two more days. The tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and I do my best to ignore the desire to peer over my shoulder. It’s been like this for a couple of days now, and the whispers are growing increasingly loud. Then there’s the fact that I can feel the other students’ eyes on me, tracking my movements.
One table over, a leggy brunette sneers at me and snickers about something to one of her friends while I pack my books in my bag. My hair is up in its usual messy bun, my glasses askew as I bend over to grab another book, but my skirt, opaque tights, and soft cashmere sweater are new and fit me perfectly. As does the wool coat and the designer backpack.
Yet somehow, I'm still not good enough for them.
I shove my shiny new laptop into the laptop bag and zip it closed, then shoot the girls a glare and march up the steps toward the door. In the back of my mind, I hear Drew's voice in my head. They can go fuck themselves. At least that’s something we agree on.
Once out in the hall, I sigh and let my shoulders slip down from my ears. My body relaxes all on its own, as if it knows danger is no longer present.
On the corkboard ahead, there’s a flyer, its black ink printed on neon yellow paper. It reads: PARTY AT THE MILL!!!! That must be what had Sebastian’s attention this week since he’s been mostly absent. I know he still has duties required of him by The Mill, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.
I pull my phone from my coat pocket and start to text the driver as I walk toward the double doors, but I pause as another thought occurs to me. Do I really want to go back to the house and stay there in the echoing quiet all alone? Without Sebastian there, I might as well get an apartment and live alone…
I doubt he'll be there tonight either, given the party at The Mill.
And if he’s at the party, that means Drew may or may not be there, depending on how they are doing at the moment. They've been at each other's throats, but it’s been a minute since I’ve discussed anything with Sebastian regarding Drew.
Ahh, fuck it.
I’m thinking too much about this when I should be cutting loose and enjoying myself. There’s a party with free alcohol. I should be there. I deserve to let go and enjoy myself a little. Who cares if Drew will be there? Maybe he won’t be. That’s wishful thinking at best.
The Mill isn’t but a couple of blocks from here. There’s no need to call a driver when I can walk. I hike my bag up my shoulder and head toward the fraternity house.
The closer I get, the more the memories from The Hunt assault me. Of the way the branches scratched at my skin, what my bare feet felt like against the soft earth and fallen leaves. The scent of the forest, the scent of him. Manly and spicy.
Lost in thought, I don’t even realize I’ve made it to the mansion until the thundering beat of music shakes the ground beneath my feet. Holy hell. I’m almost afraid to go inside. I walk up the steps, stopping at the front door. I’m momentarily paralyzed, a deer caught in the headlights of a car that’s about to hit her.
Just do it. Go inside.
Taking hold of the door handle, I shove the huge heavy door open and step inside. An onslaught of sensation greets me. The beat of the music pulses through my body, giving me a second heartbeat?—
