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She places a tea light in each gourd before handing me a lighter wand. “I’ll kill the lights so we can put our designs to the test.”
I’m about to speak when something outside the window catches my attention. My nerves stand on edge as I spy the silhouette of a figure standing in the darkness beyond the curtains, watching us through the glass.Damon?I quickly jump up and pull the curtains shut. “Do you mind if I use the bathroom before we light them up?”
“Go ahead.” She looks at me curiously. “Is everything okay?”
I try to hide my rattled nerves and give her a reassuring smile. “Yep, of course,” I answer as nonchalantly as possible before making my way into the bathroom. Once there, I lock the door and lean on the sink, taking in deep gulps of air. I survey my reflection in the mirror, wondering just what Damon is up to. Likely nothing good.
I unlock the door and peek out—only to see him standing right outside. He sticks his hand through the crack, wedging the door open. I’m about to slam it on his fingers, but I hesitate, not wanting to get Jen’s attention and risk putting her in danger. That same hesitance allows him to slip inside and engage the lock.
“Tell me why thefuckyou followed me here,” I demand in a whisper-shout, heart racing as I cross my arms.
He sets his gaze on me, and I can just imagine the smirk that plays on his lips. “I followed you because I wanted to see what you’re up to. I had to make sure you were okay. Especially after everything that’s happened.”
I feel myself seething.Is he fucking with me?“Not your concern,” I say, wishing I brought the kitchen knife with me. “Now get out of here before I make it my business to get you gone.”
He holds his hands up in mock surrender, and a faint chuckle rumbles from his chest. “I just wanted to check up on you, that’s all. No need for you to get so unnecessarily fired up.”
Anger boils in my gut, my eyes narrowing. He’s got some fucking nerve following me here, knowing that I can’t do anything drastic with Jen around. “I’m fine, Damon. Now get the hell out.”
“You just have to trust me. Okay, Little Finch?” He steps closer and reaches out, placing a hand on my cheek. “I promise everything will make sense soon enough.”
Before I can respond, he snatches my wrists, making me gasp. He spins me around and pins my hands behind my back. I bite my lip to silence my traitorous whimpers as he rubs against my ass, his erection unabashedly prominent. “I’d be careful if I were you. Wouldn’t want your little friend to get hurt, do you?”
“What do you think you’re doing?” I hiss, jerking in an effort to free myself.
“I’m not going to hurt you. I just wanted to make sure that you knew who had the control here.” He inhales the scent of my neck. “Me.”
I grit my teeth and dig my heels into the tile. “Let me go, Damon.Now.”
“Fuck, I love it when you say my name,” he murmurs, grinding against me. “Say it again.”
“Let me go,” I say again, this time with more force. He doesn’t reply and presses into me harder, drawing a moan from me. My chest heaves as I try to collect myself, before mumbling, “Please, Damon … Let me go.”
He doesn’t, choosing to keep me under his control. And some deep, fucked up part of mewantsthis. I feign a struggle in freeing myself, my breath coming in pants as he groans in my ear, like he’s relishing my helplessness.
“And to think, I didn’t even have to threaten you with my blade,” he growls, his breathing almost as labored as mine. “Look at how compliant you are. Like putty in my hands, ready for me to mold you into what I want.”
Suddenly, Jen’s voice pierces through the room. “Mia? What are you doing in there? Is something wrong?”
I freeze, unable to answer her question. Damon moves against me once more before finally releasing me with a chuckle, leaving my mind in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions as I scramble to improvise.
“What’s going on? Who are you talking to?” she asks.
I slam the handle of the toilet, flushing it to muddle the noise in the room. “Nothing, Jen. I’m just talking to myself.” I glare daggers at Damon as he snickers. “Get out—now,” I mutter, pointing to the window above the tub.
Unconcerned, he shrugs and slides open the window. After taking one final, lingering look at me, he hops over the side of the tub and climbs outside. I shut the window behind him, my legs shaking and my head still reeling.
“Everything alright?”
I can hear the worry in her tone, guilt descending upon me. After taking a few steadying breaths, I square my shoulders and turn the lock. “I’m fine,” I reply with a forced smile as I open the door. “But thanks for worrying about me. It’s sweet of you.”
“That’s what friends are for, right?” If she knows something’s up, she doesn’t acknowledge it outwardly. “Let’s get those pumpkins going, shall we?”
I let her grab my arm and escort me down the hall. As we return to the living room and light the tea lights, all I can think of is the last thing Damon had said to me before he left. I know I should focus on the pumpkin faces that come to life in the dark, but anger and fear continue to swirl within me. Something is going on with him, something that I can’t put my finger on.
Damon, just what is your endgame?
Chapter
