Page 38 of Irish Betrayal

Blair shifted on her feet, her body flushing with heat, whether it was embarrassment over Peter’s condescension toward Katy, the breakfast pastry she’d eaten earlier as she’d walked the property, or the bright sun’s heat making its way under her long-sleeved button-up, any of them or all. Her mind was going in so many directions she felt fractured.

The thought of Peter’s videos and pictures flashed through her mind, making her body thrum and ache even more.

Katy gave her a questioning look. Blair’s forced smile seemed to satisfy her. Too soon, Katy was retracing her steps back to the main house, leaving Blair with a monster.

After what seemed like an eternity of awkwardness, Peter touched Blair’s arm. She didn’t think. She reacted, knocking his arm away, signing, “Don’t touch me. Ever.”

Any pretense of the easy-going scientist evaporated. He grabbed her arms, his fingers pinching painfully into her biceps.

“I’ll touch you, Blair, any time and any way I wish. You might have thought that your little games of avoiding me would work, but I’m telling you now that’s over. You are mine, and the sooner you consign yourself to that truth, the better.

“I realize I was overly harsh that last day. Mindy’s presence might have been a mistake. If you’re worried she’ll replace you in my affection, you can shelve those negative thoughts immediately.

“Mindy is a toy. Nothing more or less. You’re my girl. I just want your smiles back, Blair. Surely, you aren’t still angry that I let a meaningless person give me pleasure. I taught you well that bodies have needs.”

Blair was so angry and so disgusted, she felt tears prick her eyes. Her stomach turned and then lurched when Peter grabbed the hand not holding the core tool.

“I said don’t touch me.”

He jerked her roughly into his body, wrapping his arm tightly around her body, his fingertips resting against the side of her breast, which she understood now was not by accident. Had never been an accident.

“I’m going to be sick,” she said through her tight throat. “Please,” she signed, feeling bile rush up her throat, burning and choking.

Thankfully, her hair was in a single braid down her back because there was no time for niceties like holding her hair out of the way. She bent, her stomach clenching and spasming as vomit sprayed the red Oklahoma soil, her boots, and Peter’s loafers.

He jumped back, shoving her forward, which caused her to stumble and drop to her knees. Clasping her thighs, she dragged in a deep, shaky breath.

Lifting her head, she didn’t bother to wipe away the strings of saliva from her chin. She stared with as much hate as she could muster while in a vulnerable position.

“Go back to Stillwater, Peter. I don’t want you here.”

Peter returned her stare unflinching. He bent, enunciating every word so that she wouldn’t miss his meaning. “Don’t think this little stunt will work. You are my girl. You’ve always been mine. I’ll leave for now to give you tonight to get yourself under control, but tomorrow night, you will stay with me on campus.”

“No,” Blair croaked.

Peter crouched next to her, avoiding the patch of vomit currently soaking into the earth at her feet. He tapped her forehead roughly. “If you think that I won’t send our home videos to your family, your friends, and hell, even to Dr. Bartel, you are very much mistaken. I will stop at nothing to bring you to your senses. I traveled a long way to get you back, Blair, and I won’t be going home without you by my side.”

seventeen

DANIEL

January

Daniel: How is school?

Blair: Fine.

Daniel: I miss you.

Blair: Please don’t.

Daniel: I want to see you.

Blair: No.

February

Daniel: I think about you all the time.