Part 77 (1/2)

”Look, do you want to just go back home? We don't have to do this,” he told me. I sensed bitterness entering his voice. ”I was being honest when I told you earlier that I was just trying to get your mind off things... but if you're not going to put in any effort...”

”No, that's not it at all...” I replied hastily, feeling bad. I knew he was doing it on purpose, spinning my apathy as a guilt-trip, but that didn't change a thing about falling for the trap. ”Wait, we don't have to do what?”

”f.u.c.k,” he shrugged. ”I thought that's what we were doing after this just a harmless, meaningless little f.u.c.k. I mean, isn't that what you wanted a rebound f.u.c.k to get your mind off of that guy? Something to clear your head...”

I was almost indignant, but the s.e.xy little smirk that crossed his lips, and the way his eyes seemed to twinkle, undermined my firm opposition to the idea.

Particularly when I started to remember just how talented he was in bed nothing like Dalton, but he could still make me c.u.m almost on command...

My mind drifted back to the conversation we'd had over the phone. Did we even TALK about having s.e.x? It was hard to remember, although it must have only been an hour or two before. Ever since the moment I thought Dalton walked in, nothing else had really mattered.

”Yeah, didn't think so,” he growled. With a flick of his fingers, he summoned over our nearby server, requesting the check.

”No, wait,” I cut in.

The way his eyes flickered to me, and that subtly triumphant smile on his face, told me that he was just trying to push my b.u.t.tons. This was such a bad idea... I needed to get as far away from this guy as I could, because he could effortlessly manipulate me...

But my words betrayed me instead.

”Maybe that's what we both need...”

Was it? But this feels so wrong...

I wanted something to help me forget Dalton, something to just get me through one more miserable night... even if that meant dealing with the Devil himself.

Staring Jeremy in the eyes, I felt something breaking inside me. Was I resigning myself to this? I was in so much pain...

No, I finally admitted to myself.

I can't do this. Even if Dalton and I aren't together... even if we can NEVER be together... I can't let this happen.

”I'm sorry,” I told him.

Jeremy's eyes flashed with irritation.

”Excuse me?”

”I said, 'I'm sorry,'” I repeated.

He chuckled nervously, his eyes darkly watching me from behind those wicked frames. Jeremy was clearly surprised... and I recalled then that he was a man who hated surprises.

”Sorry for what? Answer carefully...”

I dropped my napkin against my plate. ”I can't do this. I can't spend the night with you... I have to get away from here. From you.”

”Clara, that's behind us,” he insisted darkly.

”No, it's really not,” I told him. ”This was stupid. How could I possibly go out to dinner with you? You're a complete monster. We were happy together, and you destroyed that. I've met someone else, someone who makes me happy. Even if I can't be with him, he would still never hurt me the way that you did.”

Jeremy leaned forward, a downright villainous flash in his eyes. Although I knew I had the moral high ground, I trembled with fear at what he might do now...

”Well, Clara, where the f.u.c.k is he now, hmm?”

”Right here,” a familiar voice rang out.

We both turned, and I gasped in shock. There was Dalton, standing tall in his leather and watching us carefully. Statuesque and menacing, my stepbrother stood just a few feet away glaring with every ounce of overwhelming power that his body could muster.

”Dalton... I...”

”Oh, this ought to be good...” Jeremy hissed.

Before either of us could say another word, Dalton was at my side. Kneeling and taking my other hand into his, he stared up into my eyes. His fury was fading away into something else, something that intimidated me just as much when it came from him.

Compa.s.sion.

”Clara, I don't care about what stands in our way. I don't give a rat's a.r.s.e about the reasons why this is wrong. This entire week, I've tried to ignore the truth and respect your wishes, but I realize now that you... complete me. You make me better. You make me more. I can't stand the idea of not having you at my side... and I know you feel the same way.”

”Dalton...”

”Come with me,” he told me. ”Leave this all behind and join me.”

I swallowed down my anxiety and surprise. ”But we've been over this. Our parents, your traveling, my school...”

”I'm sorry, I have to cut in a second,” Jeremy laughed. ”Did you just say your parents? Like, collective parents? Are you two related?”

Dalton flared an insidious glare his way, but I drew his attention back to me.

”It's complicated,” I murmured.

Jeremy chuckled. ”You think I'm the f.u.c.ked up one? What an interesting turn of events... I would have never guessed that your date was your darling brother...”

”I know you want this to work,” Dalton told me, ignoring him. ”This last week has been tearing me apart inside... and it's done the same to you. I can see it in your eyes.”

”I just don't know, Dalton...”

Jeremy laughed even harder. ”Oh, this is seriously happening? I thought this was just some sort of a twisted joke, but you actually want to f.u.c.k your brother. That's a new one.” He flashed me an evil grin. ”Not sure I'm into incestuous chicks, but hey, if you want to keep things relative, I can always make you call me Daddy when I'm pumping you full of my c.o.c.k...”

”Alright, a.s.shole,” Dalton glowered, standing up. With a quick movement, he grabbed Jeremy by the throat and tugged him out of the booth.

”Dalton, wait!” I cried out.

Jeremy's eyes bugged out with anger. He grabbed hold of his steak knife, and I saw exactly where this was going.

”Look out!”

Dalton's eyes instantly tracked my gaze, and he thrust Jeremy forward into the ground as he swiped with the knife. Luckily, he only managed to catch air with the arc of the sharp edge, and tumbled backwards into a heap.

”Oh, you are going to regret that,” Jeremy laughed wickedly as he climbed up from the ground. He wielded the knife in front of himself defensively, preparing to leap forward with a jab if anyone made a move. ”What can I say, Clara? Can't f.u.c.k your brother if he's in the hospital with a gut wound, huh?”

”Jeremy, stop it!” Dalton hissed. ”There's no reason for this! Just calm down and put down the knife before someone gets hurt!”