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Spi
“Care to explain why you’re back to being an asshole?”
“Do you really need to ask?”
“Yes actually, I do.” My nose went in the air. “You say I don’t respect your boundaries, yet it’s you who doesn’t respect mine. Look at what happened today. You hurt me...again, but I was able to put that behind us. I’ve been nice to you and it’s backfired every single time. I literally just offered to clean your gutters and—”
“And ensured I was highly aware that this, that we, are just temporary in your mind. Whereas for me—” He punched himself over the heart. “You are more permanent than anything.”
“You can’t expect to keep me like a favourite toy, Kassen!”
“And you can’t have this both ways, Gemma.”
“Both ways?” My own temper fired hotter to meet his. “You’re the one who switched the moment you walked inside.”
“No, you’re the one who just admitted you’re still looking for a way out.”
“I said no such thing.”
He laughed coldly. “You said it right to my face.” He lowered his chin, watching me beneath his brow. “I saw it in your eyes. I heard it in your voice. It wasn’t just the words you used but the way you said it. Seems you’re not the only one who can read a person. The more I get to know you, the more secrets you share with me.”
I trembled with fear and fury. “Do you honestly think I will turn my back on my mother, my brother, and not try to leave? You’re naïve if you think I’ll put you before them.”
His fingers dug into the doorframe. “You don’t have a choice.”
“Perhaps not, but by removing my choice, it ensures I’ll never drop my guard around you. Never be anything more than just your prisoner.”
“Did I say I wanted more?”
I sneered, drinking in his face and the agonizing hurt in his stare. He might be learning how to read me, but I’d already become a master at reading him. And his features were carved with frustration. With need. With a hunger that only came from being denied true company. He’d accepted that he no longer wanted to be alone. I’d conveniently fit the role in becoming his valley companion. The only problem was, he hadn’t asked. He’d told, and well, I was stubborn when it came to being told anything.
I crossed my arms and ignored his previous question. “I’m not cooking for you.”
“You’ll do it because you owe me. I fed you each night for a week. It’s your turn.”
Spi