by A. J. Logan
“Don’t forget. You said I can take it for a spin next time.”
“You got it,” Mr. George says, waving us off.
“I’ll follow you back to your house.” Placing his hand on the small of my back, I flinch at his tender touch. It’s another contradiction that is Dylan. A tender touch to guide me to the hell he’s about to force me to endure. Silently, I get in my car and drive to my house. Failing miserably to avoid glancing at the stupid black STI in my rearview mirror, I do so the entire drive back home.
Stepping out of my car, I slam the door and watch as Dickwad emerges from his. “Are you really going to hang around here all day just to torture me?”
“Yep. It’d be rude of me to pass on a tour of the town and supper with dear ole dad.”
“There’s no one here but us, so you can cut the shit. Seriously, go home. Obviously you didn’t last night since you’re still in the same clothes.”
A self-assured grin forms on his face—one I’ve come to know all too well. “Is that what’s bothering you? It’s just gonna be us?”
“Don’t flatter yourself.” Yeah, that might be part of it. “You really should go home and shower or jump off a cliff or something.”
“Sounds like a good idea.” Dylan moves quickly to the back of his car, opens the trunk, and starts digging around.
“Which one? Jumping off a cliff I hope.”
“Showering.” Pulling a bag out of his trunk, he slams it shut, then walks toward the house as I follow behind him.
“You are not showering here. And why do you have that in your car? Do you even have a place to stay, or do you just go around tormenting people and borrowing their showers?”
He stops at the door, waiting for me to unlock it I assume. But I don’t, and he says, “Nah. I have a place. I just like to be prepared for the unexpected.”
“Yeah, sure.” Rolling my eyes, I turn to unlock the door, accepting that he isn’t going to give up on this ridiculous taunting, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it or him.
“Not that I could’ve prepared for you,” he mutters.
Halting in place, I avoid looking to him. I don’t know why because I’m still fuming, but he’s getting to me, and that can’t happen. “Bathroom is down the hallway, but I’m sure you found it last night when you were snooping around.”
Thankfully, he heads to the bathroom and leaves me alone in the kitchen. I have half a mind to bail, just get in my car and get as far away from him as possible. But I can’t because of Dad and Levi.
Busying myself around the kitchen, I run out of things to do, so I plop down on the sofa, flip on the TV, and mindlessly scroll through channels. Anything to avoid thinking about the egotistical moron who’s currently showering in my bathroom. Memories of our early morning kiss in his car flashes through my mind. It was just as stupid then as it is now. And even more so, it shouldn’t stir any feelings in me except anger. But that’s not all I’m feeling, recalling the sensation of his mouth devouring mind. Damn it. I need to get him—and that kiss—far out of my mind. Why do I get the feeling even if Dylan brings enormous pleasure, he’ll elicit even greater pain?
24
Dylan
Why does she make me so fucking weak? Just when I think I have a grip on myself, I blurt out exactly what’s on my mind—and when it comes to Sadie—that’s not a good thing.
Taking my time showering, I get ahold of myself and thankfully feel refreshed after pulling on a clean pair of jeans and brushing my teeth. All mental progress made in the shower is lost as I glance around the small bathroom, imagining Sadie growing up here.
Opening the bathroom door, I grab my shirt and bag, heading down the hallway to find her on the couch watching the television until her eyes turn to me. They slowly trail down my stomach, lingering before she swiftly looks away.
Yeah. She can pretend all she wants, but I know desire when I see it. And I won’t give up until she admits it. Tossing my bag aside, I drop my shirt on top of it before sitting beside her on the couch. “There’s no shame in looking—and you can touch if you’d like.”
Her head slowly turns, a murderous glare directed my way.
“I’d like to throat punch you.”
Fuck, she’s so fun to stir up. “Whatever kink you’d like to explore, I’m game.”
Her eyes close as she shakes her head. “You’re such a jackass. I’m sure you’re used to panties dropping at your beck and call, but that won’t be happening with me.”
Standing from the couch, she moves to walk away, but I can’t let her off that easy. I’m enjoying pissing her off too much.
Reaching over, I grab her hand and pull her towards me. Stumbling a bit, her hands shoot out reflexively and land against my bare chest before gripping my shoulders. I grab her hips, positioning her to straddle my lap. “You don’t have to fight it. All you have to do is say it. Tell me you want my dick inside you as much as I want to bury it in your pussy.” Moving one hand under her T-shirt, I rub up the smooth skin of her back as the other threads in her hair. Holding her to me, it’s not lost on me that she’s not fighting but remaining still, though her eyes bore into mine. “Let me show you how good you should feel, how you should be explored, devoured, and savored.”
Her fingers dig into my skin, elevating my need to have her, every part of her. Something that she hasn’t given anyone else.
“You just want to make me suffer. It’s not worth the pain that will follow.”
Her words gut me. My fingers tighten in her hair before releasing and pushing her to the side. “Yeah, that’s right. You’re not worth the pain.”
The hurt expression on her face should make me stop, but I can’t. I don’t know if I’m angry with her for making me weak or myself for allowing her the power to do so. I’ll only inflict misery on her—even if she lets me in—so, why can’t I back off? She is the key to getting the information I need to find out who’s responsible for what happened to my brother, but there has to be another way. One that doesn’t involve the unattainable vixen that has my balls in her vice grip without even realizing it.
“Then why are you here? Since I’m not worth it, you should go. Leave me alone.”
“It’s not about you.” Or it shouldn’t be anyway. But the longer I’m around her, the deeper I’m sinking, and I’m not sure I could walk away even if I tried.
“Of course, it’s not. I’m sure your precious ego couldn’t take the focus being on someone else.”
“Pretty much,” I agree because telling her my focus should be on Noah would give away too much. I’m not ready to reveal my hand just yet, not until I know her trust doesn’t lie with Kyle. “Let’s take my car for the town tour.”
“You’ve already seen it. There’s not much here. Driving to my dad’s shop covers the main part of town.”
“There has to be more.”
“Nope,” she says, walking to the kitchen.
Standing from the couch, I yank my shirt over my head then grab my bag. “I’m sure we’ll find something more entertaining than fucking on your couch. Let’s go.”
She recoils, tensely moving further away as she walks around the kitchen before turning to face me. “I’ll meet you outside in a minute.” She hurries down the hallway, fleeing into the bathroom where she slams the door behind her. It’s a great visual of how she shuts me out time and time again. Luckily, she possesses the willpower I can’t seem to find, because I know once I get a real taste of her, it’ll never be enough—leaving me wanting, needing, craving more. And I’d gladly accept every morsel she’d be willing to give me.
25
Sadie
Folding my arms across my chest, I stare out the window as the familiar scenery of Main Street passes by.
“Where to?” Dylan says, his voice sounds about as thrilled as I feel to be in the car with him.
“Don’t care.”
“You should.”
“Why? It’s not like I have any control when it comes to your schemes
. Hostages don’t have a say-so in their sentence.”
“You’re not my hostage.”
“Yes. I am.”
“No. You’re not here against your will.”
“Then what the fuck do you call it?”
“You have a choice. You can end this right now if you’d like. That is your decision. What you are not free from is the consequences of your choice, but you can leave anytime you please.”
“Wow. What great logic you have there. But you’re correct. You did give me a choice between two really shitty options. So very kind of you, jackass.”
His jaw clenches as he stares ahead, avoiding my gaze. The arrogant cockiness is gone, replaced by a moody jerk ever since I’d rejected his lethal invitation of screwing in the living room. I can’t deny the physical attraction to him, but as soon as he opens his mouth, it evaporates. He always says something to remind me of how vile he is and how much he plans to make me suffer. I just don’t understand why it has to be me. Maybe if I’m a pain in the ass he’ll back off.
“Where do you want to go, Sadie?”
Returning my focus out the passenger window, I stare at the tranquil scenery passing by, a complete contradiction to how I feel. Now I won’t be able to visit home without thinking about Dylan’s idiotically alluring face. “Nowhere … somewhere … anywhere but here.”
“All right. Let’s take a ride by Kyle’s house. I’m sure the family would be thrilled to see you.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Try me.”
“If you know where the Boones live, why do I need to show you around town? Seems like you already have a really good feel for it.”
He doesn’t respond, confirming my suspicion.
“This isn’t your first visit to Staffordsville. How many times have you been here?”
“A few.”
“‘A few’ as in two or a few … hundred?”
“Why does it matter?” He answers with a question, but it tells me what I wanted to know. How long has Dylan been around? How long, exactly, has he been lingering in the shadows?
“Because there’s nothing I can show you. You’re very familiar with everything and everyone in my life. You do know more about me than I know about myself, so there’s nothing new I can show you.”
“Take me to the place I can’t find. The place that makes you happiest. At peace with everything going on inside your mind. Where you can forget everything swarming around that you have no control over.”
A place immediately comes to mind, but I don’t say it. It’s on the tip of my tongue, begging to respond to the sincerity in his voice. But I shouldn’t buy it. And I shouldn’t allow him to insert himself into another aspect of my life. He’s doing a damn good job on his own, without any help from me. And there’s so many questions I have that he won’t answer. Maybe this is the time to get some answers.
“Tell me the truth. Did you mess with my tire so I’d end up on the side of the road?”
He remains silent, as expected.
“Why should I show you anything when you won’t give me simple answers?”
“There are no simple answers.”
“Of course. Not when you lie about everything and talk in circles.” And that’s all we do, go round and round and get nowhere. So I take a cue from him and remain silent until I notice the parking lot he’s turning into.
“What are we doing here?” I look around the place in town I’m least at peace—the parking lot of the only grocery store in Staffordsville. The same place my mom’s life ended. The best thing about moving to Sunland is not having to shop at this store. Even when I was still living at home, I avoided this place at all costs. The few times Dad couldn’t stop at the store, I drove thirty minutes to the nearest store a town over just to avoid shopping at the one a few miles from home.
“Figured we could grab something to cook for supper since you don’t seem like you want to go anywhere else.” His left hand moves to the door handle. Without thought, I grab his arm then immediately release it.
“Let’s just drive around. There’s plenty at the house to cook.”
Dylan scans the lot around us, then looks back to me. Just when I thought he’d say something, he hesitates, closes his mouth, and starts the STI back up. With every second of distance he puts between me and that parking lot, I can breathe a little easier. I’m just thankful for once Dylan didn’t argue with me … something that is so unlike him. And it hits me.
“You know,” I whisper, unable to summon the anger I want to feel only because he’s taking me away from the nightmare instead of forcing me to face it.
“Sadie, I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.” I keep my face turned away from him, letting the tears slide down my cheeks. “I’m fine.”
“Now you’re lying to the both of us.”
Agreed. I am lying, but it’s easier that way. And even if I face the truth that I’m not all right, it doesn’t change anything. Mom is still gone. Dad is still wrapped up in illegal dealings. Levi still hates me. And Dylan will still make me suffer until he’s ready to discard me. There’s no stopping the course we’re on.
As though I’d thought it into existence, Dylan reaches over, entwining his fingers with mine. Gently, he lifts my hand to his mouth and feathers a tender kiss on my wrist. Instead of pulling away, I hold tight, not knowing if it’s him or something else I’m trying to hold onto. Ever since my mom died, I’ve been grasping at straws, reaching for anything and everything I can hold onto to steady myself. But Dylan is an odd source of steadiness. He feels like the eye of the storm—calmness in the center, surrounded by chaos. And I know I can’t stay in the eye for too long; that when I eventually step away, the downpour will engulf me.
I can’t recall the last time we’ve sat at the kitchen table and all eaten together. Yet here we are. Dylan to my left and Dad to my right. And if the tension in the room wasn’t enough, Levi steps into the kitchen, studying the scene before he heads towards the hallway.
“Levi, come eat.”
“Not hungry,” Levi says shortly before I hear his bedroom door slam.
“Excuse me for one second.” Dad stands from the table, taking the same route that Levi just had.
Great. It really is going to be a complete family supper if Dad and Levi start a yelling match. Or Levi could decide to tell me exactly how he feels about me. Again. The thought makes my stomach lurch as the food that was just appealing turns nauseating. Does he really hate me, or is he just angry? I can understand both, but one I can’t come back from.
Surprisingly, less than two minutes goes by before Dad returns to the table, Levi behind him, taking a seat across from me. I guess it’s a start, even if he won’t look at me.
“Dinner looks great,” Dad says, glancing around at the to-go containers filled with cheeseburgers and fries from the local diner. It’s not like there’s much of a choice in town, but I wasn’t expecting to get takeout. It was Dylan who’d insisted (as usual), but I can’t complain this time because there really wasn’t much in the house in the way of groceries. With only Dad and Levi living here, I doubt they ever sit down and have an actual home-cooked meal.
“Dylan bought it,” I blurt out, as Dad hesitates then continues reaching over for a to-go container.
A chuckle leaves Levi’s mouth, earning a glare from dad, but he reaches across the table, nonetheless, grabbing a meal for himself.
“Well, thanks, Dylan,” Dad says.
“No problem,” Dylan replies, keeping his eyes on Levi. I don’t like the tension that radiates between them when their eyes lock in what can only be described as a death stare.
“So, Dylan. Tell me a little more about yourself. Have you lived in Sunland long?”
“No sir. I just started at Haine this semester,” Dylan responds, earning another chuckle from Levi. “Care to share what’s so humorous with the rest of us?”
Oh shit. I know that tone. Dylan isn’t going to find anything comical in the slightest
no matter what Levi’s response is.
Levi doesn’t seem the least bit concerned as he replies, “I was just thinking how funny it is that my big sis managed to sink her claws into another one so quickly.”
“Levi,” Dad scolds but my attention is on Levi’s sadistic expression, the same one he had when he told me I was responsible for our mother’s death. He really does hate me.
Leaning back in his chair, Levi goes in for another blow as he asks, “So, how is Kyle doing, sis?”
The question throws me because Levi couldn’t stand Kyle—so why is he concerned about his well-being now? It’s doubtful he gives a rat’s ass about Kyle, more likely, he just wants to taunt me. Or maybe he’s friends with Kyle now. I still don’t know if Levi is in on the whole thing with Dad and Kyle. He’s clearly found some of their product because he looks high even now.
“I’m sure Kyle is fine Levi, but this isn’t the time or place to discuss it. I’m sure he and Sadie will work on things in their own time.”
“There’s nothing to work on, Dad. I told you—Kyle and I aren’t together anymore.” Is that why Dad keeps pushing me to Kyle? Because of their sketchy arrangement? It’s not like Dad can admit it or that I can imply I know anything, but I have to ask. “Why do you want us to work it out so bad?”
“Y’all just been close for so long …”
Levi takes it upon himself to keep the conversation going. “Eh. Dad’s just making sure Kyle gets a return on his investment.”
“What?” My heart races. There’s no way Levi is admitting what is going on, but from his reclined position, he looks like he isn’t concerned about whatever bombshell he’s about to drop.
“Levi,” Dad growls out a warning.
But my brother is zoned in on me. Once again, dead set on inflicting more torment. “You know, for all of that financial investing Kyle has done in you.”
