Page 128 of Pretty Obsessed

I dropped my head to rest on my forearms. "I can't do it. I can't share him. The idea…" I forced the words through my teeth.

"Hot." Iris laughed and nudged an elbow into me. "You need to show him this side of you."

I picked up my head. "You think I should go primal and alpha male and like piss on him to mark my territory?"

"Some people want to be romanced, River. And possessiveness is romance. We want to be claimed and demanded. Wanted and needed."

"Are you speaking for him or yourself?"

"Can't it be both?" He offered a smile. "I can't imagine we’re that different. You're this big muscular and sexy drummer. You could have anyone in the world. You're rich and hot. It’s not so hard to believe he might think that because you could have anyone, that you'd do it? Maybe he sees all that and doesn't get your obsession with him."

"Obsession." I tasted the word and it sat on my soul. The truth of it in my chest. "I should tell him I'm obsessed with him and have been since the first night?"

"No, you need to show him. I don't think words are going to cut it. Look at what it's done so far."

I scrubbed a hand over my face. "I guess I need to think about it."

"Go back to bed with him. Don't leave it like that."

"You think?”

"I know you should."

I pushed open the door, letting my eyes adjust to the low light. Emory lay curled up, head on my pillow, knees tucked into his chest. He felt so much younger than I was at this moment. Smaller. Hurt.

I slipped into bed next to him, coming up behind him to spoon him. “I’m sorry I walked out.”

“Everyone needs space to cool down sometimes,” he said. “You’re allowed to take that space. I’m glad you came back.”

“I’ll always come back.”

* * *

Emory squeezed my hand when I got out of bed only a few hours later to go to the studio. I'd slept later than normal. I pressed a kiss to his cheek before I left.

We worked for hours, but it seemed like minutes, and by the time we took a break the sun was already setting

"What time is it?" I asked Cas, finding it was the two of us left in the room.

"After seven."

“That late?” I hadn’t realized.

I dug around in my bag, looking for my phone.

"Did Alexander talk to you?" Cas asked and my head snapped up, freezing in place.

"About Iris?"

"Yes," he said, leaving us in a staring standoff.

Neither of us moving or speaking.

"We need your help." Cas finally broke the silence. He crossed his arms over his chest.

"With?" I needed to play this so carefully. I wanted as much of their side as possible before they realized I didn't agree with them. So I could know what we were up against, what their plans were.

"Iris." He sounded exasperated already. If I could get him talking, I probably wouldn't have to do much.

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