Page 57 of You Were Never Not Mine

I stare at the hoodie like I have no comprehension of what it is. “Why are you giving me this?”

“I don’t want you going out in public in that whorish dress. Who convinced you to wear it anyway?”

“It’s Elise’s,” I admit.

He rolls his eyes. “Figures. Here.” He shoves the sweatshirt practically into my chest and I grab it, shaking it out before I pull it on over my head.

It’s huge, falling almost to my knees and oh God, it smells just like him, which is dangerous. If I had my choice, I would never give this sweatshirt back to him ever. I will own it for all time and I will never wash it, which is disgusting, and I’m disturbed by my thoughts but not disturbed enough to hand the hoodie back to him.

“That’s better,” he says as he examines me. “Can’t even see the dress anymore.”

“Was it really that bad?” My voice is soft. I’m having a total moment of weakness and I hate that it’s happening in front of him.

“It was worse than you can possibly imagine. How unfortunate that you still have to wear the shoes.” His upper lip curls in disgust.

“Have any other shoes for me to wear then?”

“Oh yes. Let me check my endless supply of women’s shoes that I keep in my closet.” He sends me a wry look. “Of course I don’t have any shoes for you to wear. You’re stuck with those gold abominations.”

The straps have fallen down around my ankles and I bend over to fix them. “You weren’t complaining when you asked me to keep them on earlier.”

“I highly recommend you don’t talk back to me.” I glance up to find him glaring at me.

“What are you going to do, huh? Punish me?” I drag the last two words out, because come on. I need to examine whyexactly I act the way I do when I’m with him, but now is not the time.

“No. You’d like that too much.” He reaches for me, carefully grabbing hold of my arm and pulling me up until I’m standing. “Time to go.”

“Let me go.” His fingers press into my skin, making goosebumps rise. Making me uncomfortable.

“No.” He smiles, devastatingly handsome when he does that.

“Take your hands off me before I call the cops.” My tone is measured, my gaze never wavering. I mean business.

His laughter is mocking. “Please. You wouldn’t have the courage.”

“Don’t forget I almost left your room completely naked,” I point out.

The laughter dies, his expression turning fierce. “I would’ve killed every motherfucker who looked at you twice if you walked out there without a stitch of clothing on. And that would’ve been everyone because your body is unbelievable. Their blood would be on your hands.”

My jaw drops at the offhanded compliment. He even seems startled that it slipped out and an unfamiliar feeling unfurls in my chest, warming me from the inside out.

It’s satisfaction. Bone-deep, delicious satisfaction.

Once I’m finished fixing the stilettos, I saunter over to him, smiling. Smug with the knowledge that he thinks my body isunbelievable. He’s admitted a few things to me that I think he hates confessing. And while most of the time I feel unsure and confused around him, right now I am practically brimming with confidence.

“I don’t think we should see each other anymore,” I announce.

He tilts his head down, scanning me as I stand before him in his hoodie and the stupid shoes. “Really.”

His voice is flat. He doesn’t believe me.

I refuse to let him break me down. I need to leave this room with the upper hand. “What we have is really—fucked up.”

He snorts but otherwise says nothing.

“And it’s freaking me out.” I let my smile drop and hope I look frightened. That’s what I’m going for at least. It’s also kind of the truth because what we share between us is super intense and raw and almost…depraved? That feels like such a strong word to describe what’s happening, but I don’t know how else to describe it. I’ve gone from a virgin who’s barely done anything to having him shove his cock down my throat. He threatened to fuck me in the ass so I could keep my virginity intact. Like who does that?

He crosses his arms, which causes his biceps to bulge, and my mouth waters a little bit. For a man who doesn’t seem to have an athletic bone in his body beyond whatever he does sexually, he’s definitely fit. Though I have no idea if he participates in any kind of sport but he seemed over it at that football game.

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