Page 79 of Give In

Last time I was there, I was too tired to even lift my head. Since I was marginally more awake, I was able to actually see the room.

His bed was at least three times larger than my own. If I had one that size, I’d sprawl out in the middle and sleep easy knowing it was unlikely I’d roll to the floor—something that happened far too often in my tiny twin.

But only the right side of his bed looked slept in—the dark blue comforter rumpled and the pillows off-kilter.

I averted my gaze quickly, the knowledge of what side he slept on seeming too intimate. Which, honestly, was stupid considering I’d been in that bed with him before.

My eyes skimmed across the dark wood dressers and nightstands. Like downstairs, various books were strewn about. Some were stacked, while others were left opened and placed face down to hold his spot.

My eye twitched as I thought of the damage he was doing to their spines.

Movement grabbed my attention, and I turned back to watch him sit on the edge of his bed and run his fingers through his hair.

“I can’t just quit,” I said, firm and convincing.

But which one of us am I trying to convince?

Leaning forward, his elbows rested on his knees and his hands hung between his spread legs. His head was bent, and he didn’t look up when he said, “I know.”

“If you know, then why did you try to tell me what to do?”

“I didn’t.”

My brows lowered. “You did.”

“I didn’ttryto tell you. There was no trying. Ididtell you.” Only his head moved as he looked to the side, meeting my gaze. His voice was deceptively calm as he continued. “That you were mine. That no one sees what’s mine but me.”

A shiver ran down my spine—but not from fear.

I wished it was fear that filled me at his possessive claim. Fear seemed right.Normal.

Volcanic levels of heat and dizzying desire were not.

Ignoring my reaction to him, I paced in front of where he sat. “You can’t just declare things and expect them to be true. That isn’t how the world works.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Eden.” Midnight blue eyes bore into me. “In my world, that’sexactlyhow it works.”

I want to be in your world.

Even just for the night.

I got to play pretend before. One more night wouldn’t hurt.

I dismissed the thoughts almost before they formed. Because it wouldn’t be pretending, and it wouldn’t be one night.

I’d get lost in his world.

And I’d never want to be found.

I couldn’t give in. I shouldn’t want to. It was wrong to want something so… well, wrong.

Fueled by disappointment or self-disgust—or maybe both—my tone was flippant when I shot back, “Good for you and your world. In the real world, there are things called bills and rent and food. Things that require money. That means working.”

“No. To you, in your world, that means taking your clothes off.”

My hands went to my hips as my temper snapped. “You know what? You and your high horse can go fuck each other. There’s nothing wrong with being a stripper, you judgmental asshole.”

“I never said there was.” I opened my mouth, but he continued before I could speak. “There’s something wrong withyoubeing a stripper.”

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