Page 4 of Ruthless Possession

I hated him.I hated how he made me feel.But more than anything, I hated myself for wanting it.But then I loved every second of it, fuck.

“Dude, you look like hell,” Tim’s voice broke through the silence, and I flinched.He was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, his usual carefree expression replaced with concern.“What happened to you last night?You disappeared.”

I didn’t answer.I couldn’t.My throat felt tight, like the words were stuck somewhere deep inside me, tangled up with all the things I didn’t want to admit.

Tim stepped into the room, closing the door behind him.“Seriously, Will.You’ve been acting weird all morning.Did something happen at the party?”

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.“Nothing happened.”

“Bullshit,” Tim said, sitting down on his couch across from me.“You’ve been jumpy all day.And don’t think I didn’t notice how you nearly bolted when someone mentioned Noah Draven.”

My stomach dropped at the sound of his name.I could feel my pulse quickening, my chest tightening.“I don’t want to talk about it.”

Tim raised an eyebrow.“So something did happen with Noah.”

“I said I don’t want to talk about it,” I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended.Tim blinked, surprised by the edge in my tone, but he didn’t back down.

“Look, man, I’m just trying to help.You’ve been acting off ever since that party.If something happened, you can tell me.”

I wanted to laugh.Tell him?How could I possibly explain something I didn’t even understand myself?How could I tell him that I’d let Noah Draven—Noah fucking Draven—do whatever he wanted to me?That I’d wanted it?That I still did?

I shook my head, running a hand through my hair.“It’s nothing, Tim.Just drop it.”

Tim studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable.Then he sighed.“Alright, fine.But if you change your mind, I’m here.”

I nodded, but I knew I wouldn’t tell him.I couldn’t.The thought of anyone knowing what had happened made me feel sick.It was bad enough that I had to live with it, that I had to carry the memory of Noah’s hands on me, his voice in my ear, his—

I cut the thought off before it could go any further.I didn’t want to think about it.I didn’t want to think about him.

But it was impossible not to.

The worst part was, I couldn’t stop replaying it in my head.The way he’d looked at me, the way he’d touched me, the way he’d made me feel like I was the only thing that mattered in that moment.It was everything I’d wanted, and yet it felt like a betrayal.Like I’d given him too much, too easily.Like I’d let him win.

And maybe I had.

I hated myself for it.I hated how weak I’d been, how I’d melted under his touch like I had no self-respect.But at the same time, I couldn’t deny the part of me that craved it.That wanted more.

It was a dangerous line to walk, and I didn’t know how much longer I could keep my balance.

“You know,” Tim said, breaking the silence again, “people are talking.”

My head snapped up, my heart racing.“What do you mean?”

Tim shrugged, but there was something in his expression that made my stomach twist.“Just… rumors.People saw you leave with Noah.They’re saying stuff.”

“What kind of stuff?”I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Tim hesitated, like he wasn’t sure he should tell me.“Just… that you two were together.That something happened.”

I felt like the walls were closing in on me.My chest tightened, my breath coming in short, shallow gasps.“They don’t know anything,” I said quickly, my voice trembling.“They couldn’t.We were in a private room.No one saw anything.”

Tim raised an eyebrow.“So, something did happen.”

I froze, realizing too late what I’d just admitted.“I—I didn’t mean—”

“Relax, man,” Tim said, holding up his hands.“I’m not judging.I’m just saying… if people are talking, you might want to be careful.Noah’s not exactly the kind of guy you want to get mixed up with.”

I wanted to laugh.Careful?It was too late for that.I was already in too deep, and I didn’t know how to get out.

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