Page 34 of Chasing Me

She laughed, shaking her head slowly.“Isn’t that what you wanted?What you’ve been fighting for since day one?If you don’t want the slot, let me know now, and I’ll give it to another student.”

I seethed with frustration, aching to shake her until she dealt with me on a straight level.“Of course I want it!You said in your office I wouldn’t get it.”

She arched a brow.“No, I never said that.I wanted to find out if you’d be committed and figure out your true intentions.Now, I know.I’m taking a chance on you, Mr.Hunt.But you better make sure you show me this.”She jerked a thumb toward my painting.“And not some of that boring crap you tried to pass off as real art.Enjoy your night.”

She walked away without a backward glance.

The stress of the past weeks finally broke.My confusion and worry over Quinn.The doubts about myself.And the way my safe place—my art—had suddenly turned into a mind-game explosion due to one raging bitch who wanted to screw with me.

Tendrils of rage licked at my nerve endings, driving me forward.I threw down my brush and followed her into the office, my fists clenched.She looked up from a pile of papers as if I was a minor annoyance.“Yes?”

“I’ve had enough,” I ground out.“How am I expected to work with you?Let you mentor me when I don’t trust you?When I know you’re just waiting to tie me up in knots because you think I work better when I’m miserable?”

Ava rose from her chair in one graceful motion.Locking my gaze on hers, she strode toward me with slow, deliberate paces.“I’ll use anything at my disposal if it makes you better,” she drawled.“But let’s be honest.You didn’t come into this office to talk, did you?”

Shock left me speechless.Not even realizing what I was doing, I backed up until I hit the wall, staring at her in growing discomfort.Holy hell, she thought I wanted to sleep with her.Was I giving off that impression?Sure, she reeked of sex and drama.Back in the day, I would’ve devoured her whole, not giving a shit because I had a feeling Ava was the mistress of all sex and mind games.We would’ve happily torn each other apart until we finally parted, exhausted and shattered into tiny pieces.

In that one moment, I had a decision to make.I could choose Quinn and fight for what we had.Or I could slip back into my old shit.Ava would push me further and harder than I ever could imagine.She’d probably make me a star.I’d never have to hide the raw, primitive side of me I tried so desperately to keep in check for Quinn, sweet, sexy, giving Quinn.My brain clicked furiously, trying to choose, while she moved closer until she paused before me, her husky laugh raking across my ears.

I gathered the last of my rage and frustration and battled for the woman I loved.“Fuck you.”

Her eyes filled with the challenge, and I knew she relished my fight.I was only a pawn to her in a lifelong game I no longer wanted to play.

“Why don’t you fuck me instead?”

I should’ve pushed her away, because I knew right then, I’d choose Quinn every time.

But I didn’t.

Her mouth pressed against mine, and those few seconds in my world were to be the ones that destroyed me.I registered her scent, the tip of her tongue ready to plunge, the way her tits pressed up against my chest.But my body cried for Quinn, my mind locking into place, and I was about to shake her off when a low, guttural cry broke through the air.

Ava turned.My gaze lifted.

Shocked brown eyes stared into mine.

Quinn.

“Quinn!”My lips formed her name, horror washing over me in waves as I realized what she saw and believed.My horror increased when I realized that in those few seconds I’d hesitated, I lost the only choice that kept me alive.

My love for Quinn.

I shoved Ava away and went after Quinn.

“Don’t—j-just don’t!”She turned, and I quickly closed the distance, reaching out to grab her arm.“Leave me alone!”she screamed.I stopped in my tracks, and then she was sobbing and running away from me, and I watched my life shatter into pieces around me.

Chapter Sixteen

QUINN

I knew he’d come after me.I also knew he’d break down the door, and even though I hated him, I had to hear his story.Why he’d betrayed me.What I’d done wrong to place my trust in him when he’d been lying the whole time.

I didn’t know how much time had passed.I sobbed and rocked myself, and then finally, the anger hit, so deep and hard, it shook my body like a storm, and I could barely hang on.

He knocked on the door.“Quinn?Please open up.Please.”

He had his key, but allowed me the dignity of decision.I swiped at my swollen eyes, got up from the floor, and flung open the door.

Oh, he reeked of guilt.From his distressed, grief-stricken expression to the dim light in his eyes.I almost lost it again, but I was too mad.“How long have you been fucking her?”I finally asked, feeling the bitter words hurt my tongue.

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