Page 40 of Promise of Destruction
The accusation makes me jump, turning guiltily with the crushed cup in hand and my cheeks red. Declan stands in the door with his arms crossed over his chest, an amused expressionon his face as he shakes his head. "Scandalous. I should run an article about it. We can't let such atrocities go about unnoticed."
I swallow, truly having nothing to say. I open my mouth and let words come out, and I end up sounding more petulant than I even meant to be when I made this decision.
"What kind of stupid pot has holes in the bottom, anyway?"
I think, for one shocking moment, that he may laugh. His jaw twitches and his tongue flicks out over his lips before he rubs his chin, wiping away all traces of amusement. "The kind that houses a plant which only needs misted... like Monstera."
I turn to look at my mess and feel ridiculous. I can't let him know that, though. "Well, it's hideous." I cross my arms, hoping I don't look like the child I just acted like. I certainly sound like one. "Looks like Swiss cheese."
"Because it isn't beautiful it doesn't deserve to live?" Declan challenges. And this time, he doesn't bother trying to suppress a smirk.
"No. It just—I— "
He reaches for the cord of the blinds and gives it a swift tug, prompting the first set to snap shut. I jump as the blinds slap into place, and he moves to the next set. "What are you— ?"
"I didn't have you pegged as someone so... cruel."
"I'm not cruel," I argue, as the second set of blinds snap into place, making me jump again.
When he reaches for the last one, I move out from around his desk, freeing myself up to dart to the door if I need to. After him telling me that he'd spank my ass raw if I ever opened my door in a robe again, I kind of expect he's going to bend me over the desk and make good on the threat in revenge for his Monstera.
"You're vicious." He challenges me, fingering the cord on the last set of blinds for a moment before letting them slam down into place. "You called me a killer... not in so many words, but I know what you were suggesting. And yet, here you are..."
"You're comparing me drowning a plant to whatyoudo?" I laugh. "Not the same thing. Not even close."
"What do I do?" He smirks, standing before me as I take a step back, acutely aware that I'm running out of space to put between us. "Say what it is that you think makes me a monster, Miss Palmer."
"Where do I begin?" I laugh, glancing over his shoulder to calculate the distance to the door and whether I can dart around him to get it open before he can catch me. "Stalking people, for one. You stood outside my bathroom and..." My voice falters.
I'm suddenly too embarrassed to say the words aloud. And he enjoys every second of my discomfort, a wolfish grin spreading across his stupid, handsome face.
"I... what?"
"You touched yourself to me."
"I did more than touch myself." He winks. "And we both know it. I fucked my hand like it was your hot little throat and left my cum all down the side of your stucco."
My mouth drops open, shocked at the sudden vulgarity.
"Oh, don't tempt me to make good on the fantasy, Miss Palmer. I'll put that mouth to good use for once if you leave it open like that."
I promptly snap my jaw shut, so hard my teeth clack together.
"You're disgusting." I accuse. "You think our contract excuses you from sexual harassment? Illinois law kind of supersedes that."
Declan merely laughs, closing the gap between us fully so that he boxes me in. "Illinois law. The law that's upheld by the same people you've already admitted are in my pocket."
I guess my face must betray the flash of terror that flits through me, making me feel lightheaded, because he laughs. "I can do whatever I want to you, Soren Palmer, and there's nothing you can do about it. You're my toy."
"I'mnota toy." I snap, letting my rage overwhelm the fear. "I'm a fucking human."
"Human life is intrinsically meaningless, especially when you have no power. You thought you did, though, didn't you? Thought you were big and bad writing about how awful I am? You thought I was the big bad wolf, but you're not Red Riding Hood, little birdie. As far as anyone is concerned, you're the little girl who cried wolf when there was nothing but sheep. Will anyone believe you when things get bad?"
I bite back any response about things already being bad and stare him down. I have to look up to do it, he's so close. I can feel his warm breath, smell his heady cologne, see the chaos glittering in his eyes.
"I've been the girl who cried wolf for a year as far as anyone else is concerned." I shrug. "So go ahead. Just try and hurt me. I have nothing left to lose."
I mean every word I say… and I also don't. I took this deal to try and hang onto my house, the last thing I have of my husband other than the memories. It's the only thing he can take from me that would matter, but I won't tell him that and give him what he wants.
