Page 94 of The Invite
I rise from the bed and run a hand through my hair in irritation. “You’re being paranoid, Scarlett.”
“I’m telling you I’m not getting a good feeling about this.” Her expression twists. “Something is up. You’re just too distracted with our new teacher to notice it.”
I conceal my emotions but she sees right through it. If there’s one person on this earth who knows me inside and out, it’s my sister and vice versa.
She’s spot-on in her accusation but that doesn’t mean I like it. Especially when she interrupted while I was reading Nessa’s bratty texts right after I saw her masturbate with desperate strokes of her wrist.
The sight was riveting and would’ve been perfect if she had her clothes off.
It took all my willpower not to demand she take them off through the hidden speakers I’ve put all over her house.
Yeah, she tried her best to locate them but failed terribly. The guy I hired to do the job is the best in the business. There’s no way Nessa will see the cameras unless I show her myself.
The distance of four days hasn’t lessened my obsession with my gorgeous and fiery little prey. I’ve done nothing but watch her on the feed once she returns from work as though it’s my sustenance. The exact opposite of what I intended to do.
It didn’t help that every single night she would wait for my arrival and look through the window in the living room. She didn’t even bother to lock her doors, which bothered me.
I’ve drawn the conclusion that the deep and twisted longing is mutual. The truth was right in her behavior and tonight’s texts—they all but taunted and begged me to come see her. It was a plot twist I didn’t see coming.
Nessa desires me despite hating my guts, and the knowledge pisses me off. All I crave is her submission, not an all-consuming connection where being apart leaves us both torn and empty.
Distance makes the heart grow fonder, they say.
Except in my case, it’s everything but my dead heart that has become addicted to everything about her. I hardly know anything about her except for herbrave nature, the stubbornness in her character, andthe sounds she makes when she chases her orgasms before collapsing into my arms like I’m her lifeline.
What will I turn into if I get to know her completely and deeply?
Neither of us should want to find out.
Pushing thoughts of her out of my mind, I observe my sister closely. She really is spooked by the anonymous notes and it’s understandable. But is there more she isn’t telling me? Does she not know by now that I’ll protect her at all costs?
“Scarlett, tell me what’s really going on?” I ask placatingly.
Her jaw tightens, and she retorts, “I should be asking you that.”
“Nothing is going on between me and Nessa, Scarlett.”
“Oh, so you’re on a first-name basis with her.” Crossing her arms, she flicks her chin toward my bandaged hand. “How did you get hurt, Gus?”
“I accidentally cut it.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” I snap. “I never interfere when your war against Kaid and his gang. I suggest you do the same and stay out of my business.”
“Too late because I threatened Miss Davenport a few days ago.”
“What did you do?” My tone is low and hard.
A smug smirk tilts her mouth. “You obviously aren’t showing her that she’s a nobody in this town. So, I did. The Augustus I know would’ve never let her walk free, much less accepted the suspension. You’re getting soft and it’s a pathetic color on you.”
Giving me a disappointing look, she twists and walks away.
There’s no point in going after her either. She does as she pleases but I never thought one day it’ll be against me. A part of me knows she’s done it to protect me in her own way, while another part is furious because she’s right.
Seeing Nessa fragile and fractured made me soften toward her.
It’s the second time in my entire life that I have.
