Page 62 of Ruthless Chaos
I came here in search of a quiet place to enjoy my drink.
Thoughts of him have terrorized my every waking moment. He is as fierce as I remember him, perhaps more austere. The dark eyes, the messy hair.
The strong arms that bent me to his will.
Every fiber of my being tells me to run, to cower.
I refuse to do so this time.
I’ve probably relived our last encounter a million times by now. Each time, it felt like I should have stood up for myself more. I shouldn’t have let him break me like that.
Now I have the chance to do things differently. Maybe it’s that drink I had at the bar before coming up here, but I feel a bit more courageous. Screw him.
I look beyond him and make a beeline for the seating area.
“Your life is so fucking pathetic,” Alexander’s tone is derisive.
His words slow my steps.
My heart starts thundering in my chest. Against my better judgment, I turn to face him. He’s wearing a cunning smile, his white teeth luminous in the dim light of the rooftop. He stuffs his hands in his pockets.
Alexander isn’t even trying to hide the fact he’s gawking at my body. It’s like he’s undressing me in his mind. Heat snakes up the back of my neck.
I hate that he can set me on fire with just a look.
“Excuse me?” I imbue my question with as much animosity as I can.
“Drinking on a rooftop all alone while your friends are out partying,” he says, taking a step towards me. “Quite the sad life, Allie.” He grins wider, as if he’s told a joke.
I frown, the heat spreading to my face and chest.
I shouldn’t fall for his teasing. He probably likes it when I get upset.
I clench my free hand into a fist.
“You’re here, aren’t you?” In my mind, I throw my drink at him, but I know I can’t get away with that.
I take a sip of it instead.
A deep laugh rumbles from Alexander’s chest. “What’s your point?”
“Your life is just as sad as mine,” I say. “Perhaps more pathetic, because you have the means to be elsewhere.”
His mood darkens, the edge of his lips falling.
Part of me is pleased that he looks offended by my insult. My fight-or-flight kicks in after, though. Have I just made a terrible mistake?
It’s just like him to goad me then get upset when I retaliate.
Alexander crosses the space between us quickly.
His face is set in stone, unreadable. There’s a harshness to his aura as it envelopes me, and goosebumps prickle my skin at how familiar it has become.
He puts his hand on the base of my neck. My nerves light up from his touch.
“You’re admitting that we’re the same?” My stomach flutters. I grit my teeth, trying to dredge up the anger I felt just moments before. It’s fleeting.
I shake my head. “I’m not a monster,” I retort, holding my chin high.
