Page 11 of Call It What You Want
“His name is Jameson,” I say. “My nephew.”
He stares at me for long seconds, and I wonder if he’s going to devise some way of using Jameson as leverage against me. Maybe threaten me and force me to cooperate. In the end, all he says is, “Cute kid. Is the father around?”
“No.”
He nods slowly, his eyes flicking over Jameson’s sweet face.
I can’t breathe.
“I’ve got to hand it to Olivia,” he says, finally putting the phone down. “I never really saw her as the motherly type.”
My sister’s ten years older than me, and yeah, she’s always had a selfish streak. But she had to be a little selfish. When our mom walked out, I was three and she was thirteen, which meant she ended up raising me while Dad worked. Anyone would be a little resentful about that.
“People change,” I say.
After a few seconds of silence, he leans back in and presses his lips against mine softly. I’m too stunned to move, which is so fucking dumb. I’ve imagined this moment a million times in my mind, and every single time, I’ve scowled, said something snarky, then slapped him across the face.
And God, thatwhack, and his head snapping to the side, the shocked look in his eyes…just imagining it was enough to make my clit twitch.
And yet here I am, in real life, completely frozen.
Using his teeth, he tugs on my bottom lip. “I think you like me a little bit psycho,” he whispers, a call back to my earlier comment.
I wouldn’t dare admit it to him, but yeah, okay, maybe. His level of crazy kept life interesting, I’ll say that. But then, crazy spiraled into completely unhinged, and it tore my life apart. So, yeah, no. I wouldn’t say it’s a quality I’m looking for in a guy.
“I like boring,” I say, swallowing. “I like Chase.”
He pulls back and something dark flickers across his expression—jealousy, maybe? But that’s impossible. Jackson and I haven’t been together in three years, and I know for a fact he’s been with plenty of other women since then. I mean, the man isdiabolicallyattractive, the kind of gorgeous that makes people do double-takes on the street. When we were dating, girls would practically throw themselves at him right in front of me, like I was invisible.
“No, you don’t,” he says with a level of confidence that absolutely infuriates me. “You’ve convinced yourself you like that fucking simp—” He tucks a strand of hair over my ear, his fingertips brushing gently against my cheek. A shiver trips down my spine.Ugh.“—But I know you, Doe-eyes. You like it rough…” He nips at my lip again. “...and so fucking dirty.”
I shake my head. “That was years ago,” I say. “I’m not that girl in your backseat anymore.”
And it’s true. Well, mostly true. I’m not as naive as that girl was, and not nearly as forgiving. But, do I like rough sex? Yes. Sue me. That doesn’t mean I’m willing to walk away from a sweet, mentally stable guy to get it.
The edges of his mouth lift in a knowing smile. I’ve always had that sense about Jackson—that he could see into me in ways that no one else could. Lying to him was nearly impossible. Thankfully, I’ve gotten better at it over the years.
“Sure, Doe-eyes. Keep telling yourself that until you believe it.”
With every word, his warm breath brushes over my cheek. It smells minty, like he just brushed his teeth. I bring my hands up and push against his chest, but he doesn’t move. I knew he wouldn’t. No one on this planet can make Jackson McKnight do anything he doesn’t want to do. He’s more stubborn than stone and built like a linebacker.
My jaw tightens. “Has anyone ever told you how fucking arrogant you are?”
“Yeah,” he says, pulling back to look at me. “You. Many times.”
“I can’t be the only one.”
He shrugs. “I’m sure a lot of people think it. But so far, you’re the only one brave enough to say it.”
Brave or stupid. Maybe I’ve been going about this all wrong. Maybe the quickest way out of this whole mess is to play along, fawn over him, pretend I’m flattered by his attention. Maybe then, he’ll get bored with me and let me go…
Ugh.
This is going to kill me, but I have to get out of here. I’m desperate at this point.
Sucking in a breath, I reach deep, deep down to the hidden shadows of my soul, and awaken that girl from three years ago.I’ve tried to kill her, bury her, but every once in a while, I can feel her stirring, struggling to take a breath.
Now, I have no choice but to let her…
