“I wasn’t waiting for you,” I say dryly.
Does he really think I just sat around for a year waiting for him to come back?
He slides the bracelet back on, unbothered by my cold reply. “So, you’re telling me you fucked Chance at Theo’s party?”
My mouth falls open. I’ll never get used to how fast this boy can go from deep, heartbreaking apologies to this.
“I…”
He arches an eyebrow, inching closer to me on the blanket. “It’s a simple question, Gem.”
This is the second time he’s asked me that. The first time I told him no, but this time, I might just have to toy with him a little bit.
“We did things. Lots of things,” I lie.
His fists harden at his sides, his jaw muscles flexing as he tries to keep his jealousy in line. “That’s not what I asked. I said, did you fuck him?”
I’m not sure what he’s trying to prove by getting me to say it out loud, but I’d rather not give him more ammunition. I’m afraid my heart is going to puncture a hole through my rib cage when his hand begins to move from his side of the blanket to mine. His knuckles graze my stomach, barely touching me. We’re still facing each other, both lying on our sides, and I have to force myself not to look at his mouth.
Jesus, Dia, get a grip.
“Did he take you, Dia?” His voice is barely above a whisper. “Did he bend you over and take you so fucking hard you forgot what we had?”
I wish I could say I’m flustered, but what I am is so much worse than that. Fuck, I think I’m… turned on? Heat settles in my stomach, and I only realize I’m clenching my legs when my clit starts to pulse. It’s been so long since I’ve felt this way, I eventually convinced myself I’d never feel that kind of pull again. I was seriously starting to think I was dead… down there.
“Did he?” Finn urges.
I hold my breath when he presses his fingertips to my stomach and guides his hand under the fabric of my shirt. He’s not shy about it either, staring me dead in the eyes to monitor my reactions. It’s almost nothing, but the feel of his fingers on my skin is enough to disarm me completely.
“N-No,” I choke out.
His lips tip into a wicked smile.
“And why is that?” He starts to draw slow circles on my skin with his index, and I shiver all the way down to my toes.
What was the question again?
“I… I don’t know,” is all I manage to say.
“Well, that’s a shame. Because I do.” His fingers begin to glide down my abdomen, his touch light and torturous. “You didn’t fuck him because you’re mine, Gem. And whether you realized it or not, you were waiting for me. You always fucking will be.”
“I’m not yours.” It takes all I have to keep my voice from shaking.
He moves closer again, pressing his chest to mine. I expect my body to stiffen, but instead, each of my muscles relaxes. His tongue darts out to wet his bottom lip, and I don’t know why, but holy shit, that does something to me.
“Say that again,” he challenges.
I get the sense that I’m going to regret complying but do it anyway. “I’m. Not. Yours.”
I’m convinced I’m going to flatline when his right hand clutches the back of my head, and he twists my curls around his fist.
“Then tell me to stop.”
I let out an audible gasp when he undoes the button of my jeans and slips his fingers inside. He’s not asking me for consent; he’s asking me to reject him. He’s daring me to say no.
It’s not that hard, Dia.
Just say no.